‘Okay, the floor’s yours. You can tell us whatever you want to tell us.’
Then he explained what had really happened.”
EDITOR
I feel pretty fortunate whenever members sit down and talk to me about not only their professional challenges but also their personal ones A couple of members did exactly that just recently, so I get to tell their extraordinary stories in this issue.
Detective Brevet Sergeant Nick Fredella worked on the high-profile Chloe Valentine case and many others, including one we presented as our December 2014 cover story, It was torture.
This time, Nick told me about the case of a two-and-a-half-month-old girl who wound up in hospital with a fractured skull Unknown, until Nick and Detective Sergeant Peter Weber investigated, was that her father was the one who had done the damage
Some people will find some of the details tough to read, so I suggest caution Senior Constable 1C Tina-Marie Hewkin was the member with a personal story and, when she told me what it was, I asked her to share it with readers
She had just survived bowel cancer and agreed to talk Tina-Marie thought her experience could illustrate the importance of regular medical check-ups And that was a message she wanted, and still wants, her workmates to understand.
Also on the health front, Police Association president Mark Carroll explains why a proposed system of injury-claims management wouldn’t have been “any worse than what we currently have”.
Brett Williams
brettwilliams@pj asn au
Police Association of South Australia Level 2, 27 Carrington St, Adelaide SA 5000 T (08) 8212 3055 F (08) 8212 2002 www.pasa.asn.au Editor: Brett Williams (08) 8212 3055 Design: Sam Kleidon 0417 839 300 Advertising: Police
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).
10 The confession
No one can really be sure why this father owned up to the unspeakable crimes he committed against his baby daughter
14 When bad luck escalates
First it was serious injuries on duty but, then, Dog Ops handler Tina-Marie Hewkin had to face her toughest break of all.
COVER: Special Crimes Investigation Branch detective brevet sergeant Nick Fredella
Mark Carroll President 0417 876 732
Jim Tappin Treasurer
Committee
Scheffler Secretary 0417 817 075
Police Association of South Australia
Bernadette Zimmermann Assistant Secretary
Karger Grievance Officer
Mitch Manning Samantha Strange
Tom
Michael Kent
Trevor Milne Deputy President
Chris Walkley
Nadia Goslino Grievance Officer
Anne Hehner Jan Welsby
Sarah Stephens
Shelley Furbow
Caitlin Blackney
Julian Snowden
Daryl Mundy
DELEGATES
Metro North Branch
Port Adelaide Kim Williams (chair)
Elizabeth Nathan Long
Henley Beach
Holden Hill
Gawler
P: (08) 8212 3055 (all hours)
F: (08) 8212 2002
Membership enquiries: (08) 8112 7988
Matthew Kluzek
Nigel Savage
David Savage
Golden Grove Stuart Smith
Parks Sonia Giacomelli
Salisbury Taryn Trevelion
Northern Prosecution Tim Pfeiffer
Northern Traffic Michael Tuohy
Country North Branch
Port Lincoln Lloyd Parker (chair)
Ceduna Chris Lovell
Coober Pedy Jeff Page
Kadina Ric Schild
Peterborough Nathan Paskett
Port Augusta Peter Hore
Port Pirie Gavin Mildrum
Whyalla Les Johnston
Crime Command Branch
Fraud Jamie Dolan (chair)
Elizabeth Ben Horley
Major Crime Rob Beattie
Adelaide Alex Grimaldi
Forensic Services Adam Gates
Holden Hill Narelle Smith
Intelligence Support Kevin Hunt
Port Adelaide Scott Mitchell
South Coast Jason Tank
Sturt Brad Scott
Metro South Branch
Sturt Michael Quinton (chair)
Norwood Rebecca Phillis
South Coast
Andrew Bradley
South Coast Phillip Jeffery
Southern Traffic Peter Tellam
Southern Prosecution Andrew Heffernan
Country South Branch
Mount Gambier Andy McClean (chair)
Adelaide Hills Joe McDonald
Berri John Gardner
Millicent Nicholas Patterson
Naracoorte Grant Baker
Renmark James Bentley
Operations Support Branch
Dog Ops Bryan Whitehorn (chair)
Police Academy Paul Manns
Police Academy Rhett Vormelker
ACB Jo Curyer
Comcen Brenton Kirk
Firearms Brett Carpenter
HR Kelly Lavington
Mounted Ops Melanie Whittemore
State Tac/ Mark Buckingham Op Mandrake
Traffic David Kuchenmeister
Transit Richard Hern
ATSI Branch Shane Bloomfield (chair) (no delegates)
Officers Branch Les Buckley
REPRESENTATIVES
COHSWAC Bernadette Zimmermann
Housing Bernadette Zimmermann
Leave Bank Bernadette Zimmermann
Legacy Allan Cannon
Police Dependants Tom Scheffler Fund
Superannuation Bernadette Zimmermann Tom Scheffler
SOGII Matthew Karger
Mick Casey
Allan Cannon Vice-President
Brett Williams Editor
President
Mark Carroll
Proposed injury-claims system quashed
State politicians voted down a new bill this month that could have greatly improved injury-claims outcomes for police officers
Members of the Legislative Council voted against The Return to Work Corporation of South Australia (Crown Claims Management) Amendment Bill 2017, by a margin of one vote. It is an incredibly disappointing outcome.
The bill sought to ensure that the return-to-work claims of employees within the state government were administered by Return To Work SA (RTWSA) and its claims agents (EML and Gallagher Bassett)
The Police Association has, for years, voiced its frustration over SAPOL’s management of claims and inappropriate treatment of injured police officers
A system in which a physically injured worker can wind up with a psychological injury is deeply flawed.
Association members have consistently expressed their frustration, dissatisfaction and, ultimately, their outrage in response to the way Injury Management Section has dealt with their cases
A system in which a physically injured worker can wind up with a psychological injury is deeply flawed.
Numerous examples exist to illustrate the point, but it isn’t necessary to list them: previously injured members know the situation intimately
That is why members seek legal assistance – via the association – for the management of their claims and entitlements
It is a fact that members with legal representation for their workers compensation matters have received superior financial and entitlement outcomes.
Not all public-sector unions supported the new bill. Some of their members have experienced far better treatment than ours.
Other stakeholders sought the association’s view about the change and asked us to campaign against the new measures
But our response was simple: “It cannot be any worse than what we currently have In fact, it could only be better ”
Injury and income protection policy (IIPP)
I informed all members last February that IIPP negotiations between the SA government and the Police Association had concluded
The result was a policy to deal with eligible injured police officers who have an accepted claim pursuant to the Return to Work Act 2014 (including transitional claims under schedule 9)
The policy deals with both post- and pre-July 1, 2015 injuries. It is an agreed position, and the onus is on SAPOL to manage it.
Not surprisingly, the SAPOL Injury Management Section has interpreted
Owing to SAPOL’s failure, I have asked the police minister to directly –and urgently – intervene to ensure that members’ IIPP entitlements are approved, and that SAPOL funds them permanently.
the eligibility for medical expenses erroneously, arguing that if an officer had returned to work, he or she would have no entitlement to ongoing medical expenses
This could serve as a disincentive to return to work It could also mean that, if an officer required more medical treatment, he or she would have to take time off work to re-establish an entitlement
It is absurd, and certainly not the government’s position . SAPOL Injury Management is also aware that the IIPP has been finalized. Yet, it has recently written to members to inform them that they will have their weekly payment entitlements cease on June 28, 2017
This has distressed many injured members who are eligible for the agreed IIPP, and have made an application for such cover without any formal decision by SAPOL
The association also understands that SAPOL is yet to approve any application for payments (medical or income) under the IIPP. This is despite advice from the SA government in August 2016 that SAPOL was to fund the agreed entitlements.
Owing to SAPOL’s failure, I have asked the police minister to directly –and urgently – intervene to ensure that members’ IIPP entitlements are approved, and that SAPOL funds them permanently
This will ensure a smooth transition to the new scheme (from the Return to Work Act entitlements) – regardless of the formal approval status of the IIPP in the Industrial Relations Court and Commission. It is imperative that there be no time lapse for members in accessing the new benefits
Death on duty of Queensland police officer
The Australian police community recently had to face the reality of the loss of one of its highly regarded Queensland members
Senior Constable Brett Forte died after he sustained gunshot wounds on duty near Toowoomba in May
He had been in pursuit of a suspect while working with the Toowoomba Tactical Crime Squad. I have spoken with Queensland Police Union president Ian Leavers to express the sympathy and support of the Police Association of SA . Ian and the Queensland Police Union are also offering support to SC Forte's wife, Susan (also a police officer), and his three children
This tragedy was a stark reminder of what police officers risk when they go to work every day
They put their lives on the line for the community every time they put on a uniform. It is what makes police work different from almost any other job. And it is why, when tragedy like this strikes, the police community unites to offer any support it can
The details of the Brett Forte Remembrance Fund are on PASAweb (pasa asn au) for members who wish to make a contribution
WARNING: This story contains detailed descriptions of injuries inflicted on a baby and might distress some readers.
The confession
The fractured skull of a baby, caused by an act of child abuse, is unforgettable to police and other authorities. And just as strong in their memories is the perpetrator owning up to his crime.
By Brett Williams
When four-year-old Courtenay grows up, she might ask her father what made him break her ribs and belt her hard enough to fracture her skull. He might not have the courage to look her in the eye and tell her the real reason: that he just could not stand her crying.
Who knows if he will admit that, as a responsible parent, he failed abysmally and was too weak to summon any measure of self-restraint?
If he does tell Courtenay what he did to her, and why, and she refuses to forgive him, no fair-minded person is ever likely to blame her
Of course, she will have no memory of his crime because, at the time he brutalized her, she was just two-and-ahalf months old And she will only ever find out that she was her own father’s victim if one or both of her parents break it to her.
If they tell her the whole story, it will include the details of the injuries Saul Pettigrew inflicted on her
Above:
Forensic paediatrician Dr Jane Edwards
“I also said that, from the scan, it looked like there could’ve been a previous head injury, and they came up with lots of very implausible sorts of explanations.”
was that, while holding Courtenay, he had slipped and fallen over in his kitchen
And backing him up in those lies was his Chinese wife, Justine, who did her talking to authorities through interpreters
She had begun her relationship with Pettigrew five years earlier and had no family or other support in Australia. And, until the abuse of Courtenay came to light, neither of the two had a record with police or Families SA .
Forensic paediatrician Dr Jane Edwards (left), attached to Child Protection Services, was one of the first people from whom Pettigrew kept the truth
She interviewed him after he and Justine, had turned up with Courtenay at the Paediatric Emergency Department of the Women’s and Children’s Hospital in August 2013
It was a return visit for the parents and child, who had suffered – and was continuing to suffer – bouts of vomiting. And, then, while at the hospital, came even more torment for her in the form of seizures
A subsequent CT scan revealed Courtenay’s head injuries, which Pettigrew explained with his story of the toy truck
There was the linear fracture and swelling to the right side of her skull and, to the left side of her head, subdural bleeding.
There was also bleeding at the back of her head, between the two halves of her brain And, in one particular area of her brain, an MRI scan revealed damage from a lack of oxygen
Then there were her rib fractures, which were situated right at the back of her rib cage next to her spine
Another part of the story Pettigrew could one day tell his daughter is how and why he lied to doctors and police about her injuries.
One false account he gave them was that his two-year-old son had thrown a toy truck which had struck Courtenay in the head Another lie Pettigrew told
Edwards, notified of the case by her emergency-department colleagues, could not immediately rule the story implausible
But it concerned her that the parents had twice brought Courtenay to hospital and never mentioned the truck-throwing incident until after the discovery of the skull fracture
Edwards considered that she should investigate the situation So, among other things, she examined Courtenay and felt “an area of boggy swelling … to the right side of her scalp” but no bruising or abrasions
“I do remember very much interviewing the parents on that first occasion,” she says “He told me the whole story about this truckthrowing incident.
“And then I said: ‘I’m a bit concerned because there’s also an injury on the other side of her head ’
“He then added a completely different version which was that, after the truck incident, the two-year-old (son) had spilt Ribena on the floor
“He (Pettigrew) said he slipped in that and fell, and that she (Courtenay) would’ve landed with him holding her
“I also said that, from the scan, it looked like there could’ve been a previous head injury, and they came up with lots of very implausible sorts of explanations.
“After that, I said to the police: ‘I really think you need to re-enact this with the dad at home ’ ”
Edwards, who had worked on around 1,300 (now 2,000) child-abuse cases, knew the investigational value in re-enactments
So did Detective Brevet Sergeant Nick Fredella, then a senior constable attached to Holden Hill Family Violence Investigation Section In police investigations of child abuse, re-enactments were and remain common practice.
Two days after Edwards recommended one in the Courtenay case, Fredella and colleague Detective Sergeant Peter Weber visited the Pettigrew home There, they spoke with Pettigrew, who agreed to perform a re-enactment of the fall he claimed to have taken with Courtenay
As he played out the scene, using a lifesize doll to represent his daughter, Weber recorded the action on a video camera
From the demonstration, the officers tried to determine how far above the floor Courtenay was when Pettigrew allegedly fell, and exactly how he was holding her.
The officers’ interaction with Pettigrew that afternoon took 35 minutes and was all recorded Before leaving, they had a final conversation with him
Says Fredella: “We basically said to him: ‘It’s important for you to be honest with this (story of yours) The doctor’s going to have a look at this (recording) and determine whether it’s consistent with the child’s injury ’
“Then I said: ‘Have you told us everything there is to tell? Is there anything else you want to say? Have you been completely honest?’
“So he then says: ‘Look, I’ve been 95 per cent honest.’ So that immediately raised red flags, and you think: ‘What’s going on here?’
“He worked away in the mines a lot and mum was home with the children a lot Our immediate thought was that maybe mum had inflicted these injuries and he was protecting her ”
Fredella and Weber had to leave but Pettigrew semi-committed himself to a further conversation with them to cover the outstanding 5 per cent of his story
Around 11am the next day, Fredella was leaving his office when he spotted Pettigrew in the Holden Hill police station car park.
Pettigrew, who was sitting in his car, said he had come to “sit down and have a chat” with the two investigators
“So we did,” Fredella says “We took him into the interview room but he was not under arrest He was there of his own free will and, at that stage, we hadn’t ascertained whether he’d done anything wrong
“I explained that at the time so it couldn’t be alleged that he was there under duress And then I said: ‘Okay, the floor’s yours You can tell us whatever you want to tell us.’ Then he explained what had really happened (with Courtenay). ”
Pettigrew told the officers that his previous three days had been “a blur” and that he had “done some bad things” to his daughter
“I crushed her,” he confessed “I kicked her, I have flicked her, and I have … pushed the baby bottle into her mouth probably harder than required
“All I’m seeing is me doing these things, but actual times and dates at the moment are a blur to me ”
After four more answers to questions from Fredella, Pettigrew remarked: “So it’s all about (Courtenay) really, and I’m fully aware I’m onto the highway of hell. ”
Later in the one-hour, 19-minute interview, Pettigrew confessed to belting Courtenay in the head in response to her crying
“But the bottom line is … I put her up like that and I just went like that,” he said “To her head ”
As he spoke those words, Pettigrew demonstrated the roundhouse blow he struck – with his left fist
Says Jane Edwards of an adult striking a twomonth-old baby that way: “It’s probably quite a fine line between the baby having (just) injuries and actually having fatal injuries ”
Pettigrew also confessed, later in the interview, to “crushing” Courtenay as he had held her in his arms. With one arm supporting her head and the other under her knees, he had literally folded the infant up until her “knees were coming up to her face”
“So he then says: ‘Look, I’ve been 95 per cent honest.’ So that immediately raised red flags, and you think: ‘What’s going on here?’ ”
It was not certain but possible that this crushing Pettigrew confessed to had fractured Courtenay’s ribs
“Those sorts of fractures happen when the chest is encircled and squeezed,” Edwards says “So, depending on how he did that movement, which wasn’t clear, it’s certainly possible
“It could have happened if he was gripping her about the chest But he didn’t give a timeframe that we could relate to the healing of the fractures. ”
Still, the Pettigrew confessions came as something of a relief to Edwards. “It hardly ever happens that anyone ever confesses in my line of work,” she says
“At least we knew then that she (Courtenay) could be safe Potentially, she wouldn’t have been if we hadn’t intervened
“Given what he did say in his interview about his attitude towards this little girl, it was unlikely that his behaviour towards her was going to stop ”
Part of the bizarre explanation Pettigrew gave for crushing Courtenay was that it would “flatten the wind out of her”.
“I just didn’t want her to cry,” he said. “… there was this pitch (to her crying). I didn’t like it…”
And Pettigrew had already spoken of his intolerance earlier in the interview
“I must admit, I don’t like baby cries,” he said “There’s that tone in there I don’t know what it is ”
Pettigrew blamed his actions on other issues, too, such as stress and pressure He considered that he had had to fulfil too many roles Those he listed were “the mum, the dad, the good guy, the bad guy, the worker, the enforcer”.
He also spoke of money being “a bit tight” and no prospect of employment for another two-and-a-half months
But his wife, Justine – who had corroborated his earlier stories – came to rescind a statement she had given Fredella through an interpreter
“That day (of the alleged fall) was a normal day and nothing special or significant happened,” her statement read
“Everything I said about that incident is what (Saul) told me to say. I don’t feel like I need to support (Saul) with that lie any longer.
“(Courtenay) never had any accident or fall in the kitchen … as was said by
“At least we knew then that she could be safe. Potentially, she wouldn’t have been if we hadn’t intervened.”
(Saul) to the Women’s and Children’s Hospital staff and by me to the police
“(Saul) made up that story without any involvement from me ”
As Fredella and Weber wound up their interview with Pettigrew they arrested him on a charge of aggravated assault causing serious harm
He later pleaded guilty in the District Court to aggravated recklessly causing serious harm. The court sentenced him to five-and-a-half years’ imprisonment with a 20-month non-parole period
The outcome was satisfying to Fredella, who had worked on the high-profile Chloe Valentine abuse case and many others
Ashlee Polkinghorne – four-yearold Chole’s mother – and her partner, Benjamin McPartland, went to jail for the manslaughter of Chloe
“It’s just nice to get people held to account for what they do,” he says.
“But you’ve got to be able to differentiate between dealing with these cases from a work perspective and then a personal perspective I suppose I have the benefit of being able to do that ”
Jane Edwards highlights the importance – in the Courtenay case and others – of the working relationship between agencies
“Nick knew I was really open to discussions,” she says, “and I knew he was really open to whatever I had to say. That relationship, between police and us (at Child Protection Services), is really crucial. ” PJ
Courtenay, Saul Pettigrew and Justine are not the real names of the child and parents in this story.
By Brett Williams
When bad luck escalates
After battling her way through one misfortune after another, Tina-Marie Hewkin still faces a measure of uncertainty.
Her doctor warned her she could be facing bowel cancer, and that floored Tina-Marie Hewkin
Although the disease had a place in her family history, she had never connected it with her then recent ill health
For around 12 months the sole female Dogs Ops member had been suffering bouts of diarrhoea and abdominal pain after eating and drinking
These symptoms worsened through 2016 and sometimes struck her so badly that she and canine partner Marley had to go home from work . Hewkin, who wrongly figured her problem was simply a lactose or gluten intolerance, went to consult her GP last
December. A raft of blood and other tests followed but did not reveal cancer or any other ailment
So, the GP ordered a colonoscopy for Hewkin, who thought that too would come up negative By then she had studied irritable bowel syndrome on the internet and found that its symptoms and hers were an exact match
Still, the colonoscopy went ahead just days before last Christmas After it was over, as Hewkin lay in recovery, her surgeon told her he had removed a polyp. Apart from that, however, she appeared to be in the clear, although the analysis of a tissue sample was still to come
Facing page: Senior Constable 1C Tina-Marie Hewkin with police dog Roxy in 2015.
Two days later came a message from Hewkin’s surgeon. He wanted to see his patient as soon as possible in his surgery
“I knew it wasn’t (going to be) good,” Hewkin says of what she expected the surgeon to tell her “I knew that there was a possibility it was cancer
“I rang my partner because he was at work (at STAR Group) and I told him He came straight home and, as soon as he walked in the door, I just lost it ” Although she broke down at home, Hewkin regained her composure on the drive to the surgeon’s rooms. But, once there, the surgeon confirmed what she had known was possible
The analysis of the tissue sample showed that she was suffering bowel cancer.
And then came two more toughto-hear revelations First was that Hewkin would need surgery Second was that she would lose half her bowel in the process
“I guess at the time I was just numb,” she says “It’s not something that you ever expect to sit in your doctor’s office and hear
“I just tried to process the information and then went away and tried to process it again. ”
Extraordinarily, Hewkin and four of her colleagues had just recently undertaken a workplace chat about the stats on cancer sufferers
“They were saying that one in four people get cancer and that one of us, at some stage, would have it,” she recalls “And two weeks later it was me You just don’t think of things like that ”
The surgeon suggested that he operate on Hewkin as soon as he was available, two days later. But, ultimately, he saw no disadvantage in putting the operation back a few weeks and so scheduled it for January 23 this year
With those arrangements in place, Hewkin broke the news of her condition and pending surgery to her unsuspecting parents
“Mum and Dad were pretty good,” she says “But, the next day, I found out that Mum had burst into tears at work A couple of days later she had flowers at home from her work because she’d been so upset I think that was what upset me the most.
“And the hardest thing was thinking about everyone else. I was making sure I was doing all the right things (to prepare) for the surgery, and I felt like I was in control and dealing with this (situation)
“But my partner and my parents couldn’t do anything (like that) and, to me, it was harder for them ”
Hewkin had had just one week to absorb the crushing news of her condition when she got a call from her surgeon He had spoken with his colleagues and changed his strategy for the operation.
His intention now was to remove not half of Hewkin’s bowel but rather a far smaller section of around 10 centimetres
“They were saying that one in four people get cancer and that one of us, at some stage, would have it.
And two weeks later it was me. You just don’t think of things like that.”
The incident left her with a torn bicep – which later healed – and bursitis in her shoulder, in which she received injections for the next three years
But now, on January 23, came the challenge to beat cancer Hewkin arrived at hospital at 6:30am for her operation, just three hours after finishing a night shift Certain that she would never have slept had she stayed at home, she had chosen to work
Her parents had turned up at the hospital to support their daughter and, after a nurse prepped her, an anxious Hewkin went into surgery. And her bad luck did not re-emerge. The operation proved a complete success
After it was over, Hewkin spent her first 24 post-op hours in the hospital’s intensive care unit Then, after more recovery time in a ward on day two, the hospital discharged her
Other than those closest to her and her workmates, Hewkin had told no one of her plight Others found out through a message her father, and then one she, posted on Facebook .
“I just said in my post that the surgery had been a success and the doctor was sure that he got all the cancer,” Hewkin recalls “Then everyone knew
As Hewkin understood it, if she were to lose as much as half of her bowel and the cancer was to return, the surgeon would have “nowhere to go”
In any case, the change of strategy represented some good luck – for which Hewkin was well overdue.
In 2012, while on duty with her then police dog, Ella, she suffered a serious assault which left her with major injuries One of two offenders she found breaking into cars punched her around 30 times to the head and choked her with Ella’s tracking lead
Ella sunk her teeth into the offender’s back, enabling Hewkin to get the upper hand until back-up patrols arrived But she emerged with a badly swollen head and face and long-lasting damage to her ribcage
And last July, Hewkin had to undergo a shoulder arthroscopy to repair damage done in another on-duty incident in 2013 She was searching for an offender in the grounds of a school when, unknown to her, Ella suddenly spotted a cat.
Hewkin remembers that she went one way and her arm went the other, with Ella, as the inspired creature charged after the cat
“(My workmates) were amazed I got a text message from one saying: ‘I just heard what’s happened and I can’t speak to you at the moment I’m too upset ’
“I told my senior sergeant about it and said: ‘You can tell people at work because I don’t think I’ve got the energy.’ So, he told people and I was overwhelmed by the reaction. Everyone was just absolutely shocked but supportive ”
Eventually, it was police humour, one of the mainstays of cop culture, that helped Hewkin to bounce back
“The guys at work were sending me jokes,” she says, “and that was really good because it meant (the situation) didn’t turn into sadness or people moping It was a case of let’s get on and do this and get through it ”
After four weeks of post-op recovery at home, Hewkin returned to work on light duties. But that was only for one week before she became fully operational again with Marley
“But I can’t focus on that. You can’t say: ‘Oh, what if, what if?’ because then you wouldn’t do anything in life.”
Now, on reflection, Hewkin (left) feels she coped well with the emotion with which cancer always afflicts the sufferer
“I had a couple of moments,” she says, “where I’d sit down by myself and go: ‘Oh my God! I’ve got cancer!’
“But I did always keep it in perspective. I considered myself really lucky that we got it so early. If I’d waited another 12 months (to see my doctor) it might not have been such a good story. ”
Other facts have helped form the Hewkin perspective too: she emerged with a fully functioning bowel and never needed chemotherapy
But she knows and understands the grim reality – that a cancer can strike back Her surgeon has told her he thinks it unlikely but possible
So, for at least the next few years, she will have to keep her health under watch. That will mean blood tests every six months and a colonoscopy once a year.
“It (the return of the cancer) is something that’s in the back of mind,” she says “But I can’t focus on that You can’t say: ‘Oh, what if, what if?’ because then you wouldn’t do anything in life ”
Hewkin will undergo scans this month, before she and her partner jet out to Ko Samui, Thailand to be married in July Whether the results of the scans are good or bad, she will not keep them from her wedding guests.
“I wear my heart on my sleeve and people would know that something was wrong anyway,” she says
The scan results are due three days before the couple leaves for Thailand
Although Hewkin has had a triumph over cancer, her run of back luck continued just a few weeks ago when she ended up back in surgery
It came on top of the on-duty assault, the shoulder injury from the cat-chasing incident, and, of course, her battle with cancer.
While off duty, she and her partner had been walking Marley and retired police dog Ella when the two canines clashed Hewkin stepped in to separate the two and copped a serious chomp to her forearm
Not meant for her, the bite penetrated deep between two main bones, the ulna and the radius
Says Hewkin: “The doctor said if he had to dig much further for dog hair he would have come out the other side of my arm.
“I haven’t had a good run, but you try to not go down the pity line and go: ‘Why is this happening to me?’
“I don’t want to be one of these woe-is-me people who walk around being unhappy So, it’s another day and you just get on with it ”
By telling her story, Hewkin wants to get her colleagues thinking about cancer indicators of their own
“I’ve said to people: ‘If something’s not right, go to the doctor,’ ” she says “People know their bodies and they know when something’s not right, so don’t ignore that. ” PJ
L Letters Letters to the editor can be sent by:
Regular mail Police Journal, PO Box 6032, Halifax St, Adelaide SA 5000
Email editor@pasa asn au Fax (08) 8212 2002
Internal dispatch Police Journal 168
Free health checks important
Beautifully written story about Seamus Flynn
(Final warning, Police Journal, February 2017)
It hits the mark
It was great that Mark Carroll mentioned the free health check for retired members like me I had actually forgotten about it so hopefully others will take it up.
Keep up the great work . Yet another fantastic journal.
Mick Lyons
Detective Snr Sgt (ret)
Graduates 40 years on
Cadet Course 48 held its 40-year graduation reunion at Port Adelaide on March 25, 2017. The course began its training on January 10, 1974 and its members graduated on March 16, 1977
Doc Bray and Roger Probert
With partners, we had 48 attendees, many of whom had travelled long distances to be part of the reunion
One of the attendees was 76-year-old Roger Probert, one of our course mentors who helped train a lot of coppers over the years
A slideshow and the sound of 1970s music in the background brought a lot of memories of the course flooding back
Among those who attended were former Police Association committee member Rick Day, former association delegates Frank Toner, Kym Cocks and Peter Schapel, and Major Crime detective superintendent Des “Doc” Bray.
Making up the full list with me were Peter Harvey, Tony Holasek, Rex Ranger, Barry Wallwork, Steven Speake, Colin Carger, Dean McCarthur, Shaun Kurovec, Vic Williams, Paul Keenihan, Robert Haywood, Craig Williamson, Noel Hames, Des Elson, Peter Cox, Stephen “Jock” Andrews and Chris Hare
Two of our members rest in peace: Nick Angley and Ian Hewett
Kind regards
Graham Puckridge
Detective Sgt (ret)
Group Life Insurance Beneficiary Nomination Forms
Owing to a Supreme Court decision, the Police Association no longer uses the GLI beneficiary forms. Existing forms held at the association have been destroyed.
Now, in the case of the death of a member, the GLI benefit (currently $300,000) will be paid to his or her estate.
Accordingly, the association’s strong advice is that you ensure that your estate is well-administered This is best achieved by having a valid will
Tindall Gask Bentley Lawyers provides a free legal advice service to Police Association members and their families, and retired members To make an appointment to receive free preliminary legal advice covering all areas of law, particularly families and wills, members should contact the Police Association (08 8212 3055)
What issues do you consider the most important for negotiation in the 2018 enterprise agreement?
SERGEANT ANDREW BARTLETT Forensic
Response
Wage negotiations and maintenance of award conditions are always a priority
I would also like to see efforts made to bring SAPOL into line with other police services in respect to the remuneration of members attaining higher education qualifications, where attaining such a qualification is a requirement of the position held.
Members holding positions in specialist areas such as Forensic Response Section are required to undertake years of higher education study in addition to performing their core duties
Specialists from interstate police services who undertake the same or similar higher education receive considerable remuneration or an increase in rank for successfully completing the study programme and achieving status as an “expert” in their fields
SENIOR CONSTABLE DAVID LEYDEN
Millicent Police Station
Our recent enterprise agreements have been excellent for members across the board and we are rewarded with excellent conditions of employment for a physically and mentally brutal career
I have spent the majority of my career in front-line country policing where shift changes at short notice, excessive working hours and “quick changes” are common
For members in the metro areas these issues are exacerbated by heavy traffic and longer travel times to and from work .
The National Sleep Foundation suggests that the minimum amount of sleep that an average adult should have each day is between seven and nine hours, so I would like to see the minimum break between shifts increased to 10 hours
I would also like to see the long-term patrol officers allowance considered for country members who are not based at 24-hour stations, given that 24-hour police coverage is provided by members who often work through the night when recalled
“Specialists from interstate police services who undertake the same or similar higher education receive considerable remuneration or an increase in rank for successfully completing the study programme and achieving status as an “expert” in their fields.”
Bernie Zimmermann Assistant Secretary
She
Matt Karger Grievance officer
Matt
Bernadette Zimmermann Assistant Secretary, Police Association
Finally, an extended-hours roster trial
Clause 28 of the 2016 enterprise agreement sets out the rules of engagement in respect of an extended-hours roster trial in the metropolitan area.
The host local service area is yet to be announced The trial is a longawaited concept for police and a welcome inclusion in the agreement
As with some other entitlements enshrined within the EA, extendedhours rostering was a hard-fought association issue It has been on our agenda since the inception of the enterprise bargaining process back in the early 1990s.
Extended-hours rostering has long operated in many occupations around the world, including in Australia . Policing is no exception
It is common knowledge that policing is both physically and psychologically strenuous and demanding So, increasing hours at work, especially for generalduties members, has to be taken seriously
Time has marched on and there is now a number of policing organizations also utilizing extended-hours rostering for operational police
Rosters of this kind have been maintained as a viable option to meet the operational requirements of many organizations required to provide 24-hour coverage
It is in everyone’s interest to get involved in this process. … A genuine effort at consultation will help make the trial a success.
But extended-hours rostering has not been popular with SAPOL commissioners – until now
Fatigue has usually been the motive for stalling such a roster concept.
Fatigue is a key issue because of its gradual onset and potential for disastrous consequences for police
Many of us have witnessed, all too frequently, the tragic aftermath of the effects of fatigue, especially on our roads
Considering that much of generalduties policing involves driving vehicles in both country and metropolitan settings, it is no wonder that fatigue factors have often been the stumbling block for those organizations reluctant to introduce an extended-hours roster.
Fatigue, however, can be diminished through superior roster design. One of the fundamental objectives of a superior 24-hour roster is to significantly reduce the sensation and effect of tiredness
As a result of the numerous studies into the outcomes of fatigue on shift workers, roster design has taken on something of a scientific approach surrounding factors like the type of shift worked, the rotation of shifts and the length of a shift
A good roster will make allowances for body clocks and the circadian rhythm, as we move through a 24-hour cycle, from day to night.
Generally, rosters should follow a “day, afternoon, night” cycle This is already a feature of the enterprise agreement under clause 26 and is a recommended method of rostering under the flexible rostering guidelines, described in the 2016 agreement
But these are just a few of the factors that are taken into account when designing a roster for a shiftworking industry.
Individual workgroups within a particular industry might even have different rosters to reflect the various roles within them For example, in
policing, officers working in a dynamic communications centre are likely to have a differently designed roster from that of patrol officers.
One of the most pleasing features of the new roster clause in the 2016 enterprise agreement is the rule concerning “clear weekends off ” The agreement describes this as being “no hours worked on a Saturday and a Sunday respectively ”
This is a much-welcomed modification to SAPOL roster design
The next step in the process of introducing an extended-hours roster will be for SAPOL to consult with members in the selected LSA, and seek feedback – not only from those who will be working the roster, but also those responsible for its management and monitoring. It is in everyone’s interest to get involved in this process Everyone wants it to function smoothly There are advantages for the workers and advantages for the boss A genuine effort at consultation will help make the trial a success
The association has lobbied for the introduction of an extended-hours roster – particularly because it meets the needs of members who juggle working hours with quality time spent with family and loved ones. It also creates opportunities for members to pursue other interests and new leisure activities And working longer shifts provides the reward of extra days off which compensates for the longer hours worked in a roster of this type
The association will, with SAPOL, jointly develop the protocols for the trial and keep a brief on the roster options released to members – and seek their feedback .
We will also provide information to members who seek further guidance about those options
David, South Australia
Dr Rod Pearce
Cops likely to contract meningococcal disease?
Bacteria are part of the normal environment and can live in and on the human body without causing harm When the bacteria get inside our bodies the immune system usually kills them before any harm is done.
Antibodies and enzymes in our mucous and saliva can attack the bacteria in our respiratory system (nose, throat, lungs) But, in the case of meningococcal, the bacteria can hide quietly in the nose
People who have the meningitis bacteria harmlessly living in their nasopharynx (upper part of the pharynx, connecting with the nasal cavity above the soft palate) are called “carriers”
Humans are the only reservoir of meningococcus . The bacteria, transmitted via droplets or direct contact, have an incubation period of between two and 10 days.
Who is carrying the bacteria and for how long changes all the time It changes in different populations and age groups
There are more meningococcal bacteria around when people are living in crowded environments and in close quarters
We know of 13 types of meningococcal and have developed vaccines for A, B, C, W and Y These are the ones most likely to turn from harmless existence in the nose to aggressive killers. What turns the bacteria this way is not clear but they are more likely to become aggressive in children aged one
The brief window between carrier status and invasive disease is short and unpredictable, leaving vaccination and mopping up outbreaks the most effective way to manage the disease in the community.
to three and 15- to 24-year-olds, or in a person who has a specific immune weakness
When we have a case of the “killer” meningococcal we would expect it to be of the A, B, C, W or Y type. In the nose of any person who has been in contact with someone suffering the “killer” infection of, perhaps, the W type, we would assume there to be “litters” of that bacterial type
We can then go around and vaccinate the close contacts or give them antibiotics
This is what happened in South Australia where a vaccination programme began last March Meningococcal vaccines were used to protect against four groups of meningococcal bacteria: A, C, W and Y
Type W is that which has been responsible for the recent cases in the Ceduna region.
There is a greater risk of exposure to meningococcal disease in the area known as the “meningitis belt” of sub-Saharan Africa We know that, where lots of people gather, the risk increases
The meningococcal bacterial has a fearsome reputation but it is reasonably easy to get rid of if antibiotics are used early The problem is telling which infections need antibiotics because the symptoms are usually the same as a virus infection.
Once the infection spreads into the blood (septicaemia) or the brain (meningitis), the symptoms might still be non-specific but can include
sudden onset of fever, rash, headache, neck stiffness, photophobia (irritation with light)
At this stage antibiotics cannot be relied upon to stop the infection spread or stop the damage being done to the brain, limbs and circulation. We would still use antibiotics and there are specific ones recommended for urgent use if meningitis is suspected
The characteristic rash of meningococcal disease is not always present Meningococcal infections can progress rapidly to serious disease or death in previously healthy persons
The overall mortality risk for invasive meningococcal disease is high (between 5 per cent and 10 per cent), despite appropriate antibiotic therapy.
The brief window between carrier status and invasive disease is short and unpredictable, leaving vaccination and mopping up outbreaks the most effective way to manage the disease in the community
Up to 30 per cent of children and adolescents who survive suffer limb deformity, skin scarring, deafness and neurologic deficit
Police officers are not likely to be at any higher risk of getting meningococcal bacteria and, unless they have any specific medical condition, vaccination is not normally recommended.
The vaccines are, however, available on the private market and in Australia No one vaccine is able to cover all the types of aggressive meningococcal outbreaks
Meningococcal C vaccine has been routinely given to Australians under 19 since 2003 A, C, W and Y vaccines are available if you choose them in a single vaccine
Meningococcal B vaccine is a new one and has been more difficult to develop but can be given electively. There is currently a shortage of supply but, ultimately, meningococcal B vaccination can be given as a choice
Motoring
Jim Barnett
Mazda CX-9
FIRST IMPRESSIONS
The second-generation Mazda CX-9 SUV is large, well equipped, safe and powerful Its design is family-friendly, and the top-spec Azami delivers levels of comfort and luxury unsurpassed in its price range
DESIGN
The slightly shorter but wider body of the new CX-9 features aluminium and high-strength steel panels, which make it 130kg lighter than the previous model.
A new 2 . 5-litre turbocharged fourcylinder petrol engine replaces the
Model Mazda CX-9
Price $42,490 – $59,390 (AWD adds $4,000)
Seats Seven
Warranty Three-year unlimited km .
Safety Five stars, six airbags .
Economy 8 .4 – 8 . 8 litres/100km.
Cargo 230 – 1,641 litres .
Spare wheel Emergency style
previous V6 amid claims of better fuel economy Coupled to a six-speed automatic transmission, the new engine can switch off at idle
All four models (Sport, Touring, GT and Azami) are available in FWD or AWD
CX-9 features a bold version of the new-generation Mazda grille Entry models have 18-inch alloys while GT and Azami come with 20-inch wheels.
Seven seats are arranged in three rows . Second-row (60/40) seats have recline and slide functions. Depending on the position of the second row,
third-row seats can afford sufficient room for adults
Dash and console layouts are superb with a central (stand-up) colour touch screen prominent
Entry Sport is well equipped with inclusions such as satellite navigation, LED headlights, three-zone climate control and push-button start.
The entertainment system features internet radio (Pandora, Stitcher and Aha) while there are four USB ports around the cabin
All models feature blind-spot monitoring, rear parking sensors, reverse camera, rear traffic alert and auto braking at up to 30km/h
DRIVING
CX-9 offers smooth, quiet ride characteristics The new turbo four remains quiet at all but high revs and delivers stacks of power in every situation . High torque at low revs equates to superior power when laden, overtaking or on hills.
Mazda has thought of almost everything with inclusions such as power tailgate, sunroof, 12-speaker Bose audio system and leather trim with heated, power-operated front seats (Azami)
Unsurpassed comfort, luxury
Its multi-function control knob is perfectly positioned in the centre console and, much like a computer mouse, operates all aspects of the infotainment system.
Azami has a comprehensive head-up display projecting speed, cruise control, navigation and safety system information into the driver’s line of sight
Its radar cruise control automatically adjusts vehicle speed to maintain a safe distance from the car ahead and is capable of bringing the car to a complete stop in traffic
The lane-departure warning system provides audible alerts, vibrates the steering wheel and can provide a degree of corrective steering to keep the vehicle within the lane.
Volvo S90 T6 Inscription
FIRST IMPRESSIONS
Sliding into the driver’s seat of Volvo’s S90 T6 Inscription is one pleasurable experience This is clearly one of the most comfortable seats available anywhere; and this big limo is smooth, quiet, sumptuous, relatively quick and very efficient
DESIGN
Volvo has challenged Europe’s finest with its classy new S90 sedan. S90 is almost five metres long and weighs between 1,800 and 2,150 kilograms Two FWD (T5 and D4 Momentum) and two AWD (D5 and T6 Inscription) models are priced between $79,900 and $98,900
The long, low body and coupe-style roofline of S90 make a bold statement as do the concave chrome grille, big alloys, dual exhausts and LED tail lights
The massive interior is very comfortable, and all models feature leather trim and power-operated front seats with lumbar support.
Immediately noticeable is the absence of knobs and switchgear leaving the dashboard and console uncluttered Control of most of the car’s functions, including its host of safety features, is by the central nine-inch vertical touch screen
A 12 3-inch colour driver display features electronic gauges, trip computer, digital speed readout and navigation info. The optional ($4,500) Bowers & Wilkins 1,400-watt, 18-speaker audio system, with its metallic speaker grilles, is stunning
Quad-zone climate-control, keyless start, electric boot lid and an array of advanced safety equipment – including semi-autonomous driving and pedestrian, bicycle and large animal recognition – are standard Apple Car Play adds $300 and there’s a seemingly endless list of options. S90 has an enormous boot and a space-saver spare wheel.
Model Volvo S90 T6 Inscription
Price $98,900 plus on roads
Seats Five
Engine 2 0-litre twin-charged four-cylinder petrol
Transmission Eight-speed auto, AWD
2.0-litre too small for big limo?
DRIVING
Top-spec T6 Inscription is a stunning car to drive Power is courtesy of a 2 0-litre twin-charged (turbo and supercharged) four-cylinder petrol engine driving all four wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission
Featuring auto stop/start technology, the engine produces 235kW (5,700rpm) and 400Nm (2,200-5,400rpm).
Those who think a 2 .0-litre petrol four is too small to haul almost two tonnes should think again T6 Inscription can accelerate from 0 to 100km/h in as little as 5 9 seconds The supercharger addresses lag at low revs while the turbocharger looks after things at higher revs
For a heavy car with limousine-like ride characteristics, T6 Inscription corners flatter and with more agility than one might expect. The AWD system automatically proportions power to provide the best possible grip.
Join Police Wine Club ambassador Peter Jackson for a five-course degustation dinner with French Champagne & matched wines.
TABLE D’HÔTE MENU
Un warm baguettes & pate accompagné Champaign
Deux traditional French onion soup with grande parmesan crouton accompagné Les Rocailles Rose
Trois beef bourguignon pommes duchess with cauliflower & broccoli florets & almond beurre noisette accompagné Le vin à la Bordeaux
Quatre cheese board & lavosh accompagné Botrytis Noble
Cinq eclairs accompagné café au lait
Bon Appétit
Banking
Glenn Lewis, Personal Banker, Police Credit Union
A privilege to meet cops
The search for a venomous brown snake on the grounds of the police academy was hardly a sight I expected But that was exactly the task a group of recruits was undertaking when I turned up on a 40-degree day last summer.
At first sight, I wasn’t even sure what was going on as these diligent searchers – some of them my clients – stood around a garden bed in the searing heat Then I happened to glance at a warning sign, which read: Beware of Snakes
Clearly, the recruits had assessed the risk posed by the snake and wanted to be sure that it didn’t slither away and make someone a victim of its poisonous bite
Support came from other recruits who watched on from behind their classroom window. They pointed each time they noticed the slight movement of bark in the garden bed, but the cause turned out to be the breeze rather than the snake
Now, I’m no authority on reptiles but I could see that this snake-catching exercise was a tough gig, particularly on such a scorching-hot day Fortunate for everyone was that a professional snake catcher was on his way, but these recruits needed some relief – now
Part of my purpose at the academy that day was to shell out some refreshing ice blocks to recruits, and I had some spares . So, to make my contribution to the exercise, I handed out those spares – better described in
I later felt greatly privileged when they invited me out to play golf with them, even though I had no experience in the sport.
“How hard could it be?” I thought.
the circumstances as frozen gold –to the searchers
They responded gratefully, with lines like: “See, it pays to know your personal banker. ”
In the end, that elusive snake vanished and avoided capture. So I would think you best be careful at the academy on those hot summer days
This snake incident reminded me that, in my 15 years with Police Credit Union, I’ve had so many highlights, most in my current role assisting police with financial services
I started in the north-eastern suburbs so the first to embrace my visits were members at the Golden Grove police station.
I later felt greatly privileged when they invited me out to play golf with them, even though I had no experience in the sport “How hard could it be?” I thought
So I bought some clubs especially for the round and headed off to the Highercombe Golf & Country Club
I produced my best possible golf swing but all it did was draw raucous laughter from the crowd of off-duty cops You see, I missed the ball time and time again After a while, even I was laughing at my lack of prowess; and I came to understand that golf isn’t that easy.
Far from embarrassing it was a lot of fun and a great way to get to know Police Credit Union members
Anyway, if you see a bloke in your station meal room talking about home loans and handing out Tim Tams, that’ll be me
As the Police Credit Union personal banker, I provide specific and exclusive products to police officers; and I visit police, in person, all over the state. My work has allowed me the privilege of getting to know great people and personalities among police It has also reinforced the great respect I already had for police and the tough job they do – society’s toughest job in my view
So, if you see me at your station please come and chat, ask me about a home loan, or just take a Tim Tam I’ll take it as a privilege to meet you.
Above right: Glenn Lewis, Personal Banker, Police Credit Union
These ongoing golf days, as well as sponsorships and other initiatives, have given me great opportunities to help our members, support police initiatives and, even better, form lasting friendships
Just recently I watched one of our members, Brevet Sgt Andrew “Spud” Murphy, play his 800th police basketball game in the Police Credit Union Cup
I congratulated him on this great achievement; and it was inspiring to see the level of respect his police colleagues afforded him. The camaraderie was palpable
To contact Personal Banker Glenn Lewis call 0421 243 741 or e-mail glewis@police.sa.gov.au
Police Credit Union Ltd ABN 30 087 651 205 AFSL/Australian Credit Licence 238991. Terms, conditions, fees, charges, membership and lending criteria apply. Full details upon request. Offer may be varied at any time.
Free Legal Service for Police Association Members, Their Families & Retired Members.
Leading Adelaide law firm, Tindall Gask Bentley is the preferred legal service provider of the Police Association, offering 30 minutes of free initial advice and a 10% fee discount.
To arrange a preliminary in-person or phone appointment contact PASA on (08) 8212 3055
INJURY COMPENSATION
• Motor accident injury compensation
• Workers compensation
• Public liability
• Superannuation claims (TPD)
FAMILY & DIVORCE
Matrimonial, De Facto & Same Sex Relationships
• Children’s Issues
• Child Support matters
• Property Settlements
• “Pre Nuptial” style Agreements
BUSINESS & PROPERTY
• General business advice
• Real estate & property advice
• Business transactions
• Commercial disputes & dispute resolution
WILLS & ESTATES
• Wills & Testamentary Trusts
• Enduring Powers of Attorney
• Advance Care Directive
• Advice to executors of deceased estates
• Obtaining Grants of Probate
• Estate disputes
Michael Arras Rosemary Caruso
Adelaide
Reynella
Salisbury
Mt Barker
Murray Bridge Gawler
Pt Lincoln
Whyalla
Perth (WA)
Darwin (NT)
Gary Allison Richard Yates
Wendy Barry Dina Paspaliaris
Giles Kahl Michael Arras
L Legal
Sam Hooper, Associate, Tindall Gask Bentley Lawyers
Legal support needed most after critical incidents
For Police Association members on the front line, “critical incidents” are accepted as part and parcel of the job Deaths in custody, fatalities during the course of or following pursuit driving, or hostile situations resulting in injuries to civilians or police are sadly commonplace.
When these stressful incidents occur it is not just the “bad guys” who might need legal assistance
When a critical incident occurs, the Police Association is notified by either those at the scene, the initial responders, or the police communications centre
It is at this point that the association contacts Tindall Gask Bentley Lawyers and an appropriate response is determined.
In the event of a death in custody or a pursuit-related death, Major Crime or Major Crash will attend the scene, followed closely by SAPOL’s Internal Investigations Section
While the majority of critical incidents does not involve suspected criminality by members, it is critical that all investigations are conducted properly, efficiently and with full oversight from the appropriate investigating body
It is routine for the IIS to investigate an incident to determine whether a breach of discipline or other unsatisfactory conduct has occurred, if only to satisfy themselves that no breach has in fact occurred
It is in members’ best interests that, when a critical incident occurs, legal advice is sought at the earliest opportunity Protecting members’ rights and interests is paramount in these situations.
Failing to do so can result in problems for members later on if a breach of discipline is alleged. As members know from conducting their own criminal investigations, good legal advice provided early is critical so that the member preserves his or her position from the start
TGB lawyers regularly attend the scenes of critical incidents and are familiar with what is required Our role is to advise members in relation to their rights and obligations on the one hand, and ensure investigators are complying with the law on the other. Ensuring adherence to process and procedure during a critical incident is vital to protecting members This can include participation in alcohol- or drug-testing protocols or interviews under a criminal caution or a disciplinary interview
It is quite common for Major Crash or Major Crime to make their position clear early in regard to whether or not they hold concerns about member conduct and their intended pathway of investigation.
This might involve an interview at the time of the incident or shortly after, or the request and provision of witness
statements in the days that follow. Normally a member’s involvement will end here.
Legal advice at this time ensures members’ protection while an attending lawyer often becomes a quasi-support person during what is often a traumatic time for members
It is important, for example, that a member who has been involved in a critical incident is in a fit state to participate in an interview
Regardless of how big or small the matter, or whether a member is directly or indirectly involved, it is imperative that all members get equal treatment and are provided advice consistent with their rights and obligations as both individuals and police officers
As a member, you should understand that if a lawyer assists you during a critical incident, or in its aftermath, it does not mean you have done something wrong or there is cause for concern.
It is also important to note that a death in custody must be reported to the coroner for investigation Usually this will involve the convening of an inquest, which normally occurs a few years later
TGB lawyers are regularly engaged to advise and assist members through this process in instances in which the Crown elects not to represent members.
For TGB, prior involvement and awareness of the matter at the time of the incident is a benefit to members in the event they are called before the coroner
As a member, you should understand that if a lawyer assists you during a critical incident, or in its aftermath, it does not mean you have done something wrong or there is cause for concern It is our role to support members and protect their interests when we are needed most.
Tindall Gask Bentley’s Samuel Joyce, Sam Hooper and Luke Officer are on standby at all times, day or night, to assist Police Association members involved in critical incidents.
Tindall Gask Bentley Lawyers provides free initial advice through a legal advisory service to Police Association members and their families, and retired members. To make an appointment, members should contact the association (8212 3055).
Tindall
Gask Bentley offers association members and their immediate family members a 10% discount on their wills.
Don’t Let Go
Michel Bussi
Hachette Australia, RRP $29 99
A man’s wife goes missing He didn’t kill her so why is he acting so guilty?
The scene is an idyllic resort on the island of Reunion. Martial and Liane Bellion are enjoying the perfect moment with their six-year-old daughter Turquoise skies, clear water, palm trees, a warm breeze…
Then Liane Bellion disappears She went up to her hotel room between 3pm and 4pm and never came back
When the room is opened, it is empty, but there is blood everywhere An employee of the hotel claims to have seen Martial in the corridor during that crucial hour
Then Martial also disappears, along with his daughter An all-out manhunt is declared across the island But is Martial really his wife’s killer? And, if he isn’t, why does he appear to be so guilty?
Win a book or in-season movie pass!
For your chance to win one of the books or an in-season pass to one of the films (courtesy of Palace Nova Eastend Cinemas) featured in this issue, send your name, location, phone number and despatch code, along with the book and/or film of your choice to giveaways@pj.asn.au
The 7:2:1 Plan
Tim Robards
MacMillan, RRP $34 99
The 7:2:1 Plan is Tim Robards’ trialled and tested method of combining fitness and flexibility with eating 70% super clean, 20% sensible and 10% relaxed for a nutritionally balanced lifestyle.
Robards was taught the importance of holistic health and wellbeing from an early age In studying physiology and through his own life experience, he has learnt the importance of keeping balance and the benefits of “preventative health”
Working for many years as a personal trainer, rehab provider and chiropractor, Robards’ passion is not just treating people’s pain, but inspiring and mentoring people to a new level of health Robards does not believe in counting calories Instead, he goes back to nutrition basics to help you form simple and sustainable eating practices based on your individual needs
Love Like Blood
Mark Billingham
Hachette Australia, RRP $29 99
Testimony
Scott Turow
Mantle, RRP $29 99
Four hundred dead! Only one witness!
Bill ten Boom has walked out on everything: his career, his wife, even his country. Invited to become a prosecutor at The Hague’s International Criminal Court, it was a chance to start afresh.
But when his first case is to examine the disappearance of 400 Roma refugees – an apparent war crime left unsolved for 10 years – it’s clear this new life won’t be easy
Rumours have the perpetrators ranging from Serb paramilitaries to the US Army, but there’s no hard evidence to hold either accountable, and only a single witness to say it happened at all
To get to the truth, Boom must question the integrity of every person linked to the case, from Layton Merriwell, a disgraced US major-general, to flirtatious barrister Esma Czarni
DI Tom Thorne and DI Nicola Tanner investigate a series of brutal killings in London
A bloody message…
As Tanner investigates what appears to be a series of organized killings, her partner Susan is brutally murdered, leaving the detective bereft and vengeful
A powerful ally…
Taken off the case, Tanner enlists the help of Thorne to pursue a pair of ruthless killers and the broker handing out the deadly contracts
A conspiracy of silence…
As the killers target their latest victim, Thorne takes the biggest risk of his career and is drawn into a horrifying world in which families will do anything to protect their honour
The Collapsing Empire
John Scalzi Tor UK, RRP $19 99
Does the biggest threat lie within?
In the far future, humanity has left Earth to create a glorious empire Now this interstellar network of worlds faces disaster But can three individuals save their people?
The empire’s outposts are utterly dependent on each other for resources, a safeguard against war, and a way its rulers can exert control.
This relies on extra-dimensional pathways between the stars, connecting worlds But “The Flow” is changing course, which could plunge every colony into fatal isolation
A scientist will risk his life to inform the empire’s ruler. A scion of a Merchant House stumbles upon conspirators seeking power. And the new Empress of the Interdependency must battle lies, rebellion and treason.
Yet, as they work to save a civilization on the brink of collapse, others have very different plans
Parting Shot
Linwood Barclay
Hachette Australia, RRP $29 99
If you made a mistake that took someone’s life you’d remember it – wouldn’t you?
After a tragedy rocks the community of Promise Falls, Cal Weaver is asked to investigate the threats being made against the accused’s family
He’s heard all about Jeremy on the news: the young man who drank too much, stole a Porsche and killed a girl, and who claimed afterward not to remember a single thing
It seems an open-and-shut case but, for reasons he can’t explain, Weaver accepts the job But he soon finds himself caught up in a vicious revenge plot, and it’s only a matter of time before threats turn into action.
War for The Planet of the Apes
Season commences July 27
In War for The Planet of the Apes, the third chapter of the critically acclaimed blockbuster franchise, Caesar and his apes are forced into a deadly conflict with an army of humans led by a ruthless colonel
After the apes suffer unimaginable losses, Caesar wrestles with his darker instincts and begins his own mythic quest to avenge his kind
As the journey finally brings them face to face, Caesar and the colonel are pitted against each other in an epic battle that will determine the fate of both their species and the future of the planet
War for The Planet of the Apes stars Woody Harrelson, Judy Greer and Andy Serkis
The Circle
Season
commences
July 13
The Circle is a gripping modern thriller starring Emma Watson, Tom Hanks, and John Boyega . When Mae (Emma Watson) is hired to work for the world’s largest and most powerful tech and social media company, she sees it as an opportunity of a lifetime
As she rises through the ranks, the company's founder, Eamon Bailey (Tom Hanks) encourages her to engage in a groundbreaking experiment that pushes the boundaries of privacy, ethics and, ultimately, her personal freedom
Her participation in the experiment, and every decision she makes, begins to affect the lives and future of her friends, family and that of humanity.
Atomic Blonde
Season commences August 3
A high-stakes, global actionthriller, Atomic Blonde takes place in the city of Berlin, on the eve of the Wall’s collapse and the shifting of superpower alliances
Charlize Theron (Mad Max: Fury Road ) portrays Lorraine Broughton, a top-level MI6 spy who is dispatched to Berlin to take down a ruthless espionage ring that has just killed an undercover agent for reasons unknown
She is ordered to co-operate with Berlin station chief David Percival (James McAvoy, X-Men), and the two form an uneasy alliance, unleashing their full arsenal of skills in pursuing a threat that jeopardizes the West’s entire intelligence operation
May 23, 1944: as tensions mount in the 48 hours preceding D-Day, the now-beleaguered Prime Minister Winston Churchill (Brian Cox, The Bourne Supremacy), must prepare a final attempt to crush Hitler’s encroaching army
With the entire war effort ultimately hinging on this decision, the stakes have never been higher.
As the wartime leader clashes with his generals, tension builds with the Americans, and Churchill must wrestle his inner demons in order to navigate the Allies to victory
Directed by Jonathan Teplitzky, Churchill stars Miranda Richardson and John Slattery
Churchill
Season commences June 8
MEMBER EVENTS 2016 - 2017
US TODAY!
JOIN US TODAY!
becoming a Winestate Member you will receive one complimentary all of our events listed below upon request!* the Year 2016’
By becoming a Winestate Member you will receive one complimentary ticket to all of our events listed below upon request!*
APRIL 2017
Winestate ‘Wine of the Year 2016’ Subscribers Tasting
- National Wine Centre Adelaide 6pm – 8.30pm June 2016)
Centre Adelaide 6pm – 8.30pm Year Awards Lunch Queenstown (NZ) Non-Subscribers - NZD$180 p/p
WINESTATE MAGAZINE MEMBER EVENTS 2016 - 2017
NZ - Wine of the Year Awards Lunch 2016 - Gantleys of Queenstown (NZ) Subscribers - NZD$95 p/p, Non-Subscribers - NZD$180 p/p
Convention Centre (Trade only) Hyatt Regency Hotel, Riverside Ballroom
ADELAIDE - Cabernet & Bordeaux tasting Friday 7th April 2017 - National Wine Centre Adelaide (Tickets available early 2017)
APRIL 2017
Italy - Wines of Australia - Vinitaly 9 -12 April, 2017 - Veronafiere, Verona, (Italy) Contact sales@winestate.com.au regarding tickets (Tickets available early 2017)
JOIN US TODAY!
Italy - Wines of Australia - Vinitaly 9 -12 April, 2017 - Veronafiere, Verona, (Italy) Contact sales@winestate.com.au regarding tickets (Tickets available early 2017)
MAY 2017
By becoming a Winestate Member you will receive one complimentary ticket to all of our events listed below upon request!*
- Adelaide Convention Centre (Trade only)
SEPTEMBER 2016
MAY 2017
ADELAIDE - World’s Greatest Shiraz Challenge XII Friday 26th May 2017 - National Wine Centre Adelaide (Tickets available early 2017)
ADELAIDE - World’s Greatest Shiraz Challenge XII
APRIL 2017
Friday 26th May 2017 - National Wine Centre Adelaide (Tickets available early 2017)
ADELAIDE - Winestate ‘Wine of the Year 2016’
SEPTEMBER 2017
Subscribers Tasting
SEPTEMBER 2017
2 September 2016 - National Wine Centre Adelaide 6pm – 8.30pm (Tickets available June 2016)
NOVEMBER 2016
ADELAIDE - Winestate Wine of the Year Australia & NZ Friday 1st September 2017 - National Wine Centre Adelaide (Tickets available mid 2017)
ADELAIDE - Winestate Wine of the Year Australia & NZ
ADELAIDE - Cabernet & Bordeaux tasting Friday 7th April 2017 - National Wine Centre Adelaide (Tickets available early 2017)
APRIL 2017
Friday 1st September 2017 - National Wine Centre Adelaide (Tickets available mid 2017)
QUEENSTOWN NZ - Wine of the Year Awards Lunch
* This applies to paid members only, on a first in/first served basis. Numbers strictly limited. 12/05/2016 1:34:24 PM
* This applies to paid members only, on a first in/first served basis. Numbers strictly limited.
Italy - Wines of Australia - Vinitaly 9 -12 April, 2017 - Veronafiere, Verona, (Italy) Contact sales@winestate.com.au regarding tickets (Tickets available early 2017)
1:34:24 PM
MAY 2017
ADELAIDE - World’s Greatest Shiraz Challenge XII Friday 26th May 2017 - National Wine Centre Adelaide (Tickets available early 2017)
Criminal Minds Shiraz
Screw cap 14% alc RRP $18
Byrne Vineyards
Norwood, South Australia www byrnevineyards com au
This is a Shiraz of arresting style, lingering on the palate with deep berry fruits and complexity
The persistent length gives a well-structured finish to the wine. It is a fine cohort with savoury dishes.
Best Value Buys: Winestate magazine 2016
Criminal Minds Chardonnay
Screw cap 13 5% alc RRP $18
This refreshing Chardonnay is smooth and full-bodied. The ripe peach and plush citrus fruits are balanced with creamy vanillin oak. Bright and vibrant, it finishes dry for a clean getaway
Best Value Buys: Winestate magazine 2016
Criminal Minds Semillon Sauvignon Blanc
Screw cap 12% alc RRP $18
These partners in crime are more successful when together Semillon is the hard-working collaborator while Sauvignon Blanc provides the zesty distraction and dramatic flair
Serve chilled for a refreshing palate of tropical fruits and citrus lift It has a persistent and dry finish
This is proudly a vegan-friendly wine
Criminal Minds Cabernet Merlot
Screw cap 14. 5% alc RRP $18
This is a wine worth breaking out for It’s the perfect partnership: Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot
Enjoy this full-bodied wine, stuffed with characters of blueberries, plums and blackcurrant, with visitors and saucy helpings
DETECTIVES’ LUNCH IN RECOGNITION OF RICH HISTORY, ONGOING SERVICE
More than 1,500 SA police officers have attained detective designation since 1854. Serving and retired detectives have established a regular celebration of that history as well as ongoing service.
The next luncheon is scheduled for 12:30pm on Friday, July 21, 2017 at the Police Club.
Choose from three meals: Lamb Shank served with mashed potato and gravy, Atlantic Salmon Steak with roasted herb chat potatoes and hollandaise sauce or Butter Chicken served with scented rice and minted yoghurt. All dishes accompanied with fresh seasonal vegetables to share plus the option of freshly brewed coffee or tea.
Please purchase your tickets in advance | Cost: $30.00
Book online at www.trybooking.com/141018 or speak to Police Club staff for further information
Police Club High Tea
Join Channel 7’s Amelia Mulcahy for High Tea and the latest fashions by Aqua Boutique
Includes: High Tea lunch, complimentary glass of bubbles, fashion, lucky squares, raffle and more … Friday, September 22, 12pm – 3pm Tickets $50.00
Book online: www.trybooking.com/146601 For more information: Police Association (08) 8212 3055
The Last Shift
Matthew Argent
Peter Cobb
Phil Downs
Nick Gray
Wolfgang Unglaube
Senior Constable 1C
Peter Cobb
Escort Section
32 years’ service Last Day: 29.03.17
Comments…
“Thanks to the association, friends and colleagues It has been an adventure ”
Senior Constable 1C
Matthew Argent
Mount Barker Police Station
25 years’ service Last Day: 30.06.17
Comments…
“To those who show up religiously for every shift and still actually enjoy catching crooks, I commend you and hope that you continue to enjoy your work into the future
“Having had a taste of the other end of the justice system in a nineto-five job, where I can have meaningful input into the system at a management level, I have decided that policing is better left to others.
“I thank those colleagues I have worked with during my time with SAPOL, especially those in Hills Fleurieu LSA where I spent the majority of my time
“Their camaraderie is one of the things I will definitely miss They have made a hard job bearable
“Remember to keep your sense of humour After all, if you can’t have fun then what’s the point?”
Brevet Sergeant
Nick Gray
Transit Intelligence
12 years’ service Last Day: 06.04 .17
Comments…
“As an original UK member from March 2005, I thank the association for its support, particularly the negotiations that led to recognition of previous service
“I wish all friends and colleagues all the best for the future ”
Senior Constable 1C
Phil Downs
Glenelg Police Station
43 years’ service Last Day: 24 06 17
Comments…
“I am grateful to and thank the Police Association for all its assistance along my 43 years of service
“I now pass into another phase of life and take with me some good and some not-so-good memories
“I wish everyone well for the future as it is not getting better out there ”
Senior Constable Wolfgang Unglaube
Western Adelaide LSA
32 years’ service Last Day: 30 07 17
Comments…
“I commend the Police Association for all its efforts over the years in respect of improvement to working conditions, excellent pay and the welfare of all association members.
“I thank everyone who I’ve been fortunate enough to have worked with. I extend my appreciation and gratitude for their assistance, friendship and humour during my time with SAPOL
“I leave this job with countless memories and I hold the highest respect for those who work within it ”
Top: Wolfgang (front row second from left) with colleagues in the 1980s ready to take part in a march from the old police barracks to the newly opened Police Museum; centre: Swearing in (right) on graduation day in 1985; above and above right: Wolfgang was on the end of a practical joke when his colleagues dressed up his 1968 Volkswagon Beetle as a police car
Graduates' Dinner: Course
1:
3:
4:
6:
7:
1: Graduates give the thumbs-up before the parade
2: Kayla Johnson delivers a speech on behalf of the course
3: Graduates line up on the parade ground
4:
5: Graduates swearing the oath
7: Commissioner Grant Stevens inspects the course
8: Graduates toss their caps into the air after dismissal
9: Siblings Laura and Brett Girardi
10:
11:
coursemate after dismissal
Bethany Fawcett
6: Madeline Wishart
Nadia Santucci congratulates a
Laura and Jody Koerner
12: Kayla Johnson, Nicole Finlay and Charlotte Pagh
Cops' Creatures
SENIOR CONSTABLE
Mother and daughter love
the
creature but dad – Sergeant Darren Watkins – would never have voted in favour of a pet rabbit?
TW: Albie is Sarah’s rabbit. Sarah, who loves animals, found him online and I liked him as much as she did We knew Darren would talk her out of getting a rabbit, so we decided to bring him home while Darren was stuck in Cambodia for a week after his passport was stolen. How could he send a cute baby ball of fluff back when we’d already brought him home?
SW: I really wanted an animal of my own, not just the family dog, cat, frog, cows, chickens, horses and sheep. And who doesn’t like animals that stay looking like babies? After some research and gumtree surfing, I found a breeder in Hallett Cove that had dwarf baby rabbits and it was love at first sight . So, I took it upon myself to sneakily bring him home
SW: Albie definitely rules the roost in the house and has some serious attitude problems towards the cat. He’ll grunt and chase the cat sometimes but, when the cat stands up to him, the dog is there to protect Albie . Mum wouldn’t let me take Albie to Port Augusta when I was posted there – she’s way too attached to him, and he definitely has a soft spot for her
TRUDY WATKINS (DNA Management), PROBATIONARY CONSTABLE SARAH WATKINS (Port Augusta) and NETHERLAND
DWARF RABBIT ALBIE
TW: He definitely likes me the most, probably because I spend the most time with him and, of course, because I feed him. Albie’s not a needy pet that needs to be walked or patted or played with He’s independent He prefers to be next to you rather than being held He likes to be patted but will hop away when he’s had enough .
SW: One of my best memories of Albie was when mum was doing the weekly “pluck”. When he moults, she sits there for ages gently removing his fur True love! We had visitors over and mum was a bit sweaty on her face Suddenly, all of the fur from Albie started drifting up and sticking to mum’s face It was a rather hilarious moment .
TW: As an indulgence, Albie gets three almonds and three sultanas when it’s bed time – as a bribe to get him into his cage. He also loves a slice of banana but only after he’s eaten his greens I’ll be devastated when Albie dies, but that should be a while off yet The life expectancy of the breed is seven to 10 years
“We knew Darren would talk her out of getting a rabbit, so we decided to bring him home while Darren was stuck in Cambodia for a week … How could he send a cute baby ball of fluff back when we’d already brought him home?”
