1964

In Port Augusta Local Court

Two police officers were sued civilly in the local court for false arrest. One was ordered to pay £300 (then about a fifth of a senior constable’s salary) in damages, and the other £50 plus court costs.

A voluntary contribution fund was set up as a result. Each committee member put in £1. SAPOL members were invited to contribute to the fund. (The penalty figures would today amount to near $10,000.)

Cyprus

Bob Giles reported that SAPOL members were spread across the country and serving in Fumagusta, Larnaca and Ayios Theodhores.

Amendment to regulations of the Police Enquiry Committee

A survey was sent out to members on proposed amendments to the Police Enquiry Committee. The results were:

• 886 members voted in favour of the Police Enquiry Committee being constituted by a special magistrate sitting alone.
• 824 voted for inquiries to be conducted in a “closed court”.
• 847 were in favour of a special magistrate fixing the penalty.
• 695 were in favour of section 44 of the Police Regulation Act amendment to allow any appeal of a decision of the special magistrate to be heard by the Police Appeal Board.

Police classification board

PASA secretary, Ralph Tremethick, wrote to the Chief Secretary and included a draft copy of a bill to provide for a police classification board. Its purpose would be to provide a proper wage-fixing tribunal for members of SAPOL.

Motorcycle outfits

Mr Tremethick wrote to Commissioner McKinna as a result of suggestions from members of the Police Motorcycle Section. They had recommended that some outfits be replaced by Anglias or Cortinas.

The Commissioner committed to endeavour to replace 20 outfits during the 1964-65 financial year. He did, however, prefer the Holdens, particularly the (EH) utility.

Country vacancies

A Police Journal advertisement called for married men to serve in the country. “...few members are anxious to return to the City after they have seen service in the country districts,” it read. “Children will grow better on clean country air as opposed to the dusty, dirty city.”

Police shortage

Compared to world trends and figures, Australia had a national police staff shortage. By world standards, civil protection in Australia was below the international average.

1974

Cashing pay cheques

The practice of members cashing their pay cheques at the Police Club had caused some concern. Increases in salaries and penalty rates meant few pay cheques could be cashed. Members complained of the inability of the Police Club to cash their cheques. But holding large amounts of cash on paydays came at a cost to the club. The matter was to be referred to the Police Club board.

Single-person quarters

Questions about the conditions of single-member quarters were raised again.

Gym requested

Garage personnel vacated sections of the workshop at Thebarton police barracks and moved to Pennington. Barracks members requested the installation of a gymnasium for their use in some of the vacated areas.

PASA executive committee

The Police Association membership was called upon for nominations – in accordance with PASA rules – for executive committee positions. All positions were to be declared vacant and elections held, if necessary, in October.

Police medical benefits fund contributions

The police medical benefits fund contributions were set at 58¢ per fortnight (single members) and $1.15 per fortnight (married members).

1984

Quality-of-life survey

In light of PASA’s concerns about “the effects of stress, caused by shift work...” a quality-of-life survey on a “random stratified sample of members” was to be conducted. La Trobe University Brain Behaviour Institute director, Professor G Singer, would assess the survey results.

Assault police

A Police Journal editorial covered the “cowardly assault on a police officer at Port Victoria” and the issue of increased penalties for those guilty of such assaults.

Water police

The Police Journal cover featured members of the Underwater Recovery Squad. The accompanying story revealed that the section “...formed in 1957, with three members, all volunteers, making up the entire squad.”

The Police Welfare Unit

The unit was then seven years old and its members included David Marr, Warren May and Trevor Haskell.

Handguns

The Police Journal reported that former deputy premier, Mr Wright, received a submission “in an endeavour to obtain a change in the Government’s attitude to the wearing of exposed handguns.”

The constant failure of the Browning .380 semi-automatic pistol to operate had caused great concern.

1994

Superannuation

The Police Journal President’s Message expressed PASA’s concern over the government’s introduction of legislation to close the police superannuation fund to new entrants.

Assault police

Through the Police Journal, President Peter Alexander revealed that 295 police officers had been assaulted during the 12 months to August. This figure represented only those officers who had been punched or kicked. Mr Alexander quoted an old saying: “Police are the shock absorbers of social change.”

Country housing

Country housing issues continue to concern PASA and country members.

Housing Review

The Minister for Public Infrastructure initiated a review of government housing policy. The association sought the maintenance of the status quo.

Police Club

The Police Club reported that “patronage by the members and their families and friends has greatly improved...”

Retirements

Senior Constable Jim Best, Supt Don Hay and Assistant Commissioner Bruce Gamble resigned from PASA owing to their retirements from SAPOL in July.