October 1998 Volume 79 Number 10 "serving the protectors"
Straight to the Point

The Times they are a Changin’

It seems like an eternity since the idea of a new-look SAPOL was put forward by the Commissioner. The uncertainty of the changes has, I believe, taken a pretty big toll on many within the organization. I’m hopeful that, with the resolution of the Police Act and PCA Act, all sides can focus on the enterprise agreement and bring on the change.

I say this not because I’m necessarily an advocate of change but because sometimes the fear of change is more destructive or negative than the actual change.

The problem of having possible changes hovering above is that you simply cannot deal with them. You cannot test or formulate real positions because the problems are not quite visible.

We all have a tendency to “catastrophise” - see the worst possible outcomes rather than the best. At the Police Association offices we have capable staff who gather the concerns of many to try to second guess the problems. SAPOL also has people who have an interest in trying to ensure as many bugs get sorted out before implementation - generally the HR staff. Of course, every member is potentially affected in some manner, so all have an interest in a positive transition and the creation of improved working conditions.

I am hopeful that the change created by the move to local service areas will have relatively few bugs. It will certainly need careful monitoring and reporting back from those involved. If there are difficulties they should be raised and a solution sought. Rightly or wrongly, the good will of the troops has always been the magic to make it all work. I suspect that, despite sometimes having feelings to the contrary, most of us will do it again because we like our work.

I believe that the Commissioner may have erred in not using Inspector Alex Zimmermann as part of the change process. I think it was his older brother, Bob Zimmermann - in the guise of Mr Dylan - who wrote those prophetic words: “So you’d better start swimming or you’ll sink like a stone, for the times they are a changin’.”

The pre-publishing response from my younger colleagues to my attempted humour in the last paragraph was: “I don’t get it.” Suffice to say that Bob Dylan is really Robert Zimmermann, who may or not be related to Alex. I’ll leave the humour and singing to others from now on.

Rewards and Recognition

I was very pleased to hear and read of the management decision relative to Service Awards. While these issues may not be earth shattering they do say something in the way of thanks to the troops.

Simple issues such as no formal event in recognition of service and the need to return the ID wallet have created angst for retirees. The details as announced as part of Focus 21 appear to be quite sensible.