November 1999 Volume 80 Number 11 "serving the protectors"
By Andy Dunn

Consider Academic’s Commentary

Former policeman Michael Grant has risen to lofty post-police career heights. His outstanding achievements - outlined in Lost to SAPOL - Embraced by Academia - speak for themselves.

It was greatly disappointing to read of his failure to win a commission in the mid-’80s. Naturally, one wonders what this insightful man of obvious ability might have brought to SAPOL’s commissioned ranks, or even the top job.

Of course, Grant wasn’t the first police officer to be lured to the law from SAPOL. Many other ex-cops also enjoy successful careers practicing rather than enforcing law.

Perhaps it’s higher levels of pay, and the expectation of greater job satisfaction which continue to draw police officers to the field. Many are currently engaged in studies.

Nonetheless, Grant was still prepared to share with the Police Journal his very frank assessment of the state of the police occupation.

Those inclined to condemn that assessment out of hand should remember that, he now speaks as a respected academic with vast police experience, not a disgruntled ex-cop with no career prospects. His remarks should be quietly contemplated.

Indeed, he is to be commended for maintaining interest in and concern for policing. Clearly, he has never forgotten his police roots, and remains very kindly disposed toward police officers.

The Police Journal congratulates him on his achievements.

Police Journal Attacked

The fact that Commissioner Mal Hyde launched a scathing verbal assault on the Police Journal at PASA’s annual conference last month is by now well known.

Readers can be assured, however, that the Police Journal will undertake considerable follow-up on his attack in coming issues. It is, in the meantime, important for readers to understand that Commissioner Hyde at no time accused the journal of either misrepresentation or false reporting.

The Police Journal has always sought to report facts. In this it has succeeded; and it has reported those facts in its readership’s interests.

Perhaps overlooked is that the Police Journal can be used by management as means through which to inform itself of the raft of issues which today confront police employees.

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