July 1999 Volume 80 Number 7
"serving the protectors"
| July 1999 Volume 80 Number 7 "serving the protectors" |
|
| In the Watch House | |
| By David
Marr |
The recently completed multi-storey centre in the city square was the pride of Caesar’s architect’s office. None too soon either, for the troops had grown weary of the cramped temporary conditions next door in the former Housing Trust premises. Since the Caesural Commission’s release of detail regarding custodial fatalities, the Empire’s cell blocks were being rapidly upgraded. Few were more impressive than the new Jerusalem Watch House.
Local service area commander, Herod, proudly approved the refurbishments and appointed Group III to supervise the handling and transport of all prisoners. He had tested the practical aspects of his new watch house facilities by processing a number of leading Christians during the recent holiday period. The procedure wasn’t without controversy, so Centurion Gallio was summoned before the tribune for a briefing.
While sipping coffee and discussing the practical aspects of chariots on the sallyport turntable, an optio entered announcing that Jerusalem CIB had arrested a Christian named Simon who was en route to the watch house in a cage chariot.
“Now Gallio, you’d better handle this one personally”, requested Tribune Sagacious.
“Herod is taking a personal interest in all aspects of the watch house at present. Any stuff up and you’ll be back at the front counter. This prisoner has a large personal following and is at the centre of the whole Christian movement. The boss thinks that if this one is out of circulation the whole show will fold.”
“I don’t know about that boss”, said Gallio, “I’ve had a bit to do with these people as you might recall and in spite of everything, there is a lot more of them now than there were a few months ago.”
The unloading of the prisoner occurred without incident. Simon was silent and co-operative. The rumbling of the turntable ceased and as the sounds of the horses died away, the prisoner was already having his leather restraints exchanged for chains. With the inveterate Christian securely fasciated in his cell, Gallio returned to his watch house office and forwarded a message to LSA Commander Herod advising him of the situation and measures taken.
Gallio had taken all reasonable precautions and so was surprised to find the boss had immediately returned countermanding orders by carrier pigeon. Gallio muttered: “That’s why he’s the divisional commander and I’m only a centurion.” He called the duty vixen. “Decurion Salada, the prisoner Simon is to be double chained and made ready to be transferred to Herod’s cells sometime after midnight. In the meantime he is to be watched by your team as well as the Group III and watch house guards.”
“An intelligence report indicates Christians are meeting in support of this offender. The boss is obviously afraid someone will attempt a break in to steal your prisoner Decurion. The last thing we want is to lose this man, or have to explain another lost prisoner.”
At 2245 hours - prior to the close of shift - Senior Centurion Gallio and Decurion Salada together attended the cell block to check the security of their prisoner. The Christian Simon was actually asleep between two guards and double chained. The Group III guards were standing and chatting in the entrance hall while checking all who entered or passed through the area. With the prisoner secure, Gallio suggested Decurion Salada knock off for the day. He confidently returned to his office.
To be continued
SA Police Chaplains
Welfare Section 58 David Marr Tel: 8364 3567 Senior Police Chaplain. Academy 8 Mark Thomas. Tel: 8296 9616 Adelaide: Angas Street 158 Bruce Grindlay. Tel: 8295 2220 Adelaide: Hindley Street 62 Bruce Grindlay. Tel: 8295 2220 Adelaide Hills Division 54 Adrian Stephens. Tel: 8398 2510 Office: 8398 2517 Berri 212 Vacant Ceduna 214 Bob Borgas. Tel: 086 253 503 Christies Beach 20 Vacant Clare 202 Michael Dutschke. Tel: 088 423 681 Communications 172 David Hand. Tel: 8295 6992 Elizabeth 52 Stephen Brooks. Tel: 041 884 0739 Far North 210 Tony Redden. Tel: 08 8672 5011 Focus 21 Richard Lawton. Tel: 08 8363 2536 Gawler 52 Brian Tscharke. Tel: 085 222 288 Glenelg 22 Malcolm Thomas. Tel: 8377 0772 Henley Beach 18 Brenton Daulby. Tel: 8443 8286 Holden Hill 44 Tony Swansson. Tel: 8258 8951 Rod Dyson. Tel: 8365 1170 Kadina 71 Mark Dickens. Tel: 8823 2513 Kingston 208 Richard Dutton. Tel: 08 8767 2590 Mount Gambier 208 Brian Ashworth. Tel: 087 231 353 (W)
Tel: 087 252 537 (H)Murray Bridge 200 Malcolm Bottrill. Tel: 085 325 536 Naracoorte 208 Keith Brice. Tel: 087 622 303 Norwood 60 Vacant Nuriootpa 204 Andy Kowald. Tel: 085 621 011 Para Hills 46 Stephanie Swansson. Tel: 8258 8951 Plympton 14 Ian Dempsey. Tel: 8210 8108 Port Adelaide 6 Jeff Oake. Tel: 8341 5930 Port Pirie 206 Vacant Prosecution Services 176 Vacant Port Augusta PS 210 Shirley James. Tel: 08 8641 0146 Port Lincoln 214 Rob Packer. Tel: 08 8683 0302 Salisbury 53 Stephanie Swansson. Tel: 8258 8951 Sturt 12 Brenton Williamson. Tel: 8270 4316 Tea Tree Gully 48 Vacant Thebarton Barracks 32 Joe Grealy. Tel: 8338 3225 Transit Division Wayne Shepherd. Tel: 8443 4895 Unley 28 Max Bowers. Tel: 8272 8324 Whyalla 218 John Dunckley. Tel: 08 8645 2500
|
||||||||||
|
The Police Journal Online is an official
publication of the Police Association of South Australia and is published
monthly. Editors of kindred publications can seek permission from the Editor to re-publish any Police Journal Online article. Copyright 1999 The Police Association of South Australia sustance |