September 1999 Volume 80 Number 9 "serving the protectors"

Dear Peter

Please accept my resignation from the Police Association as my last day of service is Friday, July 16, 1999.

After 32 years it’s now time to move on and do something else with my life. I wish to thank yourself and all your staff and committee members for their efforts in looking after the interests of all members.

To the numerous people who I have worked with both in the metro and country areas, a sincere thank you and best wishes to all members for the future.

Goodbye and good luck to you all.
PM Mannion
Sergeant 1872/4
Sturt LSA

Dear Sir

I am writing to advise of my resignation from the Police Association effective 19 July, 1999, this being my last day of service with SAPOL.

To those members who I have worked with over my eight years in SAPOL I say thank you for the good memories I will leave with.

I especially thank the members of team 2 Adelaide patrols whom I have had many great times with. I thank them all for their support over the years, especially the past 18 “overdue” months. It was at this time their support was most needed and was easily given.

I also thank Mark Carroll for his efforts over the past 18 months.

To all members I wish you all luck (you will need it).

Yours faithfully

Kym Dobie
Constable 619/2
Adelaide Tactical Group

Dear Peter

Please accept this as my resignation from the Association effective July 21, 1999, owing to my having passed my “use-by date” (for operational shiftwork, anyway) and age retirement; actually I am not really retiring at all but as of day one along with my mining partner, Leith Holder, will become a “destitute opal miner” at Coober Pedy.

I have had a very good life with SAPOL, particularly during the last 20 years as a patrol sergeant when I have watched a steady stream of most excellent people “do their bit at the coal face” and then move on to other challenging things.

I have to say that if I ever looked really good at my job, it was owing to the dedication that my team showed to their work and I thank all past and present members for that.

So, if you happen to be at Coober Pedy and you see a bloke who looks like a big old woolly bear with another scruffy bloke who looks as though he could have been a soldier years ago, call out “Chris” or “Leith” and if you get a smile you will be in for a bit of good old fashioned Coober Pedy hospitality and we might even let you cart some dirt in our mine.

Good luck to you all, particularly all those at “the coal face” and those who are looking after their interests.

Chris Walters
Patrol Sergeant
Team 5
Sturt Patrols

Dear Sir

Please accept my resignation from the Association as of July 28, 1999, this being my last day of service with SAPOL. My family and I are moving to Christchurch, New Zealand.

I say goodbye to my course-mates (course 25) and all the people I have worked with over the past 11 years in Murray Bridge, Port Augusta, Communications and Norwood.

I leave Australia with great memories of my time in SAPOL.

To all members, I wish you all the best in the future.

JL Jones
Constable 68/2
Murray Bridge

The Secretary

Please accept my resignation from the Association as of July 28, 1999, as I am retiring. SAPOL needs a dose of femininity not feminism.

Sandra Higgins
Senior Sergeant
Policy Development Services

Secretary

I am writing to advise of my resignation from the Police Association due to my retirement from SAPOL effective July 28, 1999.

After a career spanning 39 years both in the operations and administration field mainly at country postings I find that it is time for a well deserved break.

Through the journal I thank all those members with whom I have had the good fortune to work and be part of a team over the many years and workplaces.

Even though it was hard work I was fortunate to rise to the rank of senior sergeant under the old system which, with very few modifications, I am sure would certainly be better than the present selection procedure. I feel for those coming through the ranks at this time who are aspiring to greater heights and will never make it, either by appeal or reduction of the rank structure.

It has been a long time in one job and a lot of changes have been experienced. I would not be truthful if I said I would not miss the comradeship but I get the feeling we have come around in a big circle so it is time to get off and give some one else a go.

The department has done a complete overview of how we operate and, even though I believe it may be for the better in the long term, it has now become a young person’s game.

It has been a big decision to make after all this time but I have no regrets and intend to make the most of it at Tanunda.

The best of luck to all in the future.

Yours faithfully
A Price
Senior Sergeant 737/3
Port Pirie Police

Dear Andy

I hereby tender my resignation from the Police Association of South Australia effective from July 28, 1999, due to my retirement from SAPOL.

I say thank you to all the friends I have made over the past 35 years and wish the Association and all members well in the future.

Yours sincerely
Grant Ottewill
Sergeant 1735/8

Dear Peter

Please accept my resignation from the Police Association effective as of July 28, 1999, this being my last day of effective service. I have left the force not through any discontent but to realize a dream of owning and operating my own business.

I am not embarrassed to admit I loved the “job”. I will miss the adrenaline rush of a chase or pub fight and the thrill of locking up crooks, but most of all I will miss the comradeship and mateship that is the backbone of the police culture. Through the journal I wish to say good bye to all the people I have worked with and met over my previous nine-and-a-half years. It is with great excitement I move on into my own business but leave the job with a great deal of sadness knowing I am leaving something I loved doing and friends that can never be replaced.

To many people’s surprise I will not use the journal to have a parting shot at management or the government. I hope for the future of those left to do the job the government will realize that budget cuts and low staffing levels are making the job harder and more demanding on everybody and unfortunately it is management that gets the blame instead of the government.

All the Best
Paul Griffiths
Constable 941/8
Mount Gambier Police Station

Dear Andrew

Please accept my resignation from PASA due to my resignation from SAPOL. My last day of service is Monday, August 2, 1999.

I am leaving SAPOL to take up a position with QANTAS.

I congratulate PASA for its continuing efforts regarding the improvement in conditions for the members of SAPOL.

I also acknowledge those who have demonstrated support and encouragement during my 17-year career.

I sincerely wish all members the very best for the future.

Yours faithfully
Graham McInerney
Senior Constable 177/9
Port Adelaide Investigations

Dear Andy

Please accept my resignation from the Police Association effective August 4, 1999, due to my retirement.

I have enjoyed the last 36 years in SAPOL and during that time have had the pleasure to in most cases work with a truly dedicated and professional group of people in both the city and country. A fact rarely recognized.

Unfortunately the police profession is one where in most cases they are in a “no win” situation. This is further magnified by political interference and the ever increasing need to raise revenue.

Crime continues to escalate although those with hidden agendas will disagree. Those criminals who do get caught usually continue committing crime whilst on bail to pay the legal profession. To say the law is an ass would be an understatement.

It is recognized that without the support of the community in addressing crime we are losing the battle. However, while the public is treated with contempt the problem worsens. Politicians and some of the hierarchy would do well to recognize that the vast majority of the community are not stupid and can read body language like the rest of us.

I wish all members and the Association all the very best in the future.

Yours sincerely
Trevor Kuchel
Senior Sergeant 1532/1

Dear Peter

Please accept my resignation from the Police Association of South Australia with my last day of service being August 11, 1999, due to retirement after a career spanning 38 years.

I congratulate the Association for the professional service it provides to members.

It has been my privilege to have been associated with many fine members within SAPOL. A special thank you to all the people I have worked with over the years.

Yours sincerely
Jeff L Gee
Senior Sergeant 1546/0
Police Academy

Dear Andy

Please accept my resignation from the Police Association following my retirement from SAPOL my last day of duty being Wednesday, August 18, 1999.

I have enjoyed 22 years of service with the department and have made many friends and take a host of wonderful memories with me. I look forward to new challenges that are coming my way in my own business venture.

I wish you and all the members the best for the future.

Sincerely
Albert (Alby) Meadows
Detective Senior Constable 3234/4
Elizabeth CIB

Dear Peter

Please accept my resignation from the Police Association of South Australia, due to my retirement. My last day of active service will be on August 29, 1999.

I thank you and your staff for the excellent work you do and in particular the assistance given to me during the late 1980s.

After 35 years, I have decided to move on and try something new. It has certainly been an enjoyable journey and I will leave with some great memories. To all the people I have worked with and met during those years, thanks for your help, support, friendship and many laughs.

Good luck to everyone and enjoy life.
Regards
Rod Trussell
Detective Sergeant
Adelaide CIB

Dear Andy

Please accept my resignation from the Police Association due to resignation from the department.

Susan Vysniauskas
Salisbury Patrols 1350/3

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