November 1999 Volume 80 Number 11 "serving the protectors"
Police Retirees Would Do It All Again
By Brett Williams

ergeant Bob Boscence lives with an agonizing memory from his 42-year police career. He found four people dead when he responded to a Whyalla car crash on Christmas Eve, 1962. He then had to tell two children under 12 that their parents had been killed.

But despite the brutal realities of police work, Sgt Boscence would still be a police officer if he had his time over again.

“No hesitation,” he said after SAPOL’s inaugural Recognition of Service Ceremony on September 22. “Like all jobs, you have your ups and downs. I’ve made some great friends and had some really great times.”

Sgt Boscence and 19 other retired officers were honoured at Fort Largs, as the ceremony acknowledged their 653 years’ combined police service.

The retirees - of whom Sgt Boscence was the longest serving - assembled in the academy auditorium. A gathering of about 120 of their friends and family members looked on, as each officer was presented with a framed certificate of service and cap badge by Commissioner Mal Hyde.

Ceremony director, Chief Inspector John Fitzgerald, announced the national and international awards which the retirees had received during their distinguished careers. He also highlighted their extensive chronologies of statewide postings.

Retired superintendent, Peter Magerl, had been awarded the United Nations Medal Cyprus in 1975 and the Police Overseas Service Medal in 1992.

Other retirees had been awarded the Australian Police Medal, the National Medal and letters of commendation.

With 41 years and five months’ service, former Traffic Services Division head, Superintendent Graham Barrett, was the second longest serving officer recognized.

Chief Inspector Fitzgerald said the ceremony had followed a Focus 21 review of rewards and recognition for police service. “It was decided something was really needed,” he said. “We’re going to make this a regular event for all retirees.

“We were flying blind a little bit (today) as to how it would go, but now we can improve on that in the future.”

Chief Inspector Fitzgerald said he believed SAPOL to be the only police force in Australia which currently stages “a farewell event” for retirees.

Police Association president, Peter Alexander, said he was pleased to see that SAPOL had “moved to acknowledge the service of retired officers”.

“It’s always been amazing to me that, after people give so much of their life to the police department, they have traditionally left without any great recognition from the employer,” he said.

“It’s important that people feel as though they’ve been appreciated and acknowledged, in particular by the Commissioner of Police of the day.”

Mr Alexander described the 20 retired officers’ lengthy commitment to policing as extraordinary. He said that, with social and lifestyle changes, such lengths of police service were unlikely in the future.

“We (the Police Association) acknowledge their service and wish them all the best of health and many years of retirement,” he said.

What the Retirees said:

Sergeant Bob Boscence
Years of service: 1958 - 1999

CAREER HIGHLIGHT

“I had 15 years in the country in one- and two-man stations and thoroughly enjoyed them. I made a lot of close friends outside the job in those environments. I also had three years’ secondment to the State Emergency Service, and I enjoyed that.”

IN RETIREMENT

“I’d like to play golf. I’ve got myself a set of golf sticks and, hopefully, I can get out and front the challenge on the golf course. I’ll also do a bit of touring around Australia, and enjoy my first grandson.”

Sergeant Frank Rillotta
Years of service: 1960 - 1999

CAREER HIGHLIGHT

“The most enjoyable part (was) the good old days, and the good old days was when we first joined. To me, those were the great days of the force. It seems to have become too bogged down with computer science at the moment, and you’ve really got to be a modern-day computer cop. Before, we had hands-on experience out in the field.”

TOUGHEST TIMES

“I would say the transformation to the new system we’ve got now. It seems very stressful nowadays. There’s a lot of pressure put on the officers, not only to do patrol work but enquiry work (also).”

DO IT ALL OVER AGAIN?

“I probably would. It’s been a buzz. I’ve enjoyed myself - I’ve had some good times and some bad times. It’s been a great experience and a great journey.”

IN RETIREMENT

“I don’t know as yet. I’ll just follow my nose and see what happens.”

Senior Sergeant Merv Kowald
Years of service: 1961 - 1999

CAREER HIGHLIGHT

“I’ve spent a lot of time at the academy with recruits. To come down here and tell people they’ve been successful in joining the department, and see the look of pleasure on their faces, has been very good.”

TOUGHEST TIMES

“I never enjoyed night shift - that was tough. I’m grateful that I didn’t have to work a lot of night shift: my career led me in other directions.”

DO IT ALL OVER AGAIN?

“Well, go back to a younger age and I guess I would. I’ve got no regrets.”

IN RETIREMENT

“Travel along another path, I guess. Who knows where it will lead us? I just hope that we both enjoy good health and can enjoy our retirement.”

Superintendent Peter Magerl
Years of service: 1962 - 1999

CAREER HIGHLIGHT

“I spent six years in the Barossa Valley as a divisional commander, and I think that would have to have been my most valued time.”

TOUGHEST TIMES

“Dealing with politics. I think the incursion of the political arena into mainstream policing has certainly had an impact. It’s more than being accountable. We have, over the years, I think, been so answerable that we’re spending more time answering questions than we are acting. I think if the ministers learn to trust us, and we in turn trust the minsters, we’d be better off.”

DO IT ALL OVER AGAIN?

“I would do it to a lesser extent. The ’60s was a time for a career - it isn’t today. I would certainly rejoin, but for totally different purposes: to specialize; to gain police skills and knowledge, but then apply it elsewhere. I think police officers are commodities in this day and age, and we ought to sell ourselves.”

IN RETIREMENT

“I’m already working. I’m a general manager of a nursing agency; and it is so much like the job I had for the last 20 years.”

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