January 1999 Volume 80 Number 1 "serving the protectors"
Editorial
By Andy Dunn (editor@pasa.asn.au)

Risking More than the Body

The enormous risks to operational police officers’ physical safety as they go about their day-to-day duty of service to the community cannot, and should not be understated.

Often overlooked, however, are the mental and emotional strains by which they can be just as consumed.

This month’s cover story, Deathly Investigations, illustrated the relentless emotional trauma associated with the work of Major Crash investigators. They are to be commended not only for dealing with members of the public suffering such trauma, but also for maintaining their own sanity and professionalism.

Imagine one who has to prepare for a new job by handling and observing corpses in various states of decomposition, as did one investigator interviewed by Brett Williams.

But, of course, many other employees within SAPOL work in positions conducive to the same degree of emotional stress.

Consider those of the Domestic Violence Unit immersed in the grief of battered women and children; Major Crime investigators absorbed in the scenes of the State’s ugliest murders; and street patrols who see it all.

It’s generally recognized that police put their lives on the line everyday of their working lives. Not always so obvious, however, is that by doing so, they don’t just risk their bodies - they risk their hearts and minds.

Voices of Inexperience

Reported in The Advertiser late last year were the claims of a group of teenagers whose combined ages total only that of one octogenarian. Through their comments, however, they illustrated that their experience of life in no way equals any man or woman in his or her eighties.

The article (Same streets but different worlds, 21.10.98) was a “round-up-the-usual-suspects” piece; the standard youth allegations against various forms of authority. The high school students interviewed spoke of being harassed; stopped from having fun; police having it in for teenagers; and being directed to cease loitering.

To those who have been around for a few years there would be a familiar ring to these cries of near-oppression. And the “aggressors” about whom they’ve complained could even be interchangeable with parents and teachers.

In any case, perhaps those students should ask themselves whether they’ve justifiably condemned police intimidators, or simply shown ingratitude to intelligent, life-experienced adults concerned for their wellbeing.