November 1998 Volume 79 Number 11 "serving the protectors"
Editorial
By Andy Dunn (editor@pasa.asn.au)

Political Savvy

While cynicism about politicians and the political system abounds, Australian police unionists have no alternative but to interact constantly with their respective State MPs.

For some unionists - especially those not kindly disposed toward politicians - this interaction can be uninspiring, to say the least.

But when politicians support the police cause - as has been the case in the South Australian State Parliament recently - the Police Association freely expresses its gratitude.

The ALP and Democrat support which PASA received during parliamentary debate on the police bill earlier this year was certainly appreciated. And that appreciation was demonstrated by the space afforded each of those parties in the pages of the Police Journal.

Patrick Conlon says that he’s dedicated to police issues. He’s indicated his wish to maintain the police portfolio should his party win office at the next State election.

Recently appointed police minister, Robert Brokenshire, expressed rock-solid support for police at PASA’s recent annual conference.

Politicians should understand, however, that there’s no political naivete about the Police Association of South Australia.

A single period of co-operation and statements of intended support are all well and good. But where the interests of Police Association members are concerned, the Democrats don’t have a monopoly on keeping the bastards honest.

An interview with Robert Brokenshire will appear in an up-coming issue.

Authentic TV Cops

Ever since television began, it’s been a medium in which police work has featured prominently through drama series. Not all of them have been worth watching: their lack of realism and accuracy has been a turn-off to real wearers of the blue uniform.

Channel Seven’s Blue Heelers, however, seems generally to have the stamp of approval from many police around the country.

Most impressive recently, as told in Brett Williams’ article, Playing the Part, Understanding the Realities, was the actors wearing Police Remembrance Day ribbons during the same week in which services were held.

The Police Association expressed its gratitude directly to the show’s producers for taking the time to consider the meaning of those ribbons and scheduling them into the programme. Well done, Blue Heelers.