March 1999 Volume 80 Number 3 "serving the protectors"
Editorial
By Andy Dunn(secretary@pasa.asn.au)

The Right Stuff

There can be no doubt that those who constitute SA’s thin blue line are made of the right stuff. Their capacity and commitment to serve beyond the scope of their police duties is evident on an almost daily basis.

Consider Senior Constable Craig Scott, featured in our story SA Cop’s Expertise Sought From Abroad. Craig left his home, family and country to carry the message of road safety to the youth of another country. He even hopes to return and continue his efforts.

In an inspirational display of commitment last July, six police officers rode bicycles from Adelaide to Alice Springs for the Royal Flying Doctor Service. The trip consumed 54 days of the officers’ combined time, but they were happy simply to have raised $9,000 for the service.

Moved by the tragedy of caged Asiatic black bears, Constable Lyn White travelled to China to see their suffering for herself. She later organized school students and community groups to help raise funds to rehabilitate these injured and degraded animals.

Consider the band of Whyalla police officers which last year responded to a call for help from the Friends of Domiciliary Care. Seeking no reward, the officers formulated and carried out a plan to raise funds for the group - funds which could be used to purchase much-needed items for senior citizens.

And to ease the burden of child cancer sufferers, nearly 70 SA police gathered last year - as police do every year - to have their heads shaved in public. Through extensive behind-the-scenes work before the public shaving, these police raised over $120,000 for cancer-stricken children.

Stories of police commitment and service beyond regular duties would fill volumes of the Police Journal.

So it’s not only police officers’ ceaseless commitment to duty which should be greatly appreciated, but also their extraordinary depth and quality of character.

Media Rules a Step Backwards

SAPOL’s recent amendment to its general order on the release of information to the media is cause for concern. It in no way demonstrates a modern, progressive approach to police-media relations. Sadly, the amendment smacks of fear of exposure and a “closed-shop” mentality.

Why does the order still forbid police officers from commenting on SAPOL policies? Rank-and-file, operational cops are, after all, the ones best placed to judge management’s edicts - they have to work by them.

If police officers wished to make positive commentary on SAPOL policy, would that be permitted while negative commentary was prohibited?

In light of refusals by some police managers to speak to the Police Journal last year, we await their response to interview requests post the amendment.