POLICE NEWS Police legacy helPs Police families. Do you contribute?
MARCH 2012 NORTHERN TERRITORY POLICE NEWS The Independent Voice of Police in the Northern Territory 1 Police Legacy helps police families. Do you contribute? Inside • Housing still an issue • Death in Custody NORTHERN TERRITORY POLICE NEWS • Supreme Court decision on discipline charges Salary Package your next car and save thousands $$$$ · Pay no GST on the purchase price of your new car · Pay no GST on your fuel, services, tyres and insurance. · Pick the car you want - it’s your choice. Limited Offer* $200 Fuel Voucher or $200 Coles Myer voucher · You receive national fleet discount on the price of your car. · Bundle other benefits – Fuel Cards, Insurance, 24hr Roadside Assist Call us on 1300 738 601 www.fl www.fl eetnetwork.com.au eetnetwork.com.au Lease Package Save Fleet Network Pty Ltd *To qualify for this offer you must mention this advertisement to Fleet Network prior to the completion of your initial contract. Vehicle must be new and supplied by Fleet Network. Not valid in conjunction with any other current Fleet Network offers. Employees should consult their employer’s salary packaging policy before entering into a contract. Executive Editor Vince Kelly Phone: (08) 8981 8840 Fax: (08) 8981 6219 Web: www.ntpa.com.au Advertiser Alert Boo Design is appointed by the Northern Territory Police Association as the authorised publisher of Northern Territory Police News. For enquiries regarding advertising in this magazine, please contact the publishers: PUBLISHER: PRINTERS POST PTY LTD Trading as BOODESIGN Postal: PO Box 19, Narrabeen, NSW 2101 Phone: (02) 8004 8911 Fax: (02) 8004 8611 Email: [email protected] ACN: 102 590 634 Editorial contributions must be supplied on computer disk with hard copy (or by email to [email protected]) addressed to The Editor, Northern Territory Police News, GPO Box 2350, Darwin Northern Territory 0801. 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Advertising Advertisements in this journal are solicited from organisations and businesses on the understanding that no special considerations other than those normally accepted in respect of commercial dealings, will be given to any advertiser. 1 NORTHERN TERRITORY POLICE NEWS COntents: MARCH 2012 03 President’s Message 06 Barkly Region Visit 08Correspondence 09 NT Police Legacy 10 Legal/Industrial News 12 Police History – at the frontline 14 Retirements 17 Police Health – Prostate cancer 18 Southern Field trip 21 Police Credit – Planning for retirement 22 Reunion – Squad 45 of 1987 24 Social –NT Golf Club report 26 National Roundup 29 Chaplain’s Message 30 Book review – Jack Knife 31 Competition 32 Member update Regional Delegates acPo reGion Airport Uniform Policing Chairman Charlie Pollard Vice Chairman Francine Elsegood Secretary Joseph Russell Ordinary Member 1 Vacant Ordinary Member 2 Vacant Chairman Nathan Chalmers Vice Chairman Mark Fleming Secretary Roland Kubank Ordinary Member 1 Colin Ragg Ordinary Member 2 Gabe Mercep Alice Springs Auxiliary Region Chairman Mark Ashton Vice Chairman Martin Astridge Secretary Dan Roberts Ordinary Member 1 Zach Winkworth Ordinary Member 2 Mick Fields Chairman Grayson McKinlay Vice Chairman Vacant Secretary Kris Sharkey Ordinary Member 1 Arthur Gane Ordinary Member 2 Vacant Barkly Region Berrimah Chairman Denise Goddard Vice Chairman Darren Gillis Secretary Carl Marcic Ordinary Member 1 Cameron Higgins Ordinary Member 2 Peter Dunne Chairman Mick Ward Vice Chairman Patrick Carson Secretary John Gregory Ordinary Member 1 Tony Henrys Ordinary Member 2 Vacant Casuarina Central Region Chairman Vacant Vice Chairman David Taylor Secretary Vacant Ordinary Member 1 John Connor Ordinary Member 2 Andreas Andreou Chairman Ronald Millar Vice Chairman Mark Berry Secretary Suzanne Hollingsworth Ordinary Member 1 Tom Newton Ordinary Member 2 Nathan Finn Contract Officers Region Darwin Chairman Anne Marie Murphy Vice Chairman David Proctor Secretary Vacant Ordinary Member 1 Vacant Ordinary Member 2 Vacant Chairman Mark Nancarrow Vice Chairman Rob De Vos Secretary Vacant Ordinary Member 1 Vacant Ordinary Member 2 Vacant Gove Groote Eylandt Region Chairman Alex Brennan Vice Chairman Matt Cram Secretary Nick Allen Ordinary Member 1 Matt McDonald Ordinary Mem. 2 Damien Riesenweber Chairman Adam Van Oosten Vice Chairman Adam Swift Secretary Aaron Watts Ordinary Member 1 Andy Caruana Ordinary Member 2 Danny Srhoj Jabiru Region Palmerston Region Chairman David Brauns Vice Chairman Hans Nowak Secretary Paulo Fernandes Ordinary Member 1 Kym Chambers Ordinary Member 2 Brad McCartney Chairman Brendan Hoga Vice Chairman Rob James Secretary Bec O’Brien Ordinary Member 1 Dave Gregory Ordinary Member 2 Vacant Superintendent’s Region Territory Support Region Chairman Don Fry Vice Chairman Tony fuller Secretary Brent Warren Ordinary Member 1 Rob Farmer Ordinary Member 2 Megan Rowe Chairman Neil Mellon Vice Chairman Steve Dalrymple Secretary Richard O’Brien Ordinary Member 1 Jason Conroy Ordinary Member 2 Vacant Executive Members PRESIDENT Senior Vice President NTPA OFFICE Firearms Examination Forensic Science Branch VINCE KELLY VICE PRESIDENT TIM LLOYD David Chalker OIC Alice Springs Police Station Treasurer Sergeant General Manager, Darwin Office governance & accountability darwin metro general Duties Palmerston Police Station Target Development & Intervention Australian Crime Commission Michael Ordelman Executive Member Kylie Proctor Arnhem and Western Division Katherine Executive Member Dave Cubis water police Chris Wilson Executive Member Stephen Martin oic water police Col Goodsell Executive Member crispin gargan GENERAL DUTIES CASUARINA Executive Member Executive Member National Organised Crime Task Force (Darwin) Australian Crime Commission Prosecutions Division Lisa Bayliss Sean Parnell executive sub committee & panels 2010 / 2011 FINANCE COMMITTEE Promotions Appeals Board Office Bearers Col Goodsell Louise Jorgensen Megan Rowe Tony Henrys Clint Sims Shaun Gill industrial COMMITTEE Vince Kelly Tim Lloyd David Chalker Col Goodsell Chris Wilson Hege Ronning-Burns Legal Assistance COMMITTEE David Chalker (chair) Dave Cubis Kylie Proctor Hege Ronning-Burns Crispin Gargan WELFARE COMMITTEE Vince Kelly Dave Cubis Michael Ordelman Kylie Proctor Inability/Disciplinary Appeals Board Executive Member Executive Member Counter Terrorism Security Coordination Division Event Planning, Tactical & Specialist Response, Alice Springs Hege Ronning-Burns Shaun Gill NTPA Staff Members Louise Jorgensen Megan Rowe Tony Henrys Clint Sims NTPA Advisory Committee on Training, Career Advancement, Uniform and Equipment Vince Kelly Lisa Bayliss Steve Martin Rob Perry Industrial Legal Officer Owen Blackwell Industrial and Field Services Office PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE Deaths in Custody – a tragedy vince kelly president This year marks my 25th year as a member of There are a number of questions. the Northern Territory Police Force, a milestone I will • What did Mr Briscoe’s family and community do to share with a number of other men and women. I am proud of our service and during the last 25 years I have served with some outstanding, dedicated and caring individuals, including deceased Brevet Sergeant Glen Huitson with whom I am privileged to have joined the Police Force on 12 January 1987. The death of Terrance Briscoe while in police custody on Thursday 5 January 2012 is a tragedy and I extend the sympathy of the NT Police Association assist their countryman, and others like him, to deal with the scourge of his own alcoholism? • Why was this young man’s health so poor that he has died at such a young age? • How do we help in a meaningful way four generations of Aboriginal people lost to themselves, their families, their culture, their community, and their country? • Why after over 20 years since the conclusion of the to his family. It is understandable that his family is Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody traumatised by his death and understandable that it are Aboriginal people, particularly Aboriginal men, is seeking to make sense of this tragedy by making still over represented in Northern Territory and allegations of police misconduct. However, it is Australian jails? my understanding that there is no evidence in this • Why despite this Royal Commission and numerous instance of police misconduct, in particular of police other enquiries in this and other jurisdictions assaulting Mr Briscoe. have we been unable to break the cycle of welfare There will be a fair and impartial investigation into dependence and despair that afflicts so many the circumstances of his death by professional, trained, Aboriginal people and leads many into police and dedicated members of the NT Police Force. custody? In the event that any inappropriate behaviour • Why does the community, including a large portion by police is identified during the course of this of the Aboriginal community, consider it appropriate investigation the Commissioner of the NT Police for alcoholics to be placed into police custody? Force, John McRoberts, has previously displayed that Why is there no real alternative? he is prepared to act against oolice officers who act inappropriately. Finally, this investigation is being overseen by the Coroner. It is being conducted in accordance with the Coroners Act and strict internal police procedure that has sadly been developed over more than 20 years due to previous Aboriginal deaths in custody. It may be beyond the scope of a single coronial • Why do some Aboriginal people, particularly some Aboriginal men, display such violent behaviour toward their own countrymen - women, children and men? • Why do people living in these communities seemingly accept such appalling behaviour as the norm? • Why do we accept that many Aboriginal women, enquiry, however, perhaps some of the questions that children, and men are the victims of ongoing the Coroner and we should consider extend beyond domestic and personal violence? this individual tragedy. The “we” I refer to is the entire Australian community, including all Aboriginal people. • Why after the massive increase in resources provided as part of the NT Intervention has there been so little real improvement in many Aboriginal people’s lives? NORTHERN TERRITORY POLICE NEWS 3 Visit Darwin’s original fishing tackle superstore Fishing and Outdoor World We are the first to know when the fish are biting and what it takes to catch them. Talk to a local first. Talk to us. We service what we sell A short walk to Darwin Mall. Ph: 08 8981 6398 Fax: 08 8981 1569 Email: [email protected] PO Box 600, Darwin, NT 0801 PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE “ …we demand our police remove the visible evidence of our social and community failure. This demand prevents police from doing what I consider to be our “core” role to serve and protect the vulnerable in our community. • W hy do we accept that many Aboriginal children do not attend school, particular in remote and a lack of hope? ” There is also another important question and that is, why are many Aboriginal people, such as my wife, her rural Australia? • Why do we accept that many Aboriginal children who attend school emerge without basic literacy skills? immediate family, friends, and many work colleagues, not stuck in this cycle of despair? • Why do we accept that teenage pregnancy in the I agree with Mr Briscoe’s relatives. It is disgusting Aboriginal population is commonplace – teenage that Mr Briscoe died while in our custody, however, parents who do not have the life skills to care for my disgust is that police are used to manage the themselves? manifestations of our failure as a community. To put it • Why do we accept that many young Aboriginal people are unemployed? • Why do we accept the poor health which exists in many Aboriginal Communities? • In short why do we accept that many Aboriginal people live in a cycle of grinding poverty suffering a more simply we demand our police remove the visible evidence of our social and community failure. This demand prevents police from doing what I consider to be our “core” role to serve and protect the vulnerable in our community. If I have one regret about my 25 years of service in lack of prospects, a lack of housing, a lack of health the NT Police it is that I do not have a simple answer to care, a lack of education, a lack of meaningful work - these questions and wish I did. Turn YOUR policing experience into a qualification today The College for Law and Justice Administration is committed to recognising police experience, knowledge, skills and training to provide current and former Australian Police Officers with Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) towards one or more of the following Nationally Recognised Qualifications. Qualifications: Receive the credit you deserve... 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The more remote you are, These words are echoing in my head as I Arriving safely for the evening, and, cunningly visits to remote stations in the NT turn out and, more avoiding the speed trap set for us at the Highway Inn importantly, what we learn from them. The salad I will by observing the speed limit, Elliott police station get to later. members and their families turned out in full force I was lucky enough to be on recreation leave to make us very welcome and discuss the issues in January when the President asked me to “ride most affecting them. A number of deficiencies were shotgun” on a visit to some of our remote stations. The identified in one of the houses and these were reported President was lucky Mrs Martin authorised my travel. to HRM in Darwin in short order. We kicked off from Darwin on Monday 2 January for a leisurely drive to Elliott. It became an interesting trip very quickly, as we crept over the flood damaged Trip Lesson 2: We may think things are going well until we see and hear things first hand. At the close of business, we were well pleased yet sole remaining bridge over the Edith River and to share a meal with our hosts and it was here that surveyed the carnage upstream and around us; Vince played our trump card. Rather than have the both the railway bridge and the newer road bridge members and their families prepare the meal, it was were destroyed in sections and closed to all traffic. decided we would bring along some salad making The power of nature and the force of the water articles and prepare them before dinner. Given the were strikingly evident. A quick chat with Senior wet season temperatures, it was sure to be a winner. Sergeants Gavin Kennedy and Andrew Littman at Great care had been taken to bring along the right the mobile police station parked at the site and we ingredients and condiments and with a flair and élan were on our way again. clearly borne of many trips, ‘Chef de Cuisine’ Vince Stopping briefly in Katherine to refuel, it was 6 the more resilient and self reliant you have to be. write and I remain bemused yet still uplifted at how managed to decant the prepared coleslaw from its evident the damage at Edith River had very quickly plastic bag into a plastic bowl and apply just the right resulted in shortages of everything from fuel to milk amount of dressing from the plastic bottle, attaining in the town and down the track. “Bib Gourmand” status in Elliot in a matter of seconds. NORTHERN TERRITORY POLICE NEWS STEVE MARTIN Executive member the days of large horseback run cattle drives. Back to Avon Downs, and with Vince repeating his culinary magic with the coleslaw, I was determined not to lose my head this time. Sticking with a family favourite recipe, simple yet tasty ingredients, and an eye for presentation, concluded with a ‘Tour de Force’, Above. Elliott Police Station members Lawrie Devanney , Danny Sandy and OIC Michael Kent. Vince and Michael Kent at Lake Woods. clearly blitzing the salad field on the night. Vince and I agreed to speak no further on the issue of salads for the remainder of the tour. Trip Lesson 5: It’s got to look good, smell good and taste good, otherwise it’s no good! Trip Lesson 3: Keep it simple; if it works, stick with it. Accepting my responsibilities as ‘Chef de partie’, I, Another very enjoyable and relaxed evening followed, and the Avon Downs members and their on the other hand, threw caution to the wind and with families warmly welcomed us, as did the QLD scant regard to the basic principles of salad making, Police Sergeant Conrad Van Egmond and his wife stormed ahead slicing and dicing the remaining from Camooweal. Not long after dinner, Cameron ingredients before chucking them into another bowl returned from his house toting both a banjo and an and presented it as ‘Salade Garden de Jour’. Suffice acoustic guitar which he handed to the QLD sergeant. to say my efforts were duly noted and the salad was Vince and I exchanged nervous furtive glances and politely nibbled at but otherwise roundly avoided. I wondered if it was some form of cross border Trip Lesson 4: You may have all the right ingredients initiation. As it turned out, it was! We attempted just to achieve your outcome, but lack of planning, about every song our collective memories could recall, preparation and a decent recipe will let you down but alas, if only we had taken in the lyrics and the every time. music at the time. The following morning saw us drive out to Elliot’s Our third day took us straight into Tennant Creek best kept secret, the nearby Lake Woods. A jewel in and Vince and I attended and addressed the local the Barkley’s Crown, the enormous size of this lake NTPA Branch meeting at the club. It was a good was hard to comprehend in such an otherwise arid meeting which was well attended by Tennant Creek, landscape. Speaking at length with the members, it Ali Curung and Avon Downs members. This time was clear that they had developed close bonds with Sergeant Darren Gillis surprised everyone except the broader community in the region, in which they himself with his salad making skills. take great pride. Our farewells made, we headed down to the ‘Three What was very heartening on this trip for both Vince and me was the level of camaraderie and morale Ways’ and then East to Avon Downs via the Barkley amongst our members down the track; all of whom Homestead. possessed a willingness to get the job done well. Dropping our bags off, Vince and I headed over to Our thanks go to all members and their families Camooweal briefly to visit the ‘Drover’s Camp’ and the whom we had the pleasure to spend time with. resting place of Vince’s father-in-law, Jack ‘Scrubba’ Trip Lesson 6: We’ve got good cops doing great things Watkins, a well known drover in the NT and QLD in in and for their communities. NORTHERN TERRITORY POLICE NEWS 7 correspondence Do you have an opinion on any of the stories you read in the NT Police News? Do you have an article you’d like to submit? Or would you like to write to us? Send your letters or articles to [email protected] or The Editor, NTPA Police News, PO Box 2350, Darwin NT 0801. Resignation It is with great regret I submit my resignation as a member of the NTPA as of 28th October 2011. My eight years as an auxiliary with the NT Police has been the most memorable and fulfilling in my working life which has now spanned some 48 years. Representing the NTPA Auxiliary Region for six of those eight years in the job has to be one of the highlights. The camaraderie of the NTPA Executive and other representatives at the many occasions we attended over this time has been excellent. I continue to hear of police members who do not think that being a member of the NTPA is worth it-they need to think again. I have seen the changes that have occurred over the short time I have been a member within the structure of the force, and it has had an effect on members that sometimes has claimed or threatened positions due to procedures not followed or at times misinterpreted or misunderstood .No such luxury allowed in this job. The NTPA has been supportive and also offered guidance to many members who have found themselves on the wrong side of management. You cannot afford NOT to be a member of the NTPA. You would not under insure your house and contents so do not under insure yourself with your job. As we set up our home over here on the Sunshine Coast, we do hope we see some familiar faces dropping in to share a drink or 5 and some great times. Kind Regards Pauline Williams Senior Auxiliary 4319 Email: [email protected] Mobile: 0407764068 Resignation I wish to notify you of my resignation from the NT Police Force effective on the 12th of February 2012. I have sought advice from the Association on a number of occasions and appreciate all assistance and advice provided by your office. I intend on continuing my Police career with WAPOL. Thanks again, Andy Baker Constable Casuarina General Duties Hopefully you will all get through your time in the NT Police and never need the NTPA, but it is a safe feeling knowing they are there if you do need their support. Continue at all costs to support them. Middle level management continues to be an area that I have seen has the most weakness in handling people issues within their troops. This is where you will fall foul-some managers can handle the books-the station-the rules, but not the people. Look after your mates and your crew-take some time to notice if they do not seem themselves because the cutbacks to welfare are having a negative effect on our troops now. To all the friends that I have had the privilege of working with especially the last two years at Tennant Creek, thanks for the memories. 8 NORTHERN TERRITORY POLICE NEWS Resignation As you all know my last day is Friday 27th January 2012 I am Resign from the NT Police Service going to a green pasture and work with Youth at Edmund Rice in Alice Springs. I would like to say I made lots of good friends in NT Police and the WA Police Service the time I have been good worked with Policing I wish you all a safe work environment and keep the street safe and best of Luck to all and keep up the good work. Frank Curtis Senior Aboriginal Community Police Officer 7095 It’s all about helping the kids Do you contribute to NT Police Legacy? If not, you should. And if you already contribute have you considered increasing the amount? Police Legacy is there for the children of Administrator was offered and accepted patronage members who die. The organisation helps with of the organisation. The structure of the board has education grants, offers travel opportunities, helps changed over the past 20 years but the good work of with the mundane such as driving lessons. It holds Legacy goes on. functions for legatees to get together. Most importantly When the Chair of the Police Legacy Board, retired it makes sure that the families of members who have Assistant Commissioner Mark McAdie, recently stood died still feel a part of the police family. down from the position he wrote that “by design, the When a member dies, either on duty or off, their family is not forgotten by NT Police Legacy. In the past year no member was killed on duty but Peter Weisenneker was tragically killed in a climbing accident, leaving behind a wife and two children who were added to the Legacy family. The NT Police Legacy currently cares for 33 familes, 31 widows or widowers and 53 children of whom 21 are under the age of 21. The youngest Legatee is just four years old. The NT Police Legacy was established in 1990 when delegates at the NTPA’s annual conference, held in Alice Springs, resolved to establish legacy to look after work of Legacy is done quietly and without fanfare. It is intended by the board that Legacy works with the surviving partners to act, as far as possible, as a substitute for the member who has passed on”. The acts of Legacy may seem small; things like a birthday card, Christmas gifts and education grants. But it is these acts of generosity that mean so much to the legatees and helps them feel part of the police family. Over the years there have been a number of changes but probably the most important is the introduction of donations by members via a payroll deduction. NT Police Legacy depends greatly on the generosity the children of members who die whilst serving and of members. In the Territory more than 80 per cent of those who have retired. members contribute, the highest level of any Police The NTPA committed $20,000 to establish Police Legacy and vowed to contribute an additional Legacy in Australia. But there are still almost 20 per cent of members percentage of all dues it received from members. who do not contribute to NT Police Legacy. Are you The initial ‘subscription’ amounted to 37 cents each one of them? fortnight from every member of the Association. It was proposed that Legacy be governed by a board consisting of a nominee of the Commissioner, three nominees of the Association, nominee of the Minister and a nominee of the then Commissioned Officers’ Association. As a result of this work by the Association, NT Police Legacy began operating on July 5 1990. The Contributions currently stand at just $3.00 – not even the price of a cup of coffee. To begin contributing all you have to do is contact OIC Salaries. You can contribute more than the minimum $3.00. Just contact OIC Salaries and nominate an amount You’d like to think your loved ones will be looked after if the unthinkable happens. Don’t leave it up to others. Contribute to NT Police Legacy now. Police Legacy helps police families like Lisa Huitson & children Ruby & Joseph (photo). They will always be a part of our family. NORTHERN TERRITORY POLICE NEWS 9 industrial / legal Time is of the essence when it comes to laying discipline charges – Supreme Court Decision Your Association recently challenged the Department’s decision to charge two members Justice Southwood found that members cannot be with alleged breaches of discipline and proceed to a subject to disciplinary hearings and have disciplinary hearing of those charges by seeking injunctive relief action taken against them when the members have not in the Northern Territory Supreme Court. admitted to the allegation of breach of discipline and The Association wanted to clarify what is meant the laying of a charge was made outside of six months by the term ‘action’ in section 162(6) of the Police from the alleged behaviour being discovered (or such Administration Act and to confirm the proposed further time allowed for under S.162 of the Act). disciplinary action was statute barred. The matter was heard by Justice Southwood, The decision of Justice Southwood determined that “time is of the essence” in determining disciplinary who found that an ‘action’ is the act of charging a matters that are deemed serious enough to warrant member with an alleged breach of discipline and not action under Part IV of the PAA. the service of a Notice of Alleged Breach of Discipline - The decision has repercussions for both the S.79 Notice. Department and individual members. Background to the Court action • A S.79 Notice must be served on a member as soon • On or about 12 April 2010 a complaint was made to as possible after the Commissioner or a prescribed the NT Ombudsman alleging the members involved member has formed the requisite belief that the did certain things that, if found substantiated, member may have committed a serious breach would have amounted to breaches of discipline. The Ombudsman forwarded the complaint to the Commissioner for investigation. • EPSC investigators commenced an “investigation” of the complaint on or around 19 May 2010. • The investigation process became drawn out and of discipline. • An impugned member must respond to a S.79 Notice within seven days of the Notice being served on them. • Depending on the response, the Commissioner or prescribed member may either take action on an admission or failure to respond to the Notice within applications were made on two occasions for an time, or may make arrangements for an investigation extension to the six month time limitation on the to be undertaken into the impugned behaviour that is bringing of an “action” against the members, who were not served with S.79 Notices until January 2011. • Notices of Charge of Breach of Discipline were not the subject of the Notice. • Where an investigation into the impugned action is undertaken, it is to be completed within three months from the receipt of the response to the Notice, or such served on either member until 6 and 10 of May further time on a month by month basis, as allowed 2011 respectively. by the Commissioner, subject to the overriding The Association objected to the laying of the restriction of the PAA requiring a member be charges and the discipline hearing because more than charged with a serious breach of discipline within a year had passed from the time the original complaint six months of the impugned behaviour or action had been received by the Ombudsman – well outside being discovered. of the six months provided for under the Act. The department claimed it had legal advice that the Justice Southwell also suggested that only one application of time may be granted in any particular ‘action’ referred to in the Act was the service of the disciplinary matter, however he did not make a S.79 Notice and planned to proceed with the charging determination on this point. and hearing process. 10 Supreme Court Decision NORTHERN TERRITORY POLICE NEWS Another point in Justice Southwell’s decision “ time is of the essence in determining disciplinary matters that are deemed serious enough to warrant action under Part IV of the PAA is that the extent of “preliminary investigations” under S.160A of the Act will vary depending on the complexity of the case and the nature of the matter: “In a complex case involving a number of witnesses who are likely to have been seriously affected by alcohol there may be merit in conducting a reasonably full investigation before considering the issue.” The question then – particularly in disciplinary matters that are not the subject of an Ombudsman complaint – is what level of investigation is required prior to the serving of a S.79 Notice? It has been the practice of prescribed members undertaking discipline investigations to subject an impugned member to a “directed” interview prior to any formal action being taken against the member by the serving of a S.79 Notice. The Association believes that before any such interview is conducted, investigators must ask themselves if they have enough evidence of wrongdoing. If the answer to that question is yes, then the prescribed member is obliged to serve the member with the S.79 Notice without subjecting the member to any such interview. There are still questions in this process that may need to be answered with judicial guidance. 1 The belief at this stage need only be based on preliminary investigations carried out pursuant to s.180 of the PAA and need not be a belief based on sufficient evidence that would satisfy the balance of probability required for the allegation to be proven in a disciplinary hearing; 2 Historical practice was that in many instances, particularly where a member is served with a number of allegations, the member could request (and in most instances be allowed) an extension of time to respond to the Notice. Such extension would now be unlikely to be granted. 3 The Interpretation Act provides that the 7 day period runs from the day after the Notice has been served – e.g. if a S.79 Notice is served on a Wednesday, the response is not required to be returned until close of business (usually 4.00pm) the following Wednesday. The time for a response will also be extended where the 7 day period includes a public holiday. 4 “Service” in this instance is “ordinary service” and may include service on a third party where the impugned member has given permission for such service and the third party has acknowledged they will accept such service on behalf of the member (such as service on the NTPA). 5 There is a significant difference between when an impugned action is executed and “discovered”. An action (or inaction) that may be the subject of disciplinary action might not be “discovered” by the Commissioner or a prescribed member (including Ethical & Professional Standards Command) for a significant period of time. The 6 month limitation period for action under Part IV of the PAA on such matters will not commence at the time the impugned behaviour/action was undertaken if there is a time lag between that behaviour/action and its discovery. ” rob perry industrial legal Media coverage of the Supreme Court hearing The NTPA was extremely disappointed with the NT News coverage of the Supreme Court action. We voiced this concern in a letter to the editor. This is part of the Association’s response. “I refer to an article in the NT News edition of Tuesday, 10 January 2012 (“Cop That”) There are a number of issues that I would like to clarify on behalf of those members as I believe the story is factually inaccurate and appears to have been compiled solely from the transcript of court proceedings and has taken some aspects of the matter out of context. Firstly, the story decries a sub-heading that the Court “hears police officers punched man, then ran him down with their wagon” and then goes on to say “Two Territory police officers allegedly punched a man in the face before running him down with their wagon after he tried to escape from protective custody, a court has heard”. The Court – Justice Southwood – “heard” no evidence concerning any allegations of assault or mistreatment by the members of any person. The further stated details of the “alleged” actions by the two police officers similarly have not to date been tested or found to have any substance to them. The allegations remain just that – unsubstantiated and unproven in any court or tribunal. The article that was published is generally inaccurate and biased against the presumption of innocence that the two police officers are entitled to until and unless the contrary is proven in a court of competent jurisdiction. The action commenced by the members in the Supreme Court and upheld by Justice Southwood was undertaken to protect their legal rights as legislated for by the Parliament of the Northern Territory of Australia. To presume they have committed any kind of offence or impropriety without any such finding having been made in any competent jurisdiction is of itself offensive against the presumption of innocence.” NORTHERN TERRITORY POLICE NEWS 11 HISTORY Police at the front line Part 1 – First Strike February 19 this year marked the 70th anniversary house before Stipendiary Magistrate C.K. Ward in of the bombing of Darwin. In this article, the the No. 1 Courtroom. Constable Ron Brown stood on Northern Territory Police Museum and Historical the verandah of the police station with several other Society looks at some of the police involved. officers. There was not a cloud in the sky and they all stood transfixed by a large flight of aircraft approaching After the Japanese attack on the US Fleet at from the south at high altitude. At first everyone Pearl Harbour during World War II the Japanese supposed them to be American planes but air raid continued toward Northern Australia conquering sirens began to wail and ‘small darts’ started to fall out everything in their path. Most children and women of them as they crossed over Darwin’s foreshore. (except nurses and those who refused to go) were From the courthouse Jim Fitzgerald saw the evacuated under the threat of invasion while a hasty jetty ‘fall to pieces’ just moments before he heard the military build-up continued. terrible explosions. Constable Sandy McNab rushed out Police Barracks and Station before the bombing Photograph courtesy of the Northern Territory Library – PictureNT to shepherd people into improvised shelters and slit trenches but then found them all full and had to lay flat on the ground as best he could. Because of the hard rock in the area many trenches had not been dug deep enough to provide proper protection and no one had been issued tin helmets for head protection. Bombs fell close, with blast pressure concussing anyone who was exposed, and lethal shrapnel filled the air. Sandy watched more bombs fall On the morning of the 19 February 1942 the of the action to those around him as one would a office on the esplanade with his wife and domestic sporting event. Sandy later recalled “They were staff. As the Commissioner of Police and political like silvery bubbles at first. Then they got bigger. I leader he delegated responsibility for police operations remember wondering if they would drift in the wind to Superintendent Alfred Stretton who was based at and miss us. The police station was only a block from the police station and barracks. the jetty, so we had a full view of the furious attack on At 9.30am Constable Bob Darken was on his rounds the shipping. One bomb burst nearby. It made a crater and stopped near the post office and spoke with Miss 25ft across and 14ft deep. The lip of the crater was Iris Bald who was the daughter of Postmaster Hurtle only 20 foot off and I was buried, covered with wood, Bald. They talked about a book he had promised to concrete and debris”. lend her as he walked with her to the post office and then he continued on to the police station. Just before 10.00 am Constable Jim Fitzgerald was prosecuting a charge of keeping a common gaming 12 and others describe how he loudly gave commentary Administrator Aubrey (Charles) Abbott was at his NORTHERN TERRITORY POLICE NEWS Constable Leo Law was just about to shower at the police barracks. He ran out in a towel and jumped into a partly dug trench only a foot deep. Looking up he saw the bombers and soon after felt the blast and was SEAN PARNELL Executive MembeR covered deeply in clay. Another man in a nearby trench killed and two other staff almost buried. was so completely covered he later had to be dug out. After the heavy bombers the dive bombers took their Bob Darken remembered that Dave Mofflin, who turn and the Mitsubishi Zero fighters, having eliminated had been on night shift the previous night, was still all resistance in the air, began strafing runs along the asleep in the police barracks. He raced to his room and streets especially the esplanade and Mitchell Street. with some effort roused Mofflin. He pushed him out Surprisingly there was no loss of life at the police the back of the barracks just as a bomb landed on the barracks but the building had been destroyed and other side and destroyed it. The pair were blown clear there was also damage to the station. The harbour by the blast and crawled under a water tower and was littered with sinking and damaged ships and fires then a car for cover. burned out of control. The burning “Neptuna”, loaded Lionel McFarland was riding his police motorcycle with mines and other explosives, finally detonated, into town from Parap when he heard the explosions. throwing a two metre long shard of inch thick plate He looked up to see high flying bombers with bombs steel through the roof of the police station. It was falling from them over central Darwin. He turned off embedded nearly upright in the concrete floor. the road and straight into some long grass where he hid until after the attack. The ferocious pattern bombing was focused on More than 20 civilians and more than 200 military personnel were killed. Darwin was now on the front line of the war in the pacific. There was a further raid the harbour and nearby buildings. 19 bombs fell that afternoon that focused on the RAAF base and within 200 yards of the main post office. The more than 60 more in the coming months. administrator’s office, the police barracks and the A contingent of NT Police members remained in post office were all destroyed. Darwin, assisting with the recovery and policing until A bomb scored a direct hit on the bomb shelter and the military took over complete responsibility in April. slit trench outside the post office. Ten people were Those stories have to wait for “Part Two - killed including Postmaster Bald, his wife Alice and The Aftermath”. his daughter Iris. At the Administrators’ office a bomb landed in During the ‘Bombing of Darwin’ week this year, which marks the 70th anniversary of that tragic day, the grounds 15 metres from the shelter, lifting the there were a number of displays telling stories from concrete roof and smashing the iron door which the bombing and wartime Darwin in the museum, NT helped protect the occupants from falling concrete. Library, Council Chambers and on websites including Aboriginal domestic worker, Daisy Martin, 18, was the NT Police Museum and Historical Society website. Visit www.frontlineaustralia.com.au for the schedule. Visit www.ntpolicemuseum.com.au for more information on police involvement. The old police station today (after restoration) with which now serves as the Administrators Offices. Police Barracks damage sustained during the bombing. Photograph courtesy of the Northern Territory Library – PictureNT RETIREMENTS Good luck and thanks On Wednesday, 18 November the NTPA whole working life. Although I derived great pleasure farewelled three long-serving members. Between working with members in a variety of areas, I would them Superintendent Mike Stephens (36 years), have to say, without a doubt, that the most enjoyable Commander Max Pope (35 years), and Sergeant Glen time of my career was working in the bush out of McPhee (27 years) represented almost 100 years’ Katherine in the 70s and 80s. I have made many friends service to the NT Police and NT community. both within and outside the organisation, and feel In his letter of resignation to the NTPA President, Vince Kelly, Mike Stephens said:‘I would like to take this opportunity to express my very proud to have been a member of such a great team. Almost everyone I speak with continues to have positive comments to make as to what the members do, thanks and appreciation to you and the Association day in and day out, in often very trying circumstances. Executive and staff for your collective efforts in They are a great bunch of hardworking guys and girls.’ supporting the interests of the police force membership Max Pope spoke of the variety or areas he had over the years. You are to be applauded personally worked in across the Territory and the opportunities for your courage and commitment to the organisation, that the NT Police had given him. Max reflected on which has resulted in the members enjoying the the importance of our Association - the benefits ongoing benefits you and your staff have achieved in delivered to all members and in the protection of terms of wages and conditions across the board. members’ rights. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time with the Max said that in his view police management should Northern Territory Police, and having joined at the accept that young, (and not so young), police officers age of 18, the organisation was pretty much my will make mistakes and the best course of action is to Colin Smith retires by David Proctor with Vince Kelly Col Smith commenced service with the Vince Kelly makes a presentation to Col Smith Northern Territory Police in August 1981, having already served six years with the Victoria Police and working as a Detective Senior Constable in the St Kilda CIB. Col had also served in the Australian Army prior to this, serving in Vietnam. Col initially served in a variety of areas in Darwin, including General Duties, Traffic Section, Task Force, Prosecution, the Drug Squad and CIB. As Col was promoted he served in General Duties and the Criminal Investigation Branch in both Darwin and Katherine. As the Detective Senior Sergeant (Officer in Charge) of the Criminal Investigation Branch he was responsible for the management of Operation Coconut which resulted in the arrests of Brenden Abbott and Brendon Berichon, two of Australia’s most wanted criminals at the time. This operation was one of the most significant in the history of the Northern Territory Police and its success brought national and international recognition. Following his promotion to Superintendent Col worked as a Divisional Officer in Darwin, Alice Springs, 14 NORTHERN TERRITORY POLICE NEWS Mike Stephens, Glen Mcphee and Max Pope with their presentations make sure they know what the mistake was to prevent it happening again. Max served our Association as both an Executive member and Branch Official at various times during his career. Glen McPhee worked extensively in TRG and Water Police during his career. This has meant Glen has worked across the Territory and met up with many NT Police characters. Macca appreciated the opportunities the NT Police had given him. During his years, Glen was also involved in many sports, in particular police rugby in the 1990s. Glen spoke about these years and, fortunately for the NTPA President he could not recall any tour details form this period. Like Max, Glen also served on the Executive of our Association. Vince Kelly thanked all three for their distinguished service in the NT Police and their loyalty to our Association stating, perhaps the obvious, that the experience of these three members cannot be replaced overnight. Tennant Creek and Katherine. Colin has had an outstanding career; he has A large contingent of serving members from across the Territory gathered to farewell Col at the Bill Condon successfully investigated high profile murders, high Club Katherine, including serving members Roger Illet, profile drug offences, and in the latter part of his Peter Gordon, Geoff Pickering, and Steve Heyworth career has applied his wealth of policing knowledge, who all joined the NT Police with Col. experience and leadership to the challenging task of After 31 years of policing in the Northern Territory, managing remote policing divisions in Alice Springs, Colin is leaving to commence the next phase of his life Tennant Creek and Katherine. and to start hobby farming near Bairnsdale, Victoria. This commitment to policing and to serving the With his length of service it would be difficult for him community was recently recognised with Colin not to leave some kind of legacy behind, whether it being presented his National Police Service Medal, is as a mentor to younger officers, a confidant to his a significant occasion as Colin is one of only three peers, his reputation as being a ‘good operator’ or just Northern Territory Police Officers to have had the the fact that he is a great bloke with a wicked sense of medal presented and the first to have the medal humour and a tell it as it is attitude. There can be no presented in the Northern Territory. doubt that Colin will be fondly remembered for some NTPA President Vince Kelly presented Col with his retirement “wall hanging” and highlighted Cols’ if not all of these traits. Colin expressed his appreciation and genuine service as NTPA Vice President between 1999 and 2001. surprise at the turnout to his farewell and appreciated Col was always a supporter of our Association and the opportunity to catch up with many friends particularly as a manager ensured members obtained and colleagues before departing for Victoria in mid advice and support when it was needed. February this year. NORTHERN TERRITORY POLICE NEWS 15 ADVERTISEMENT Prostate Cancer Prostate cancer is the most common (non skin) cancer diagnosed in Australia, affecting 1 in 9 men of all ages.In Australia there are around 20,000 new cases of prostate cases diagnosed every year and close to 3,300 men will lose their battle with prostate cancer each year. After lung cancer, it is the most common cause of cancer death amongst Australians. What is the Prostate gland? A walnut sized gland surrounding the urethra (tube that urine flows through), located in front of the rectum and under the urinary bladder. It forms part of the male reproductive system, producing some fluid of semen. What is Prostate Cancer? Prostate cancer occurs when cell growth regulation in the prostate is lost and cells grow uncontrollably, creating small tumours. If untreated the cells from these tumours can spread in a process called metastasis, where prostate cancer cells are transported through the lymphatic system and the bloodstream to other parts of the body, where they lodge and grow secondary tumours. Once the cancer has spread beyond the prostate, cure rates drop dramatically. Risk Factors The older the male, the more likely the diagnosis of prostate cancer, but don’t forget, it can occur in younger men. Men with a first-degree relative (father, brother or son) with a history of prostate cancer are twice as likely to develop the disease, while those with two or more relatives are nearly four times as likely to be diagnosed. The risk is even higher if the affected family members were diagnosed at a young age, with the highest risk seen in men whose family members were diagnosed before age 60. Social and environmental factors, particularly diet and lifestyle, are also likely to have an effect. Prostate cancer and associated symptoms may progress as follows: 1 There are no symptoms; cancer is confined only in the prostate. Can be detected by a simple PSA blood test. 2 There are still no symptoms; cancer is still located only in the tumour, but is large enough to be felt in rectal examination. 3 Urinating may become difficult; the cancer cells have spread outside the prostate to surrounding tissue. 4 The patient may experience bone pain, difficulty in urinating, difficulty having an erection, blood in the urine or semen, unintentional weight loss, frequent pain in the lower back, hips or upper thighs & fatigue. The symptoms described are also common with many other conditions and illnesses, so it is important that you discuss them with your doctor. How to test for Prostate Cancer The simple routine tests that your doctor is most likely to perform are: 1M easuring the amount of Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) in the blood. 2P erforming a digital rectal examination (DRE), where a gloved finger is inserted into the rectum to feel for abnormalities in the prostate. Although this test may be uncomfortable it is quick and usually not painful. If a PSA test returns high levels or a lump is felt during a DRE test, further investigation may be required, as a positive PSA or DRE test may not mean you have cancer, but may result from a prostate infection, inflammation, or non cancerous tumor or enlargement. You may be referred to an urologist, for a biopsy to test for cancer cells and trans-rectal ultrasound. When to start screening When to start screening is generally based on individual risk and personal choice. In general, all men should create a proactive prostate health plan that is right for them based on their lifestyle and family history and should be discussed at length with your doctor. As a guide, the Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia and the Urological Society of Australia believe men should have a baseline PSA blood test along with a DRE test from the age of 40. Where the Australian Institute of Health & Wellbeing (AIHW) recommends that men can begin an annual screening with no family history at age 50 and at age 40 if there is a family history. It is important to note that even though rare, prostate cancer can show up in men younger than 40. Please contact your doctor if you have concerns Visit www.prostate.org.au for more information This article provides a general summary only. Professional advice should be sought about specific cases. Police Health is not responsible for any error or omission in this article. The information provided reflects the view of the organisations from which the information has been sourced and does not represent any recommendations or views of Police Health Police Health - Ph: 1800 603 603 www.policehealth.com.au southern field TRIP The following morning we headed up to Ti Tree. There we were met by Emma Hole. The primary reason for our stop at Ti Tree was to again check on the progress of the new house being built there. Needless to say, when inspecting a new house one would normally expect to be impressed. We weren’t. The house didn’t have any power connected. Its water was hooked third party onto another house – resulting in less then satisfactory water pressure to fill a coffee mug. The build quality was a fair bit better then the house at Harts Range though and at least it had a decent wardrobe in the main bedroom. But like Harts Crispin and Owen with the Kulgera and Imanpa members Range – the carport had been made into a veranda and the veranda was a carport. From there we skipped across the Mt Denison road In November NTPA field officer Owen Blackwell and I boarded our flight and headed down to the On doing a drive around Yuendumu it became red centre to conduct some remote station visits. obvious pretty quickly that the government is going It was going to be an arduous trip covering some to have to so do some fast talking to convince anyone 2500km in six days, of mainly rough and flooded dirt that it should be one of its central hub towns. I doubt roads through some of the most beautiful but inhospitable country. On landing, we were both pretty impressed by the weather. there would have been 300 people there - hard to justify even having a station, never alone building a new major one at that. We spent an enjoyable night with the Yuendumu, We headed in to Alice to catch up with the Junior Papunya and Nyrippi members. The following day VP David Chalker. It’s been a few years since I’d done a we agreed to convey Alex Konrad back to her Themis walk through Alice station and it’s quite clear that the station at Nyripi. I hadn’t been to the place before so station is in major need of an upgrade. It’s simply too there was at least one good reason to go. Owen and I small for its current functions. had the chance to catch up with Keenan Quinsee and Owen and I wanted to see the country where we both worked in our younger years and. I wanted to Steve Flynn. We started to get a feel that there are some also test my theory that there were a million camels in management issues in place which are making policing Central Australia, or as I suspect, not. in these places harder then it needs to be. Chalker kept telling us that the roads would be There is no place for city policing and all its stats too wet. I was pretty confident we would make it driven results in outback remote communities. Placing through. Owen enjoyed my optimism but was a little minimum numbers on RBTs for the week is pretty concerned when I insisted we have at least a modicum ridiculous when there are only five working cars in the of recovery gear. community and two of them are police vehicles. It’s Our first port of call was Harts Range. Officer in also pretty silly flying members in and out of Themis Charge, Wayne ‘Tex” Meacham and his wife Michelle postings and then not allowing them to use the police put on a great spread. Owen assured me this was vehicles for limited personal use. most usual and that I should not be surprised. In any It brought the situation into stark reality when Alex case I was impressed. We spent some time conducting mentioned how she would just like to go to Yuendumu an inspection of the new OIC house. There are many for her days off, just to get away. Yuendumu people… problems including the shower rose which was no to get away? more then at chest height. The house was on the 18 and arrived at Yuendumu – still no camels.. After coffee we headed down to Kintore. We were wrong aspect and the carport was the veranda and the warmly met by Pete and Lee Stowers and after some veranda was the carport. catching up we took a drive out to the community and NORTHERN TERRITORY POLICE NEWS rustled up Andrew Jabaltjari Spencer. It had been years a toothbrush to clean out since I’d seen the fellow and he was in good form. It was the dirt behind the brake good to see him and as always had a great big smile on plates in the cleanest car his face. He couldn’t tell me where any camels were. competition. I am sorry Tex, The station at Kintore still has the new face on it and even considering how little it’s obvious that despite the remoteness, the Stowers dirt Owen has to travel, he family will have be pried out of there with a crowbar. wins, by a fair margin. The following morning we undertook the Sandy Crispin Gargan Executive member Owen showed us the new digs and again, it has to Blight road, heading down through Western Australia be said, the new OIC house just was not up to scratch. to Docker River. Two things happened on this trip of It seems that every house was built with plans back to note, actually three. The first and most amusing was front. Carports and verandas again were an issue. It’s finding a broken down Toyota stuck and stranded in fair to say that had Owen not had such involvement the middle of the track. Some Kintore local fellas had in building this house at Kulgera, the department may travelled over 100km on flat tyres and come to a stop have ended up with anything. on the third flat, with some 130km left to go. The main fella there had never been to school, never NTPA President Vince Kelly had made the journey down for the night and a great spread was put across spoken anything but Kriole, and was descendant of a the table. The Imanpa fellas were able to join us and a family of people who were the last to walk out of the great many problems of the world were solved. desert, but he knew exactly what a satellite phone was I understand that from time to time these trips let us assure you. After 20 minutes we finally managed come under close scrutiny by our members based in to pry him from talking about the footy to his mother the larger centres as to their usefulness. The simple fact and left them some water with the knowledge that of the matter is that unless NTPA members can get on help was on its way. the ground and meet face to face with membership, The second thing was that I got sick of Owen the problems are not able to be relayed properly, dealt stopping all the time taking photos. The third was with appropriately or in such a timely manner. When Owen got sick of me talking about camels. We did it comes to remote serving members, these trips are in actually see some camels though, which Owen insisted my mind critical. on taking photos of. On landing at the Rock, arrangements were made I personally was left with a much greater appreciation of just how much work Owen Blackwell, to join the station members for dinner. Sgt Annette the field officer for the NTPA, is required to do both Cooper had just taken up residence as OIC, having during and after hours. His phone simply doesn’t stop. transferred from Crime in Darwin. It was good to see As soon as you get within a cooee of mobile reception that such a change can be so healthy. it just pings constantly. The following morning we travelled on to Kulgera. It’s pretty clear to me that one of the challenges We were fortunate enough to make it across the Mulga ahead for the NTPA is working out exactly how we Park Road. Owen was driving again for the most part. can arrange some assistance. My thoughts are that On arriving Owen Auricht was under the rear hubs of the station 4wd using, if I am not mistaken, Owen Auricht cleaning his brakes a second southern-based field officer is the only real answer. Who pays for this is up for debate. Owen with Nyrippi police members st Don’t you ju . it e lov For more information on the exclusive range of benefits you’re entitled to as a Police Officer at Police Credit Union, call 1300 131 844 or visit platinum-advantage.com.au today! The force in banking Police Credit Union Terms, conditions, fees, charges and lending criteria apply and are available on application. Repayment based on comparison rate of 10.90%, current as at 31/1/12, is subject to change and is based on a secured $10,000 loan over 3 years. WARNING: This comparison rate is true only for the examples given and may not include all fees and charges. Different terms, fees or other loan amounts might result in a different comparison rate. A comparison rate schedule is available from Police Credit Union (PCU). AFSL/ACL 238991. BR 374 31/1/12. ADVERTISEMENT Planning for the retirement you deserve Financial Planner, Vicki Lamp, believes that the most crucial part of her role is to educate and empower her clients so that they can make informed choices about their financial future. She is well versed in the intricacies of ComSuper CSS, NT Police Supplementary Benefits Scheme, NTGPASS and NTSSS, and has strong relationships with police officers. Options within ComSuper CSS and NTPSS If you commenced with NT Police prior to 1 October 1986, t’s likely that you are a member of ComSuper CSS. Before reaching retirement it’s important to consider what you need from your pension as the way it is structured can have some very big implications. Will you need a regular income stream to cover your everyday expenses? Would you like access to capital for funding holidays or motor vehicles or to even pay off debts? Will you be entitled to any Centrelink payments? And have you thought about how your super will be distributed to your beneficiaries when you have gone? Depending on your personal situation, financial planning can help you achieve your goals for retirement. Finding out more about NTGPASS and NTSSS If you started policing between October 1986 and August 1999, it’s likely you are a member of NTGPASS & NTSSS. As it’s an accumulation fund, your superannuation will be affected by investment markets and are not going to be a guaranteed amount. You need to understand the investment options and ways in which to maximise your benefits at retirement. ‘Preservation’ rules also apply to the money held in your NTGPASS. This means that you cannot access these benefits until you meet a condition of release such as retirement from the workforce after you have reached your ‘preservation age’, which varies depending on the year you were born. Will your super provide for retirement? When younger members come to retire in 30 or 40 years’ time, they should not plan on relying on the age pension. Bridges Financial Services Pty Ltd (Bridges) ABN 60 003 474 977, ASX Participant AFSL No. 240837. Part of the IOOF group. This is general advice only and has been prepared without taking into account your particular objectives, financial situation and needs. Before making an investment decision based on this article, you should assess your own circumstances or consult a financial planner. In referring members to Bridges, Police Credit Union Ltd does not accept responsibility for any acts, omissions or advice of Bridges and its authorised representatives. Australia’s ageing population is creating a diminishing workforce and there simply may not be enough tax payers to foot the welfare bill. Vicki can help you to become actively involved in your superannuation, to ensure you understand the investment choices and options available. She can also provide advice on building wealth outside of superannuation via investments in property, managed funds or shares. It’s never too late to look after your finances After working in the industry for over 20 years, Vicki sums up the need for financial planning. “Financial planning is the process of helping you establish your financial goals and assist in putting strategies in place to help you achieve them. It’s about helping you to make the most of what you have and maximise the opportunities, as and when they arise. Good financial decisions made today may determine your financial security and quality of life tomorrow. So why wouldn’t you? Your first appointment is complimentary and obligation-free!” • Vicki Lamp is a Bridges financial planner based in Police Credit Union and is available for station visits and appointments. • Your initial consultation with Vicki is complimentary and obligation-free. As a Platinum Advantage member of Police Credit Union, you can also save up to $500 off of your financial plan. • To make an appointment, call 08 8919 2100. reunion 25 Year Reunion – Squad 45 of 1987 On 12 January Squad 45 of 1987 celebrated 25 Emerald Springs in a hired coaster bus with stops at years in the job. Apparently age has not wearied the Noonamah, Squad member Glen Huitson’s Memorial members as they were not going to be satisfied with Cairn where Commander Vanderlaan read the Police just dinner and drinks at a local restaurant. Recruiting Ode to remember departed Squad 45 members ‘Huey’ the organising assistance of some of their better halves and Paul Riley, lunch at the Adelaide River War (Mrs Proctor, Mrs Kelly and Mrs Blackwell) a whole Cemetery with R/Sergeant Macca McLean and Senior weekend extravaganza was planned. Constable Stuart Eddy and a refreshment stop at Current NTPOL members Commander David Proctor, Senior Sergeant (and NTPA President) Vince During the trip down the use of profane language, Kelly, Sergeant (and NTPA Field and Industrial Officer) excessive humbugging, tall stories or any other Owen Blackwell, Sergeant Steve Pfitzner (Drug Squad), infraction as determined by the driver attracted a fine. Sergeant Steve Constable (Mutijulu), Sergeant Kath Needless to say a substantial amount of money was Brett (G & A) and Senior Constable 1/C Neale Carlon raised for Police Legacy, in honour of Huey and Paul. (Nhulunbuy) along with former NTPOL members The Bent Bull Bar and Grill (Emerald Springs Road Ian ‘Parksy’ Park (QPOL), Clint McNamee (private House) was the venue for the evening’s festivities enterprise) and Elio Valenti (CCC, WA) all attended. of dining, drinking, dancing and ‘True Blue’ singing. The Squad was joined its former Squad Coordinator Dallas and Belinda (the owners) are absolutely (then Sergeant and now Commander) Kate Vanderlaan fantastic hosts and their efforts ensured that everyone and wives Karen Valenti, Deb Blackwell, Andrea Kelly had a great night. and Kylie Proctor. The weekend started with welcome drinks at Shenannigans on Friday afternoon with Squad member Senior Constable 1/C Chris Castle (Darwin GDs), who couldn’t make it for the rest of the festivities. Saturday morning involved a road trip down to 22 Hayes Creek before arrival at the Springs. NORTHERN TERRITORY POLICE NEWS After breakfast and a very quiet bus ride back to Darwin on Sunday the Squad vowed to do it all again in five years time – if the organising Committee agrees! Current NTPOL members unable attend the reunion weekend due to other commitments were Sergeant Craig Chenhall and Senior Constable Ivan Marinov. Vince Kelly, Ian Park, Owen Blackwell, Elio Valenti, Chris Castle, Dave Proctor Squad members swear this was already here on their arrival! I t i s a s l o w d ay i n a l i t t l e G r ee k V i l l age … The rain is beating down and the streets are deserted. Times are tough, everybody is in debt, and everybody lives on credit. On this particular day a rich German tourist is driving through the village, stops at the local hotel and lays a $100 note on the desk, telling the hotel owner he wants to inspect the rooms upstairs in order to pick one to spend the night. The owner gives him some keys and, as soon as the visitor has walked upstairs, the hotelier grabs the $100 note and runs next door to pay his debt to the butcher. The butcher takes the $100 note and runs down the street to repay his debt to the pig farmer. The pig farmer takes the $100 note and heads off to pay his bill at the supplier of feed and fuel. The guy at the Farmers’ Co-op takes the $100 note and runs to pay his drinks bill at the taverna. The publican slips the money along to the local prostitute drinking at the bar, who has also been facing hard times and has had to offer him “services” on credit. The hooker then rushes to the hotel and pays off her room bill to the hotel owner with the $100 note. The hotel proprietor then places the $100 note back on the counter so the rich traveller will not suspect anything. At that moment the traveller comes down the stairs, picks up the $100 note, states that the rooms are not satisfactory, pockets the money, and leaves town. No one produced anything. No one earned anything. However, the whole village is now out of debt and looking to the future with a lot more optimism. And that, Ladies and Gentlemen, is how a bailout package works. NORTHERN TERRITORY POLICE NEWS 23 Golf Club Report 24 NORTHERN TERRITORY POLICE NEWS SOCIAL By Matt ALLEN On Friday afternoon 26 August 2011 the Weekly 9-hole afternoon golf competitions are held Northern Territory Police Golf Club (NTPGC) hosted in Darwin, Alice Springs, Nhulunbuy and Alyangula. the annual charity golf day at the Darwin Golf Club. New members are welcome for a social hit regardless 40 teams totalling 200 competitors from police and of golfing ability. The 2012 Police Legacy Charity Golf partner agencies hacked away diligently at Peter Day will again be held at the Darwin Golf Club on the Thompson’s pristine championship layout. 24 August this year. Tireless volunteers took charge of drink carts, buttered bread, turned snags, manned static drink stations, dodged wayward drives, sorted score cards and above all witnessed some of the best dressed athletes ever seen in the top end. Heads were turning when the Shiny Jinies, Swingers and Katherine’s very own Hicks with Sticks 1 and 2 strutted to their allocated tee blocks. Not to be outdone, hats went off to Team Sipowicz who suddenly emerged from a hazard complete with With thanks from the Golf Club moustaches and shaved NYPD hairlines, clearly demonstrating their commitment to police legacy. Numerous local businesses supported the day by donating prizes which were used for fundraising raffles, overall net and gross winners, place getters, longest drives and nearest to the pins. The top of the leaderboard was tied even after the handicap dice roll. City Tyres won in a ‘dice play off’ and to this day the players proudly remind other punters of how well the trophy fits in their shopfront. The NTPGC donated $12,000 to NT Police Legacy in 2011, bringing the total to $23,000 over the past two years. The club appreciates the overwhelming support each year from police members, partner agencies, volunteers, sponsors and the NTPGC committee. Exciting times are approaching in 2012 with the NT Police Golf Club team travelling to Perth in March for the Australian Championships, playing courses such as the Vines and Joondalup. This event will be NTPGC is a non-profit organisation which provides weekly competitions for police golfers throughout the Northern Territory. The NTPGC also provide significant annual donations to Police Legacy. The NTPA’s generous support greatly assisted fundraising at the annual charity golf day. NTPGC proudly donated $12000 to NT Police Legacy. A full playing field of 200 (40 teams of 5 players) from NT Police and partner agencies participated. It was an enjoyable day and again the event was an overwhelming success. The NTPGC Committee appreciates your support and wishes to formally thank you for your generous product donation and sponsorship. followed by the Australian Matchplay Championships in November. For the first time we will send a NT team comprising ten of our best golfers to the Murray River. The Australian Police Golf Championships is coming to Alice Springs in 2014 and the club is about to commence two years of preparation for this significant Many thanks on behalf of the NTPGC Committee, Matt ALLEN NTPGC national event: securing a major sponsor being on the top of the list. NORTHERN TERRITORY POLICE NEWS 25 NATIONAL Round-up This is what is happening at police associations around Australia Police Association of New South Wales The fight for our death and disability protections In late 2011, the Police Association of New South Wales (PANSW) was forced to defend its hardworking and dedicated police officers after the state government proposed a raft of changes to the Death and Disability scheme. The scheme was established in 2005 after 17 years of campaigning to provide a level of financial security to officers injured on duty. Yet, despite these former safe-keepings, the state government announced that the scheme was unsustainable and sought to slash officers’ pay and protections. More than 5000 uniformed police officers descended on New South Wales Parliament on 22 November 2011 to protest the government’s proposed changes. Officers marched from Hyde Park to Parliament House in Sydney, where they were met by applauding parliamentary supporters and bystanders. Chanting “Shame, Barry, Shame!” and holding placards with slogans including “Cops Deserve government agreeing to amendments of crossbenchers, the Shooters Party and Christian Democrats. The achieved amendments, as lobbied by the PANSW, included a 1.8 percent contribution cap; 100 percent salary top-up for a further 13-week period (beyond the initial six month period) and 75 percent income protection for a five-year period (as opposed to the initial eight months at 75 percent and the remaining period at 65 percent). The PANSW suspended Level 4 industrial action in early December but Association president Scott Weber said the passing of the legislation was not the end of the fight. “Our Death and Disability Protections are much too important to let go. We have been forced by the Industrial Relations Commission and the New South Wales Police Force to suspend industrial action and we have now implemented a comprehensive, integrated, political and legal strategy. “The fight will go on as long as it takes to get a decent Death and Disability Scheme for all members.” Police Association of South Australia and cheered as their executive members - including Government breaks recruiting commitment President Scott Weber, Vice-President Pat Gooley, The South Australian government announced in Treasurer Prue Burgun and Assistant Secretary December that it would go against a pre-election (Organising) Greg Black - took to a stage on Macquarie commitment and slow the rate of police recruiting. Better” and “Protect Our Police”, the officers jeered Street to address the crowd. Members including The decision was made as part of a raft of spending Curlewis Constable Simon Shannon, Springwood cuts aimed at saving $141 million from the state Sergeant Allanah Anson and Bathurst Inspector Ross budget. It goes against a commitment the government Wilkinson also spoke to the crowd. made before the last election to recruit an extra 313 “I never thought I’d see the day when we had over 5000 police officers, mostly marching in uniform, police, over and above attrition, by 2014. According to Treasurer Jack Snelling, the against a direction of a commissioner who is not recruitment of those additional police will now not supporting us,” Mr Weber said. be completed until 2016. The government believes On 25 November 2011, the reforms passed through parliament with the state’s lower house voting for the Police Amendment (Death and Disability) Bill 2011, 59 votes to 23. 26 The vote came a day after the upper house passed the legislation in a late night sitting, with the NORTHERN TERRITORY POLICE NEWS the delay will deliver a $50 million budget saving, although it is unclear how that figure was reached. The decision was made without consultation with the Police Association or with SAPOL, which NSW Police Rally in Sydney is responsible for delivering the outcome. SAPOL State Budget has already initiated recruiting campaigns in South The department recently announced a further Australia and the UK. reduction in police vehicles by 31, also increasing The Police Association called for the election mileage on vehicles before sale and only allocating commitment because it believed additional police Falcon and Commodores for general or traffic duties. were required to deliver the raft of services the Vehicles not used for those duties will be 4 cylinder community and government expect. vehicles. Specialist and 4WD vehicles will be subject to Current law-and-order policies, greater a separate strategy. The Department has also flagged administrative demands owing to disclosure rules its intention to withdraw mobile phones except for and new legislation relating to hoon-driving, illegal those issued to officers ranked Inspector and above, firearms, serious and organized crime, alcohol-fuelled senior executive service positions and staff support. violence, licensing, and domestic violence all mean that Consideration is also being given to replacing the policing has never been more labour intensive. provision of a mobile phone, for those who retain Because the additional 313 police had been access, with an allowance. The Department stated that earmarked for operational duties, the delay will have there is no intention to withdraw mobile phones that consequences for the front line. are needed for valid operational or safety reasons. Police Association of Tasmania Harmonised Work Place Health & Safety Legislation The PAT, Barry Sherriff, one of the authors of the proposed legislation and Unions Tasmania Secretary Kevin Harkins made verbal submissions before the Legislative Council in support of the immediate introduction of the legislation. The Bill was passed The Police Association Victoria As we move into 2012, we do so with optimism that has been absent for many years. Policing in Victoria has indeed taken massive strides in the last twelve months, with a range of achievements, announcements, appointments and, of course, the successful end of our Enterprise Bargaining. but was amended to change the operating date from A quick scan of 2011reveals: 1 January 2012 to 1 January 2013. The Legislative • A guarantee of 1,700 net additional police officers Council took into consideration the ability for employers to prepare for the introduction of the legislation. The PAT was disappointed with the amended operating date. The government has not yet decided whether it will re-present the Bill in 2012 in an attempt to change the amendment. that has, so far, already seen a boost in the Force’s frontline numbers. • A new (and Victoria Police Force home-grown) Chief Commissioner, Ken Lay APM. • Confirmation that the Office of Police Integrity (OPI) will be shut down and replaced by an Independent NORTHERN TERRITORY POLICE NEWS 27 NATIONAL Round-up Broad Based Anti-Corruption Commission, signalling official realisation that corruption in this state just might exist outside the police force. • After nearly 12 months of negotiations and four months of industrial actions taken by our members, we have achieved what is, in our eyes, a very are on a downward trend, not an upward trend. The development of a Code of Practice for Policing is aimed at drawing attention to the need for more focus on police work health and safety and driving better performance in this key area of policing. Safe Work Australia is convening a working party successful EB outcome. A 4.72 per cent compounded to prepare the Code which would have official status annual pay-rise and a range of improved conditions under the harmonized Work Health and Safety Act for members, including a return to nine weeks which so far extends federally, and to Queensland, “leave” for every full-time member. As intended, South Australia, Tasmania and the Australian Capital the new salary and conditions began to flow Territory, although it is expected that all jurisdictions through to members on 1 December 2011. will ultimately be covered. The PFA is a member of the working party, as is Police Federation of Australia ANZPAA, the Australian and New Zealand Policing Advancing police health and safety Advisory Agency representing all of the nation’s With the new ‘national’ Work Health and Safety Police Commissioners. legislation in five jurisdictions, the Police Federation of Australia (PFA) is contributing to development of Commissioners to do all that is reasonably practicable a Code of Practice for Policing. Our aim is to ensure to eliminate or minimize the risk to officers of injury that any Code applying to police drives improvement or illness from the work that they do. This involves in safety on the front line and reduces the incidence identifying hazards, assessing risks and reducing of injury and illness resulting from the sometimes those risks. It means that careful planning and hazardous circumstances that police officers confront. proper resourcing, along with good intelligence and Across Australia, 750 police officers have died in the line of duty, 38 since the year 2000. From 2000 to 2010, workers’ compensation claims for serious communication, need to go into general duties policing and operations. The Act also places an obligation on police officers injury and illness rose from 1,460 to 1,960, an (in fact all workers) to take reasonable care for their increase of 34 per cent. own health and safety and that of others. In total there were more than 16,310 police claims The PFA, with major input from its State and for serious injury and illness in the last decade. Territory Branches, is developing a series of practical These figures from Safe Work Australia are the best case studies and scenarios to demonstrate, in the Code, available, but they understate the national picture practical ways of reducing the risks officers face in because Western Australian figures do not appear in general duties policing, and the many things that can workers’ compensation statistics. go wrong without effective care. The case studies will The largest categories of serious claims were for: • mental stress at 4,410 • body stressing at 4,060 • being hit by moving objects at 2,615 (175 of these incidents in 2010 were from assaults; 1,685 over ten years) • falls, trips and slips at 2,460. 28 The new Act puts the primary duty of care on drive home the need for significant improvement in police health and safety which is what we believe a Code should deliver if it is to have value. The PFA could stand aside from the process of developing the Code, wash our hands of the task, or we can contribute with a view to ensuring the outcome actually makes a difference to police officer work health and safety. We are committed to the latter course. When the draft Code is prepared, a wide process of There is clearly much more that can be done to consultation with rank and file police officers must take improve police officer work health and safety across place before the Code achieves any official status through the nation and to ensure that serious injury and illness ministerial approval. This will be well into 2012. NORTHERN TERRITORY POLICE NEWS CHAPLAIN’S MESSAGE Why A Chapel The origin of the Chapel came about more than peter wright senior chaplain Spirituality is not necessarily about a particular 1,000 years ago. It was the place where relics were faith group, but can be. It is also about how we see stored. It was a place of worship attached to a mother ourselves, our values and ideals, emphasising the church. Many palaces have a chapel which is a small human spirit. place of worship. They can also be attached to schools, large homes, institutions, airports or simply a room set Feemster suggests that spirituality matters to effective practice and performance in seven primary ways: aside for private or small group worship / meditation. Many police establishments have a chapel of one 1 spirituality nourishes the inner being of members, kind or another. For instance Vicpol has an extremely inoculating, protecting, and refreshing them from large chapel, more like a cathedral than a chapel. Other dangerous levels of multiple stressors police jurisdictions have chapels built specifically by the police, or a room where members can come aside. A number of years ago I was asked about the need for a chapel for the NT Police. Up until now nothing has been done to address this question. The Police Association and I have been stirred along to now look at the possibility of having a chapel and we now have an idea of what a chapel in the NT might look like and the possibility of a chapel being constructed. Although chapels came out of the Christian tradition they are very much open to people of all faith groups and those with no faith traditions. The chapel is primarily a place of worship for all. It is a place where weddings, christenings, funerals and other special events can take place. It is not a designated denomination or faith group 2 spirituality unleashes vitality by reengaging members in the spirit of the law 3 spirituality heals the deepest, most invisible trauma of wounded warriors 4 spirituality provides an antidote from the toxicity of evil, thereby promoting wellness beyond survival 5 spirituality nurtures longevity in law enforcement 6 spirituality enhances intuitive policing, emotional intelligence, stress management 7 spirituality, according to new evidence, strengthens brain function The chapel is a place for members and others to come to be reinvigorated, to focus and continue on and to be of greater value to the organisation. We will have building, but rather a sacred place for those who wish a discussion with the Commissioner in the near future to go there, for whatever reason. to seek his support and input into our ideas. It is a place to reflect, to refocus and to be in the We envisage a building that would seat presence of God in a quiet place. It is a place just to approximately 170-200 people, and would be for the sit and be still. It can also be a place to go following a Tri –Service and ideally include an office for critical incident, to get away and have a quiet time. our Chaplain. An article I read entitled “Wellness and Spirituality” The chapel could also be a further place for reminds us that the whole person needs to be looked remembrance of those who have lost their lives in after. That is mind, body and spirit. An FBI Special the line of duty. Agent, Samuel Feemster said, “spirituality does not weaken the best aspects of policing; rather, it greatly Peter Wright accentuates them”. Senior Chaplain NT PFES NORTHERN TERRITORY POLICE NEWS 29 book review Jack Knife The crashing of a policeman (NSW Police & PTSD) By Paul ‘Little Jack’ Horner Published by Zeus Publications RRP: $32.95 www.zeus.publications.com Let me say from the outset this story may be town harmed in some way. Their intense policing South Wales Senior Constable Paul ‘Jack’ Horner’s experiences are only tempered by the deep and life- career is a fine reflection of what has happened to very long relationships they develop with work mates. many other former and serving police across all the This is not to make a judgement on the type of Australian police jurisdictions. Post Traumatic Stress ‘customer’ encountered in these towns as the Disorder (PTSD) is very real and is a tragic, irreversible demolition of social mores and the poverty trap that side effect for most police arising from them just doing dominates these places happened long before Paul the job they loved, a job, in the vast majority of cases, Horner and his wife, Jenny arrived in the town. performed with great distinction. 30 Most, if not all who serve in this location leave the disturbing for some readers. Why? Well, former New Paul Horner is a very good friend. In this book he Whereas Paul Horner’s true story in Jack Knife – talks lovingly of his police friends. He takes the reader The Crashing of a Policeman may not be dissimilar on a fast, exciting ride as he details his worst moments to a plethora of other stories, the difference is that he and his very best moments in his early postings in has bravely chosen to make his policing experiences Sydney and in that career defining country location. and his subsequent suffering public. There may be When he hits obstacles from management he ups the something cathartic for him in doing this, but in invective. Some may not be attracted to the ‘in your doing so he is to be highly commended and admired. face’ approach taken by Paul in this book but there The psychological demons that are ever-present is an assured golden thread of truth shining through and haunting for most, if not all PTSD sufferers, are his words. sometimes best left undisturbed. So to take this book As a piece of pure real life literature Paul may be on and wake your own unwanted harmful emotional the first to admit that Jack Knife is not going to win memories of complex policing experiences should be many awards. The very blokey and colloquial style of done with caution. writing, it could be argued, may reduce the efficacy of Paul is of a rare breed of New South Wales police the story. I am not of that view, although you do feel officer. He chose to perform country service, not in a at times that if Paul had elaborated a little more his quiet, little country town full of retired graziers and messages may have been more effective. There is real 4-wheel drives, but in a medium sized town in far desire, at times, when reading this story, for Paul to north-west New South Wales. The reward to taking explain the bigger picture. He does though consolidate on this type of general duty is a coastal posting after your understanding of his reactions to a vast array of three years, but at what cost to your mental health operational and managerial harms he suffered during and dignity? his 11 years of service. NORTHERN TERRITORY POLICE NEWS competitions Congratulations to Brendan McLinden from Katherine who came up with the winning caption for the photo in the December issue of the NT Police News. ‘The RBT straw that prevented the camel breaking its back’. Thanks to all the other contributors. We were wrong... In December the NT Police News inadvertently identified Peter TysonDonnelly as supplying our last competition photo “Breathalyser Course”. The photo was supplied by Neil Mclean. ✂ Who are they? Do you recognise these three, fresh-faced young men? This photo was taken during their training in 1980. They are still serving. Be the first person to correctly name the three and you will win a NTPA jacket valued at $50.00. Send your answer to ‘Who are they?’ NTPA, GPO Box 2350, Darwin, 0801. The competition closes on Monday, April 6. Executive and NTPA staff are excluded from this competition. The judge’s decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into. Answer Name Phone NORTHERN TERRITORY POLICE NEWS 31 MEMBER UPDATE Resignations NTPA GIFT SHOP Kelly Seden ACPO 17-Sep-11 Adam Beecham Snr Constable 21-Dec-11 Per Henrik Nilsson Snr Constable 19-Dec-11 Malcolm Passmore Snr Sgt 30-Dec-11 Anita Newman Constable First Class 22-Dec-11 Ted Williams Constable 21-Dec-11 • NTPA and NTPF caps Katie-Anne Frederickson Auxiliary1 0-Jan-12 Skye Hanson Snr Constable 23-Jan-12 Dale Howe Constable First Class 1-Feb-12 Thomas Newton Constable First Class 20-Jan-12 • Stubby coolers, coffee and travel mugs, ties, pens, keyrings, compendiums, cooler bags, novel bottle openers, plaques and more! Robert PocockTrainee Constable 9-Dec-11 Carly Vowels 27-Jan-12 Auxiliary • Men’s and Women’s Polo Shirts and Chambray Shirts • NTPA Windshield Jackets with removable sleeves Check our website www.ntpa.com.au or come into our store at 5 Foelsche Street, Darwin. Retirements Changed your address? Sanne Baltoft-Henderson Snr Police Auxiliary 18-Nov-11 Frederick Huysse 30-Dec-11 Sergeant Please let the NTPA know if you change address or contact details. Email: [email protected] or telephone 8981 8840 Thank You 32 NORTHERN TERRITORY POLICE NEWS INNOVATIVE PRODUCTS TRUSTED BY PROFESSIONALS 511 Tactical is a Strategic partner of the F.B.I. national Academy associates WOMEN’S HAND PROTECTION MEN’S Our gloves set new standards for dexterity, fit, comfort and durability whilst maintaining a high level of protection and tactility. Lightweight and fast drying. Get them on! 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