February 1999 Volume 80 Number 2 "serving the protectors"
Editorial
By Andy Dunn

Strikingly Similar Roles

Instituting the police chaplaincy five-and-a-half years ago was one of the most worthwhile moves undertaken in SAPOL’s recent history. From the time the chaplaincy concept first emerged, it was always strongly supported by the Police Association.

It’s true that not all police officers are inclined toward use of the chaplains’ services. But of the many who have sought their help in times of grief or great emotional need, most openly concede that they owe an enormous debt of gratitude.

As I read this month’s cover story, Holy Police Supporters, some weeks before publication, I saw that there was a strikingly clear parallel between the chaplaincy and the Police Association.

Their common goal seemed so obvious: at all costs, care for and protect the interests of South Australia’s dedicated law enforcers. And in this, members of each group are more driven than anyone in the entire community.

When forced to withdraw from the chaplaincy by virtue of transfers from their parishes, many chaplains have doggedly sought continued involvement at alternative police stations. It seems that if there’s one thing a police chaplain can find it’s a way to serve.

And, of course, it’s not only been individual police officers to whom the chaplains have selflessly made their help available. The spouses and children of traumatized officers have, in many instances, been the fortunate recipients of chaplains’ unconditional support.

SAPOL would be much poorer for the loss of the chaplaincy - but it’s become far too valued to ever be lost.

Hopefully, all police departments, governments and societies will one day share the chaplains’ measure of concern for the blue-uniformed men and women’s welfare.

Eighty Years On

When the first ever Police Journal hit the streets, Billy Hughes was Australia’s prime minister; America’s World Series baseball championship was fixed; and Eva Peron was born in Argentina. It was 1919, and from that year on, the Police Journal has never been out of circulation.

Of course, today’s journal would be barely recognizable to those responsible for its production all those years ago. But for the entertaining, informative and financially successful magazine we have today, great credit is clearly due to the visionaries of that time.

The journal’s priceless advantage today - which will never be forsaken - is its ability to take police officers’ plaudits, concerns and grievances directly to the people’s representatives. The journal disallows them the option of pleading ignorance to any aspect of the police officers’ plight.

Happy birthday, Police Journal.