Issuu

WINTER 2026

Charlie’s impact A S S O CI A

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“But the fact that it was a child, and the fact that she was just in such poor condition. I needed to stop and actually gather myself and then remember that I had a job to do.”

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Editor

ost cops agree that the worst they ever see and have to deal with on the front line is harm done to children. Whether it’s cases of physical or sexual abuse or criminal neglect, it all comes with the capacity to distress responders. Such a case hit Sergeant Haydn Evans in 2022. He was a first responder when it came to little Charlie Nowland, a six-year-old girl who had died of malnutrition. Haydn had no choice but to take on the role of investigating officer. What he had to confront was to cost him his mental health – a diagnosis of PTSD. Dean Walker has occupied a place among the most highly regarded community constables in policing. But he was no longer prepared to suffer the effects of the SAPOL staffing crisis as it exists in Coober Pedy. Dean outlines how and why his patience wore out and led him to resign. Senior Constable Anthea Beck has had to endure a second round of injustice. First it was the suspended sentence handed to her notorious attacker Raina Cruise. Then it was the controversial early release of Cruise from prison. None of it has impressed Anthea, as she explains. We were delighted once again to get the news that the Police Journal had won more international journalism awards in the United States. Nicholas Damiani details which stories, about two of our members, the judges considered worthy of gold. Senior Industrial Officer Steve Whetton looks at the 2025 Safe Work Australia handbook, Notifiable incidents, extended absences and suicides. Dr Rod Pearce explains how and why seizures occur; Jim Barnett road-tests the Kia Tasman X-Pro and the Isuzu D-MAX X-Rider. Police Association president Wade Burns explains the relevance to police of a recent decision of the South Australian Court of Appeal concerning compensation.

Brett Williams brettwilliams@pj.asn.au

Publisher: Police Association of South Australia Level 2, 27 Carrington St, Adelaide SA 5000 T (08) 8212 3055 Editor: Brett Williams (08) 8212 3055 Design: Sam Kleidon 0417 839 300 Advertising: Police Association of South Australia (08) 8212 3055 Printing: Finsbury Green (08) 8234 8000 The Police Journal is published by the Police Association of South Australia, 27 Carrington St, Adelaide, SA 5000, (ABN 73 802 822 770). Contents of the Police Journal are subject to copyright. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission of the Police Association of South Australia is prohibited. Opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the editor. The Police Association accepts no responsibility for statements made by advertisers. Editorial contributions should be sent to the editor (brettwilliams@pj.asn.au). COVER: Sergeant Haydn Evans and Senior Constable Reeden Schache. Photography by Steve McCawley.

Police Journal

Winter 2026

12 Police Association

President

Every protection, every entitlement, every time Letters

Industrial

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Isuzu D-Max LSM X-Rider Kia Tasman X-Pro Books

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On Scene

The Last Shift

Charlie’s impact

An Elizabeth sergeant never expected to suffer so intensely the effects of the death of a little girl who still lives large in his memory.

Why Walker is walking away

A highly regarded Aboriginal community constable who recently resigned has laid the blame for his departure squarely at the feet of SAPOL executive management.

Let down again

An inexplicable move by the prison system came as a second injustice inflicted on Anthea Beck in just two years.

Double Gold

Not since 2015 has the Police Journal had such a successful year for international recognition – two gold awards in the United States.

Winter 2026

Julian Snowden

Police Association of South Australia Level 2, 27 Carrington St, Adelaide SA 5000 www.pasa.asn.au P: (08) 8212 3055 (all hours) E: pasa@pasa.asn.au Membership enquiries: (08) 8112 7988

Police Journal

Mardi Ludgate

ADMINISTRATION ASSISTANT Sophie Pascoe

Zac Cook

Bryan Whitehorn

EXECUTIVE SECRETARIES Madison Furniss

Caley Frisby

Leonie Schulz

FINANCE Wendy Kellett Finance Officer

COMMITTEE Michael Kent Treasurer

Samanda Brain

Simon Haebich

Chris Walkley Deputy President

Anthony Coad Secretary

INDUSTRIAL Andrew Heffernan Industrial Officer

Nadia Goslino Member Liaison Officer

Steven Whetton Senior Industrial Officer

Wade Burns President

POLICE JOURNAL Gary Craggs Industrial Officer

Brett Williams Editor

Paulene Porter Vice-President

MEDIA AND COMMUNICATIONS Nicholas Damiani

Winter 2026

Police Association of South Australia REPRESENTATIVES Superannuation Leave Bank Country housing Commissioner’s Office Health Safety & Welfare Advisory Committee Legacy Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity & Intersex members

Wade Burns and Michael Kent Andrew Heffernan Andrew Heffernan Steven Whetton Julian Snowden Nadia Goslino and Andrew Heffernan

DELEGATES & WORKPLACE REPRESENTATIVES Metro North Branch Elizabeth Gawler Golden Grove Henley Beach Holden Hill Northern Prosecution Parks Port Adelaide Salisbury

Haydn Evans Rob Mowday Darren Quirk Alan Pagac Adam Knoll Tim Pfeiffer Edward Matias Paul Blenkiron Philip Proctor

Country North Branch Ceduna Coober Pedy Kadina Peterborough Port Augusta Port Lincoln Whyalla

Samuel Priest David Finlayson Gavin Moore Nathan Paskett Jake Whenan Ian Baker Paul Velthuizen

Crime Command Branch Adelaide Investigation Elizabeth Investigation SOCIB Forensic Services Intel Support Major Crime Port Adelaide Investigation Serious Fraud South Coast Investigation

Robert Clark Joel Manson David Furniss David Bowman Shaun Blundell Robert Martin Andrew Winterfield Daryl Mundy Jason Tank

Metro South Branch Adelaide Christies Beach/Aldinga Hindley Street Netley Southern Prosecution Southern Traffic Sturt

Country South Branch Adelaide Hills Berri Millicent Mount Gambier Murray Bridge Renmark South Coast

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Jason Blucher Tamara Day Matthew Jennings Owen Wales Thomas Jonker Jonathan Sutton Peter Tellam

Operations Support Branch Academy Melanie Smith Academy Peter Koulianos ACB Tony Boots Band Adam Buckley ComCen Glenys Moriarty Dog Ops Levi Struthers Firearms Brett Carpenter Mounted Ops Sonia Wellings PSSB Mark Staples STAR Operations Craig Murphy State Ops Support Branch Duncan Gerrie Traffic Services Joshua O’Dwyer Youth & Street Gangs Taskforce Ian Kilpatrick

Officers Branch

Stuart Mee Jodie Ashenden Michael Montgomery Robert Brelsford Sallie McArdell James Evans Richard Hoar

Craig Terlikowski

PRESIDENT Wade Burns

Every protection, every entitlement, every time A

significant development has emerged in the area of injury protection, with a recent court decision carrying potentially important implications for injured police officers. Many will remember the Police Association’s landmark Protect Our Cops campaign back in 2015. The introduction of the Return to Work Act fundamentally changed workers compensation in South Australia. For most injured workers, income maintenance was capped at two years and medical expenses at three years unless they met the threshold for serious injury. The association and its members saw that as a hill to die on. As former MLC Robert Brokenshire said at the time: “Police officers have the only occupation where they are bound to enter dangerous situations. Workers in every other occupation can choose not to enter a situation where their personal safety could be placed in jeopardy. Unlike traditional jobs, where someone enters a contract of employment, once police are sworn in, they are in an entirely different category to any other worker. In fact, once a police officer has been sworn in, they are effectively on duty 24-7. If they see certain situations, they are duty-bound to act and they have sworn to commit to that situation, no matter what.” Clearly, a police officer seriously injured protecting another person should not then face the possibility of losing income support or being left with long-term medical costs simply because an arbitrary statutory period has expired. 10

Police Journal

If additional compensation has been calculated without properly accounting for applicable salary increases between the date of injury and the commencement of additional compensation, affected members might have received less than their award entitlement.

We took that argument directly to the community. Hundreds of police officers, their families and supporters marched from Victoria Square to Parliament House under the banner Protect Our Cops. The campaign told the stories of members who had suffered terrible injuries in the line of duty and generated thousands of petition signatures and overwhelming public support. In 2016, the government agreed to restore the protections sought by the association. Those arrangements were subsequently given legal longevity through the additional compensation provisions in the Police Officers Award. The scheme provides continuing protection for eligible members whose statutory workers compensation entitlements have ended following certain work-related injuries, including injuries arising from dangerous situations or circumstances involving criminal offending. It can provide continuing income and medical protection well beyond the ordinary Return-to-Work scheme. That history has become particularly important again in 2026. On July 16, the South Australian Court of Appeal delivered its judgment in a case concerning the equivalent Additional Compensation arrangements applying to firefighters. At issue was how an injured worker’s Notional Weekly Earnings should be adjusted where salary increases applicable to the worker’s classification occurred after the worker was injured — but before the worker began receiving additional compensation. The court held that the relevant provisions required the worker to receive the benefit of applicable increases in remuneration, including increases that took effect before the additional compensation period began. That judgment has obvious potential significance for police because of the relevant provisions of the Police Officers Award. If additional compensation has

been calculated without properly accounting for applicable salary increases between the date of injury and the commencement of additional compensation, affected members might have received less than their award entitlement. Yet to be determined is how SAPOL intends to apply the Court of Appeal judgment to police officers, whether current and historical payments will be reviewed, how potentially affected members will be identified and how any underpayments will be rectified. We’ll pursue those questions to their conclusion. The additional compensation scheme exists solely because police officers and their families fought for it a decade ago. Our responsibility now is to make sure members receive every protection that scheme was intended to provide.

No leniency for serious assaults on police Members will be familiar with Raina Cruise and her conviction for intentionally causing harm to a prescribed emergency worker. In October 2021, she violently assaulted Senior Constable Anthea Beck while police were investigating earlier assaults on security guards in Adelaide. Senior Constable Beck was dragged to the ground and suffered multiple injuries, including patches of hair being torn from her scalp. In December 2024, Cruise received a term of imprisonment which was wholly suspended. The Police Association made its position clear at the time. We regarded that outcome as manifestly inadequate and publicly supported an appeal. In June 2025, the Court of Appeal overturned the suspended sentence and ordered Cruise to serve an immediate term of imprisonment of three years, nine months and two weeks, with a twoyear non-parole period.

The Ministerial Determination governing Release Ordered Home Detention has now been amended to expressly exclude offenders convicted of specified offences against emergency workers.

Then, in July this year, members learned that Cruise had been released from prison on Release Ordered Home Detention after little more than a year in custody — well before the expiry of her non-parole period. I immediately challenged that outcome and, publicly, asked a very simple question: how could a person responsible for such a vicious attack on a police officer be released in those circumstances? Within hours, Cruise was returned to custody. I said at the time that “sanity has prevailed,” but returning one offender to prison could not be the end of the matter. We wanted to know how the decision had been possible in the first place and what would be done to prevent it happening again. Police Minister Michael Brown has since written directly to me confirming that the decision to release Cruise did not align with community expectations. He acted on the underlying problem swiftly. The Ministerial Determination governing Release Ordered Home Detention has now been amended to expressly exclude offenders convicted of specified offences against emergency workers. Those exclusions include intentionally or recklessly causing harm to an emergency worker and causing harm to a police officer while hindering or resisting that officer in the course of official duties. The minister has also advised that departmental oversight and governance of the assessment process have been strengthened — a significant and lasting outcome for police officers.

See Let down again on page 26 and How the system failed Anthea (Police Journal, summer issue, 2025) ➔ Winter 2026

Police Journal

Charlie’s impact BY BRETT WILLIAMS

It would have delighted Sergeant Haydn Evans to see Charlie Nowland enjoying life today as a 10-year-old. What he saw instead, and what left him with PTSD, was her death from criminal neglect.

Winter 2026

Little Charlie Nowland lay dead

in a hospital resus room in the pre-dawn of a cold July day in 2022. While no one was about to make any preinvestigation judgements, her emaciated corpse presented no mystery. It showed all the signs of a sick, malnourished child rather than a healthy, cared-for six-year-old. Her painfully thin body with its twig-like limbs and cold, paper-white skin screamed neglect. So did her swollen, dirt-covered feet and her matted hair teeming with head lice. Covering her entire scalp were scabs, likely the result of incessant scratching. Visible through her open mouth were ground-down teeth, which seemed the likely result of chronic grinding, perhaps from stress. And adding indignity to her in death was a faeces-filled nappy, not yet removed from her body. Still evident as well were signs of the desperate attempts paramedics and hospital staff had made to save Charlie’s life. There were the child-size defib pads: one near her right shoulder, one to the left of her abdomen and one on her back. And drilled into each of her shins were access points to allow for the injection of lifesaving fluid directly into her vascular system. But, as valiant as those attempts were, they failed to save Charlie. Her body, which weighed just 18kg, had indeed shut down from malnutrition. An ED doctor had declared her life extinct at 2:24am on July 15. 14

Police Journal

The paramedics and hospital staff had all done their duty and it was now up to police to investigate the death. But, for some among the responders, the vision of Charlie looking like a third-world famine victim, had come with a massive psychological impact. To Elizabeth response sergeant Haydn Evans, a husband and father, it was an atrocity “in a category of its own”. He still thinks of it as the most agonizing job he has ever had to confront. “Nothing even comes close,” he says. Evans still remembers how he paused when he first saw Charlie lying dead in the resus room. “It all just sort of hit me in the face,” he says, “just seeing this tiny little body and just how shocking she looked. (She was six) but she only looked about four or five years old. “The first thing that really stood out to me was just how infested she was with head lice. You could literally see head lice jumping around on her head from metres away.” What the situation demanded of Evans was his professionalism and razor-sharp focus but also distance from his emotions. Of course, he delivered and won high praise for his efforts. But, later, he would find himself caught in the grip of PTSD and severe anxiety. And his anguish would last not weeks or months but rather years. He came to wrestle with nightmares, flashbacks, hypervigilance and, even now, four years later, continues to see and think about Charlie. In his nightmares, he is back in that resus room examining what remains of Charlie’s ravaged little body. With his own daughter about to turn one back in 2022, the timing of the job could not have proved more unfortunate for Evans, then 31. He knew just how intense it could be for parent police officers to deal with the worst cases of harm done to children. But he also knew that parenthood was not an out for police officers. He grasped the responsibility he had to live up to from the moment ComCen alerted him to the job. It was to provide in-person oversight of what he expected “to be a mammoth incident to investigate”.

“They were really struggling with what they were seeing. All the nursing staff just looked overwhelmed.” The first obstacle

he had to overcome was understaffing, the same issue which was continuing to plague operational cops everywhere. Indeed, Evans had “next to no staff” at all. So, to be sure that Charlie’s death got the police response it demanded, he had to undertake “some staffing gymnastics”. His decidedly light-on team was one two-person patrol – managing a bail refusal in the Elizabeth cells – one solo patrol and one front-office member. Evans took Constable Jacob Searles out of the front office and paired him up with the solo member, Senior Constable Reeden Schache, then 29. That created a two-up patrol to attend the Lyell McEwin Hospital while the patrol in the cells was to cover the front office. With the understaffed team rejigged, Evans and his newly created patrol headed to the hospital in separate marked police cars. On the drive there, and even before that, when ComCen dispatched the job, Evans was under no illusions. He had assisted in the response to a child death once before, a case of SIDS. So, he knew well that the sight of the body of an “Ill-treated, malnourished young child” would be “very confronting”. It would also be the “biggest investigation” in which he would ever take part. Evans and his patrol got to the Lyell McEwin around 3:40am and launched straight into action. In the ambulance bay, Schache and Searles spoke with the paramedics who had arrived at the hospital with Charlie around 2am. Evans, meanwhile, headed for the emergency department. He had taken some deep breaths and steeled himself but had a sense that he was walking at half pace. “I didn’t want to be going to this job,” he says. And that was obvious to Schache. What he saw in Evans, from the moment the trio

arrived at the hospital, was a young cop dad “struggling to manage his emotions”. Sitting on the floor outside resus room 1 was Charlie’s teenaged sister, Maisie, and a neighbour who Evans understood to be a close family friend. Maisie (not her real name), with a blank look on her face, appeared to Evans to be numb with grief as the neighbour held her hands. “She was just in a complete state of shock,” he says. “She just seemed like a shell (of a person). (Like Charlie) she had head lice all through her hair as well, and she was quite pale too.” It seemed Maisie was the last to see Charlie alive and the first to discover she had died at their Munno Para home. She gave Searles her account of what she had witnessed and, as that took place, Evans stepped into the resus room. In there, his first observation was that of nursing staff whom he perceived as not just sombre but “in shock”. “They were really struggling with what they were seeing,” he says. “All the nursing staff just looked overwhelmed.” On a bed in the centre of the room was Charlie’s laid-out body, covered up to the neck with a sheet. Evans initially tried to avert his eyes from the lifeless little girl. He felt his gut begin to churn and realized that he was “hanging back”. But he would again steel himself and step forward.

First for him to deal with was

the woman who had failed Charlie on every level: her drug-affected mother, Crystal Hanley, who appeared overwrought. She cried over Charlie, embraced her body, and pleaded with her to awaken. But, in her behaviour, Evans saw not genuine grief but rather a performance. “She's crying, but there's no tears,” he recalls. “She's got this real exaggerated sobbing and whatnot, but there's literally no tears coming out of her eyes at all. “She at one point said: ‘I should have known better.’ It was just a throwaway thing, but I do remember that she used those words exactly, which I thought was really an odd thing to say.” Hanley seemed unable to focus as Evans went about explaining the procedure he and his colleagues would have to follow. He put her inattention down to the effects of methamphetamine. However unstable Hanley seemed, Evans had to get about assigning tasks and had hoped to give Schache the investigating-officer role. Schache remembers him in that moment as “incredibly anxious”. “I've worked with him a long time and consider him a close friend,” Schache says. “He actually looked me in the eyes in the ED and said: ‘I need you to do this.’ “I tried to figure out how I could manage a statement from Crystal and take on the role as the investigating officer as well. I wanted to take that off his (Haydn’s) plate, but it just never panned out that way.” Evans realized that a detailed statement from Hanley was “going to be absolutely critical to the investigation”. So, he entrusted that job to Schache, in whose ability he had total confidence. Searles was to take the equally important last-to-see, first-to-find statement from Maisie.

“She’d pretend to be crying or sobbing. I can remember it so clearly. She wasn't crying. She wasn't grieving or upset. She was worried.” Winter 2026

And the hospital environment, in which all three officers had to function, was “arguably the most chaotic place in the entire Northern District”. Says Evans: “We had to separate Crystal and Maisie into separate rooms so that their statements could be done independently. We definitely didn't want Crystal influencing anything that Maisie was saying.” Schache too perceived Hanley as drug-affected, scattered and restless. No surprise that he found her difficult to keep on topic, even with “very simple questions”. “I’d say she was more worried than upset when I was speaking with her,” he says. “She’d pretend to be crying or sobbing. I can remember it so clearly. She wasn't crying. She wasn't grieving or upset. She was worried. “There was a little bit of eye contact, but only when she asked me something. She wouldn't answer a question and look at me. “She gave me this fantasy story about her daughter and her health care and education. I later learned from the sentencing remarks (in court) that it was just complete bullshit.” The truth was that Charlie had received neither health care nor education. Hanley had never registered her birth or enrolled her in school. Nor had she enrolled her in Medicare or ever taken her for a dental check-up. And only twice in her six years had Charlie ever seen a doctor.

“When I saw Charlie for the first time, I felt sick. I saw a tiny human being, lifeless and pale, with signs that she had probably not bathed in days and hadn't eaten in a long time.” Crystal Hanley. Image: 7News.

Police Journal

As Evans tried to manage his

personnel under the weight of chronic understaffing, he now had to take on the IO role as well. While he doubled as the supervisor and the IO, he would have to prepare a brief of evidence to submit to the Coroner’s Office. So, ahead of him now was the task he least wanted to confront: a detailed examination of Charlie’s body. He had, of course, already made some initial observations but would need help in this next grim stage of the investigation. That help was to come from two Elizabeth CIB detectives who Evans knew to be on their way to the hospital. “CIB rocked up quite quickly,” he says. “I thought I’d wait until they got there, rather than me trying to do all of that (examination) myself. I needed assistance moving Charlie so I could actually document (her condition) and take photos to support my statement.” One of the toughest moments for Evans came in the process of removing the sheet covering Charlie’s body. “It was another point where I had to just stop and take a moment to actually compose myself,” he says. “I'd never seen a body like this before, and I've seen dozens of dead bodies. “But the fact that it was a child, and the fact that she was just in such poor condition. I needed to stop and actually gather myself and then remember that I had a job to do. The sight of Charlie was to become a haunting memory for Schache, too. He twice had occasion to enter the resus room and saw her for himself. “When I saw Charlie for the first time, I felt sick,” he says. “I saw a tiny human being, lifeless and pale, with signs that she had probably not bathed in days and hadn't eaten in a long time. “She looked like she had been living on the streets in a third-world country. “I've been to a handful of situations where children have passed away but never in that sort of situation or circumstance. That's something you can't unsee.” What he was happy to remember as “a lovely gesture”, however, was a nurse holding Charlie’s hand. The great disappointment for Evans was that he “couldn't do anything to save Charlie”. “But,” he says, “I could at least get justice for her by investigating to the best of my ability. So, I systematically went from head to toe taking notes on everything I could see.” At least twice, as Evans went about his examination, noting all the signs of criminal neglect, he felt his composure momentarily slip away. He regained it quickly, however, and pushed through the dread of the task.

“Entering was like a whack in the face.”

Rooms and the toilet and fridge show the squalor in which Charlie and her siblings were living.

It took Evans around an hour

and a half to deal with the hospital stage of his investigation. After it was over, he headed for the scene of Charlie’s death – the Munno Para Housing Trust home she shared with her mother and five siblings. The drive there gave him his first chance to release some of the overwhelming frustration he felt. “I was just punching the steering wheel pretty much as hard as I could,” he says. “I remember almost pulling over around the Munno Para shops. I had to take a few breaths because I felt like I was about to completely break down at that point.” But, again, Evans pushed through and got to the Nowland home in Konanda Crescent around 5:25am. It was now important for him to conduct a walk-through of the house and record his observations.

He knew the house and its layout because he had responded to another crisis there 18 months earlier, in 2021. Charlie’s father, John Nowland, had stabbed Hanley in the neck. He wound up in jail and was still there when Charlie died. Unmistakeable to Evans as he approached the closed front door was an overpowering stench, which “magnified tenfold” once he opened that door. Evans had counted himself among those police with a strong tolerance for foul odours, but this one had him close to heaving. Once inside, he found total squalor, an environment he likened to “a rubbish tip”. “Entering was like a whack in the face,” he says. “I was going: ‘What the f--k has happened in the last 18 months?’ It wasn't that bad when I went through before.” That “whack in the face” was piled-up rubbish, soiled clothes, discarded household items and even

cat vomit and faeces in almost every room. In the kitchen were cockroaches “scuttling all over the countertops and in the cupboards” and a sink overflowing with dirty dishes. Unfazed by the bugs and filth was a black cat asleep on a benchtop. So extensive was the mess throughout the house that, in some areas, Evans struggled to “find clear space” in which to step. Bare floor space was not even visible in one of the bedrooms owing to a mountain of rubbish and household items. On each of two bunk beds in that same bedroom was a mattress without any bed linen. And it was the same in another bedroom: a mattress on a bunk bed with no linen but a mound of soiled clothes. In the bathroom was a filthy, unflushed toilet, no hand soap, and an indistinguishable substance in the shower cubicle. Evans suspected it was either human faeces or cat vomit. Winter 2026

“Personally, it broke me. I questioned whether I could stay on the road and keep doing what I was doing.” After around 30 minutes on the scene, he wound up his walk-through at 6:05am and headed back to Elizabeth police station. There, he prepared his IO statement and, with Schache and Searles, compiled a coronial brief. At the time of the Charlie Nowland death, Evans was already consulting a psychologist. He had suffered both physical and psychological injuries after a “meth head” launched an assault on him at Elizabeth North. “I almost felt ready to end the appointments with him (the psychologist),” he recalls. “I felt like I'd gotten on top of that (injury) and was about ready to say: ‘Thank you. I'll get in contact if I need you.’ And then this (Nowland) job hit me like a ton of bricks. “Personally, it broke me. I questioned whether I could stay on the road and keep doing what I was doing.” The flashbacks, nightmares and anxiety Evans suffered became a plague on his every-day life. “I think initially, being so consumed by the raw emotion and what I'd seen and experienced, I just wasn't present (when) at home,” he says. “I wanted to be the best dad that I could be to my daughter, Amelia, and husband to my wife, Emma. But I got so totally knocked about with this job that I just wanted, at times, to completely shut myself away. “And then I wasn't there in critical moments, like Amelia's first birthday. I just didn't feel like I could properly enjoy and experience that moment with Amelia and Emma and the rest of our family.” 18

Police Journal

Evans with wife Emma and daughter Amelia.

So,

with his first psych injury essentially resolved, Evans was back in the hands of the same psychologist for more treatment. It would, however, take all the years from 2022 until now for him to get close to victory over his PTSD. “It’s taken a long time to work through and a lot to rebuild (psychologically),” he says. “I still have some hypervigilance. I still have anxiety. But it’s all very well managed and so pretty much resolved for the most part. And I wanted to be a general-duties cop. That’s why I joined.” What remains for Evans now are memories of Charlie, whom he knew not only in death but also life, at least momentarily. He had spoken with her when he responded to the stabbing attack in 2021, and back then she was around four years old. Not one of his days passes now without a thought of her. When he thinks of her suffering, he frames it as torture and cannot fathom how a parent could allow her child to starve, suffer heart failure, and die. He insists that parenthood is “a privilege, never a burden”. “And,” he says, “she abused that (privilege) to the most horrific degree that any person could.”

Schache shares his thoughts with his partner, Erin Piccoli.

“… she abused that (privilege) to the most horrific degree that any person could.”

Crystal Hanley headed to court.

Hanley, for her criminal neglect

A message and image of Charlie which Evans keeps with him.

of Charlie and two of her other children, wound up charged, tried and convicted in the Supreme Court. In March this year, Justice Sandi McDonald sentenced her to 17 years’ imprisonment with a non-parole period just short of 12-and-a-half years. The long time it took for the court process to play out had frustrated Evans but he and Schache attended the sentencing. Neither had expected jail time of 17 years. “That was absolutely fair in the circumstances,” Schache says. “Haydn and I were bracing ourselves for significantly less, so we felt incredibly pleased with the outcome of the sentencing. “But I don't think Crystal’s accepted accountability for the death of her daughter and the neglect of her other children. I felt like she was fake crying in the dock at sentencing.” Evans and Schache have, as a means of debriefing, each served as a listener and confidante for the other. And, to a lesser extent, Schache has talked about the experience with his partner, Erin Piccoli, also a police officer. “I guess I’m grateful that I didn’t have children of my own at the time,” he says. “But I have thought: ‘Will this affect me in the next couple of years when my partner and I want to start a family?’ ” The experience even led Schache, not a religious person, to think about “an afterlife and a higher power”. His thought was that, if both existed, Charlie would “be at peace”.

“Had I been called to give evidence in court,” he says, “I probably would have taken (the oath) swearing on the Bible.” Evans and Schache have at least walked away with pride in the part they each played in the police response to Charlie’s death. Both were determined to be her voice, get her justice, and acknowledge her short life. Police Association president Wade Burns considers that every responder and investigator in the Charlie Nowland case provided “outstanding input”. And he has acknowledged both Evans and Schache for the way they stood up to, and overcame, the mental strain the job imposed on them. “This is part of the reason I’ve always said that we are people before we’re police,” he says. “Both Haydn and Reeden felt the same revulsion anyone else would have in the same circumstances. In other words, they had as much a human response as they did a police response. “I commend them for the resilience they showed in a scenario in which most people would’ve recoiled. It’s just disappointing that, again, understaffing was an issue which made the response to Charlie’s death all the harder.” Evans hopes not to have to respond to another such child death, in either the near or distant future. In fact, he suspects he just could not endure the psychological impact again but could at least consult. “It would be challenging,” he says, “but I’ve got a lot to give to help other police officers.” PJ Winter 2026

WHY WALKER IS WALKING AWAY BY BRETT WILLIAMS

Dean Walker enjoyed the first 10 years of his role as a community constable in remote locations. But now, after year upon year of crippling staff shortages, he has had enough.

espected Coober Pedy community constable Dean Walker was just a child when uniformed and plain-clothes police turned up at his Port Augusta home. The officers were looking for someone and, as they went about their enquiries, Walker saw something he felt no one else could see. It was not the presence of officialdom on his doorstep but rather “the power of helping people”. “That’s what I saw,” he says in a matter-offact manner. “It's one of those things that hits you, and I was like: ‘Man, this could be a really good job!’ And I didn't even know any police back then.” That caring outlook and spirit of generosity was to stay with Walker, now 54, into his adulthood. What did not stay with him, however, was his patience with SAPOL and what he came to see as its mismanagement of country policing. 20

Police Journal

It ultimately wore him out and led to yet another resignation from SAPOL. Coober Pedy-based senior sergeant first class Simon Haebich many times worked alongside Walker, whom he considers a “profound loss” to policing. He speaks of his “exceptional” ability to connect and engage with people within all walks of life and engender trust. Equally impressive to Haebich are the practical skills which he knows Walker to possess. He highlights his “remarkable” work as a tracker and the many times he has located missing persons and violent offenders. “Dean has earned the respect of colleagues, community leaders, Aboriginal elders, government agencies and the public,” Haebich says. “He will be extraordinarily difficult to replace.

“Another officer can assume his position, but replacing his depth of knowledge, community trust, cultural understanding, and practical experience, accumulated over decades, is another matter entirely. “The relationships he’s built, his cultural knowledge, his mentoring, and the trust he’s earned over a lifetime can’t simply be transferred to another person.” So, SAPOL has lost a mountain of experience, badly needed skills, and a once willing contributor. It has also lost a proud Anangu man acknowledged as a Local Hero in the Australian of the Year Awards of 2014. “When you look at it, I accomplished so much in this job,” Walker says. “When I first joined, this was a big brotherhood. That's what it used to be like: a family. But it doesn't feel like that anymore. People are stressed.”

SAPOL, on its website, describes the role of community constables as one of bridge-building. It stresses that CCs are to use their “understanding of the cultural and social issues” within their communities to “bridge the gap” between those communities and police. That is what Walker and his CC colleagues understand their role to be – one of liaison, not mainstream policing. And they are right, according to the SAPOL website. Nowhere does the employer even hint at using CCs to play the same role as sworn police officers whenever staffing falls to dangerously low levels. It is not a role for which SAPOL employs or trains CCs. But it is precisely the one in which Walker and his colleagues have frequently found themselves over the last 10-odd years. It looked to Walker as if SAPOL had considered them an easily implemented stopgap with which to respond to chronic police understaffing throughout remote South Australia. And, with the experience of 22 years as a community constable, he should know. He many times wound up thrust into a patrol car to make up a crew with a sworn police officer. “They employed me to do a significant role in this job,” Walker says. “(They should) let me do it. Don’t try and push me to do mainstream work. That’s not what I’m employed for.” Winter 2026

f course, mainstream work was never an official CC function or responsibility. But it worked out that way under the watch of Commissioner Grant Stevens and his executive leadership team, who Walker holds responsible for chronic understaffing. What he and other CCs felt they became was a collective crutch for SAPOL to lean on throughout catastrophes of its (SAPOL’s) own making. And for the part Walker played in propping up a system in near collapse, he paid a high price. He speaks with sadness of an overwhelming impact on his personal and cultural lives. “When you go locking people up (as a community constable), you get the blame (from your community),” he says. “Then you’ve got to live with it for months, or years.” He explained the dilemma even further in an incident report last year. Clear in what he wrote – and wrote from the heart – was a voice of desperation. He detailed the “pressure and stress” of management continually expecting him to perform the duties of a sworn patrol officer. “I am always going to jobs as the main patrol,” he wrote. “This makes me feel uncomfortable and stressed because I am dealing with people in my (broader) family and people I grew up with. “This has caused … a lot of damage to the cultural relationships I have in the community, and I have suffered ongoing cultural and spiritual stress. “My role as an elder and respected Anangu man in the community has been compromised… People see me as a front-line police officer rather than (serving in) a community liaison role.” So, by its inaction on the question of staffing, SAPOL has caused harm not just to the CCs but also their communities. Walker sees that as a show of disrespect to the Aboriginal community. “They say they’re not (disrespectful),” he says, “but to us it is.” Walker estimates that all that front-line work SAPOL has forced him into has, in recent times, amounted to around 90 per cent of his duties. A perfect opportunity for action on the staffing crisis came out of an industrial dispute with SAPOL in April. Acting for desperate Coober Pedy-based members, the Police Association took its case to the South 22

Police Journal

Australian Employment Tribunal, which made a range of recommendations. Each one of them got the backing of the association and its CC members. But, to the surprise of few, Grant Stevens passed on the opportunity to implement any of the recommendations. Indeed, he sought, through his legal representatives, to overturn them. And, when the SAET authorized the publication of its recommendations, Stevens sought to overturn that decision as well. Police Association president Wade Burns responded through an online membershipwide message. “This is a familiar pattern from an organization that prefers technical objection over practical reform, even where member safety is directly impacted,” he wrote. “After more than a year of serious, dangerous understaffing, SAPOL has failed to pursue or implement any realistic solution to these urgent problems.” His message went on to note that CCs had “been required to perform duties well beyond the scope of their role and function”. As a worker and first-hand observer at the coalface, Walker saw that there were simply “not enough police officers in Coober Pedy”. On many occasions, he and whichever patrol officer he teamed up with were the only ones “to staff the (entire) Coober Pedy region”. That was evident just weeks ago when Walker wound up paired with a probationer. They had to respond to a job which did not even involve an Aboriginal person. It was a case of a “white fella” suffering a mentalhealth episode at a locale 150km north of Coober Pedy. “It was just me and (the probationer),” Walker says. “And that’s not our role (as CCs), but Coober Pedy has been like that for years: short-staffed.” Wade Burns calls it “completely irresponsible” of SAPOL executive management to allow CCs to operate so far outside their remit. “This blatant misuse of Aboriginal community constables is reprehensible,”

“My role as an elder and respected Anangu man in the community has been compromised… People see me as a front-line police officer rather than (serving in) a community liaison role.”

he says. “While they’re trying to perform a critical liaison role for our sworn members, SAPOL is shamelessly using them to cover its staffing inadequacies. “When that results in the loss of expertise and experience in the form of operators like Dean, we all suffer. And what’s the executive’s plan as far as replacing him and all his knowledge and experience?” Walker always understood his option to declare, in some circumstances, a conflict of interest. But it was not in his nature to leave work undone, even when SAPOL was wrong to impose it on him. “If I need to go (to a job), I will go,” he says, knowing that his response should be as a liaison, not a patrol officer.

“While they’re trying to perform a critical liaison role for our sworn members, SAPOL is shamelessly using them to cover its staffing inadequacies.”

“But they’ve got to come with an open mind and sit down and listen. Not tell us what a general order says. Come and sit down as human beings and talk to us.”

1 2

1. Lost to policing, Community Constable Dean Walker. 2. Walker with wife Janice after he became a finalist for the 2023 Premier’s NAIDOC Award. Photo: Margaret Mackay.

f course, Walker had proved his worth as a community constable long before staffing failures under Grant Stevens came to plague remote locations. There was the violence he responded to at the Davenport Aboriginal Community just outside Port Augusta, his first posting out of the police academy. Once two brawling Aboriginal men had worn themselves out, Walker spoke to one of them and then approached the other. That second man took a swing at him with “a big stick”. Walker evaded it, knocked the man to the ground, cuffed him, and called 801. “I was the only community constable working that day,” he recalls. “I was surrounded by people everywhere at that time but, luckily for me, they all knew me. They respected me. And that’s the key: respecting people both ways.” But respect, as far as Walker could see, never found its way from the SAPOL executive to the collective of Aboriginal community constables. The ELT has, in his judgement, failed to deliver on basic consultation and support for CCs, and a proper effort to fix the staffing crisis.

He can recall no time when an ELT member ever sought to engage with him personally and gain some ground-level understanding of the plight of remotelocation CCs. “The powers that be,” he says. “They’re the ones to sort it out. And they should. I’d tell them how it is, what’s going on. “But they’ve got to come with an open mind and sit down and listen. Not tell us what a general order says. Come and sit down as human beings and talk to us. “You don’t want to see e-mails. You want to see the person. Knowing the person drove up just to see you (would show) that they really care. “They should know our bloody role. They should know a bit about you as individuals because all community constables are different.” Walker has become one of the many CCs and mainstream police officers far from convinced that executive management cares about employee welfare. “They don’t,” he says. “You (might) think they really do but they don’t. When I first started, I wasn't a number. I was ‘Deano’. But just within (the last) 10 years, we became a number on the roster. We weren't included in the numbers when I first started.” Walker – who rates the SAPOL Help Out a Mate initiative as a band-aid fix – predicts that, unless executive management starts listening, “someone’s going to get hurt”. Winter 2026

Walker with wife Janice and sons Keonie and Evan.

is resignation guarantees that that someone will not be him, but Walker believes that his life “rolled out to play this part (in policing)”. Born in Port Augusta, he was the first of five children but lost his first sibling, a sister, who suffered with diabetes. For his early education, his father placed him in the Umeewarra Mission on the outskirts of Port Augusta, and he would return home during school holidays. He stayed in Port Augusta to undergo his high school education but, when it was over, his parents summoned him back home to Coober Pedy. Then, within just days, he was straight out into a job his father had arranged for him as a station hand on a cattle station. Suddenly employed, the 16-year-old Walker wound up at Nilpinna Station, 70km north of William Creek on the Oodnadatta Track. He soon moved on, however, did some travelling, and later scored a job on the world’s largest working cattle station. That was Anna Creek Station, which lies 160km east of Coober Pedy. His job was to herd, manage and brand the cattle. Despite the “very hard work” he found the lifestyle “really good”. Later, after taking on some more travel, Walker ended up in Oodnadatta where he met his then-future wife, Janice. In 2000, they moved down to Port Augusta, had their first child, and tried to find work. Walker connected with the Bungala Aboriginal Corporation and hoped to score an apprenticeship in the construction field. That plan, however, never came to fruition but Walker did find work with the 24

Police Journal

“They (the executive) say it’s not bad, but it’s bad. And it’s not going to come good. I think Coober’s going to become fly-in, fly-out, like the (APY) Lands.”

Mobile Assistance Patrol (MAP) in Port Augusta. The organization, under the Aboriginal Sobriety Group, provides safe transport and care for vulnerable people affected by alcohol or drugs. “You work either on the bus picking people up or you work in the centre,” he explains. “I did it for three years. It was good, sort of like police work, but you haven’t got the handcuffs, baton and spray.” Police work, of course, was on his horizon. Walker remembered how those police at his front door had inspired him as child and finally, in response to a newspaper advertisement, applied to join SAPOL. He took it in stride when, in Port Augusta, his initial interview resulted in a knock-back. But after three months had passed, he received a letter directing him to start at the police academy on a specific date. So, he did exactly that, as a 32-yearold in 2004. He joined up with Course 54, lived in at the academy, and undertook three months’ training, which he found hard going. “It was a bit lonely without your family,” he recalls. “At that time, me and my wife had one son. It was a bit hard for the length of time leaving them back there (at home). But you've got to make sacrifices at some point in your life.” After his training, Walker went on to serve in a series of posts. First was Port Augusta for four years until 2007 and then Oodnadatta until 2009. In that year, he sought a move to Coober Pedy. His mother had died and he wanted to be closer to his father.

hrough all the years he served, except the last 10, Walker drew great satisfaction from his work. He lists a handful of his old colleagues whose company he enjoyed to the fullest – until they too resigned within the last eight years. “It was really good,” he says. “You had your ups and downs. We had good days, really sad days, and bad days. But it's not like a builder or a mechanic. You're not going to the same job all the time.” But the time came when Walker began to think about his own resignation. “I'd been talking about it for a while,” he says. “It took me a couple of years. I stewed over it. But, last month (June), I just went: ‘No, let’s do it.’ ” In SAPOL executive management, Walker could still see no listening ear or any meaningful solutions. He simply felt burnt out and figured that not only he, but also Janice as his supportive wife, had suffered enough. “They (the executive) say it’s not bad, but it’s bad,” he says. “And it’s not going to come good. I think Coober’s going to become fly-in, fly-out, like the (APY) Lands.” Walker now has other plans for the 10 more years he might have given policing. He intends to establish his own tourism business. He sees a market for tours which “no one’s doing in Coober Pedy”. The great pity is that he might have stayed in policing if, as he says: “They (SAPOL) would have looked after me a bit more. But I’m just done.” PJ

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Let down again

Police Journal

First to fail Anthea Beck was the court system. Then, to make it a double dose of injustice, the prison system followed suit. BY BRETT WILLIAMS

SENIOR CONSTABLE ANTHEA BECK has impeccable instincts. She knew when

she first engaged with Raina Cruise on Rundle Street in 2021 that the interaction was going to “get physical”. And she was dead right. Cruise launched a savage, unprovoked attack on her. Beck got it right again when it came to sentencing in the District Court in December 2024. Cruise – convicted of intentionally causing harm to a prescribed emergency worker – walked away with a suspended prison sentence. And that outcome was exactly as Beck had called it three weeks earlier. It was a prediction she shared with the Police Journal in November 2024 (How the system failed Anthea, summer 2025). Cruise, notorious for her public rants against COVID vaccinations and lockdowns, did eventually end up in jail after a successful appeal against her suspended sentence. So, open to question then was how she would behave once released. Would she immediately resume her antics and parade herself on social media? Beck knew by instinct that that was exactly what Cruise would do. And she did. As soon as she scored a highly controversial early release from Northfield Women’s Prison in July, she alerted the world to her good fortune. So, Beck was right again. “She's been unrepentant the entire time,” Beck says, “so why would you expect her to behave any differently from what she's demonstrated continuously? It was very predictable that she would immediately get back and put herself out there.” The only part Beck had not predicted, and no one had expected, was where Cruise got to swap her cell for home detention. It came about under a programme known as Release Ordered Home Detention. The chief

executive of the Department of Correctional Services, currently David Brown, has the discretion to approve prisoner participation in the programme. Beneath him is the DCS home detention committee, which had taken the inexplicable step of assessing Cruise as suitable for release. And this was close to a year out from the end of her non-parole period. The committee had to have known the result of the appeal against the suspended sentence District Court judge Jo-Anne Deuter had handed down in 2024. The Court of Appeal overturned it in 2025 and re-sentenced Cruise to imprisonment for three years, nine months and two weeks. Cruise, in her first act on home detention, defied her strict conditions and posted a video to Facebook about her release and return home. While the release started out as a lucky break for her, it came as yet another monumental let-down for Beck. First, the DCS bureaucrats seemed not to consider her worthy of any sort of notification of their decision to send Cruise home. She received “no warning”. “A heads-up would have been nice,” she says. “I would have been grateful for a little bit of preparation (time).” Beck, 34, only found out about the DCSauthorized release after it had happened. A friend and colleague forwarded her the video Cruise had posted to Facebook. “I was outraged,” she says. “I was irritated. I was shocked. And I was offended that no one (from DCS) could shoot me a text or something. Like, why did I find out by being forwarded a Facebook post?” Without the courtesy of some sort of contact from the DCS, Beck could only speculate on what had happened to bring about the release.

“I was irritated. I was shocked. And I was offended that no one (from DCS) could shoot me a text or something.”

Winter 2026

“Had the information (about Cruise) not been shared?” she asks. “Was it more of an oversight? Didn’t they (DCS) understand the full picture, the context, and what it would mean in a broader sense to police? Either they knew and didn’t care, or they didn’t know and did this blindly. “She got a sentence of more than three years, a non-parole of two. When you hear non-parole, you believe she’s doing a minimum of two years inside a cell and then could apply for parole. “Even then, she could possibly have to still do three, but you don’t expect that she would do one-and-a-bit.” Of course, the Cruise release and Facebook post angered more than just Beck. Her husband, and parents were equally furious, as were others like Senior Constable Aaron Spiniello, her colleague on the night of the assault in 2021. “They've stood by me this entire time,” Beck says. “They've worked exceptionally hard and put up with me throughout this entire time.” In the video, Cruise addresses and acknowledges her children, friends and supporters, describes the prison environment, and refers to her transition into home detention. At no point does she speak of a jailhouse epiphany. There is no declaration of regret for her criminal actions, and no apologies to Beck and others she had assaulted. “I thought that, if you're going to be released early, you would have to show some sign of personal growth or acknowledgement of the crimes you’d committed,” Beck says. “She's acknowledged nothing. She's apologized for nothing. She is unchanged. That's particularly reflected in the minute she got home. Despite her home-D conditions, she put herself back out there on socials. “If she had said nothing, done nothing, she would just be out there free. But she couldn't (stay silent). And isn't that testament to her behaviour throughout? There’s been no change, no rehabilitation. Not a sprinkle of remorse.” The second let-down for Beck was that there would be no fulfillment of justice. Not as long as Cruise lounged in the comforts of home rather than soul-searched in a jail cell. But she might, as Beck believes, be incapable of introspection anyway. 28

Police Journal

3 4

1 2

“Had the information (about Cruise) not been shared? Was it more of an oversight? Didn’t they (DCS) understand the full picture, the context, and what it would mean in a broader sense to police? Either they knew and didn’t care, or they didn’t know and did this blindly.”

1. Anthea Beck on the Rundle Street scene of the attack and arrest. 2. Beck’s grazed and bleeding left knee. 3. Bare patches left on Beck’s head after Cruise had ripped her hair out. 4. Scratches to Beck’s face, jaw and neck. 5. Cruise in a rage and about to attack.

IT WAS ALWAYS HER CHOICE to resort to extreme violence on that October night in 2021. With a different choice, her exchange with Beck could have been insignificant and now not even exist in anyone’s memory. But when Beck approached her on Rundle Street and sought nothing but a quiet chat about an earlier assault at the Exeter Hotel, Cruise let fly. Fired up and drunk, she threw her first wild punch which hit Beck in the face and knocked the police cap clean off her head. She could, right at that moment, have stopped, realized she had made a shocking mistake, and stepped back. But instead, she continued her attack with even greater ferocity as she simultaneously screamed obscenities at Beck. Beck fought hard to, and eventually did, gain control and arrest Cruise. By then, however, Cruise had ripped out chunks of her hair, punched her to the head multiple times and lashed out with kicks to her lower abdomen. And the danger in that was that Beck was pregnant, which came to light 10 weeks later. In the Adelaide Magistrates Court in June 2022, Cruise pleaded not guilty to the assault on Beck. Then, in a trial by judge alone in the District Court in October 2023, she pleaded not guilty to intentionally causing harm to a prescribed emergency worker. Her argument, which failed, was that Beck had arrested her unlawfully. Beck accounted for her actions during two days in the witness box. She stood up to the pressure of questioning, scrutiny and the gaze of spectators but found the experience “horrible”, as she told the Police Journal in 2024.

“It would surprise me that a panel of people looking into this would be so thoughtless. The potential ramifications of releasing her are so predictable.”

“Every single thing was just so much under scrutiny,” she said, “like (being asked) what did I mean? Every single syllable it pretty much felt like that.” Judge Deuter found Cruise guilty in April 2024 and, eight months later, sentenced her to imprisonment for three years and eight months. She imposed a non-parole period of two years but, in any case, suspended the sentence. Beck responded through a statement she posted online. “The work and emotional labour put in by so many people for the last three years has been reduced to insult,” she wrote. “I am disgusted, disappointed.” The decision not to send Cruise to prison sparked public outrage and infuriated the Police Association and its entire membership. Association president Wade Burns joined others in calling on the DPP to appeal against the leniency of the sentence. Then came the successful appeal in 2025 when the appellate court sent Cruise to prison. Her non-parole period was not to end until June 2027. But in July this year, the DCS home detention committee came up with its plan to release Cruise way ahead of time. Says Beck: “It just surprises me because we have the power of the courts. The judges have many years of education and experience and have made this ruling: non-parole two years. “And now, Corrections can, at their discretion… and what is their discretion? What questions do they ask to say: ‘Yes, this person can be released on Home D?’ “It would surprise me that a panel of people looking into this would be so thoughtless. The potential ramifications of releasing her are so predictable. “If they had rung me and said: ‘Oh, we're thinking about releasing her,’ I'd say: ‘I don't want you to release her. But, if you do, expect her to go straight back to what she was doing.’ And she did. I've known all along that the moment she was out, she'd start (her rants) again.” Winter 2026

“I just make a choice every morning that I don't care anymore. I can't control anything (to do with Cruise), so I just have to keep moving on.”

NEWS OF THE RELEASE of Cruise got police and the public as fired up as they were after the suspension of her 2024 prison sentence. But her time on home detention was to last only two days before the DCS revoked it. Soon after her Facebook post emerged, DCS officers attended her home around midday on July 31. They took her into their custody, as police stood by, and returned her to prison. Behind the swiftness with which they acted were high-level talks Wade Burns had immediately undertaken with Police Minister Michael Brown. Also secured was change which has made the ROHD programme inaccessible to assault-police offenders. Brown conceded in a letter to Burns that the release of Cruise had not met either community expectations or his own as minister. He acknowledged that, after their discussions, the DCS chief executive had acted to return Cruise to custody “on the same day”. “This was yet another injustice inflicted on Anthea,” Burns says. “First it was the farcical suspended sentence handed to Cruise last year and now this completely misguided early release. “It’s one thing to get resolutions, as we did in both these cases. But you’ve got to wonder about the thinking of the people who arrive at these decisions. “Our focus now is Anthea’s health and well-being. We can only hope the justice system causes her no more grief but, if it does, we’ll lead the fightback again.” 30

Police Journal

AS A WOMAN NOW TWICE FAILED by the justice system since 2024, Beck would seem well entitled to her anger. Of the two debacles, the 2026 early release has angered her more than did the 2024 suspended sentence. “I think I had a stronger response to this recent one,” she says, “because I was like: ‘What?! This isn't fair.’ I was just offended. I was irritated. “She had a non-parole period. And, on a personal level, she needs to be shown that what she's done is unacceptable and will not be tolerated.” What Beck also finds particularly galling is the representation of her as a victim. It has annoyed her to hear unknowing journalists and others describe her as “re-traumatized” by the release of Cruise. “No one asked me if I was re-traumatized,” she says. “I'm tired of being presented as so weak. That altercation between us occurred (in 2021). I won. I handcuffed her. I put her in the back of the cage. I put my hat on, wiped off the blood, and finished my shift. “I didn't go to hospital that night. I didn't call Crime Scene. I went to the Hindley Street toilets and took my own photos and clumped up my own hair. I just wanted to finish my shift and go home.” Beck thinks of the term “emotional labour”, which she used back in 2024, as “extremely accurate”. Her point is that these justice failures have cost her and others so much in the non-physical realm. “Because,” she says, “this leaks straight into your personal life. It’s just a hard thing to go through.” Beck had, for a good while, kept the 2021 attack on her to the back of her mind. But that was before news of the release of Cruise erupted in the media. Beck then found it a far less easy task to keep her head clear of the whole saga which, for her, “certainly dredged up old feelings”. Now, however, she is treading a path in a manner of her own choosing. “I just make a choice every morning that I don't care anymore,” she says. “I can't control anything (to do with Cruise), so I just have to keep moving on.” PJ

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Double Gold

WINTER 2025

“On bad days, I go to bed and basically just lie in the foetal position waiting for the medication to kick in.”

SO CLOSE TO A SECOND DEATH

A S S O CI A

I CE

T H AU S T R

By Nicholas Damiani

“I think they also know that by sharing some of their most traumatic moments in policing, they’re actually informing and helping their colleagues.”

Police Journal

he Police Journal has exceeded all its previous success on the world stage with two gold journalism awards in the United States. They came in two categories, Feature Article and Focus/Profile Article, at the 2026 Tabbie Awards. Each winner was a powerful cover story: So close to a second death (winter issue 2025) and Staying in the Job, Dad? (autumn issue 2025). News of the two wins came out of Cleveland, Ohio, just after 11pm (Adelaide time) on August 4. Judges for Trade, Association and Business Publications International (TABPI) had assessed entries from around the world. One judge posted a strongly worded endorsement of So close to a second death. “This is a deeply human feature that lets the emotional weight of the story emerge naturally through the experiences and reflections of those involved…” the judge wrote. Judgement of Focus/Profile story Staying in the job, Dad? was equally glowing. “Broaching a topic as sensitive as this was a delicate challenge, one that Brett met with grace,” a judge wrote. “The interview exceeded itself from a straightforward Q&A to using the tale to talk about a harrowing experience – one that few individuals have the opportunity to talk about.” Police Journal editor Brett Williams wrote the 10-page cover story So close to a second death. It focused on Sergeant Michael Hutchinson and his survival of the shooting incident which cost the life of Brevet Sergeant Jason Doig.

It was the tipping point

SO CLOSE TO A SECOND DEATH

Staying in the job, Dad?

BY BRETT WILLIAMS

He is a police officer, a husband, a father, a university graduate, a union delegate, a Down syndrome advocate and a PTSD

Sergeant Michael Hutchinson was lucky to survive the

survivor. It all makes Nathan Paskett

shooting which cost the life of Brevet Sergeant Jason Doig.

hugely valuable to policing, but can

What he came to feel afterward was “bullied” out of his job.

SAPOL hold on to him?

for Jamestown brevet sergeant Nathan Paskett. A missing-person search had ended with the discovery of a decomposing adult body in a ravine. It was up to police – who had detected the smell of death from more than 100 metres away – to undertake the recovery effort. The missing man appeared to have fallen to his death at least two days earlier. As Paskett played his part in lifting the body out of the ravine, he could feel its skin pulling away in his gloved hands. Despite the confronting nature of the scene, on that hot summer day in 2016, Paskett initially brushed it off, as cops do, with some police humour. But, on the drive from Melrose back to base in his patrol car, he called his wife, Kylie, and to her exclaimed: “Something’s wrong!” Not immediately obvious, the unease he felt was the onset of PTSD, and dealing with it would take time and attention. The impact of the body recovery was such that even Paskett, a tough, capable police officer, needed seven months to get his head back in the game. “Everything you do in the police has a price,” he says. “Every stressful job, every death, every gruesome body, every death message. “For all those things, you’ll pay a price. You just don't necessarily know when you'll pay it. Sometimes it's all paid at once. Sometimes it's not paid (until) years down the track. With the Melrose one (the body recovery), that just brought up everything. “You start to have flashbacks of all your other jobs. At one stage, I was getting auditory hallucinations. I'd be in the kitchen thinking: ‘Oh, yeah, the radio's going.’ You think you hear it, then you go: ‘Hang on a second, I haven't been to work for two months. There's no radio in here.’ ” Paskett fought his way through that seven-month bout of PTSD and got back to work at the coalface. But, three years later, he would suffer a relapse. Death was again the trigger.

In one three-week period, each of three separate jobs he responded to involved a corpse. And one of those bodies had gone undiscovered for three months. Then there were the traumatized family members of a 46-year-old manslaughter victim killed in Peterborough. Paskett was there with them as they grieved after receiving the death message. A few days later, in May 2019, there was a fatal crane-versus-motorbike crash on Warnertown Road at Solomontown. Paskett and his partner were the second crew on the scene, at which the motorcyclist, 25, had died. It was a lot of exposure to a lot of horror in a short period, and Paskett paid that high price he speaks of today. And what made it all worse were the same issues that still plague SA policing in 2025. “The workload,” he says. “Being short-staffed at the time, and covering for four stations with the recall, I just had a relapse.” Had Paskett pursued another course in life he might have wound up on the other side of PTSD, helping sufferers just like him. He had attained a bachelor’s degree in behavioural science from Flinders University and was on his way to a psychology (honours) degree. With his outward calmness, attentive manner and soft American accent, he must have seemed a natural for the role of therapist. But he gave up on the idea of a psych honours degree and took on a police career instead. The prospect of contributing to society as a police officer aligned with the idealist in him. His other option, to be a psychologist “listening to people with not real problems”, held much less appeal. And despite the heights he might have reached as a clinician, a researcher or a consultant, Paskett on reflection regrets nothing about the path he chose. “The bank accounts would have been nice (as a psychologist),” he says. “But 100 per cent it was the right decision (to take on policing).”

“Everything you do in the police has a price. Every stressful job, every death, every gruesome body, every death message.” 14

Winter 2025

Police Journal

Williams also wrote the six-page profile story, Staying in the job, Dad? It featured, as its subject, Jamestown brevet sergeant Nathan Paskett. “I took it as an honour to be the one bringing these men’s stories to the Police Journal readership,” Williams said. “Each one was so important to make public. “Given not only what Hutchy went through in the Senior shooting but also the poor treatment he suffered afterward, it was so important to reveal it all. “And, in the case of Nathan, his life story was so worth the telling, but he also had some legitimate criticisms to make of SAPOL management. It all needed airing, no matter who wound up embarrassed. “I know I always say it when we win these big international awards, but it’s true. The credit belongs less to me and more to the members who are prepared to help me tell the world about the realities of police life. “To enable the production of these stories, members willingly take part in interviews, photoshoots and follow-ups. I’m grateful for that and I treasure the trust they place in me.” Williams last scored a Tabbie win in 2025. It was a bronze award in the Feature Article category for the cover story First responders at their best (autumn 2024). His last gold award came in the Focus/Profile category in 2022 for the cover story The Crows’ own detective (October 2021). This year, in the Feature Article category, the silver and bronze awards went to Chicago-based SWE Magazine and New York-based Journal of

Police Journal

Autumn 2025

Commerce respectively. US magazines also won silver and bronze in the Focus/Profile category. As well as the US and Australia, the Tabbies drew entries from Canada, the UK, New Zealand and Ireland. Another honour the Police Journal received was an honourable mention in the category of Best Single Issue. Winning that recognition was the autumn 2025 issue which featured Nathan Paskett on its cover. The Police Journal has now won 14 Tabbie awards in the last 12 years: seven gold, three silver and four bronze. And, at the International Creative Media Awards in Germany, the journal has won one gold, one silver and two bronze design awards. Police Association president Wade Burns had expected more international success this year but not to the level of two gold awards. “The journal has only ever achieved this once before,” he said. “And that was 11 years ago – a gold award in each of two categories. “They’re all exceptional results given that, as the publisher, the Police Association is up against strong competing publishers from across the globe. “But always at the heart of this is our members. And I think they see the association as the safest and most secure place to tell their stories. They know they can be in complete control. “I think they also know that by sharing some of their most traumatic moments in policing, they’re actually informing and helping their colleagues. I applaud them, and the journal team, wholeheartedly.” PJ Winter 2026

Letters

The criticisms align BY BRETT WILLIAMS

Meegan Brougham is fearless in the expression of her views on the state of SA policing. And what she has to say echoes what many other serving and

E-mail your letter to the editor to editor@pasa.asn.au

former police officers have said before her.

ER RESPONSE WAS WHOLEHEARTED AGREEMENT WITH THE WORDS OF HER COLLEAGUES. Senior Constable 1C Meegan Brougham endorsed each stinging criticism she had read of SAPOL executive-level management before her March resignation. Knowingly or not, she had joined the unofficial ranks of the outspoken, who had contributed their forthright critiques to the Police Journal in recent years. There was the Police Association member who considered the executive leadership team guilty of dereliction of duty (autumn issue 2025). And, in that same autumn issue, a senior manager insisted that the ELT no longer understood the pressures on, or daily issues affecting, front-line members. Then came a member’s claim that SAPOL was “doing f--k all” when it came to the staffing crisis in country prosecution (spring 26

issue 2025). Also in that spring issue, a former member labelled as “absolute rubbish” SAPOL assurances of its care for member health and well-being. And yet another member thought that Commissioner Grant Stevens had let members down “big time” over the controversial move of Mounted Ops to Gepps Cross (spring issue 2023). Clear to Brougham, 57, was that her colleagues’ statements came with refreshing but also disturbing accuracy. And it seemed likely that she would know, given her experience of 20 years at the coalface in a range of fields. She spoke with the Police Journal a week out from her resignation. In that conversation, she made particular reference to comments which now-retired superintendent Guy Buckley contributed to the The Last Shift. Indeed, she recited some

of his words from that autumn issue (2025). “Unlike the members, the ELT seems to be exempt from facing any consequences for the fall of SA policing,” Buckley had written and Brougham read aloud. “And that's the thing,” she says. “The fall back on members who (commit) an indiscretion or make a mistake, even if it’s well-intentioned, the effect on them is profound. “And yet the DPM can come and go with no explanation, no accountability. Not even an apology (for what it’s put members through). Maybe that would be asking too much?” At the mention of woke corporatism, which Buckley listed as one of many SAPOL failings and obsessions, Brougham simply shook her head. She also referred to his point about ELT members never facing up to “hard questions from a tough, well-researched interviewer”.

“… it's just demoralizing as a dispatcher because you think: ‘What am I going to give that one patrol out of the 30 jobs that I've got sitting on my screen?’ ” And the one question Buckley put to readers was: “… to whom are they (ELT members) answerable” when they get things wrong? Brougham goes further, and asks: “Who’s telling the ELT that they’re doing a good job? I don’t know who they’re listening to.” She suspects that, toward the rank and file, the ELT attitude is: “This is all corporate and executive and you all don’t understand, all you underlings.” “But we do understand,” she says, “because we're living it. We've got kids who are sick; we've got parents who are getting old. We're trying to keep ourselves well mentally so that we can care for ourselves physically, and we're being treated like robots.” Brougham queries how, amid all the harms his failed DPM caused,

Police Journal

Commissioner Grant Stevens scored a five-year contract extension in 2023. Her observation was that the Stevensled ELT either minimized or dismissed concerns which members had long raised about the DPM. “He’s not heard what his members have had to say,” she says. “The group message is just falling on deaf ears. He’s probably sick of hearing about it (the DPM) but at least give us an answer. What was his logic? How was it going to get better?” Brougham also questions the need for Stevens to appoint a highly paid advisor, and the board position he accepted with the Adelaide Football Club.

he had initially shared her observations of a mismanaged police force in a strongly worded Last Shift letter to the Police Association in February. She wrote of “increasing pressure” on patrols which, from her Communications Group vantage point, she could clearly see were “consistently operating at or beyond capacity”. “You sit in Western dispatch,” she explains, “and the sergeant comes up and says: ‘Oh, I've got one car.’ And it's just demoralizing as a dispatcher because you think: ‘Well, I might as well not be here. What am I going to give that one patrol out of the 30 jobs that I've got sitting on my screen?’ “And for that patrol, they get a mental-health job or a DV (job), and you can wipe the rest of the shift off. It’s not safe for patrols. It’s terrible. And, I guess, vicariously, we wear it because we can hear that they’re shitted off and weary.” Brougham even recalls an incident last year when, after a member called 801, she struggled to come up with a patrol close enough to respond urgently. It was a failing she attributes to the Stevens-inspired DPM. Autumn 2026

What bett er than a gre mate yhound? 1

Life better away from SAPOL I resigned from SAPOL after 20 years. I expected leaving would be difficult. Instead, life has become considerably better. My role as a biosecurity inspector with PIRSA has been a breath of fresh air. I deal with members of the public who are going on holiday or heading home. They are, remarkably, mostly honest. I’m trusted to do my job, and I can provide my availability so work fits around my life rather than my life revolving around work. Since the Police Journal published my story (The criticisms align, autumn 2026), former police officers I have never met have contacted me. I’ve had coffee with former member and academic Tom Kelsey, and one former member found me through Facebook to say she agreed with my sentiments and wished she’d had the courage to speak up when she left in 2023. I’ve also spoken with former Hindley St member Tim Tollenaar, who resigned in 2023 after finding himself working nightshift as a sergeant with no members. Three years later, the story sounds depressingly familiar. Then came the historic Police Association vote of no confidence. Fortyfour of 48 delegates voted against the commissioner and deputy commissioner, with delegates representing approximately 95 per cent of SAPOL’s sworn workforce. The government’s response? The premier publicly backed the commissioner and deputy commissioner. The commissioner described the vote as disappointing and said it did not reflect the feedback he receives from front-line officers. Publicly available information only tells part of the story. Internal workforce surveys, attrition exit interviews, and industrial relations reports are not 34

Police Journal

routinely released in full, making it difficult for the public to assess the true scale of morale issues or staffing pressures. FOI requests often return heavily redacted material, which further limits transparency and understanding of what is happening within the organization. I wrote to the premier and police minister outlining my concerns. I received what amounted to an automated acknowledgement. Perhaps the government should ask a very simple question: if every SAPOL member was offered the same salary tomorrow by another employer, how many would choose to stay? I suspect the answer would tell us more about the health of SAPOL than any workforce establishment figure. The fundamental problem is morale. People are giving up. Some are quietly quitting. Others are leaving all together. Leadership cannot continue to overlook its most important resource: its people. Without trust and loyalty between leadership and the workforce, the notion of a greater good becomes increasingly difficult to sustain. Ironically, after my resignation letter and Police Journal interview criticizing the commissioner, deputy commissioner and ELT, SAPOL invited me to return — offering an abridged academy programme, six months’ probation, matched rank and salary up to senior constable, and general duties. No plea entered, Your Honour. Life continues to improve. Every day my faith in humankind is restored, and I have no regrets about leaving SAPOL. The Police Association continues to fight the good fight. Perhaps it’s time the government started listening. Meegan Brougham Former member (2006–2026)

BY BRETT

WILLIAMS

While some might wonder whet her a racetrack greyh ound could ever make a good family pet, some Police Association members now know the answer.

Aiming for the quality match I was so very pleased to read the article What better mate than a greyhound (Police Journal, autumn 2026) and to understand the stories of Gemma, Kyle and family with Moe, as well as Dan and family with Cuddles (what a great name). Greyhounds As Mates is a wonderful programme that provides opportunities for police union members to receive priority access to foster and adopt greyhounds, and GAP provides a range of support. GAP is more interested in quality matches than absolute numbers and we are always looking for ways to expand our programmes, including Greyhounds As Mates, and this programme is going very well. We are very pleased with it. The GAP team and I love hearing stories of the GAP greyhounds in their home environments and seeing how Moe and Cuddles are such loved members of the family is wonderful. It was also especially great to read how Gemma, Kyle and Dan are advocates for greyhounds. They are an amazing breed and can suit a wide range of people, from families to retired people, to people living in apartments and everything in between. We thank the Police Association for its ongoing support of Greyhounds As Mates. Regards Steven Weinert GAP Manager, Greyhounds As Pets

Steve Whetton Assistant Secretary Police Association

INDUSTRIAL

Good reason to implement Safe Work Australia policies S

afe Work Australia is a national policy body which represents the interests of the Commonwealth, states and territories, as well as workers and employers. It is not a work health and safety regulator but rather develops model WHS laws. The recent release of its 2025 handbook, Notifiable incidents, extended absences and suicides, brought forward some important policies. One of them is a requirement of businesses and undertakings to inform their work health and safety regulators of notifiable incidents, notifiable extended absences, and notifiable suicides. And failure to notify would be an offence for which penalties would apply. These policies, as contained in the handbook, will only transform into legal duties if they are adopted in the South Australian jurisdiction. Each jurisdiction is responsible for adopting and enforcing WHS laws. Under part 3 of the model WHS Act are three categories of events or situations which are notifiable to the WHS regulator: • Notifiable incidents of deaths, serious injuries and illnesses, dangerous incidents and violent incidents arising from the conduct of the business or undertaking. • Notifiable extended absence of a worker arising from the conduct of the business or undertaking. • Notifiable work-related suicides and attempted suicides. In its overview, the handbook explains a notifiable extended absence as:

“A worker’s absence from work for 15+ consecutive calendar days due to injury or illness (either physical or psychological) arising from the conduct of the business or undertaking. This includes an anticipated absence of 15+ consecutive calendar days based on a medical practitioner’s opinion.” A notifiable death by suicide is one which occurs: • While working, or when the worker would ordinarily be working (not on leave). • At or very close to the workplace. • In work accommodation. • While wearing work uniform, when not ordinarily expected. • When lethal means were accessed through work. • When the worker has experienced work-related psychological harm. • When the worker has been exposed to frequent, prolonged or severe psychosocial hazards because of work. • When there is other information suggesting a link to work. The handbook makes clear that PCBU (person conducting a business or undertaking) should not wait for a full police or coronial investigation before reporting suicide or attempted suicide. Incorporating the SafeWork Australia notifiable incidents into South Australian legislation might complement section 30A of the SA Work Health and Safety Act 2012 – industrial manslaughter (in operation since July 1, 2024). Industrial manslaughter only applies when all components of the offence are proven.

Coronial inquests into the suicides of two of Police Association members took place in 2025 and 2026. Under examination was the suicides’ link to policing. We await the coroner’s findings.

A person commits the offence of industrial manslaughter if: • The person has a health and safety duty; and • The person engages in conduct that breaches that duty; and • The conduct causes the death of an individual to whom that duty is owed; and • The person engages in the conduct with gross negligence or is reckless as to the risk to an individual of death or serious injury or illness. Conduct, for the purposes of this section, causes the death of an individual if it substantially contributes to the death. Coronial inquests into the suicides of two of Police Association members took place in 2025 and 2026. Under examination was the suicides’ link to policing. We await the coroner’s findings. Health and safety regulators must be afforded immediate notification of potential contraventions of WHS laws. This is vital insofar as preventing physical and psychological harm and creating safer workplaces. The association understands that, owing to the parliamentary process involved in amending the SA Work Health and Safety Act, SafeWork SA has not yet incorporated the incident notification amendments into the act.

Winter 2026

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H E A LT H

Dr Rod Pearce

In the case of a seizure A

seizure is when the brain has a sudden burst of abnormal, unco-ordinated electrical activity. The common sort is the neurological condition known as epilepsy, but the causes are multiple, and where in the brain it happens defines the type. Epilepsy is primarily an abnormality of the brain characterized by recurrent seizures in which the abnormality triggers the chaotic electrical activity. The cause might be a brain tumour or an inherited genetic component. Head injuries can trigger a seizure immediately after the injury, or scarring, if it occurs, might lead to seizures years later. A stroke can damage brain tissue leading to seizures, particularly in older adults, and infections like meningitis and encephalitis can precipitate seizures. In children less than five years old, the immature brain is vulnerable to febrile convulsion, which is neither epilepsy nor an infection in the brain. It looks as if it is from the outside, however, because the higher temperature triggers the chaotic brain activity. Low blood sugar, alcohol or other drugs (or withdrawal from drugs) can also be triggers. The infamous delirium tremens (DTs) occurs when the brain is no longer depressed by high alcohol levels and, as it gets over-agitated, the seizure takes place. The major type of seizure is grand mal epilepsy. A person might suddenly lose consciousness, fall to the ground, become stiff, and suffer rhythmic jerking movements of the arms and legs. The apparent difficulty breathing comes from the muscles responding to the brain signals, stopping the diaphragm from moving. Biting the tongue is common because of the mouth muscles clamping the teeth while the involuntary bladder

and bowel spasm causes incontinence. These seizures usually last one to three minutes followed by a recovery period during which the person might feel confused, tired or sore. Absence seizure is more common in children. A person struck by this might stare blankly into space, stop speaking mid-sentence, appear inattentive or blink rapidly. These episodes often last only for a few seconds and might be mistaken for daydreaming. Focal seizures start in one area of the brain. Symptoms are often less about movement and more about unusual sensation, tingling feelings, sudden emotions such as fear, and altered awareness. If the focal electrical activity is near the motor cortex of the brain, it can sometimes appear like a tic or repetitive movement. Depending on where the chaotic electrical activity occurs, the person might experience confusion or impaired awareness. Myotonic seizures involve sudden brief muscle jerks and might affect one part of the body or the entire body. Almost the opposite is the “atonic” seizure which causes a sudden loss of muscle tone leading a person to collapse or drop their head unexpectedly. Many seizures happen without warning. Others come with warning signs like unusual smell, dizziness, anxiety, visual disturbance, tingling sensations, or feelings of déjà vu. After a seizure (post ictal phase) there is often confusion, fatigue, headache, muscle soreness, difficulty speaking and temporary memory problems as the brain tries to reboot itself.

Moving dangerous objects away, protecting the head and loosening tight clothing are useful. Lying on the side, if it is safe, can be considered, but it is important not to hold them down …

A definitive diagnosis is made with an electro-encephalogram (EEG) which will show abnormal brain patterns, even between seizures. Usually, seizures can be treated but it depends on the cause, type and frequency. Medications are the first line of treatment choice and most of the time individuals with epilepsy achieve excellent seizure control with medication. The option of surgical treatment is present if the cause of the seizure is a tumour, but the very act of intracranial surgery can be a cause of seizure activity. Where people have fits or seizures, it is important to prevent them from hurting themselves. And, when they are confused in the post ictal phase, provide reassurance and support as the brain “reboots” back to normal. Continued 46 Winter 2026

Jim Barnett

MOTORING and LS-M, LS-U and LS-T MUX variants, each $2,000 cheaper than the equivalent 3.0-litre model. The new motor is more frugal on fuel. Isuzu quotes official combined fuel efficiency of between 6.3 and 7.1 litres per 100km, better than the 3.0-litre which returns between 7.1 and 7.8 litres per 100km (both figures are model dependent). All 2.2-litre models retain a 3,500kg (braked) towing capacity and five-star ANCAP safety rating with each model featuring eight airbags and a substantial suite of collisionavoidance and driver-assistance technologies.

DRIVING

Isuzu D-Max LSM X-Rider DESIGN AND FUNCTION Isuzu has dropped the 1.9-litre diesel engine option from its D-Max and MU-X line-up in favour of a new 2.2-litre turbo diesel. Where the 1.9-engine delivered 110kW power and 350Nm of torque, the new 2.2-litre produces 120kW and 400Nm, not too far short of Isuzu’s bigger 3.0-litre engine’s (140kW/450Nm) figures. 38

Police Journal

Unlike the outgoing engine and the popular 3.0-litre unit (both of which are coupled to six-speed transmissions), all 2.2-litre variants are mated to a new eight-speed automatic transmission. Isuzu Australia says the new variants “provide a pragmatic option to motorists who value reliability, affordability and drivability”. To that end, Isuzu offers the new drivetrain in SX and X-Rider D-Max variants

A racy look

Model and price Isuzu D-Max LSM X-Rider $59,500 (plus on road costs), add $2,000 for 3.0-litre diesel variant. Drivetrain 2.2-litre four-cylinder turbo diesel 120kW/400Nm, eight-speed automatic. Off Road Part time 4x4 system, high and low range transfer case, rear diff-lock, all- terrain tyres. Towing/weights 3,500kg braked towing capacity, 350kg tow-ball download, 2,010kg kerb weight, 3,100kg gross vehicle mass, 6,000kg gross combination mass, 1,450kg front axle load, 1,910kg rear axle load rating. Service and warranty Servicing every 12months or 15,000km fixed at $469 (first five years), six-year unlimited-kilometre warranty and up to seven years’ roadside assistance.

X-Rider is the highest-spec D-MAX with the new 2.2-litre engine. It looks racy on the outside and sports a pleasant interior but misses out on niceties such as push-button entry and start, carpet, and climate-control air conditioning. However, it does get a decent eight-inch touchscreen with DAB+ radio, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, USB A and C ports, rear air-conditioning vents and auto wipers and lights. This drivetrain is surprisingly good with one qualification: when pushed hard from low revs it’s a little raspy. Once underway, however, it smooths out nicely. It’s reasonably quick out of the blocks, can manage steep, long hills with minimal fuss and is never left wanting on the highway. It’s clear the new eight-speed auto with its two additional ratios is calibrated to keep the engine within its maximum torque band (1,600-2,400 rpm) more often. This helps provide maximum power when needed. The transmission itself offers smooth changes and slick downshifting with a manual mode providing additional engine braking when required. Ride and handling are good and, even when unladen, X-Rider remains compliant on corrugated roads.

DESIGN AND FUNCTION New top-spec Tasman X-Pro is Kia’s contender in the up-market dual-cab ute segment. Its upright stance, squared bodywork and bold front treatment give it a distinctive presence on the road, setting it apart from mainstream rivals. While the styling might prove divisive, Tasman’s visual identity reinforces its off-road and work-focused intent. Practicality is a strong point. The wellproportioned tub can accommodate an Aussie pallet, making it suitable for trade and recreational use. Functional elements, such as integrated tie-down points, corner steps, LED lights, and a 240-volt (400-watt) power outlet, enhance every-day usability. The interior presents a modern, wellexecuted layout. Dual 12.3-inch digital screens and a smaller five-inch climatecontrol screen dominate the dashboard, providing clear driver information and a responsive infotainment interface. Smartphone connectivity is seamless:

there’s wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and dual wireless phone chargers in the console. Thoughtful storage solutions throughout the cabin, like storage bins under the rear seat, add to its day-to-day practicality. Front power-adjustable seats offer heating and ventilation. Heated rear split-fold seats offer slide and recline functionality making X-Pro one of the most comfortable in this segment. X-Pro also scores a powered sunroof, faux leather trim, satellite navigation and a high-powered audio system.

DRIVING Tasman X-Pro delivers a composed, refined driving experience for a body-onframe vehicle. Power comes from a 2.2-litre turbo diesel engine paired to an eight-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters. Acceleration is linear, with ample torque available for highway cruising and overtaking.

Strong on practicality

Kia Tasman X-Pro Ride quality is commendable, particularly on uneven or poorly surfaced roads. The suspension setup manages bumps effectively, while cabin insulation helps keep noise levels in check at higher speeds. Off the beaten track, X-Pro demonstrates genuine capability. High and Low-Range four-wheel drive, various selectable terrain modes, a locking rear differential and X-Trek (a low-speed cruise control) allow it to tackle challenging conditions with ease. It offers reasonable ground clearance, but some won’t like its lack of running boards. An off-road graphic on the centre screen provides excellent off-road and towing information including coolant, engine oil and transmission temperatures, tyre pressures, pitch and roll angles and diff-lock status. Whether used for work or leisure, Tasman X-Pro offers a balanced blend of comfort, capability and practicality, positioning it as a credible alternative in the competitive Australian ute market.

Model and price Kia Tasman X-Pro dual-cab utility, $74,990 (watch for Kia promotions – until June 30, X-Pro was priced at $64,990 driveaway). Powertrain 2.2-litre turbo diesel, 154kW/440Nm, eight-speed paddle-shifter auto (drive options: 2WD, 4WD Auto, 4WD-high range and 4WD-low range). Safety Comprehensive suite of driver-assistance and crash-avoidance technologies, seven airbags, including front centre, front and rear parking sensors, multi-view camera angles, including blind-spot view when indicating. Fuel 80-litre fuel tank, 8.1L/100km (combined test). Towing and weights Integrated electric brake controller, gross vehicle mass 3,250kg, payload 1,013kg, maximum braked towing 3,500kg, 350kg maximum ball weight, gross combined mass 6,200kg. Warranty and service Seven-year unlimited-kilometre warranty, capped price servicing first seven years, 12-month 15,000km service intervals, up to eight years roadside assist.

Winter 2026

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The hidden costs of owning a car in Australia – what to prepare for Beyond the purchase price and fuel, the true cost of car ownership is often less visible and can add up unexpectedly over time. Stamp duty, registration and servicing Stamp duty is one of the on-road costs that many buyers overlook. It must be paid at the time of registering a new or secondhand vehicle in your name. You’ll also have to pay a registerable transfer fee. Car registration and compulsory thirdparty insurance (CTP) is paid annually and varies based on your vehicle and the insurance provider you choose. Visit ctp.sa.gov.au to calculate your CTP premium. Alongside these costs, a car service is recommended every 10,000 kilometres or every six months and, as your car ages, this maintenance might become more frequent. While scheduled servicing costs can vary significantly, other costs to consider might include replacement of a battery, brake pads, or tyres as well as unexpected repairs. Factor these costs into your budget and consider setting up an emergency fund.

Fuel

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How you choose to finance your car can have a huge impact on the overall amount you pay. A car lease can offer lower regular repayments in some cases; however, it can also come with kilometre limits, hidden fees, e.g. monthly or annual fees, higher insurance premiums and you’ll need to pay a residual value (balloon payment) at the end of the lease to keep the car. If you haven’t accurately calculated the true market value of the car including depreciation, you could end up with a large balloon payment higher than the car’s value. You are liable for the balloon payment and if you choose to sell the car, you might end up out of pocket. Owning the car at the end of the period is more cost-effective than leasing, as you gain an asset rather than a liability. With a Police Credit Union Car Loan, you’ll pay NO monthly, annual or package fees. With no penalties for extra and early repayments, you could pay off your car well before the end of the loan term. Find out more at policecu.com.au.

TIP: Download a fuel monitoring app and look for fuel discounts with your regular grocery shops at major stores. If you’re thinking about purchasing an electric vehicle, carefully consider how you can charge a car efficiently at home (or away from home) to minimize your time spent and costs. Do you have solar energy accessible, or will you need to install a new charging system?

Contact your local Platinum relationship manager, Glenn Lewis, on 0421 243 741 today to discuss your car needs and how Police Credit Union can help. Glenn can also help with Solar Eco Loans to purchase and install solar energy products such as solar photovoltaic (PV) panels and home battery systems which can suit an electric vehicle purchase. Police Credit Union Ltd (PCU) ABN 30 087 651 205 AFSL/Australian Credit Licence 238991. Terms and Conditions, fees, charges, lending and membership criteria apply. Full details upon request. Information correct as at 21/04/2026 and subject to change.

Winter 2026

BOOKS

I’ll Walk Beside You

Love, Loss, the Burma Railway and the Human Spirit Peter Mitchell Big Sky Publishing

From the fall of Java to the hell of the Burma– Thai Railway, one battalion’s courage becomes a nation’s story. February 1942. The troopship HMT Orcades lies in port at Java, heavy with Australian soldiers whose fate hangs in the balance. Among them are brothers Cal and Alan, unaware that their journey will take them into the darkest reaches of human endurance. At home in Melbourne, their families wait in silence – letters stop coming, time itself seems to stand still. From the doomed defence of Java to captivity in Batavia and the horror of the Burma–Thai Railway, I’ll Walk Beside You follows the extraordinary true story of ordinary men drawn into the heart of war. Based on letters, diaries and official records, Peter Mitchell reveals the courage, humour and unbreakable mateship that kept the 2/2 Pioneer Battalion alive through disease, starvation and brutality.

Win a book For your chance to win a book, send your name, phone number, work location and despatch number, along with your choice of book to giveaways@pj.asn.au

Police Journal

The Marriage Trap

Victoria Purman HarperCollins

1960s Adelaide: the Langley family – Olive, Len and their two daughters, 20-year-old Cathy and 10-year-old Evelyn – live a peaceful suburban life, although Grandma Langley turns up each Sunday lunch like a bad fairy to castigate them for their dubious morals. Cathy, training to be a teacher, thinks women have it tough. No sex until marriage, then no work, child after child and the sacrifice of their desires to church, husband and family. Cathy is determined not to marry right away. Once married, it's all over. A life no longer her own. Young Evelyn wants to be a fairy princess – until she sees for herself the price women pay for such dreams. When the new contraceptive pill arrives women can suddenly sense freedom. But powerful forces are aligned against women's reproductive choice and a fight begins.

Where Truth Ends

Mark Smith Pan Macmillan Australia

Meg Maher thought she was doing the right thing. Now she's on the run. When a peaceful climate protest ends with a violent explosion in the city centre, every member of the protest group becomes a suspect. The incident is declared a terrorist attack. But the authorities aren't the only ones hunting Meg. Scared and alone, Meg seeks refuge with her father, Luke, knowing that every word she says puts him in danger too. But as the terrorism investigation closes in, Meg is forced to question everything: her friends, her cause, even herself. Was her group of activists infiltrated from the start? Or has someone twisted their mission beyond recognition? What happens when the truth is the first thing to burn?

My most extraordinary life

Toni Vincent Independently published

Bridget Cummins never expected her life to unravel so spectacularly. After a messy breakup with Richard, her ego-driven surgeon boyfriend, and a stalled career, she receives an e-mail from her childhood friend Freddy, who has recently become engaged to Lord Rupert Cavendish. Bridget escapes to London for a fresh start. As she navigates swish dinner parties and the dizzying world of aristocratic privilege, she begins to wonder if she’s really made for the kind of life Freddy has. Then she meets Charlie, a down-toearth guy from the local tennis club. He seems refreshingly real, but Charlie’s easy smile and blue eyes hide secrets of his own. Bridget soon finds herself torn between the glittering life she’s living and the unexpected connection that feels like home. Her journey shows that, sometimes, the greatest adventures begin when life takes unexpected turns.

Winter 2026

BOOKS

CINEMA

Room For Rent

Noelle W Ihli Pan Macmillan Australia

Nya can’t remember the last time she felt safe. The rundown rental house wasn't so bad until the incidents began. Stolen food. A rattling doorknob. Her belongings, rifled through. And there’s only one possible culprit: her peculiar roommate, Sidney. Nya can’t afford to move. She just needs to survive her final semester, then she’ll be free. But, to her horror, the sinister mind games are just the beginning. As the situation spirals, Nya learns a truth more terrifying than she ever imagined. Surviving the night might no longer be an option.

One Night Only August 13

Growing Up Digital

Susan McLean Allen & Unwin

Internationally recognized cyber safety expert and former Victoria Police officer Susan McLean tackles the urgent challenges now facing families. She offers a conversational, easy-to-use handbook to give your children their “digital armour”. Packed with real-life case studies, up-to-date resources, clear explanations of the law and trusted links for further support, this book empowers parents and educators to act with confidence. From teaching teens how to manage their digital reputation and social media, to opening conversations about the toughest issues, this is a practical roadmap in a rapidly changing landscape. With no other resource offering the same depth of expertise or breadth of advice, Growing Up Digital is a must-have for every parent, carer and teacher.

Police Journal

Allie and Owen are two lovestarved strangers who crash into each other in an ever-so-slightly fictionalized New York City on the one night of the year when single people are allowed to have sex. Recently dumped Owen and hopeful romantic Allie might be the only two singles in the city looking for more than just a quick encounter. They both feel a spark when they meet, but a series of missteps and side quests complicates their night. As they each race toward and away from each other across the city, they just might discover that the one thing they want most is closer than they think.

Spa Weekend August 20

Three friends go on a spa weekend that descends into chaos when their trainwreck friend joins, leading to hilarious consequences.

The Dog Stars August 27

In a post-apocalyptic world, a virus has wiped out most of humanity and roaming scavengers called "reapers" terrorize survivors. Hig is a pilot who survived the flu that killed everyone he knew, including his wife. He lives in the hangar of a small, abandoned airport with his dog. His only neighbour is a gun-toting ex-marine. Hig sometimes heads off in his 1956 Cessna to fish and pretend things are how they used to be. When a transmission somehow beams through the radio in the Cessna, the voice ignites a hope deep inside him that a better life might exist if he flies a bit further. He risks it all to chase a possible haven in Grand Junction.

Win a movie pass For your chance to win an in-season movie pass (courtesy of Wallis Entertainment), send your name, phone number, work location and despatch number, along with your choice of movie to giveaways@pj.asn.au

Super Troopers 3 August 6

Everyone’s favourite cops are back with the third instalment of the cult comedy classic from the Broken Lizard crew: Super Troopers 3. When Farva’s wildly over-the-top Indian engagement to Thorny’s sister spirals into chaos, the Super Troopers must navigate Thorny’s schemes to break up the relationship, while trying to crack a pernicious new drug ring — all to save the day and maybe the wedding itself.

Winter 2026

H E A LT H From page 37

Moving dangerous objects away, protecting the head and loosening tight clothing are useful. Lying on the side, if it is safe, can be considered, but it is important not to hold them down or put things in their mouths as the involuntary movements will stop, and breathing will start again. There is some risk to giving them food or drink before they have fully come out of their fitting as their co-ordination and thinking might not be back to normal. If the seizure lasts more than five minutes, it might be more serious

If the seizure lasts more than five minutes, it might be more serious than a simple epileptic seizure.

than a simple epileptic seizure. And, if another fit occurs soon after, lifethreatening brain damage or continuous epilepsy might be occurring which needs specific intervention. It is possible for people living with seizures to live normal, active lives with the right medication, monitoring and the avoidance of personal seizure triggers. Epilepsy is not associated with intellectual impairment. People who suffer seizures are more likely to have normal intelligence and the capacity to participate fully in society.

Have you worked in a noisy environment? Discover how Audika Hearing Health Service – Veterans and Workers can support hearing impacted by years of loud noise exposure 1800 317 914 www.audika.com.au

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Police Journal

DVDs

Murder Before Evensong 270 minutes, $32.95

Canon Daniel Clement (Matthew Lewis, Harry Potter, Me Before You), empathetic rector of the picturesque English village of Champton, has his life turned upsidedown when his overbearing mother Audrey (Amanda Redman, New Tricks) arrives unannounced. She drags up memories Daniel would rather not confront. But a more serious challenge awaits him when he stumbles upon the body of a parishioner in his church and is pulled into a murder investigation. Delving under the veneer of village life to piece together clues and uncover long-buried secrets, navigating the press and public, clashing with DS Neil Vanloo (Amit Shah, Happy Valley) and incurring the ire of the bishop, Daniel is forced to question who he can trust, and whether he was himself the intended murder victim.

Dark Winds Season 4 360 minutes, $34.95

The search for a missing Navajo girl takes Leaphorn (Zahn McClarnon), Chee (Kiowa Gordan), and Manuelito (Jessica Matten) from the safety of Navajo Nation to the gritty terrain of 1970s Los Angeles in a race against the clock to save her from an obsessive killer with ties to organized crime. Courtesy AMC+ (@amcplusanz)

Win a DVD For your chance to win a DVD, send your name, phone number, work location and despatch number, along with your choice of DVD to giveaways@pj.asn.au Winter 2026

Buying or selling a home? Don't let your biggest investment become your biggest headache. Whether you’re buying your first home, selling an investment, or upgrading the family residence, conveyancing can be more complex than it seems. Avoid costly mistakes. One missed detail in the contract or a poorly handled Form 1 can have serious financial consequences. Why TGB Lawyers?

☑ Trusted by police and first responders for over 50 years ☑ Expert property & conveyancing lawyers - not just document processors ☑ Clear advice, no legal jargon ☑ Offices across SA & interstate TGB offers a free initial 30 minute appointment about your residential contract and/or Form 1 and a 10% fee discount for PASA members, their families and retired members. Scan the code to send us an email and one of our team members will be in touch soon!

Leading Australian law firm Tindall Gask Bentley is the preferred legal services provider of PASA.

Before you sign: what every buyer & seller should know. Buying or selling property is one of the biggest financial decisions you’ll make. But in a fast-moving market, especially when you’re balancing shift work and family life, it’s easy to rush. Here are three common (and costly) mistakes we see. 1. Signing before the Contract is reviewed A standard contract isn’t always “standard”. We regularly see clauses that: • limit buyer protections • weaken finance conditions • create unclear settlement obligations. Once you sign, you’re legally bound. Always have the contract reviewed before signing not after. 2. Finance isn’t properly protected Pre-approval isn’t unconditional approval. If your finance clause isn’t correctly drafted, you could risk losing your deposit if funding falls through. A properly structured clause with realistic timeframes really matters. 3. Verbal agreements aren’t enforceable If repairs, inclusions or timing arrangements aren’t written into the contract, they may not be enforceable. Property disputes often arise from assumptions. Put everything in writing. Conveyancing is risk management. It’s not just paperwork. It’s about protecting your deposit, your settlement and your biggest investment. Before you sign, get advice.

pasaconveyancing@tgb.com.au www.tgb.com.au

ON SCENE

Graduates’ Dinner: Transition Courses 8&9/2026 SkyCity Southwest Suite May 08, 2026

1. William Davies, Oliver Tuffley and Liam Faulkner. 2. Rebecca Bungay and Katy Waddington. 3. Jesmondene Botha and Sian Perry. 4. Gary Craggs, Richard Westman, Matt Houston, Josh Grebot, Jamie Mott and Torryn Casey. 5. Blaine Rogers and Scott Bentley. 6. Sarah Parker, Lucy Tuff and Sophia Matthews.

Graduation dinners are sponsored by Healthy, Wealthy and Wise

A joint initiative by the Police Association of South Australia, Police Credit Union and Police Health.

Police Journal

Graduates’ Dinner Course 91/2025

SkyCity Suite May 16, 2026

1. Andrea Medlen and Brett Collins. 2. Liam Page and Pratyaksh (Paz) Rathi. 3. Mary O'Callaghan, Lily Williams and Zara Molloy. 4. James Lowe and Joshua Tketel. 5. Sally Cucuk and Joshua Daniell. 6. Aidan Wickens and Jaxson Cools.

ON SCENE

Graduates’ Dinner: Course 92/2025

SkyCity Southwest Suite June 19, 2026

1. Amber Smith and Elise Twiggs. 2. Hudson Pill and Bayley Hancock. 3. Sean Steyn, Ryan Mattner, James Brennan and Mitch Stone. 4. Sharon Aziz and Liam Warren. 5. Hamish Crafter and Caitlin North. 6. Elisha Charters and Darcy Bowditch Wharton. 7. Jack Walker and Charlize Siviour.

Graduation dinners are sponsored by Healthy, Wealthy and Wise

A joint initiative by the Police Association of South Australia, Police Credit Union and Police Health.

Police Journal

Graduates’ Dinner: Course 93/2025

SkyCity Southwest Suite July 17, 2026

1. Alana Nguyen, Lucas Bertelsmeier and Nathan Hremias. 2. Athena Yiambouranis and Kassidy Ryan. 3. Noah Kert and Mitchell Washington. 4. Amber Burden and Owen Prout. 5. Andrei Iacob and Isabel Spooner. 6. Luke Moroney and Jevan Woodland.

ON SCENE

Retiring Members and Recognition of Service Dinner 54

Police Journal

SkyCity Ballroom June 26, 2026

Supported by Police Credit Union

1. Cheryl Kirkwood and Colin Kirkwood, Tyler Warren, Imogen, Graham and Julie Tomkins, Renee Goldie, Blaise, Declan and Tahlia Tomkins. 2. Julie Worthley and David Emery. 3. Jessica, Graham and Debbie Shearer. 4. Steven and Dawn Grose. 5. Nicole Hansen, Ethan, Janet and Simon Carpenter, Bryce Wood and James Blandford. 6. Retired police dog Chaos.

7. Trevor Hunt and Trevor Sharples. 8. Chris and Kathy Relihan, Julie and Robert Handley. 9. Simon Carpenter, Scott Fitzgerald, Bryce Wood and Ethan Carpenter 10. Sol Bouma, Scott, Abby, Shaz and Stuart MacIntyre. 11. Trudy, Sarah and Darren Watkins and Gary Burns. 12. Amanda and Chris McLean. 13. Suzanne and Jamie Lewcock. 14. Jack Heath, Jane Davies, Steve Jakubowicz, Kevin and Will Heath and Harriet Milne. Winter 2026

The Last Shift

For the full version of The Last Shift, go to PASAweb at www.pasa.asn.au

Brian “Elmo” Edwards Sharon Fulcher Eamon Gaffney Sam George Seamus Mc Daid Catherine Thomas

Sergeant 1C Sharon Fulcher

Chief Inspector Seamus McDaid

Comments… “I have enjoyed my career (mostly), which saw me first posted to Holden Hill patrols. While at Holden Hill, I enjoyed a stint as property officer, planning officer and BQCO, before embarking on my 20-plus years as a prosecutor. “I found my niche. My prosecution career saw me move to Elizabeth and then Port Adelaide for my last 10 years. Along the way, I have been blessed with meeting some remarkable people. “Policing is not an easy job, but I have found it very rewarding, most especially my last six years as the sergeant of the DV prosecution team at Port Adelaide. While I genuinely consider these to be my best and most fulfilling years in SAPOL, the workload was gruelling. “Now in my 60s, working to the point of exhaustion year after year was no longer an option. “To those who continue the work, I wish you well. I am excited to embark on this next chapter, and I am thoroughly enjoying having the time to do whatever I feel like doing.”

Comments… “I joined SAPOL as a member of Course 20. My first posting was Christies Beach, and it was also my last. “I have had lots of various and interesting roles and postings with SAPOL and have been given the opportunity to experience and do and see things that few other people get to do or see. “I have also been very lucky to work with and learn from some remarkable people. Their knowledge and wisdom made me a better police officer and a better person. I thank all my work colleagues, both sworn and unsworn, for all their friendship and support throughout my career. “I thank my two daughters, Aislinn and Eimear, for their unconditional love and support. As they grew up, the demands of my police work didn't always make their lives easy, but they have made me proud. They are my stars. “I also thank my extended family and those loyal friends who have kept me sane and grounded over the last 39 years. And I thank Arthur Guinness for all he has done for me. “I had the privilege of serving as a delegate earlier in my career and it

Port Adelaide Prosecution 33 years’ service Last Day: 22.05.26

Police Journal

EMR 39 years’ service Last Day: 08.05.26

was always comforting to know that help was always there if needed. “Would I do it all again? Most certainly I would, even though the job is getting harder and harder and I can't see it improving until our front-line staffing levels reach the point where they can meet the service demand. “Policing is still an honourable career. I am grateful for the career I have had, and I leave with no regrets, but I will miss the camaraderie and the laughs. “For those still serving, you have my utmost respect. Please take care and always look after each other. “I thank all current and previous committee members for their commitment to the improvement of working conditions and the welfare of all association members.”

Sergeant 1C Eamon Gaffney

Foundation Training 36 years’ service Last Day: 14.08.26 Comments… “On looking at the last Police Journal, I have worked with 11 of the current committee at some stage of my career. So, I feel the association is in very good hands. “I joined SAPOL as a member of Couse 36 with 80-odd others on March 26, 1990, as part of a threecourse cohort of courses 35, 36 and 37. “I have had wonderful experiences and opportunities across the state through policing and have worked with some extraordinary people. The highlights were Plympton patrols in the late 1990s, my five years on the APY Lands, and mentoring four courses of great (mostly) young people at the academy in the last few years. “I am proud of my career and what

I have been able to achieve. I have been appreciative of the support and advocacy of the association across the time and wish it all the best in the future. I wish current and retired SAPOL members all the best for the future.”

Senior Constable 1C Catherine Thomas

Mount Barker 40 years’ service Last Day: 10.06.26 Comments… “I started at the police academy on January 16, 1986, in what was supposed to be a year course. Two weeks later we were changed to a six-month course and graduated on July 16, 1986. “I have worked in several areas including B1 patrols, Warrant Section, Bank Street police station, Stirling patrols, Plympton patrols, Adelaide patrols, Communications Branch and, for the last 24 years, Mount Barker patrols and station. “I have enjoyed my time with SAPOL and, over the past 40 years, I have met and worked with some amazing and dedicated people. I am retiring due to age, and I look forward to spending time with family and friends. “I thank everyone I have worked with, especially in the last 24 years at Mount Barker. Thanks for putting up with me and for all your help and friendship. I wish everyone all the very best for the future. Please take care, stay safe and look after yourselves.”

Senior Constable 1C Brian Edwards

Gumeracha 26 years’ service Last Day: 19.03.26 Comments… “Over the course of 26-plus years, I have met many good people along the way. A few stand out and a few are sadly no longer with us. “For all those who I have served with, at Salisbury and Gumeracha police stations, and the police academy, I thank you. I hope you remember me as not letting you down and always running forward in times of trouble. “For those who know me well, I have had more than my fair share of injuries during my career. So, at 60, it is time to hang up the belt, after 26 years in SAPOL, six years at DCS and three years at the DPP. “I am proud to have assisted in the Protect our Cops campaign, allowing officers access to better injury entitlements. “A special thanks to Course 66, whose members had to put up with an old soldier. “Obviously, the job has changed but leadership never does. I was always taught to put others before yourself, to lead by example, and to sacrifice for others. In doing that, people will follow you into the dark. Troops follow leaders, not managers.”

Continued … Winter 2026

THE LAST SHIFT

Detective Sergeant 1C Sam George

Electronic Crime Section 40 years’ service Last Day: 27.05.26 Comments… “I find myself reflecting on a journey that has been more rewarding than I could ever have imagined when I first joined the police in March 1986. “I feel privileged to have been part of a profession that offered countless opportunities to learn, grow, contribute, and connect with remarkable people. “I am filled with gratitude for the experiences, challenges, and friendships that have shaped both my career and the person I have become. “I have been fortunate to serve in a wide variety of roles and, for the majority of my service — 26 years — in a number of CIB postings. “Like any career spanning four decades, there have been both highs and lows. It has brought immense enjoyment, fulfilment, and a genuine sense of purpose, balanced at times by disappointment, sadness, and the realities that inevitably accompany policing. Yet I can say the rewards have far outweighed the challenges.

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“I extend my sincere thanks to the Police Association for its unwavering support, advocacy, and commitment to promoting fairness and advancing the interests of its members. Throughout my career, I have appreciated the association's commitment to giving members a collective voice, protecting their rights, and providing support whenever it was needed. “As I conclude my career, it is my hope that the association continues to uphold the interests, rights, and well-being of its members. “Although I am retiring from policing, I know the friendships, values, and lessons this profession has given me will remain with me for the rest of my life. I leave with immense gratitude for everyone who has been part of my journey. “Thank you all for your friendship, encouragement, support, and companionship throughout the past 40 years. It has been an honour and a privilege to serve alongside you. “I wish the association and each of you every success in the years ahead. May you continue to advocate with integrity, serve with pride, and experience the same sense of purpose and fulfilment that I have been fortunate enough to enjoy throughout my career.”

Got something to say? Got a comment about a story you’ve read? Do you have strong views on a police issue? Is there someone you want to acknowledge? Know of an upcoming social or sports event? Whatever the subject, put it in a letter to the editor.

“I retire with immense gratitude for the lasting friendships, invaluable experiences, and personal growth this profession has given me. Every role taught me something but, more important, every person I worked alongside taught me something. “To my colleagues, friends, supervisors, and mentors: thank you. Your guidance, encouragement, humour, professionalism, and unwavering support have made even the most challenging days worthwhile. The camaraderie we shared is something I will always value and miss most in retirement. “Over the past four decades, I have witnessed significant changes in workplaces, technology, investigative practices, and community expectations. Through all those changes, one constant remained: the dedication, professionalism, and commitment of the people I had the privilege to work alongside. “Together, we faced challenges, solved problems, celebrated successes, and supported one another through difficult times. Those shared experiences have made my working life both meaningful and deeply rewarding. I leave with a profound sense of pride in what we accomplished together.

Regular mail Police Journal, PO Box 6032, Halifax St, Adelaide SA 5000 Email editor@pasa.asn.au Internal dispatch Police Journal 168

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lifting Steve d that he was fing it so har y put my I instinctivel “He was ree rement belt. firearm.” ve’s Ste of by his accout r the top straight ove two hands

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Police Journal

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