Andy
Please accept my resignation from the Police Association. My last
day of service was November 18, 2004.
Nineteen years ago I entered the police academy under the shadow
of being “son of Nick”. I leave with great memories, sensational mates
and wonderful stories to rehash and expand on with the benefit of
time. It would be amiss not to mention that I also met my wife during
this time.
Those of you who know me will realize that I have never been in
one spot for too long, much to the annoyance of my wife. Personally,
I think that a great aspect of SAPOL is the opportunity to move, with
postings at Mount Gambier, Marla, Darlington patrols and CEU, National
Crime Authority, Surveillance Section, Berri, Port Augusta, Sturt,
ACB and more recently Sturt TAC and Mantle. I think I have exploited
this well.
I leave not because of frustration, but because of a very good job
opportunity I have secured with the experiences I gained during my
career.
Finally, I personally thank the lasting members of Course 15 (7/85).
See you all at the 20-year reunion. To name the remaining people who
have influenced my life would be unfair as I would leave someone out
and you would get bored reading the list. To those I speak of – thank
you.
Regards
Chris Zuvich
CFL (Constable for Life)
Dear Andy
Please accept my resignation from the Police Association due to my
resignation from SAPOL effective November 29, 2004.
Thanks to you and the staff for your assistance recently, and well
done on EB4.
It has been some 19 years, the last 12 or so at STAR Group. I have
truly loved this job, especially at STAR. It is all about the journey,
and what a journey it has been for me.
I have worked with some exceptional people and been in some life-changing
situations, which I will never forget. Some of the training and the
thrill of the next big job were fantastic, all the time thinking:
“They pay me to do this!” It is time for a new challenge, however
– the next leg of the journey.
I enjoyed support across the board in SAPOL, never more so than
recently as a result of the arrest and shooting of an armed offender.
The comments I received from management, direct from the SEG, were
very supportive and I believe set a new precedent.
It is not the incident that usually sours the relationship, it is
the post-incident management and, for this, I say thanks to all those
involved. The support from the Police Association and Michael Woods
was very good. I would encourage all members to seek advice in the
very first instance of a similar situation.
To the members of SAPOL I have worked with, I wish you all the best.
Mark Worsley
Sergeant, 633/2
Operations Section
STAR Group
Dear Andy
Please accept my resignation from the Police Association. My last
day with SAPOL is December 1, 2004. Best wishes to all for the future.
Regards
Peter W Vincent
Det Snr Const, 3319/0
Port Adelaide CIB
Dear Andy
Please accept my resignation from the Police Association of South
Australia effective December 3, 2004. I have taken retirement from
SAPOL at this time, completing almost 33 years.
To President Peter Alexander, along with the many other dedicated
committee and staff members who have served throughout the years –
thank you.
My best wishes for the future to the many people I have been associated
with. There has been so much over the years, and so many memories
of people past and present. Do I write a long letter, or just leave
saying love and best wishes.
Margaret Hall
Sergeant 1320/0
Crime Reduction Section
Dear Andy
Please accept my resignation from the Police Association effective
December 8, 2004, to coincide with my last day of service with SAPOL.
Kind regards
Brian Partridge
Police Station Moonta
Dear Andy
Please accept my resignation from the Police Association of South
Australia effective Friday December 10, 2004, due to my retirement
from SAPOL.
Yours sincerely
Wolfe Rohde
Sergeant (TGO-4)
2582/5
Radio & Technology Support Unit
Andy
Please accept my resignation from the Police Association of South
Australia, my last day of service with SAPOL being December 12, 2004,
approximately one month short of 43 years of service.
In this time, I have had a varied and wonderful career spanning
a 20-year stint in the Mounted Operations Unit. In that era, when
we competed, I achieved two national titles.
At the Royal Melbourne Show in 1972, I was the Australian individual
tent-pegging champion.
In 1983, I won the Australian title for the Coca Cola Cup; and,
in a worldwide computer printout of 29 countries that had a similar
competition, I was placed ninth in the world ratings.
I was also a member of the SAPOL mounted vaulting display team,
which travelled extensively throughout the state and interstate. This
was a wonderful PR tool, which I think is now missing from SAPOL.
Vivid memories of cantering in a troop of 16 horses – in conjunction
with the police band – onto Wayville showgrounds, where the stands
were packed. An overseas scribe wrote that it was “one of the most
professional acts” he had seen.
In 1968-69, I had a 12-month stint in Vietnam, after which I came
back to patrols at Region G, now Adelaide Patrols.
Enough nostalgia.
I finished my career at South Coast LSA, the majority of my time
at Christies patrols and, later, Aldinga patrols. The time at these
locations will stay forever in my mind. The camaraderie of persons
too numerous to mention and the enthusiasm of the younger officers
made coming to work a pleasure.
Andy, I leave with no regrets. Working with positive people outweighs
the negative gloom-and-doom people; and there are more good people
we deal with than “the other side”.
I would do it all over again.
I thank you and the association for a job well done for the members.
I will be gainfully employed in retirement with four horses in showjumping,
and giving back to pupils what SAPOL gave to me in the Mounted Operations
Unit – correct teachings/skills.
John Patterson
Constable 1103/3
Aldinga Patrols
Dear Andy
Please accept my resignation from the Police Association as my last
day of service with SAPOL will be Dec 13, 2004.
It is with a mixture of sadness, trepidation and excitement that
I leave SAPOL after 18 years. My husband has been offered a position
with the Corruption and Crime Commission in Perth, an opportunity
too good to pass up, so we’re off again.
I have no axes to grind and have had an absolute ball, from my original
posting at Port Adelaide Patrols to my time in the specialist areas
and my country postings.
I’ve met some fantastic people and made lifelong friends. It’s my
time at the Sexual Assault Unit that I hold dearest to my heart. To
work in such a close-knit team environment with such special and dedicated
people totally enriched my career. Who would have considered that
such a stressful job could be so much damn fun?
To Hel and Mel – still such precious parts of my life – those seven
years will stay with me forever. I know the laughs and good times
will continue, no matter where I am.
Like any police officer, I take with me my fair share of, at times,
surreal experiences. I survived an emergency police plane landing
on Spilsby Island with an assistant commissioner, nearly lost my left
boob to a German shepherd one nightshift at Ethelton – thank God for
under-wire bras – and got the opportunity to experience travelling
the Strezlecki Track to Innamincka for a job.
To the members of Course 142 – in which it all started in 1986 –
thanks, guys. Don’t forget me if ever one of you gets off your butt
and organizes another reunion (remember, I organized the last one).
It’s over to you now, Verlaine, as the sole remaining female member
to fly that girly flag high.
All the best
Sheree Zuvich (née Murphy)
Dear Andy
I wish to inform you that I will be withdrawing my membership of
the Police Association due to my resignation from SAPOL, effective
as of Wednesday, December 22, 2004.
To those I have had the pleasure of knowing and spending time with
during my short and distinguished career, I thank you very much for
your friendship and wish you all the very best for the future.
All my love
Blayne Cornford
Constable 7291/5
Dear Andy
I wish to cancel my membership with the Police Association in line
with my resignation from SAPOL, effective December 23, 2004.
Thank you
Amanda Haselgrove
Adelaide LSA
Dear Andrew
After 38 years of reading retirements in the Police Journal,
it is now my time to retire from SAPOL and, therefore, please accept
my resignation from the Police Association.
Looking back over those many years, I am very thankful and appreciative
of being able to serve the South Australian community as a member
of SAPOL. To all the members and friends in SAPOL, I wish to thank
them very much for their friendship and loyalty and wish them the
best of luck for the future.
Only sworn members and their families can appreciate the highs and
lows of policing and the responsibility placed on us all, but I would
not have changed anything.
My last day of service was Christmas Day 2004. What a wonderful Christmas
present, one I will never forget.
Thanks to everyone and, if you are in the One Tree Hill area, come
and visit us at emazing emus.
Roger Zeuner
Dear Andy
Please accept my resignation from the Police Association of South
Australia, my last day of service being December 29, 2004.
Thank you to my colleagues I have worked with at Communications and
Elizabeth LSA and to the great friends I have made. If any of you
are up in the Gold Coast, feel free to look me up.
Yours sincerely
Vicky Kent
Const 5778/9
Dear Andy
Due to my retirement from SAPOL and last date of service – December
29, 2004 – I express my many thanks to the Police Association, having,
over the years, been part of that team for a few years representing
members, particularly with issues at Port Augusta, where I was stationed
for the last 18 years.
A lot of workplace issues have been confronted over the years between
the association and SAPOL, and I dare say they won’t get any easier
as more complex issues arise.
As I bow out of the service there are some real concerns that I have
regarding the pressures put on young members. I have seen many come
to Port Augusta straight from the academy and basically thrown to
the wolves to fend for themselves, as there is a lack of senior members
to take them under their wings and train them up to be competent and
confident people.
I take my hat off to these young members, as the majority really
do try to do the right thing overall in the circumstances. But, when
some service is not provided (because they probably don’t know) to
the public, they are the first to be hounded in the head hunt.
To all you young aspiring members, I will always consider the hardships
that you are being confronted with in your moulding years and respect
that. But my last bit of advice, for what it’s worth: although you
wear a uniform of authority, always try to treat people with the respect
that you would like shown to you. Very hard sometimes, I know, but
it pays off in the long run.
I thank all members I have worked with over the years, particularly
at Port Augusta, but the Far North LSA in general. I have enjoyed
working in this unique LSA. I will be remaining in Port Augusta due
to purchasing a local franchising business. A little lifestyle change.
Good luck to all
Tony Feltus
Senior Const 382/1
Port Augusta
Dear Andy
I hereby tender my resignation from the Police Association of South
Australia effective December 31, 2004.
DL Martin
Const 3509/5
Holden Hill LSA Traffic
Dear Andy
Please accept my resignation form the Police Association of South
Australia. My last day of service was January 2, 2005 – 42 years to
the day from that first tentative beginning when the members of C3/1/63
arrived at Fort Largs.
The time has arrived for me to retire and acknowledge the people
I have worked with throughout my career. Thank you to those who have
made my time with SAPOL exciting, enjoyable, rewarding, proud and
hilarious.
I thank the Police Association for its professionalism in representing
its members and I wish it continued success in the future.
Thanks for the memories. Goodbye and good luck.
John (JR) Lawrie
Dear Andy
Please accept my resignation from the Police Association of SA effective
from January 12, 2005, due to my retirement. I figured that 42 years
of service was enough. I leave with mixed emotions. I have made good
friends and worked with great men and women throughout those years.
It is time though. High time, some would say.
I think we become institutionalized. Now, like a prisoner released
after a life sentence, I will have to get used to the freedom. The
stresses will lift and allow me to start living and relaxing. I think
I can get used to that.
I thank all the staff at the association for their help and support.
Thank you for your efforts with the current EB. It couldn’t have come
at a better time. Alas, I can’t wait around for the last increment.
I gave it my best shot, in spite of some speed humps and stumbling
blocks along the way.
Support and be good to one another. Forget the backstabbing. It seems
to be the police culture if you want promotion, but surely there is
a better way to achieve your goals. Don’t compromise your ethics and
principals.
It has been a most interesting job. From major bushfires to floods,
demonstrations and royal visits, I did it all. Would I do it all,
again? Probably – with just a few adjustments.
My only regret is that I did not achieve the rank of sergeant, at
least before retiring. Having passed senior sergeant rank in 1986,
one would assume that the rank of sergeant was attainable. However,
the promotional structure favours the young. Experience counts for
nothing, it seems.
Now, at last, I will be able to start and finish a job without constant
interference of the radio demanding that I go to another situation
– right bloody now. I feel sorry for those of you with years of working
life ahead in the police service. It does not look like it’s getting
any easier. It is a worthwhile job, nonetheless. What is needed is
more praise for work well done.
Keep the faith. May the force be with you. This is Ben, signing
off.
Ben Jansen
Senior Constable, 366/7
Elizabeth Traffic
