Police Journal Summer 2024

SUMMER 2024

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No greater loss

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AKERS CISION-M WHEN DE RONGd W O S IT T nee GE we urgently selves t’ll do when d tha then find our “A lot of goo city … We’ll minute cers in the six- or sevenmounted offi loss of the enting the barracks.” seriously lam response from

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Members’ Buying Guide The Police Association Members Buying Guide offers members and their families massive exclusive discounts on a wide range of goods and services.

The easiest way to access all the discount codes is to join the private Facebook Group at facebook.com/groups/membersBuyingGuide

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brettwilliams@pj.asn.au

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Brett Williams

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o day is more gut-wrenching for the police family than when one of its members loses his or her life in the line of duty.

And that gut-wrench rolls into weeks, months, and even years for those closest to the fallen.

Before the killing of Brevet Sergeant Jason Doig in November, SA police officers had not had to confront the loss of one of their own for more than 21 years. So, the task of absorbing the raw impact of an on-duty police death came as an unwelcome first for hundreds of members.

Some of Jason’s old workmates, who already knew about that impact from earlier SA police deaths, still took his death pretty hard. But the decency and humanity they saw in Jason was a story they wanted to tell the Police Journal.

One of those workmates was Senior Sergeant Simon Nappa, whose reputation is also that of a humanitarian. He has come to notice in the last few years for his work with footy players in the SANFL Inclusive League. And he had good reason to take on the role of coach.

The Dog Operations Section turned 50 in September and rightly celebrated with a formal dinner. We found out about the beginnings of the section from one of its first 10 members and relived some outstanding jobs with him and two serving members.

Dr Rod Pearce looks at the damage which illicit drugs like cocaine, ecstasy and meth cause; lawyer Hanna Rogers considers the presumption of innocence and the onus on prosecutors to prove charges; Jim Barnett road-tests the Toyota Corolla and Nissan X-Trail.

Police Association president Mark Carroll pays special tribute to Jason Doig and remembers the bravery of brevet sergeants Ian Todd and Jordan Allely.

And, in Jobs you never forget, Millicent senior constable Tanya Payne outlines what she discovered on the scene of a double murder.

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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: White-gloved police officers march alongside the hearse carrying Jason Doig’s coffin as the cortege begins from the Adelaide Convention Centre.

Photography by Josh McCawley.

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President

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Industrial

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Health

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Motoring

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Wine

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Legal

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District Support Section senior sergeant Simon Nappa was never going to turn down a request to coach a SANFL Inclusive League team.

Books

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Cinema

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DVDs

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On Scene

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The Last Shift

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Jobs you never forget

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A decent, humble bloke who paid with his life

Summer 2024

Police Association

Good reasons to reject illicit drugs

Toyota GR Corolla Nissan X-Trail

Presumption of innocence a genuine protection

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No greater loss

The police family remains in mourning after the final farewell to Lucindale brevet sergeant Jason Doig, killed in the line of duty.

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Always the helper

50 years of Dog Ops

So many apprehensions and detections over all those years that one can only imagine how many crooks would have escaped justice without our extraordinary police dogs.

Summer 2024

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COMMITTEE Julian Snowden

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Chris Walkley

Craig Terlikowski

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Bernadette Zimmermann Secretary

Wade Burns Deputy President

Police Association of South Australia Level 2, 27 Carrington St, Adelaide SA 5000 www.pasa.asn.au

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Michael Kent Treasurer

P: (08) 8212 3055 (all hours) E: pasa@pasa.asn.au Membership enquiries: (08) 8112 7988

Daryl Mundy Vice-President

PRESIDENT Leonie Schulz

Trevor Milne

ADMINISTRATION

FINANCE

Sarah Stephens Executive Secretary

Wendy Kellett Finance Officer

Mark Carroll

Samanda Brain

Anthony Coad

POLICE JOURNAL

INDUSTRIAL Andrew Heffernan Member Liaison Officer

Nadia Goslino Member Liaison Officer

Steven Whetton Assistant Secretary

Brett Williams Editor

MEDIA AND COMMUNICATIONS Nicholas Damiani

Summer 2024

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Police Association of South Australia

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

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

DELEGATES & WORKPLACE REPRESENTATIVES Metro North Branch Gawler Golden Grove Holden Hill Northern Prosecution

Andrew Wearn Darren Quirk Daniel Guzej Tim Pfeiffer

Country North Branch Ceduna Kadina Nuriootpa Peterborough Port Augusta Port Lincoln Port Pirie Whyalla

Anthony Taylor Gavin Moore Andrew Dredge Nathan Paskett Peter Hore Mark Heading Gavin Mildrum Paul Velthuizen

Crime Command Branch Adelaide Elizabeth Intel Support Major Crime Major Crime Port Adelaide South Coast

Jeremy Handley Joel Manson Garran Donnellan Phil Buttfield David Marsh Scott Mitchell Luke Watts

Metro South Branch Christies Beach/Aldinga Gary Craggs Hindley Street Dick Hern Netley Paul Clark Southern Prosecution Sallie McArdell Southern Traffic Joshua O’Dwyer

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Country South Branch Adelaide Hills Berri Millicent Mount Gambier Naracoorte Renmark South Coast

Joe McDonald Tamara Day Tanya Payne Robert Martin Simon Haebich James Bentley Andrew Bradley

Operations Support Branch Dog Ops Academy ACB Band ComCen ComCen Human Resources Human Resources Mounted Ops STAR Operations State Tac/Op Mandrake

Bryan Whitehorn (chair) Melanie Smith Tony Boots Adam Buckley Glenys Moriarty Allan Dalgleish Eugene Wasilenia Kerry Rouse Sonia Wellings Craig Murphy Duncan Gerrie

Officers Branch

Andrew McCracken

Women’s Branch

Kayt Howe (chair) (no delegates)

Critical Incident Response Industrial staff on call 24/7 and ready to support you

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Working for you P: (08) 8212 3055 (all hours) www.pasa.asn.au

PRESIDENT Mark Carroll

A decent, humble bloke who paid with his life T

he National Police Memorial wall of remembrance features a number of blank plaques. And they stay blank until the next police officer loses his or her life. Then, on one of them, an engraver inscribes a new name.

If only there was no need for this practice. But there is, and the next inscription will detail the death of 53-year-old SA police officer Brevet Sergeant Jason Doig.

Jason, killed in the line of duty, was a son, a brother and a workmate to many.

His alleged murder ended a run of 21 years without the on-duty death of an SA police officer.

In the 34 years he served, Jason worked closely with many of his colleagues. One of them, who worked with him back in 1994, recently reflected on his time with him as a patrol partner.

“He was just this decent, humble bloke, so likeable and accommodating,” the colleague said. “I couldn’t have asked for a better partner. He just went about his job, was slow to anger, and had that genuine sense of service to others.”

Jason and colleagues Sergeant Michael Hutchinson and Constable Rebekah Cass attended a property near Bordertown on November 16.

They had gone there to investigate an earlier incident, but an exchange of gunfire left Jason dead, Michael seriously injured, and Rebekah deeply and understandably traumatized. It was a horror hard to believe and it shocked us all.

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Reports of the courage which Jason and Sergeant Hutchinson showed under fire, and the critical input Rebekah Cass contributed, make us duly proud and humble.

Reports of the courage which Jason and Sergeant Hutchinson showed under fire, and the critical input Rebekah Cass contributed, make us duly proud and humble.

Policing exacts its pound of flesh from each one of us who embraces the profession. Even now, weeks later, we are still gutted and hurting, as a union and as individuals.

But we stand tall as a collective and absorb the cruel, punishing blows police life lands on us. We hold the line and help each other through the darkest times. That is the essence of the police family.

Of course, every operational police officer has to face and accept the reality that, out on the front line, he or she could die a violent death. It is the greatest dread of police work.

And no surprise that, when it happens, it shatters the family that loses its precious parent, child, spouse or sibling. It breaks the collective heart of the nation’s police. It robs the community of another protector.

TV personality Eddie McGuire made that observation in a 2011 interview with the Police Journal. “When a police officer is attacked or murdered, that is an attack on the community; it’s an attack on me personally and on my family,” he said.

McGuire was right in his interpretation. We know it to be true because we live and operate in the real world. And, as police, we understand the realities of our job.

The need now, for Jason’s family and friends, is to find the path that will eventually lead them out of the bleakness of their crippling grief.

We, as a community, owe them our acknowledgement and unconditional support.

It is not enough to just have them in our thoughts, or just say we have them in our thoughts. Words don’t assuage anyone’s pain, not the excruciating pain of a loss like this.

But we stand tall as a collective and absorb the cruel, punishing blows police life lands on us.

We hold the line and help each other through the darkest times.

That is the essence of the police family.

The funeral cortege for Jason Doig sets out from the Adelaide Convention Centre.

But it is Jason to whom we owe the greatest debt and who we must honour, and with actions rather than words.

We laid Jason to rest in December. For him and his loved ones, this came far too soon. There is nothing fair or just about the means or prematurity of his death.

But I suspect that, were he able to speak now, his request would be: “Don’t worry about me. Just look out for my family, friends and workmates.”

And that, Jason, we will.

Bravery abounds No one has forgotten how brevet sergeants Ian Todd and Jordan Allely both ended up in hospital with stab injuries after they attended a Crystal Brook property in May 2023. Their situation came as yet another stark reminder of how inherently dangerous police work is for every front-line member, every day.

Ian and Jordan were following up on an earlier report of a disturbance when the occupant of the property allegedly attacked them.

Ian, with stab wounds to his neck, arm and hands, was left with critical, life-threatening injuries. Jordan sustained stab wounds to his leg and arm.

The incident headlined news bulletins all around the country for days, and the association and its members were as worried as they could be about the survival of their two colleagues.

Indeed, the injuries Ian had suffered were so significant that his chance of surviving them was, at the outset, uncertain.

Naturally, the days and weeks that followed this violent incident were filled with intense stress for these two officers and their families.

We are just grateful that both Ian and Jordan survived the attack, although both will still have to deal with the ongoing physical and mental burden.

The association has provided – and will continue to provide – support to these courageous members and their families.

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No greater loss

BY BRETT WILLIAMS

He cared about everyone, spoke ill of no one, and contributed to every good endeavour. Now fallen, Jason Doig still draws the gratitude of the communities he served and the respect of police around the nation.

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“Doigy was a genuinely caring police officer who truly loved the job.”

f the world was full of Jasons, there would be no wars. That was the unequivocal statement of an old patrol partner of Brevet Sergeant Jason Doig.

It stemmed from the time Police Association assistant secretary Steve Whetton had worked with him at Unley patrols in the 1990s.

“He was quiet, unassuming and never said a bad word against anybody,” Whetton says. “He was completely inoffensive, never took a wrong step and was the ultimate professional.

Jason cared for victims and always made sure the job was done to a 100 per cent standard.”

It was after he woke to a 1:30am phone call that Whetton got word that his old teammate had died in a shooting incident near Bordertown.

When he, in turn, called another old teammate from those Unley days, he could see the immediate impact of the loss of “Doigy”. “(Former senior constable) Rob Paterson was extremely upset and

probably hadn’t seen Jason in a long time,” Whetton says. “It made me realize how much we all really liked Jason and always had the greatest respect for him.”

Paterson remembers that, when it came to Doigy, “there wasn’t anything he wouldn’t do to help anyone”.

So many examples of the Doig character remain firmly in his memory.

One story he tells is of the time Doigy cautioned a juvenile for possession of cannabis. The offender, who struck Paterson and Doigy as not such a bad kid, became upset and even teary.

The option was there for one of the officers to call the parents and simply inform them of the caution, but it did not play out that way.

1. Jason out in the community.

“Jason took the lad home to sit with him and his parents to discuss it (the caution) in a way that reassured them all,” Paterson recalls. “Several shifts later, he dropped in on them again to see how the lad was going.

“Then, three weeks later, when we were on afternoons again, he called ahead and dropped in on the family again to check on their welfare.”

Doigy displayed that same abundant generosity of his when he and Paterson responded to a housebreak, where the victim was a distressed elderly woman.

She had no family in Adelaide, so Doigy decided that he and Paterson would stay with her a while.

“Jason called for fingerprints to be done as a priority over other jobs.”

Paterson recalls. “That was so we could then get hammers, timber and nails from a neighbour to secure the property for her once it had been dusted.

“The next day, when we were meant to have a day off, Jason made sure that arrangements were made for proper repairs to be done that day. We then dropped in for a chat and cup of tea when we returned to shift after our days off.”

For all his compassion and charity, Doigy was never afraid to impose himself physically when it came to violent offenders. But Paterson remembers that, even then, his partner always treated those offenders with respect once contained and arrested.

Even on the journey to, and once at, the City Watch House, he engaged them in conversation about their troubles.

“There are so many such examples (of his genuine care),” Paterson says.

“Doigy was a genuinely caring police officer who truly loved the job.”

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Senior Sergeant Simon Nappa had his last brief catch-up with Doigy a few years ago during COVID-19. He had worked closely with him at Port Lincoln in the late 1990s and cannot remember him ever raising his voice to anyone.

The two of them, along with others, spent much of their time off together four-wheel driving, fishing, exploring national parks, and playing indoor cricket.

“He (Doigy) came to Lincoln not knowing anyone and, the first year he was there, a few of us decided to do Bluey Day,” Nappa says.

“He jumped on board and did what he could to get funds raised and then got well and truly on board with the event itself.”

And Nappa remembers that, at work, on the front line, Doigy was “always there, always by your side, ready to back you up if things got heated”.

Yorketown brevet sergeant Mark Stuart remembers Doigy as “a gentle and extremely decent person”. He too knew and worked with him at Port Lincoln but caught up with him just months ago.

“You do lose track of people,” he says, “but it was the same Jason. I just don’t think he would ever have developed that cynicism that most of us do after time in the police.”

Stuart, Nappa and a few other workmates from those days took the loss of Doigy pretty hard. They had felt great affection for him.

Their coping strategy was simply to interact over the phone and by text messaging. Indeed, Nappa set up a text group just for that purpose.

Says Stuart: “We shared stories and thoughts over a few days to reminisce and reflect on what a decent guy he was.”

Of course, the impact of the loss of the highly regarded Doigy was evident throughout the entire Australian police community. Nappa, himself grief-stricken, saw it at the local level immediately after news of Doigy’s killing broke.

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“There was immense sadness,” he says. “It became apparent very quickly that Doigy had crossed paths with a lot of police officers and so his passing touched a lot of people.

“Everyone I spoke to was extremely saddened. And there was anger as well because no one deserves that (to die in a shooting).

He certainly didn't.”

Even at Lucindale, his last post, Doigy continued to make an impression. And none of his laudable character traits was ever lost on his boss, now former Limestone Coast LSA superintendent Campbell Hill.

“He was always respectful of rank,” Hill says, “but he just respected everyone. Whether it was our brand-new probationary constables, our fantastic unsworn staff in Limestone Coast, right through to whoever else he was dealing with.

As the ranks got higher, he just treated everybody the same.”

It was 2019 when Hill took up the post of Limestone Coast LSA operations inspector and first met Lucindale-based Doigy. He had much to do with him that year, as Lucindale had won the right to stage the Triple J One Night Stand concert.

And Hill remembers how extensively Doigy contributed to not only that event but also others like B&S balls and the Lucindale Field Days.

“He would want to work all day, go home, have some dinner, and then work all night,” Hill recalls.

“He wanted people to know that the police were there. He wanted to prevent (bad) things (from happening).”

Hill suspects that “people are struggling” not only with the loss of a colleague but also “the fact that it was Doigy”.

“In some way, we've all lost something through the loss of Jason,” he says. “Clearly (police work) was his calling.”

“There was immense sadness. … Doigy had crossed paths with a lot of police officers and so his passing touched a lot of people.”

2. Jason standing as local real estate agent Kev Ayliffe runs an auction for headshaving on Bluey Day. 3. In a patrol car after taking part in Bluey Day – Sean Evans, Gil Green, Simon Nappa and Jason.

4. The funeral cortege heads south on King Willam St toward the Torrens Parade Ground.

Doigy began his police life as a 19-yearold with Course 32 in 1989. After eight years on the metropolitan front line, working first out of Unley and then Christies Beach patrol bases, he transferred to Port Lincoln.

Two-and-a-half years later came a move to Cleve, where he served for seven years. Then, in 2007, the Limestone Coast tourist town of Robe became the next place in which Doigy excelled.

He took up what would be his last post as OC of Lucindale police station in 2011.

Shortly before midnight on November 16, Doigy and Bordertown colleagues Sergeant Michael Hutchinson and Constable Rebekah Cass attended a property at Senior, 30km north of Bordertown. The trio had gone there to investigate the reported shooting of a dog.

Jaydn Stimson, the 26-year-old occupant of the property, allegedly confronted the officers and fired on them, killing Doigy and wounding Hutchinson. Cass and the injured Hutchinson both tried to save Doigy but he died at the scene.

In a return of fire, Stimson sustained life-threatening injuries but survived.

He now faces charges of murder and attempted murder.

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Police Association president Mark Carroll issued a powerful statement just hours after Doigy’s death. He described the “collective heart of the nation’s police” as broken.

“Right now, it feels broken beyond repair,” he said. “This horror is what all of us in policing live in fear of – it is our dread, that one of us, or one of our workmates, has his or her life taken.

“Never should a police officer – committed to his duty, his colleagues, and his community – die in circumstances like these.

“Even though we understand the realities of our work, we hope against hope that a loss like this will never happen. But it does happen, as it did last night.

“We are gutted and hurting, as an organization and as individuals.

“But now, we have a duty, and that is to Jason’s family and friends, who likely see nothing but the bleakness of loss in their immediate future.”

Carroll pledged to help the family in any “meaningful, practical way” possible.

“… we've all lost something through the loss of Jason.

Clearly (police work) was his calling.”

Doigy was the 62nd SA police officer to die in the line of duty since 1847.

His was the first on-duty police death in 21 years. And, in 1985, Lyncon Williams was the last police officer killed by gunfire.

Doigy is survived by his mother, Faye, stepfather Robert, younger brothers, Brett and Greg, and sister-in-law, Beth.

The family accepted the offer of a full police funeral which took place at the Adelaide Convention Centre on December 4. After the service, Doigy’s fellow members of Course 32 and Limestone Coast workmates formed part of a guard of honour for a cortège along on North Terrace and King William St. Summer 2024

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The final farewell

BY NICHOLAS DAMIANI

P 1. Jason’s coffin, portrait and medals. 2. Melissa McCaig sings Amazing Grace.

3. Campbell Hill delivers his eulogy. 4. Members carry Jason’s coffin. 5. Members stand guard by the hearse ready to begin the cortege.

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olice Association members and the SA community offered their final goodbyes to fallen police officer Brevet Sergeant Jason Doig at a state funeral on Monday, December 4.

In a packed Adelaide Convention Centre auditorium, Superintendent Campbell Hill spoke of his time working alongside Jason, a dedicated Limestone Coast LSA member.

“Jason’s death has been met with an outpouring of sorrow extended not just from Lucindale … but widely across South Australia and, indeed, our nation,” Superintendent Hill said.

“He is a much-loved member of the Lucindale community. There’s nobody I can find who can ever pinpoint a time when he has spoken ill about anybody.

“Everybody who came into contact with tales of his exploits in the air, sea or land, it was almost a bit of a one-man special operations team if you asked him.

“And his role as a police officer was (only) half of it … he led such a rich life outside of his work.”

Superintendent Hill touched on an affectionate cartoon he had seen, which depicted Jason’s life perfectly.

“It was of a man, seemingly Jason, dressed in scuba gear, riding a bicycle, off a high-diving board, into a swimming pool,” he said.

“Everything all at once – which seemed to be his style.

“And (then), as a police officer, we’ve heard so much about his fair approach, his dependability.

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“He loved his town, and he loved his people – and he wanted them to be safe.

“His approach and dedication is something our younger country police officers and, indeed, all of our younger police officers should aspire to.”

Acting Commissioner Linda Williams told how the grief of losing Jason was especially devastating and widespread given that he was also a pillar of his local community.

“It was this team-first attitude and willingness to travel to assist (colleagues) that saw him attend the incident on that fateful night in November,” she said.

Brett Doig also eulogized his brother, saying that Jason “at 53, was not done yet”.

“His dedication to the community he served, and to the close friendships that he made, will be acutely evident to anyone who was fortunate enough to cross paths with him,” Brett said.

“He gave his knowledge and his time freely, and without any expectations.

“We, as a family, felt Jason’s care, generosity, love and thoughtfulness continue on, from his colleagues at SAPOL, as we try to navigate the most difficult of experiences.

“It is evident how (deep) Jason’s impact has been on those around him, by the way his policing family have shared with us their incredible care and compassion.

“I and my family could not be more appreciative.

“His dedication to the community he served, and to the close friendships that he made, will be acutely evident to anyone who was fortunate enough to cross paths with him.”

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“The various communities he served have also shown us how huge an influence he has had on them, by their amazing tributes and vigils.”

Peter Doig and Scott Macintyre also spoke about memories of their cousin, Jason, and read a letter from one his close friends, Tony.

The letter highlighted that Tony and Jason had planned to cross the Simpson Desert next year on their adventure bikes.

“Even though Jason will no longer take this journey with us, we will still be taking Jason with us in our thoughts,” the letter read.

Tony also wrote that Jason “became a part of our family and will always be remembered and remain with us in spirit and forever in our hearts”.

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Police band singer Constable Melissa McCaig performed Amazing Grace after police chaplain Pastor Mark Hann had offered prayers earlier in the service.

At the conclusion of the service, six officers lifted Jason’s coffin onto their shoulders and carried it out of the auditorium. As they positioned it into a waiting hearse, Police Association members formed a 1.1km guard of honour along North Tce and King William St. Present along with the hearse were the Band of the SA Police, mounted and motorcycle police, officers on foot wearing white gloves, and the riderless horse bearing Jason’s police cap.

That northern end of the city came to a standstill as members of the public going about their daily business stopped to pay their respects.

Others who attended the funeral were Governor Frances Adamson, Premier Peter Malinauskas, Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus (representing the prime minister), Police Association president Mark Caroll, Police Federation of Australia executives, Commissioner Grant Stevens and police commissioners from around the country, Limestone Coast LSA members and Jason’s fellow Course 32 members.

“It is evident how (deep) Jason’s impact has been on those around him, by the way his policing family have shared with us their incredible care and compassion.”

6. A guard of honour on North Terrace awaits the commencement of the cortege. 7. Motorcycle officers lead the cortege out of the Adelaide Convention Centre Plaza.

8. Members salute as the hearse passes on King William St. 9. The riderless horse led along King William St. 10. The cortege heads along King William St toward the Torrens Parade Ground.

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High regard from around the nation KARL DAVID President, Police Association Victoria

“The loss of Brevet Sergeant Jason Doig who was tragically killed on duty, trying to protect his community, serves as another poignant reminder of the fragility of our thin blue line right across the country.

“Brevet Sergeant Doig’s death follows similar tragedies in WA and Queensland to have befallen

the Australian police family within the past 12 months.

“The Victorian police family mourns Brevet Sergeant Doig’s senseless passing and extends its heartfelt condolences and solidarity to the entire SA police community as well as to Jason’s family and friends.”

SCOTT WEBER Chief Executive Officer, Police Federation of Australia

“The murder of Brevet Sergeant Jason Doig highlights again to all our 66,000 police members across the country the nature of their job. Every time we put on the uniform and kiss our loved ones goodbye, it might be the last time. We do this knowing that we may pay the ultimate sacrifice.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with Sergeant Doig’s family, colleagues, friends and the entire

Police Association of South Australia membership.

“Members have been devastated over the last year, with incidents in Queensland and Western Australia where members have been murdered.

South Australia has had a tragic couple of weeks, and we will be there to support our colleagues and friends. Hasten the dawn.”

KEVIN MORTON President, Police Association of New South Wales

“On behalf of the members of the PANSW, I express my sadness at the loss of Brevet Sergeant Jason Christopher Doig.

“With decades of service in uniform, we will not forget his unwavering commitment as one of the true protectors of the people of South Australia.

“We share our deepest condolences with his family, friends and colleagues.

“As a serving police officer, my thoughts remain with his colleagues, Sergeant Michael Hutchinson

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and Constable Rebekah Cass, who will uniquely process their grief attached to this tragedy.

We thank you both for your remarkable bravery and wish Sergeant Hutchinson a speedy recovery.

“I know that the extended police family across NSW shares these sentiments. The thoughts of the PANSW president, executive, staff and members are with our brothers and sisters in the South Australia Police and the Police Association of South Australia.

“We stand with you in unity and sorrow, always.”

NATHAN FINN President, Northern Territory Police Association

“On behalf of the Northern Territory Police Association and all members of the Northern Territory Police Force, I offer our sincere condolences to the family, friends, colleagues and entire South Australian police force following the tragic passing of Brevet Sergeant Jason Doig.

“Our thoughts are also with Sergeant Michael Hutchinson who was injured during the incident, and Constable Rebekah Cass.

“Brevet Sergeant Doig, we thank you for your unwavering service and dedication to the thin blue

line and pay tribute to the immeasurable sacrifice you have made to protect your community.

“It is truly heartbreaking to witness the loss of a police officer, devoted to duty, colleagues, community, and, above all, family, under these circumstances.

“Your sacrifice will never be forgotten and, as members of the blue family, we stand united in grief with your family, colleagues and the entire police community at this difficult time.

“Rest in peace Brevet Sergeant Jason Doig, your final shift is now done.”

PAUL GALE President, WA Police Union

“We are saddened by the senseless taking of the life of one of our own. Policing is no ordinary publicservice job, it is dangerous. Four officers killed in the line of duty is testament to that.

“Every member of the blue family feels the heartache but accepts their calling to serve their community, and they get up the next day to do it again.

“WA Police Union stands in solidarity with our brothers and sisters in South Australia. Our condolences go out to Brevet Sergeant Jason Doig’s family and friends, our blue family colleagues and the wider family.”

ALEX CARUANA President, Australian Federal Police Association

“On behalf of the AFPA national executive, staff, and our entire membership, I would like to express my sincere condolences on the loss of Jason to his family, friends, and colleagues.

“On the morning of the day we learned of the tragic events in Senior, South Australia, our national executive paused to observe a minute’s silence prior

to our scheduled meeting commencing.

“Jason’s selflessness, professionalism, and common sense stood him in excellent stead during a long career in community policing. He clearly was held in high regard as a member of SAPOL. “Rest easy, your shift is now done. We will remember.”

SHANE TILLEY President, Police Association of Tasmania

“The Police Association of Tasmania extends our deepest sympathies to the family, friends and colleagues of Brevet Jason Doig, the police officer killed in the tragic incident in South Australia.

“We are reminded in the wake of this tragedy that police officers start their shift each day and go to each job not knowing what they will be faced

with and what will eventuate, in addition to the very real risks of police work.

“This past 12 months has seen too many of our colleagues in blue that have gone to work and not returned home to their families. Our thoughts are with those families.” PJ

Summer 2024

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Always th helper

BY BRETT WILLIAMS

He learned never to turn his back on an individual or group in serious need of a hand. And to Simon Nappa, contributing as he does to disadvantaged footy players is a joy rather than a burden.

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ENIOR SERGEANT SIMON NAPPA BROUGHT THE MOTHER OF THE YOUNG DISABLED MAN TO TEARS. He had not scolded, ignored or insulted her. Rather, in the type of act typical of him, he had vowed to include her son in his footy team the following Saturday.

The mother had, until then, considered that scenario impossible. She had understood and accepted that club officials could not allow onto the field a young man who, with cerebral palsy, needed the aid of crutches.

But in a casual conversation at the ground, she had mentioned to Nappa how much Wade would love to be able to play in a footy match.

“Well, why not (play)?” was the Nappa response, which is a standard one for him when a situation involves disadvantage and a need for compassion.

And, as coach of the Tea Tree Gully District Football Club inclusive side, he had a solution.

It was simply to position Wade at full forward where, without his crutches, he could lean against the goal post to support himself.

The suggestion, and the genuine, determined way in which Nappa made it, overwhelmed the mother with emotion.

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“Anyway,” Nappa says, “at the end of the training session that evening, I said to Wade: ‘What are you doing on Saturday?’ He said: ‘Oh, I’ll be out there, I’ll be supporting (the team).’ I said: ‘No, you won’t.’

“He just looked at me, thinking: ‘What’ve I done wrong?’ Then I said to the boys: ‘Wade’s playing on Saturday,’ and they just got around him. And that game, against Goodwood Saints, was fantastic.

“I spoke to their (Saints’) coach before the game and told him what was going on. He said: ‘Yeah, sure, no problem.’ The players organized to get the ball down to him (Wade) and he kicked a goal, and that’s all he wanted.”

After the game, Wade thanked his coach for “making me a player”.

A delighted Nappa assured Wade that he had made himself a player, and that he (Nappa) had simply selected him.

Either way, both coach and player emerged from that game overjoyed. Indeed, for Nappa, who hates to see people with disabilities miss out in life, Wade’s joy was the ultimate payoff – the reward “that drives me on”.

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efore he took on the role of coach of the inclusive team, Nappa already had a history of involvement with the footy club.

He had not only coached junior able-bodied players but also held committee positions.

And his son, Mitch, now 20, had played for Tea Tree Gully since 2009.

Also in his life was his beloved daughter, Briana, and her own challenges with intellectual and physical disabilities.

All those factors seemed to make Nappa the obvious pick for coach of the Gullies’ first inclusive team. At least that was the way club committee member and Northern District TSO Cazz Allen saw it.

She was driving the move to form a Gullies team to join the SANFL Inclusive League back in 2021. And she would be the one to ask Nappa, as they carpooled in to work, if he would coach such a team. The pair was, at the time, working out of police headquarters during the COVID-19 era.

Says Nappa: “On our drives into town and drives home, we’d talk about anything and everything and she sprung this on me.

“We’re good friends and she knew Briana’s background, but she didn’t use that as leverage. She knew it was a cause close to my heart. “(Her question) was as simple as: ‘I want to try to get a Gullies team in the Inclusive League. Will you coach?’

“I just thought: ‘Yeah, I’ve coached juniors before and it’s a great opportunity to give back more.’ So, I said: ‘Well, you know I’m not going to say no.’ So that was it.”

At the outset, Nappa thought his players would be young men with common intellectual disabilities like Down syndrome, autism and cerebral palsy. But he soon found that the Inclusive League rules allowed the participation of players with a far broader range of conditions.

“It’s basically any condition that prevents you from playing regular football,” he explains. “So, that could be depression, anxiety, even anger-management issues.

I’ve got players who have delayed learning ability, high anxiety, or suffer from depression.

“Then I also have players who have had a brain injury or have some form of intellectual as well as physical disabilities.

I have one player who’s legally blind. He can see but (his vision is) obviously very limited.”

So, in 2021, Nappa got his players organized into a team and ready to join the Inclusive League for its 2022 season. The inclusion of the Gullies made a total of seven Inclusive League teams.

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“I saw that there was a need in the northeastern suburbs.

There were people who loved AFL football but never had an opportunity to play.”

The rules the league applies to the competition differ from AFL rules in only two ways. Players cannot soccer the ball and quarters are 12 rather than 20 minutes long.

Every player loves his involvement in the team so much that, given the chance, he would train every night. Nappa, however, takes the team for two training sessions per week. And, to begin with, that was a challenge.

Some of his players, who loved footy and knew all about their favourite AFL teams, had never played the game.

“So, their skill level was at an absolutely minimal level,” Nappa recalls. “I had to start from a very basic level. It was all about running and getting their fitness up, and when the footballs came out, that’s when training was fun.

“So, I made sure every training session involved footballs. One routine was getting them to kick a tennis ball five metres to the next person. They couldn’t understand why, and I said: ‘If you can kick a tennis ball, you can kick a football even easier.’ It was all about hand-eye co-ordination.”

And at least some of the Nappa coaching strategy must have worked. With players whose ages range from 17 to 51, he got his Gullies team to two wins in both its first and second season, which played out this year.

During the season, three of his players won awards for their performances in specific rounds, and one of those three won a wholeof-season award.

“So, the development has been great,” Nappa says. “One player, who has been playing for me for the last two years, is in his 40s, and he kicked his first-ever goal this year.

For him, that was like winning a premiership medallion.”

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s a coach, Nappa holds firmly to his style of interaction. He is dead against berating any player, even one who falls short on effort or loses his temper on the field.

“If they do an undisciplined act, they know the runner’s coming out to them,” he says. “And they know I’m disappointed in them.

“So, they know they’re going to have a chat with me. We talk about it, we reset, and they go back on. And that will take no more than a minuteand-a-half.

“Our number one goal is to have fun, so they know not to snap at each other. But, if they do, they then reset, apologize and carry on.”

In fact, as Nappa watched an Inclusive League grand final two years ago, he saw a player get agitated and raise his hand. A runner responded and took him off the ground to the sideline, where a coach walked and talked with him. After a minute or two, the player went back onto the field.

Nappa discussed what had happened with the coach, who had implemented hand-raising for players who got too worked up in gametime. It enabled a response before that agitation turned into an outburst. Nappa saw sense in the practice and implemented it himself.

“Our number one goal is to have fun, so they know not to snap at each other. But, if they do, they then reset, apologize and carry on.”

1-4. Nappa instructing his players on a game day in August 2023.

5. With players (from left) Wade, Oscar and Thomas.

While Nappa is thoroughly selfeffacing, he cannot deny his success or the overwhelmingly positive feedback he gets from players’ parents. Gratitude abounds for the time and effort the 53-year-old full-time District Support Section cop puts into the coaching role.

Of course, none of that effort has surprised Police Association assistant secretary Steve Whetton, who undertook recruit training with Nappa in 1988-89.

“Simon is the same person I met at Fort Largs,” he says, “committed to his then-girlfriend and future wife, Sue, and a complete family man.

“Even back then, he was always concerned about others, so no surprise to me that, outside of work, he’s contributed in such an admirable, public-spirited way. He’s just a genuine bloke, and he’ll always have my respect.”

When pressed on where his caring nature came from, Nappa attributes it to his upbringing. He remembers how his Maltese immigrant parents taught him to “always help someone” whenever and wherever he saw the need.

“I saw that there was a need (for an inclusive team) in the northeastern suburbs,” he says. There were people who loved AFL football but never had an opportunity to play.

“It was just a matter of: ‘If I can help, I’ll give it a crack.’ I don’t like people missing out. And, obviously, with my daughters’ special needs, I had heightened awareness of people with disadvantages.

“Some of these players come from very disadvantaged backgrounds, where families have just abandoned them. Some come to training and to games with a paid carer.”

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At home with wife Sue, daughter Briana and son Mitch.

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ike most of his players, Nappa has himself known hardship and loss.

There was the tragedy of his niece, Melissa. She was his sister’s first child and, diagnosed with leukaemia at the age of 10 months, she died just before her second birthday in 1995.

Nappa speaks of the “big impact” her death had on his whole family, and how Melissa would have turned 30 this year.

In 1999, Nappa and his wife, Sue, had their own first child, Briana. But she faced an immediate medical challenge: a cleft lip and depressed nostril. So, at three months of age, she had to undergo craniofacial surgery, which proved successful.

It was a tough time for the Nappa family, but the relieved parents were fine with that, as long as nothing worse was to come.

But worse did come when, at 17 months of age, Briana contracted pneumococcal meningitis, which is the infection of membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord.

“It was first diagnosed as an ear-andthroat infection and then tonsillitis,” Nappa says. “Then one morning, an orange discharge in her nappy turned out to be urea crystals. Her kidneys had packed up.

“They (doctors) told us that she was going to be wheelchair-bound, deaf and mute. She reverted back to a newborn and had to learn everything again, and we had to adapt.

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“The strength of my wife helped me, and she says the same about me. We leaned on each other and Today, Briana is 24 and one of her father’s had great family biggest supporters on game days. Owing to her hearing loss, she speaks with a particularly support.”

“But she’s proven all the experts wrong.

She has physical disabilities, balance issues, and she's lost up to 90 decibels of hearing in one ear. That causes some balance issues, but she's learned to cope with all that.”

As he relates the story of his daughter’s misfortune, Nappa speaks calmly until asked about how he coped.

“You just had to,” he says, as emotion creeps into his voice. “I’m not over it, as I’m probably showing. She was 17 months of age and was fighting for her life.

“The strength of my wife helped me, and she says the same about me. We leaned on each other and had great family support.”

loud voice.

“So, we don’t take her to the tennis or the golf” her father says with a chuckle. “But, at the football, she’s in her element. She’s got old school friends out there playing and she’s just there supporting everyone.”

Nappa draws inspiration from Briana and insists that, as the father of a daughter with intellectual and physical disabilities, he has learned “vital life lessons”.

“Your family’s first,” he says, “and everything else comes a very distant second. I could have progressed in my police career, but my priority was my family.

“Doesn’t mean I haven’t done my job at 100 per cent. I always do that. But family comes first, and I don’t sweat the little things anymore.” PJ

Teams competing in the SANFL Inclusive League Athelstone Raggies, Christies Beach, Goodwood Saints, Kenilworth Kookaburras, Kilburn Football and Cricket Club, Salisbury Magpies, and Tea Tree Gully, the Gullies.

To take part The Tea Tree Gully District Football Club seeks more players for its Inclusive League team and welcomes enquiries via its website (gullies.com.au) or Facebook page.

24/7 online access to all services

PASAweb legal assistance, news & events, offers & discounts

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Working for you P: (08) 8212 3055 (all hours) www.pasa.asn.au

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Police Journal

Fifty years of Dog Ops

BY BRETT WILLIAMS

Offenders tracked and caught; drugs, guns and explosives detected and taken off the streets; missing vulnerable children found and returned to families. Current and former Dog Ops members attest to the great worth of their squad.

IT WAS A CASE OF ONE

Sergeant Peter Crouch with drug-detector dog Chester.

Crouch with German shepherd Sultan.

determined police dog and his handler against five thieving offenders – all at once. The scene was a suburban sports club where an alarm had just activated.

Dog Operations sergeant Peter Crouch had responded with his then-partner, 43kg German shepherd Sultan.

From a safe distance away, Crouch could hear the clanking of bottles and see movement around a parked car with its boot lid raised. That was the offenders loading the grog they had stolen from the sports club into the car boot.

Then, it seemed, one of them heard a car approaching and alerted his mates with: “Quick! Quick! Let’s go!” Crouch had called for back-up but, with police overloaded with jobs on that stormy night, none was immediately available.

The two-against-five scenario might have seemed overly risky, but Crouch considered that he and Sultan had to act – even without back-up. So, they charged toward the offenders, two of whom instantly fled once they saw big Sultan closing in on them.

And Sultan, without any command from Crouch, pounced on a third one, forcing him into the open boot, where he kept hold of him. Crouch then moved on offenders four and five. To stop them from driving off, he ripped the keys out of the ignition and contained the pair in the car.

After a long eight minutes, which “seemed like an eternity”, back-up patrols arrived and took charge of the three offenders. It might have seemed over-ambitious to try, 15 minutes later, to track the two offenders who had fled, but Crouch and Sultan gave it a go.

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And despite pouring rain and strong winds, Sultan tracked one of them to the front yard of a house “100 metres down the road”. As Crouch marched that offender across a reserve and back to the crime scene, Sultan dragged his handler directly toward a big bush.

Under that foliage was the last offender, who gave a yell as the fired-up dog moved in and grabbed hold of him.

“Sultan’s efforts brought about the arrest of five offenders and the recovery of more than $8,000 worth of property,” Crouch told the Police Journal in 2013. “Without him, I would have been in all sorts of trouble that night.”

Senior Constable First Class Bryan Whitehorn scored a similar win with his striking, long-haired German shepherd, Bear, 20 years ago.

The pair responded to a report of four suspects on the site of the disused Woodville Holden plant. Bear detected nothing at first but then disappeared into a warehouse. Whitehorn followed and called on anyone who was hiding in there to step into view. When no one appeared, he let Bear go.

“I could see him launching himself and he actually grabbed this crook who was hiding behind a big wooden crate,” Whitehorn said in 2013.

As Bear dragged his offender across the floor, Whitehorn spotted two more, one hiding behind a box and the other on top of a scaffold.

Between the two of them, dog and handler got all three offenders wrapped up and handed over to back-up patrols. Then, with the job seemingly over, they walked out of the warehouse and went to leave.

But, as they did that, Bear pulled Whitehorn sideways toward another building.

Inside it, in the dark, was a ladder propped up against a post. As Bear barked at the ceiling Whitehorn again called on anyone hiding to come down.

With no response, patrol officers began to climb the ladder. That prompted a shout from an offender who was indeed hiding: “It’s all right! I’ll come down!”

So, Bear, as Whitehorn later explained, had “got four (offenders) in one hit”.

But not every unforgettable Dog Ops job has involved a crook, or multiple crooks.

A lasting memory for Crouch is the freezing cold mid-winter night he and Sultan went looking for a missing three-year-old boy in the southern suburbs.

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“Sultan’s efforts brought about the arrest of five offenders and the recovery of more than $8,000 worth of property.

Without him, I would have been in all sorts of trouble that night.”

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“We had no starting point and didn’t know where he’d gone,” Crouch recalls.

“But we went past this old house and, next minute, Sultan towed me down the driveway and around the back.

“It was an old bungalow and there was an exit door to the side. Sultan went straight up to that and there was this little bloke lying on the porch, hypothermic and semi-conscious.

“Sultan started licking his face. He just knew that that was the response that was needed.

“I still say that, if it wasn’t for Sultan finding him, that little boy wouldn’t have lasted the night, not in those conditions.”

Whitehorn and Bear saved a life from the elements too, after an elderly man with dementia wandered off into the scrub from a nursing home in the foothills.

“We had an idea that he was there, in the hills,” Whitehorn says, “but we still had to find him, and we did. He would’ve died if we hadn’t found him.”

THESE JOBS, which snared nine offenders and saved a man and child, are among thousands which loom large in the memories of dog handlers like Crouch, 57, and Whitehorn, 60. The two long-serving Dog Ops members boast 50 years’ experience between them.

And 50 is exactly how old the Dog Operations Unit turned this year. It was a milestone which, in September, drew current and former unit members together to celebrate with a formal dinner. Retired senior constable Fred Papps joined the party with memories of the earliest days of the unit.

Now 80, he began his police career in 1965 and joined the fledgling Dog Squad in 1976, three years after it had formed.

Papps was just its eighth member. Others to join at that time were Michael Martin, Rod Jarrett and Paul Williams.

When Papps and his three colleagues joined the squad, each received, and became responsible for raising, a threemonth-old German shepherd puppy.

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Bred in-house, the little creatures’ names were Alex, Abel, Aldo and Addo.

But luck was against Papps and Jarrett, who had taken on Aldo and Alex respectively. Both dogs had to go to sleep after physical defects came to light in their front legs. Papps and Jarrett later took on adult German shepherds.

After the loss of Aldo and Alex, the Dog Squad moved away from in-house breeding and, instead, purchased dogs or accepted donated ones.

“For me, going into the dog section was like a dream come true,” Papps says. “It’s really a way of life and, if I had my time again, I’d definitely join again. I just loved it.”

Not even close calls ever diminished that love of life as a handler. Papps and his German shepherd, Max, ended up in real danger after a highspeed chase ended on Cross Road.

Two offenders had fled and Max set about tracking them.

“He entered a property and indicated a large shed at the back of it,” Papps recalls. “I walked in, and Max took off across to my right. As I walked through the doorway, I’m grabbed in a headlock and suddenly wrestling with one offender while Max is fighting with another in the corner.

“The satisfaction came from standing back … and saying: ‘I could never have done that without my dog.’ ” 1. Heading off to a job by helicopter with Sultan.

2. Whitehorn at work with Bear 3. Paul Williams, Rod Jarrett, Michael Martin and Papps with Addo, Alex, Abel and Aldo. 4. Papps with German shepherd Max in the Botanic Gardens in 1995.

“We made that much commotion that STARies out the front came running in, and the offender they took off me was armed with a Stanley knife.

To this day, I’m not sure if I had hold of the hand with the knife or he just chose not to use it.

“It didn’t matter how big or small the job was. The satisfaction came from standing back when it was all finished and saying: ‘I could never have done that without my dog.’ That’s where the greatest satisfaction came from.”

Of course, the community might not always have understood how much value it got out of well-trained police dogs and handlers. Far fewer stories of their successes, and far less information about their role, circulated in the years before social media.

“When I first started, nobody knew anything about the dogs, including police,” Papps recalls. “These days, just about every time they have a successful exercise, and you look on Facebook, it’s there, or it’s in the paper. They get a lot of publicity, whereas, in our day, that never happened.”

Of course, when Whitehorn and Crouch took on their police careers in 1981 and 1985 respectively, the Dog Squad already existed. But each reflects on what happened in the days before dogs came into SA policing.

Says Crouch: “You think about how many crooks would’ve got away in those days. That’s the big part of it: there must have been so many who walked away, who wouldn’t have been caught.

And probably some big crooks, too.”

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“The handler would explain what the dogs could do and I think that by promoting the dogs that way, that really got us started.”

5. Papps, Dennis Gale and Jarrett undertaking initial training at Echunga in 1976. 6. Undertaking a job with Shadow in Whyalla in the late 1980s. 7. Lloyd Morley, John Humphrey, Keith Walker and Papps with Fuzz, Pascoe, Kurt and Shadow.

8. Papps and Walker at the scene of the Truro murders with Rebel and Kam in 1978. 9. Papps training Bear with Gordon Smith at Thebarton barracks in 1996.

10. Papps undertaking a tracking exercise with Kam.

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THE 1973 formation of the Dog Squad had come about at the behest of controversial police commissioner Harold Salisbury. As a former British police chief, he had seen first-hand, and believed in, the use and value of police dogs in England.

But future SA dog squad members first had to acquire expertise. So, Detective Sergeant Lloyd Morely and First Class Constable Dennis Posgate headed to England to undertake a dog-handler training course with Staffordshire County Police.

Three months later, in late 1973, the pair returned to South Australia with German shepherds Rebel and Kaffir. And, in early 1974, the new dog squad found itself with four more dogs from Staffordshire County Police.

The squad also wound up with British secondee Inspector George Grayson who oversaw the training of the dogs and four new handlers.

Then, in April 1974, the Dog Squad became operational, with Morley as its officer-in-charge and handlers Posgate, Joe Kennedy, John Keogh, Dennis Gale, and the now late John Dennett.

The team scored office space on the first floor of the now former Angas St police headquarters. Also there at headquarters, but in the car park, were galvanized iron kennels – with the capacity to house only two dogs.

The Dog Squad uniform was khaki, and its cars were unmarked Chrysler Valiant station wagons with no air conditioning.

One of the first tasks for the handlers back then was to get themselves face-to-face with front-line cops and explain what they could offer. They did it by fronting up to patrol bases at the beginning of shifts.

“The handler would explain what the dogs could do,” Fred Papps says, “and I think that by promoting the dogs that way, that really got us started.”

So, it was good news to street cops that these new police dogs could track suspects for them, search buildings, locate property, find missing persons.

In 1977, the Dog Squad moved out of police headquarters and down to Thebarton barracks.

Handlers scored an office on the floor above the old canteen, while the dog kennels wound up behind the police band’s home base.

The next year came a move to the dormitory building and, later, a third move to the building Dog Ops occupies today. Next will be its eviction from barracks and roundly condemned move to Gepps Cross with Mounted Operations.

When the Dog Squad took on a batch of new members in late 1978, its total number of general-purpose dog handlers grew to 16. But when a SAPOL-wide staff shortage struck in 1980, that number dropped to 12.

Still, the squad kept up its support of front-line cops, even during intense encounters like the Roxby Downs anti-uranium protests of 1983-84. Indeed, every available handler and his dog descended on the desert mining town and, in some cases, remained there in the action for up to two weeks.

Education played a strong part in the Dog Squad during the 1980s too. Handlers undertook training with the Department of Defence and attended TAFE lectures on animal health and welfare. And, in Victoria, they got to see how drug-detector dogs operated in the prison system.

General-purpose police dogs had had training in the detection of cannabis since the early 1980s. But, in 1994, the Dog Squad moved to add drug-detector dogs to its lineup of German shepherds. Such dogs, Labradors, could detect not only cannabis but also heroin and amphetamines.

To learn the art of handling drug dogs, Sergeant Peter Crouch and Michael Davies, both then senior constables, took on a three-month training course.

Australian Customs (now Australian Border Force) ran the course in Canberra and donated two Labradors, Zenna and Vashti, to the South Australian police dog squad.

Crouch scored Zenna as his training, and future, partner.

“I have wonderful memories of her,” he says. “Because, for those three months in Canberra, on my own, away from my young family with this dog every day, I got to know her incredibly well. She was a support for me while I was away doing that (course).”

Once in the field back in South Australia, Zenna certainly proved her worth. In one case, in which detectives had stopped suspected drug-dealers in a car, she sniffed around and indicated the centre console.

No drugs, however, seemed to be present.

“But underneath the console,” Crouch explained in a later interview, “was heroin wrapped up in electrical tape made to look like the wiring of the car.

“There’s no way in the world they (the detectives) would have found that without the dog. They were stoked.”

Zenna scored big in another search in 2000, when she picked up a scent at the base of a wardrobe. Crouch ripped out the base to find $76,000 in cash, which had likely absorbed the smell of the drugs a dealer had stored with it.

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“… the dog can’t do what it does without you, and you can’t do what you have to do without the dog.

You work as a team.”

WITH drug-detector dogs up and running since 1994, the squad next added firearm and bomb dogs to its lineup in 1998. These dogs came with the ability to sniff out a range of explosives, guns, and rounds.

Black Lab Kingston never made it as a guide dog but Bryan Whitehorn rates him as “probably the best bomb dog SAPOL ever had”. He died just last month but left Whitehorn with powerful memories, like the explosives job the pair responded to on a Mintaro farm in 2018.

At the centre of the job was the highly volatile explosive TATP. A man with a fascination for explosives had made some of it and “blown his leg and hand apart”.

With bomb technicians on the scene, Whitehorn took Kingston around the property to search several sheds and, then, a transportable two-bedroom house.

“I put Kingston into the building on a long line,” he says. “I'm standing at the doorway, he's searching the house, and he sits next to a cupboard. I stepped in to reward him, took him out, sent him back in again, and he sits next to the cupboard again.

“I said (to the bomb techs): ‘Guys, there's something in the cupboard.’ So, the bombies went in and just quite gently opened the cupboard door. Inside was just a jar. Looked like it had petrol in it.

“But the bombies went in, had a close look at it and said: ‘Yep, 99.9 per cent sure it’s TATP.’ They decided the only way they could deal with it was to detonate it in place. It was too dangerous to move.

“So, they detonated it, and it was the most enormous explosion we’d ever seen. It just ripped the inside of the building apart.

“Without Kingston, we wouldn’t have found it, and bomb techs would’ve been at risk. It could have blown up in their faces.”

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SERVING South Australia out of the Dog Operations Unit today are 13 German shepherds and 13 Labradors. Each highly trained creature lives with its handler but loves to be at work, where the duty to track, search and detect is the ultimate in fun.

“It’s well known that we spend more time with our dogs than we do with our partners and kids,” Peter Crouch says. “So, you get to know these dogs incredibly well.

“At any time of the day, they’re smiling, wagging their tail, and happy to see you.

Even if it’s 3:00 in the morning and you’re going to a callout.”

Bryan Whitehorn speaks of how “incredibly attached” handlers become to their beloved dogs.

“They go home with us, they live with us, they integrate with our families,”

he explains. “(Although) they’re treated as working dogs, you have this unbelievable bond and relationship with them.

“I always say it’s a very symbiotic relationship, that the dog can’t do what it does without you, and you can’t do what you have to do without the dog. You work as a team.

“You learn the dog’s mannerisms, and there’s almost this unspoken communication between the two of you to find the person, drugs, explosives or firearms.”

Brevet Sergeant Tina-Marie Hunt who, in 2006, became the first woman to join Dog Ops, once explained the dynamics of the handler-dog relationship.

“You might think: ‘Okay, I’m not going to get attached to this dog,’ ” she told the

11. Tina-Marie Hunt with Hooch at Adelaide Railway Station in 2008. 12. Tony Potter with Ink. 13. Whitehorn and Crouch at their Dog Ops base at Thebarton barracks.

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Police Journal in 2008. “But you can’t help but get attached. You’re with them practically 24-seven, and they’re your mate. You rely on them for work.

“Also, a big thing is how I’m feeling.

If I rock up to work and I’m upset or sick, my emotions run down the lead and go to the dog.”

The love of handlers for their dogs might not be obvious to the casual observer. It becomes undeniable, however, when any Dog Ops creature comes to the end of its short life.

And few if any dogs die peacefully in their sleep. Crouch speaks of the times

when handlers have to “take that last drive to the vet surgery” for euthanasia.

“It’s the worst part of the job,” he says.

“You’ve got these wonderful memories.

That dog has saved your bacon so many times over the years. And then you’ve got to make this decision, and say: ‘It’s time, mate. Let’s go.’

“Every handler just knows that it’s inevitable at some point. You just make the most of it and make sure that you give them the best life you can.”

Whitehorn had faced up to the stress of the loss of Kingston just a week before he spoke to the Police Journal.

“Emotionally, there's nothing harder than having to put your working dog down at the end of its life,” he says. “Bear and Shadow both retired at eight and were nearly 14 when I had to put them down.

But it's the toughest thing you've got to do.”

Fred Papps handled three generalpurpose dogs over his 23 years with Dog Ops, and Max was his favourite.

When the time came to let Max go, he had reached the age of 13 and, because of hind-leg and hip problems, had become virtually immobile.

“We got the vet to come around to our house and put him down,” Papps says.

“My daughter had a large property, and I went up there about three days before and dug his grave for him. It was pretty hard. Max was a beautiful dog.”

OF COURSE, much love for police dogs comes from the public, too. That is clear to handlers, particularly when dogs come under attack and suffer serious injuries on duty.

In 2014, two offenders belted police dog Ink, one with a metal case and the other with a car door which he slammed on the creature repeatedly.

The year before that, a fleeing offender twice thrust a knife deep into the chest of six-year-old police dog Koda.

Says Crouch: “The public interest was phenomenal, particularly with Koda. In fact, the interest in him brought about the introduction of stab-proof vests for the dogs.”

Even the dogs that suffer for reasons other than attacks draw loads of public sympathy.

Police dog Bandit last year wound up with septic peritonitis (a serious abdominal infection) and his organs started to fail.

The cause was a grass seed which had found its way into his body.

But, again, the public response was, as Crouch describes it, “astronomical”.

Whitehorn has worked detector dogs for the past eight years and general-purpose dogs for the previous 15 years. He thinks of the dogs as simply “the heroes of our organization”.

“With my own two drug dogs I've had over the years, we’ve found millions of dollars in drugs,” he says. “We’ve cleared that from the streets. And my explosives dog over the years has found explosive devices and lots of firearms, and we’ve cleared them out of the community.”

Even today, when his drug-detector dog detects just one ecstasy tablet on a music festival patron, Whitehorn takes it as a big win. He rejects the view that it is a minor or meaningless find.

“Because,” he says, “it's that one tablet that might be the timebomb that’ll kill that person.”

So, to Whitehorn and other handlers, Dog Ops is certainly worth the “big budget” it demands.

“The simple fact,” he says, “is that the organization (SAPOL) couldn’t achieve a lot of its targets without them.”

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Standout dogand-handler jobs From the Police Journal 2005 – 2021

Rosenhahn & Ben On a rainy night in Dublin, Ben and Sergeant Simon Rosenhahn went to search for two break-and-enter suspects. Even though an hour had passed by the time the pair got out there, Ben almost immediately picked up a track – on concrete.

Soon drenched and tracking in freezing cold, he stuck at it for three hours. And, in that time, he found a suspect hiding under a bush, other break-ins, and bags full of stolen property around the township.

“I thought: ‘Beautiful! Absolutely awesome!’ ” Rosenhahn said. “For a young dog, an hour-old track, on concrete…

I was just that happy.”

Ben had delivered another extraordinary result in the inner western suburbs when a wanted suspect had fled after a patrol spotted him on Torrens Road.

That suspect, in his attempt to escape, ended up jumping fences and running across the roofs of local residents’ homes.

Some residents saw and heard him and emerged from indoors to report their observations to back-up patrols now swarming the area.

According to the last sighting of the suspect, he was on the roof of a townhouse in a small street in Brompton. Rosenhahn made his way into the street with Ben. “And the dog’s just gone mental at this T-junction,” he recalls. “There was nothing there to hide in but he’s just indicating, going nuts.”

The next minute, Ben started barking furiously at the opening to a stormwater drain. He had found the suspect, who had somehow crawled into the drain unnoticed.

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“It was the most dynamic, quick-moving job that I’ve done.”

Stevenson & Max A burglar was making his escape over Parkside rooftops. Patrols called for Dog Ops support. Brevet Sergeant Neil Stevenson and German shepherd Max turned up and started to run along the street in the path of the fleeing offender.

Stevenson first saw the offender when he came back down to the ground. “I would have been about 100 metres from the end of the street when I saw the silhouette of a person run across the road,” he recalled.

“And, then, I saw the silhouette of a police officer chase after him. I wasn’t close enough to send Max, and the pursuing officer was still behind the offender.”

That pursing officer lost sight of the offender, but Max put his nose to the ground and tracked to the entrance door of a Housing SA complex of 100-odd units.

Stevenson heard smashing glass and so ran through the complex doorway and into a courtyard.

“I saw the offender on the third floor of the complex, smashing the window of a unit from the balcony,” he said.

“He jumped down from the balcony onto a corrugated roof over another entrance, smashing feet-first through the metal and timber frame and on to the concrete. But he stood straight up and ran through the doors and back out to the front – or so I thought.”

Indeed, the offender had got back inside the complex and burst into an elderly woman’s first-floor unit.

“I pushed open her broken door,” Stevenson said, “and sent Max into the unit before I entered the room to see the offender jump off the balcony to the grassed area below.

“He ran across the road and, as Max and I stood on the balcony, we watched him run into neighbouring yards.”

Stevenson and Max ran down to the street, as patrol officers pursued the offender through one yard after another.

Rather than join the chase, however, handler and dog quietly positioned themselves behind a Stobie pole.

“It was only a short time before the offender returned to the road, only 20 metres from Max and me,” Stevenson said.

“I called on him to stop, but he turned and ran back into a driveway.

“I sent Max straight away to chase him, but I didn’t have time to remove his lead, so he chased with a two-metre lead flicking behind him.”

Max chased the offender through a gate and into a yard full of children’s bikes and toys.

“Somehow,” Stevenson said, “the offender managed to throw a metal bowl of dog food at Max. It bounced off his head.”

But Max kept on, as the offender jumped onto a trampoline and, then, bounced off into some rosebushes.

Max “disappeared” into them with him.

“Eventually, the offender stopped trying to get away and patrols came in and took him into custody,” Stevenson recalls.

“It was the most dynamic, quick-moving job that I’ve done. This one was a case of ‘get going’ from the second I got out of the car.”

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Whitehorn & Bear

Rosenhahn & Koda

A prisoner had escaped from the Cadell Training Centre on the River Murray near Morgan.

Dropped off in scrub after a helicopter ride to the area, Whitehorn and Bear took up the search which patrols had begun 24 hours earlier. But thick, three-metrehigh briar bushes made tracking with Bear on the lead impossible.

“We were just getting caught up, so I cut

him loose,” Whitehorn said. “We’d been searching for a couple of minutes and, suddenly, he lifted his head up and charged through all these bushes.

“I tried to run to keep up with him, and then he finds this crook hiding in the bushes. We worked out that, from the time we hit the ground to the time we found him, it was (only) 14 minutes.”

“It was just a really big mistake because it just made him (Bear) angry.”

On a job just before he retired, Bear took off after a fleeing break-and-enter suspect through the grounds of the Westbourne Park Primary School. After the chase reached the middle of the school oval, the breaker stopped, turned and struck Bear with a tyre lever.

He connected with the dog’s shoulder a couple of times but gained himself no advantage. “It was just a really big mistake,” Whitehorn explained, “because it just made him (Bear) angry. Bear just knocked him flat on his back and just got onto him.”

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One job involved a search for a stick-up merchant and known gun-carrier back in 2010. This offender had taken off on foot from police, who had subsequently set up a cordon and called for a dog.

Working with STAR Group officers, Rosenhahn and Koda wound up in a backyard in which Koda indicated a lounge.

“It was just a lounge,” Rosenhahn said, “and I was going: ‘Well, where is he?’

He (the offender) had actually crawled up underneath and into the frame of the lounge.

That was a really good job (Koda did).”

“He had actually crawled up underneath and into the frame of the lounge.”

Potter and Ink One of Ink’s most memorable finds was a murder suspect who had fled from the scene of his crime at a Port Adelaide residence.

Not long into their search for him, Senior Constable First Class Potter and Ink came to the edge of the Port River.

Ink appeared “just up and staring, like an alert”, leading Potter to think: “We’re on!”

“I was looking and could see no disturbance in the water,” he said, “but the dog was on scent. I thought: ‘Is he (the offender) in here somewhere, or has he come this way?’ ” The track seemed lost, so Potter headed back to the forward command post. And, while there, a local resident, whose house fronted the river, reported seeing a man emerge from the water and enter his front yard.

Crouch & Zenna Potter, Ink and another police officer sprinted off toward the resident’s house. Ink regained the scent back at the river’s edge and followed it across several house fronts. He found the suspect hiding at the side of a house behind some bins.

His efforts helped bring about a murder conviction.

In another case, as Ink went about tracking a rape suspect in the western suburbs, he found a bandanna on the street. The victim identified the item as belonging to the suspect, and a later DNA test linked it to him as well. That evidence led to the suspect’s arrest.

On a Riverland property, police had found a marijuana crop. At the outset, however, no one had located any dried quantities of the drug. So, Crouch decided to walk Zenna around some sheds he spotted about 200 metres away from a house.

Outside one locked shed, she indicated that she had detected a scent. Crouch cut a lock and, in the duo went, to come face-to-face with a gigantic haystack. Zenna climbed up on top of it and began to burrow her way down – and kept burrowing until she disappeared.

Crouch himself climbed to the top of the stack, looked down and saw that Zenna had dug herself all the way through to the floor.

“There was a big locker at the base of the haystack,” he said. “I opened it up and it was chock-a-block full of cannabis.”

Crouch marvelled at Zenna’s ability to detect, from outside a shed, the odour of a drug inside a thick haystack. “She was like that,” he said. “She would just climb over anything to get to the drug odour.” PJ

Summer 2024

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Police Association Annual Conference

By Nicholas Damiani

The most controversial issues in SA policing came up for discussion at the Police Association annual conference. Among them were the relocation of Mounted Operations to Gepps Cross, the SAPOL district policing model, and police complaints and discipline. On these and other topics, the state’s most powerful political, union and police leaders explained their positions to association delegates.

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GOVERNMENT “WILLING TO PAY PRICE” FOR MOUNTED OPS MOVE

Premier Peter Malinauskas has said his government was willing to pay “both the political and financial price” of moving Mounted Operations to Gepps Cross.

Speaking to delegates at the Police Association annual conference, the premier (pictured right) said putting the new Women’s and Children’s Hospital directly next to the existing Royal Adelaide Hospital would have been the wrong choice.

Mr Malinauskas said Thebarton barracks — the home base of Mounted Operations for more than 100 years — was the best spot for the new hospital.

“If we built (the hospital) right next to the RAH it could never be expanded,” he claimed.

He conceded, however, that the consequences for police officers had been significant.

“The South Parklands site was (originally) chosen as being the optimal (replacement) site,” he said.

“The state opposition rallied ferociously, which they’re entitled to do, against building on the parklands site.

“We then went back and looked at other options and landed at Gepps Cross.

“That isn’t characterized by many as being the optimal outcome, and we understand that.

“But from our perspective, we’re going to put all the resources required into it, to make it work.”

The premier also announced to delegates the investments his government had made in resourcing and recruitment to address the fact that SAPOL is around “200 officers short”.

“The South Parklands site was (originally) chosen as being the optimal (replacement) site.”

GOVERNMENT OVERREACH A FACTOR DURING COVID YEARS

These include $82 million toward an extra 189 police security officers, and a $12.2 million investment to accelerate police recruitment and training.

“We aim to train 300 recruits at the academy per year for the next three years,” he said. “Our ambition is to return to establishment numbers by 2025.”

He also said the function of the Premier’s Taskforce — which came about from an election promise the Police Association secured in 2022 — was to create long-term solutions for police.

“The objective is to create a comprehensive police resourcing plan that sets us up beyond just the next year or the next budget,” he said.

The premier also expressed his backing of the anonymity which the current police disciplinary process provides. He said his government does not support “police facing unfair ridicule and public demonization when they’re subject to a police complaint”.

With his concluding remarks to the delegates, the premier heaped praise on the association and its reputation and leadership.

“One never dies wondering — when they’re in public office — about what’s on (Police Association president Mark Carroll’s) mind,” he said. “And that’s to his great credit.

“He is someone who has earnt the confidence across the political divide, and his leadership of PASA has been important in the public policy development of policing for a sustained period.”

Opposition leader David Speirs issued a personal apology to Police Association members over the previous government’s actions during the COVID-19 era.

Addressing delegates for the first time since taking on the SA Liberal Party leadership, Mr Speirs (pictured right) said the jobs officers were directed to perform during COVID likely undermined the relationship between police and the SA community.

“On behalf of my party, I apologize for that,” he said.

“I wasn’t centrally involved in those decisions, of course, but it’s worth reflecting on the fact that some of those things must never happen again.

“You were asked to do things that many police, when they signed up for a career, never expected to have to do.

“You wouldn’t have expected to have to walk into a café on Jetty Road at Brighton and count how many patrons were there and pull that café owner into line.

“I’m not sure that builds a great deal of goodwill between the SA people and our police. On reflection … there were some lasting impacts for policing in this state.

Some of them we might never quite know or quantify.

“But it had a massive impact on the morale of the workforce in SA police. And I think I owe it to you, to not only thank you, but also to apologize for things we might’ve got wrong, that might’ve made your lives a bit more difficult.”

The Opposition leader also condemned the state government’s decision to relocate Mounted and Dog operations units to Gepps Cross.

“I don’t think that’s shown a high degree of empathy towards those working in mounted police,” he said.

“I don’t think it’s sought to understand how that operation works and how it can work well into the future.

“It’s one thing to spend $100 million on nice shiny new buildings at Gepps Cross … but it comes down to the location of those buildings and how you’ll be able to do your jobs effectively.

“I think the government has got this one wrong. They need to go back to the drawing board and come up with an alternate solution.”

“On reflection … there were some lasting impacts for policing in this state. Some of them we might never quite know or quantify.”

Mr Speirs also told delegates he holds significant concerns about the high level of attrition among police officers.

“I think there’s a level of bipartisanship when it comes to the need for more resources,” he said.

“One of the things that will encourage recruitment and stop attrition is to enable police to get on with policing.

“Everything you hear from me, and my team, will be focused on making sure you have the capacity, the resources and the freedom to get on with the job you signed up for.”

And on the issue of regional policing, Mr Speirs said he was often a lone campaigner for the plight of rural regions in SA. “I seem to be the unashamed (representative) of the regions, the voice of regional SA,” he said.

“You’ll hear me talk a lot about supporting regional communities. Policing and emergency services are a key part of that.”

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GEPPS CROSS CONSEQUENCES “IRREVERSIBLE”

Police Association president Mark Carroll (pictured above) confronted the government over its proposed relocation of Mounted and Dog operations units during his conference address.

He insisted that the Gepps Cross location “will, without a doubt, compromise service delivery”.

“SAPOL and the government know as an absolute certainty that 82 per cent of mounted taskings are in the CBD,” Mr Carroll said.

“So, both of them could not possibly be unaware that this decision will bring ongoing and irreversible consequences.

“Compromise from all sides should’ve been the order of the day to keep Mounted in the CBD.” The president also told delegates the association’s perseverance toward rectifying SAPOL’s failing district policing model had finally paid significant dividends.

“I met with the premier earlier this year to outline a powerful public campaign the

association had been ready to roll out to address the failure of the DPM,” he said.

“So, it was welcome news when SAPOL publicly announced an overhaul of the DPM, shortly after that meeting.

“We are on the public record about our view of SAPOL’s district policing model.

We don’t believe it’s worked, and it’s been proven not to work in other jurisdictions.

“One of the fundamental truths is that policing is a labour-intensive task. There is no getting away from that reality.

The demand for the workforce lies on the front line.”

Mr Carroll told delegates the association had also secured the full funding for an additional 189 police security officers and a trial of the extended-hours roster in Metropolitan Operations Service.

The president also paid tribute to brevet sergeants Ian Todd and Jordan Allely, who were both stabbed after attending a property at Crystal Brook in May. “Ian sustained life-threatening injuries,” Mr Carroll said. “Thankfully, and to our great relief, he survived. But the impact on each officer and his family was debilitating, and long lasting.”

On the issue of the association’s reputation for possessing significant industrial prowess, Mr Carroll said the organization was one of few bodies in the state still prepared to hold SAPOL and the government’s feet to the fire.

“We’re a strong, effective, representative union that backs its members, protects their rights and entitlements, and takes on anyone who would seek to shortchange them,” he said.

“In fact, we often seem to be one of the few who do this in South Australia — with a never-back-down attitude, a refusal to accept evasion or a non-answer.”

“We are on the public record about our view of SAPOL’s district policing model. We don’t believe it’s worked, and it’s been proven not to work in other jurisdictions.”

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VIEW OF SAPOL ISSUES – FROM THE TOP

Police Commissioner Grant Stevens (pictured above) fronted the delegates conference amid concern over several controversial issues currently confronting SAPOL. Among the key points he highlighted were:

Recruiting “In November 2020 (we started) to see a downturn in people applying to join SAPOL,” Commissioner Stevens said.

“There’s also been a 1.3 per cent increase in the attrition rate.

“This is a trend being observed in all Australian jurisdictions, as well as globally.”

The commissioner said SAPOL had undertaken a full review of its recruiting marketing campaigns, and is looking to recruit officers from the UK, Ireland and New Zealand.

“Our plan is also to recruit up to 200 international police officers a year for the next three years,” he said.

SAPOL has also created a pilot programme with Thebarton Senior College to create pathways to policing for high schoolers.

“Our goal is to have students finish year 12 ready to walk into our recruiting session … ready for a transition into the police academy,” the commissioner said.

“We’ve also started partnerships with the Adelaide Football League and also Football SA (soccer).”

Regional recruiting The commissioner said SAPOL was

“My instructions to our recruiting team are: ‘If a person appears on the face of it to have the inherent qualities of a police officer, let’s give them a chance…” offering a cost-of-living allowance for regional recruits.

“We’ve also made available some accommodation units for regional recruits,” he said.

“We’re also taking our recruiting team out to the regions. We’re keen to see what impact that has in encouraging people from the country to seek a career in policing.”

Growth by the numbers “The state’s population has grown 4.6 per cent since 2018, when we completed Recruit 313,” the commissioner said. “We’ve seen no growth in police numbers since then.”

The commissioner said SAPOL was aiming to recruit 900 police officers over the next three years.

“And that is not new positions,” he stressed. “That is 900 people we have to get through the academy to get back to full establishment.

“This means we’ve gone from six courses a year to 12 courses a year, which is a significant impact on the academy.

“We’re also moving to up to five police security officer courses a year (up from one or two).”

The commissioner said recruiters would also be allowed to show more discretion regarding their judgement calls on potential recruits.

“My instructions to our recruiting team are: ‘If a person appears on the face of it to have the inherent qualities of a police officer, let’s give them a chance, let’s bring them into the academy environment,’ ” he said.

District policing model “This is not something we picked up from another jurisdiction and dropped into SA,” the commissioner claimed.

“We looked at a range of jurisdictions.

We looked at West Midlands (UK), we looked at what WA were doing … we saw where they were different from us.

“If we were simply to kill the DPM (completely), or put the district policing teams back into response, we’d be worse off. The reality is, the DPM has never been fully staffed.

“In the first half of this year, we undertook significant engagement sessions with brevet sergeants, sergeants, senior sergeants, and inspectors working in the DPM. We listened to the feedback.

“All the feedback and suggestions they came forward with have been taken down and are the basis of DPM stage three.”

Regional policing “We completed the regional policing model in 2019 and we put that to the previous government as a budget bid, and it got no support,” the commissioner said.

“We then presented it to the Premier’s Taskforce with the current government, and we’re awaiting the outcome.

“We have recognized that, in the absence of any funding commitment from government to increase the resources within regional locations, there are some key positions that needed to be addressed straight away — and we’ve started to do that.

“Many of our regional facilities are beyond their useful life and we’re negotiating (on this issue).”

Mounted and Dog Operations relocation “We told the government that our requirement was to be within three to five kilometres of the CBD, because that is critical to our operational requirements,” the commissioner said.

“The first and preferred location for us was the West End Brewery site. As it transpired (the government) was never intending to give us access to that site.

“We examined all of the Parklands sites intently, with (advice from) an equine expert and architects.

“We identified Park 21 (corner of Sir Lewis Cohen Ave and Greenhill Road) as the preferred site, and I still maintain to this day that is the best site for the Mounted Operations Unit.”

The commissioner indicated that the influence of the Adelaide City Council and other preservation groups impacted on the government’s eventual decision.

“There is also a major hurdle from the Commonwealth – the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act,” he said.

“This means the Commonwealth has the right to intervene.”

The commissioner also said the John E Brown Parklands site presented its own difficulties.

“The layout of that particular site is long and narrow,” he said. The architect’s advice was that it would be incredibly difficult to build a Mounted Operations Unit there.

“And, under the Aboriginal Heritage Act, it is a heritage protected site.”

The commissioner said sites at West Beach and adjacent to the airport were also ruled out because of possible PFAS contamination and other logistical and environmental concerns.

“The reality is of all the sites we have been provided, the only site that we can choose is Gepps Cross,” he said. “There are no other (available) sites.

“I do not see any likelihood that we will end up anywhere other than Gepps Cross. In fact, they’ve already started works on the site.”

Police complaints & discipline act “I’m pretty confident SAPOL and the Police Association are in absolute lockstep when it comes to maintaining the confidentiality and privacy of police officers subject to disciplinary proceedings,” the commissioner said.

“We have never wavered on our position on this. It is an employer/employee matter that should be maintained as confidential, like every other public sector employee.”

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SAFETY ISSUES AT PORT LINCOLN AND CEDUNA

Detective Sergeant Mark Heading has won the Police Association Step-Up Award for workplace safety.

Detective Sgt Heading facilitated the submission of several hazard and incident reports about critical staffing issues in Port Lincoln and Ceduna.

One of the significant reports he submitted, in February 2023, detailed issues at Port Lincoln CIB such as: • A welfare discussion held with a member after observations that the member was experiencing a high workload and increased on-call requirements which affected the member’s ability to maintain a healthy work-life balance (regularly cancelling or postponing family commitments).

• The member in question reported being overwhelmed with the thencurrent workload, particularly a high number of tier-two coronial investigations and assisting with the caseload (including urgent DPP enquiries) on behalf of another CIB member who was on long-term Work Cover absence — with no relief in sight for that position.

• A review of then-recent on-call activity, shared across the three remaining members of the Port Lincoln CIB office found that members had been required to cover on-call demands outside of the enterprise agreement conditions.

• CIB members respond solo and that increased pressure on the member 44

Police Journal

to manage crime scenes, victims, witnesses and offenders without the support of another investigator.

• The report was corroborated with detailed analysis of current workload and substantive/actual full-time equivalent staffing.

Another report, submitted in March 2023, highlighted such issues as: • Current substantive staffing numbers had been the status quo for the past 17 years with a qualified member in another section reluctant to relieve CIB duties owing to the intensity of the workload and the impact upon member health.

• Workload was detailed including active and overdue occurrences (including child protection), tier-two coronial investigations and 190 overdue tasks.

• With then-current staffing levels, members were regularly conducting on-call response for Port Lincoln outside of enterprise agreement conditions (more than seven days in 21) during late March and the entirety of April.

• Owing to approved annual leave, individual members were, at times, on call for seven days in every 14.

• There had been no genuine agreement in place for on-call to be covered by members outside of EA conditions.

• Historical, current and projected breaches of the on-call requirements were detailed.

• The implication of higher-duties relieving when members’ positions were not backfilled.

• The detective sergeant had 30 programmed days off and 99 hours’ time off in lieu. The two remaining brevet sergeants had 11 programmed days off and 56 hours’ time off in lieu.

The issue is now before the SA Employment Tribunal with hearings ongoing.

Police Association assistant secretary Steve Whetton said the actions and personal drive of Detective Sergeant Heading made him the standout candidate for the association’s Step-Up Award.

DOG OPS VETERAN WINS PRESTIGIOUS DELEGATE AWARD

Brevet Sergeant Bryan Whitehorn won the Police Association Biennial Delegate of the Year Award.

Assistant Secretary Steve Whetton told delegates there had been several examples of Brevet Sgt Whitehorn’s exceptional influence as a delegate, including: • Putting forward a motion at a 2022 delegate meeting highlighting the failure of the district policing model, along with the staffing crisis and loss of morale.

• Volunteering in 2022 to be part of an association constitutional joint working party.

• Advising the association that Dog Operations Unit had not been included as part of the multipurpose load-bearing vest undergarment trial. (SAPOL subsequently included DOU.) • Ongoing advocacy and liaison with association representatives resulting in the expansion of the brevet sergeant to include senior constable first class positions within Dog Operations Unit upon the commencement of the 2021 enterprise agreement.

Brevet Sgt Whitehorn has also advised the association on issues such as: • Kennelling allowance.

• Extended-hours roster.

• Rotational shift long-term patrol officer allowance.

• Thebarton barracks slipping hazards, potholes, undulating surfaces.

• Thebarton barracks relocation and facilitating association meetings with affected members (July 26, 2023).

• Attendance at association workplace meetings.

• Alcohol testing in the workplace.

Assistant Secretary Whetton said the industrial team decided that the distinctive actions undertaken

by Brevet Sgt Whitehorn made him a worthy winner of the award.

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SERVICE AWARDS

President Mark Carroll presented individuals with Police Association service awards:

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Committee service award Julian Snowden – 10-years’ service Delegate service award • Tim Pfeiffer — 20 years’ service (13).

• Gavin Mildrum — 20 years’ service.

• Nicholas Patterson — 10 years’ service (14).

• Mark Heading — five years’ service.

• Allan Dalgleish — five years’ service.

• Paul Clark — five years’ service. PJ

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Matthew Shea (Police Association of Tasmania) and Paul McCue (Australian Federal Police Association).

2. Allan Dalgleish, Garran Donnellan and David Marsh.

3. Police Association assistant secretary Steve Whetton, Mark Heading, Simon Haebich and Tanya Payne.

4. Police Association committee member Tony Coad and Andrew Dredge.

5. Gary Craggs and Bryan Whitehorn.

6. Police Association deputy president Wade Burns, Opposition leader David Speirs and Shadow Police Minister Sam Telfer.

7. Nathan Paskett and David Finlayson.

8. Oliver Behrens (Police Association of NSW) and Michael Valladares (Norther Territory Police Association).

9. Nick Patterson and Luke Richards.

10. Joel Manson, Luke Watts and Tamara Day. 11. Mark Heading, Tony Boots and Peter Hore.

12. Police Association vice-president Daryl Mundy and Richard Jackway (Queensland Police Union).

Summer 2024

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Steve Whetton Assistant Secretary Police Association

INDUSTRIAL

Inadequate meal allowance for members working regional areas S

APOL management has unilaterally adopted a purported policy of providing members who work in regional areas (absent overnight from their headquarters stations) with a lower rate of meal allowance. The supposed basis for this is that kitchen facilities were available to members.

SAPOL management regularly seeks applications from members to join the State Operations Support Branch to police the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY Lands). There, members work a three-week roster which includes an eight-days-straight deployment.

The APY Lands, located in the remote northwest of South Australia, is statutorily controlled by Aboriginal people. Serving Aboriginal communities in such harsh and unforgiving conditions is one of the toughest challenges in policing.

Members are expected to respond at all hours as part of their deployment.

SAPOL management recently determined that members on deployment in the APY Lands are only permitted to claim $36 as a daily meal allowance (without incidentals) compared to other members who work regionally throughout the state and can claim $88.25 daily (without incidentals).

Members who are deployed on an ad hoc basis were also subject to the lower monetary amount in respect of meal allowances.

Pertinent to this issue is the limitation of weight on aircraft when 46

Police Journal

taking food to the APY Lands. It is also relevant to consider the perishable nature of some food, spoilage, and costly low-quality food. On the APY Lands, a litre of milk – which has been frozen owing to delivery – can cost $9.60.

The association understands that a regional detective, who had apprehended sexual-assault offenders, attended court in Adelaide to co-ordinate and give evidence at trial. A senior SAPOL officer informed that member that the daily meal allowance of only $36 per day was applicable because the accommodation sourced, at the police academy, had a kitchen.

Investigating officers contribute long hours to assist victims and witnesses and comply with court processes. An investigating officer can travel several hours each day, on top of his or her responsibilities with proofing witnesses, addendum affidavits, subpoenas, and transporting witnesses.

In and of itself, the court experience is stressful. Members suffer social dislocation, absences from home and, at times, even the inability to contact family.

All this occurs as they seek justice through the court process for regional and disadvantaged communities.

When challenged by association officers, SAPOL management attempted to justify the provision of the lower meal allowance to members with reference to Determination 3.2 Employment Conditions – Remuneration – Allowances and Reimbursements (Office of the Commissioner for Public Sector Employment). A relevant excerpt reads:

“I’ve stayed in some places that didn’t have any pots, pans or crockery before. We don’t know how well equipped these places are until we walk through the door.”

“The conditions and associated allowances available to employees accommodated in quarters, cubicles, caravans or other government owned premises are detailed at clause 8.5 of the SAPSSEI Award. Substantiation in the form of receipts is not required for the expenditure of these allowances.”

Clauses of the SA Public Sector Salaried Employees Interim Award (Accommodation or Meals Provided by the Government) as relied on by SAPOL management read: Clause 8.5.1: “If employees are accommodated in quarters, cubicles, or other Government owned premises, the reimbursement of expenses will be the amount (if any) charged to the employees for such facilities.”

Clause 8.5.2: “Employees who are accommodated in such facilities will, in addition to any reimbursement of actual charges under 8.5.1, be paid the following allowances where appropriate: 8.5.3 Where employees are required to provide their own food, an allowance of $34.75 per day.”

SAPOL management is relying on sources which clearly do not apply to police officers.

The SA Public Sector Salaried Employees Interim Award does not bind police officers. Further, other than in respect of special leave with pay and domestic/family violence leave, the Commissioner for Public Sector Employment has no authority to make determinations binding on SAPOL in respect of police officers.

Continued page 64

Wade Burns Deputy President Police Association

Police jurisdictions must deliver key outcomes A

necdotal evidence is that police jurisdictions across Australia are suffering a collective shortfall of about 15,000 recruits. With the volume and complexity of demand continuing to rise, current members are increasingly required to operate well above and beyond practical, and sustainable, capacity.

Widely accepted within business circles is that customer retention is critically important. It reduces the amount of effort needed to continually reach new customers; and a loyal customer base demonstrates delivery of an optimal customer service experience.

Exchange the word “customer” for “cop”.

Recruitment is important, but critically important is the need, the organizational obligation, to deliver optimal internal support systems, policies and service entitlements that provide compelling incentive for police officers to stay within policing.

The 2022-23 Defence annual report noted that a fundamental barrier for retention of defence staff, especially in regional locations, was a lack of support for the “family unit”. It is essential for SAPOL to place significant emphasis on ensuring that families receive as much support as do employees.

Agencies, including SAPOL, must recognize that community diversity necessitates changes in practice and requires greater workplace flexibility.

Community values and expectations are changing and, as a reflection and representation of our community, so too are the values of our members.

Community values and expectations are changing and, as a reflection and representation of our community, so too are the values of our members.

SAPOL policies must be progressive and adapt to the changing desires of today’s workforce. SAPOL’s administration of the special leave without pay (SLWOP) policy is a prime example. Why lose a member for good by rejecting his or her SLWOP application when, after 12 or so months, that member might return to SAPOL with a greater breadth of experience and reinvigorated for an ongoing police career?

Scrutiny on policing is, without question, at an all-time high. And there’s no doubt that it takes its toll on police. The onus is on leaders and politicians to do more to counter negative publicity about police and the incredible work they do, day in and day out.

I recently attended the National Recruitment and Retention Summit.

What it made clear is the need for inter-jurisdictional co-operation, communication and collaboration to ensure a robust, unified police voice to both state and federal governments.

Police jurisdictions across Australia, led by their respective commissioners, must unite and collectively advocate for key, tangible outcomes.

Outcomes that can make a real difference to the lives of police and their family members, include: • The lowering of the preservation age of superannuation for police to provide greater financial flexibility, enabling police officers to plan for their futures and retirement.

• Amendments to the fringe benefits tax to enable police officers to salary sacrifice their mortgages to offset costof-living pressures.

• The establishment of a police blue card (similar to the Defence white and gold cards) for eligible serving and retired members (this would include greater access to health-care services, pharmaceutical benefits and expanded concessional travel).

• A government-funded national marketing campaign to raise awareness of the role and responsibilities of police officers and position police agencies as employers of choice.

• A commitment toward greater flexibility for lateral transfers between jurisdictions.

• The trialling of new initiatives to support the health and well-being of police officers.

The healthier, happier and more satisfied the workforce, the greater the inclination to remain in the job. Good health is good business.

In a Police Journal opinion piece last year (Health professionals for cops in the workplace, April issue), I indicated that: “… human connection is more important than ever. Imagine top-quality resident health professionals as part of police workplaces in metro and regional locations, providing regular conversation and support to police. Imagine such trusted professionals as members of their local police communities, on hand to chat, listen without prejudice, and educate and support members.”

Continued page 64 Summer 2024

47

HAPPY COPS MAKE THE WORLD A SAFER PLACE - Introducing Police Care Australia Police Care Australia is a joint initiative of the National Police Memorial (NPM) and the Police Federation of Australia (PFA) to provide a health and well-being hub of culturally sensitive and appropriate information for former and serving police force members, their families, and friends.

As a national initiative we strive to support and assist our police across the nation with a one stop repository of mental health resources, comprehensive service directory along with a confidential and independent online counselling service.

Counselling bookings can be made via the website therefore serving and former police are offered a unique service specially designed for first responders.

Police Care Australia understands the unique threats and pressures that cops face every day and the potentially dangerous toll it takes on their lives.

We strive to support and empower every cop to secure and protect their true happiness because we know a healthy and happy cop makes the world a safe place. www.policecareaustralia.org.au

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Police Journal

H E A LT H

Dr Rod Pearce

Good reasons to reject illicit drugs A

n illicit drug can alter a person and make him or her less predictable.

The effects of such a drug and its short- and long-term consequences can vary owing to the different ways it is consumed, the dose, and the person’s physical and mental health and previous encounters with it.

A person might wean himself or herself off a drug, such as morphine, and then a few months later take a dose as a one-off in the amount of his or her previous use. That person might then die from the direct effect as his or her tolerance has changed.

Cannabis causes some fairly predictable effects in the short term, particularly altered perception, and impaired memory and concentration.

This is often with an increased heart rate, bloodshot eyes, and apparent relaxation.

As the use becomes long term (years), and depending on the amount, it is usually associated with decreased motivation. Toxic lung effects are noted, if inhaled, and potentially mentalhealth issues.

The debate about cannabis causing schizophrenia or whether people vulnerable to schizophrenia or psychosis are more likely to use cannabis is ongoing, but the two are related. The thought is that cannabis addiction is probably more a psychological rather than a physical addiction, and cannabis is less physically addictive than nicotine.

An overdose with cannabis is not usually fatal if it is the only drug used, but high-dose intake is usually associated with anxiety, psychological discomfort, paranoia, and hallucinations.

The effects on short-term memory and physical co-ordination are usually

temporary. If accidents (such as car crashes) occur while under the influence, however, the results can be disastrous.

“Medicinal” cannabis, depending on the type, can affect one’s ability to drive and, on testing, cannot be differentiated from non-medicinal cannabis.

This makes the case for continued testing and restrictions on people who test positive on random drug testing.

When one consumes cannabis as a form of “self-medication” to cope with social situations or mental illness, it is often difficult to stop. Therapy and counselling are critical. Forming a relationship with a counsellor or help group remains an important way to help reduce or stop long-term use.

Features of withdrawal from the drug – like irritability, insomnia, loss of appetite and anxiety – might be similar to the original issues which led to taking cannabis in the first place.

COCAINE use is associated usually with intense euphoria and feelings of increased energy and heightened alertness. Associated with the psychological increase in energy can be a dangerous increase in heart rate and blood pressure.

As these effects increase, they can change from a good feeling to increasing paranoia, overthinking and distorted understanding. The “feel-good” effects are the basis of the highly addictive and rapidly developed psychological dependence.

In the brain, the chemical associated with “rewards” (dopamine) is temporarily increased. Eventually, more cocaine is needed to get the same effect, leading to tolerance and physical dependence.

Withdrawal is associated with mood swings, exaggerated anxiety, and depression.

Detoxing or maintaining a healthy lifestyle after dependence is difficult.

High doses of cocaine can cause death because of dopamine overload, with physical effects like heart attack, seizure, or respiratory failure.

Unpredictable short-term effects include increased heart rate and raised blood pressure. And associated with euphoria can be violent and dangerous behaviour owing to impaired judgement.

With the long-term user, the damage to the heart and blood vessels can cause heart failure or stroke, lung problems, and mental-health issues. Because of the dopamine effects, withdrawal from the drug after addiction is usually associated with depression, fatigue and intense, unpredictable cravings.

ECSTASY (or MDMA) is a stimulant.

The feelings of pleasure, emotional closeness and of increased sensory perception come from the stimulation.

In the brain, amphetamine has effects on the noradrenergic system (energy levels), dopaminergic system (pleasure) and serotonergic (happiness) pathways.

Feeling good while taking the drug and over-exerting oneself sometimes causes dehydration and catastrophic body meltdown because the brain is not able to listen to the normal warning signs of the body under duress.

Too much of the drug can be fatal.

The psychological addiction comes from the pleasure but because amphetamine crosses different pathways in the brain it is not as addictive as cocaine and opioids (morphine).

Continued page 69 Summer 2024

49

Jim Barnett

MOTORING

Toyota GR Corolla DESIGN AND FUNCTION New Toyota Corolla GTS and Corolla Morizo Edition hatch join certain others wearing the GR (GazooRacing) designation and treatment. And initial shipments of just 700 GTS and 25 Morizo models have likely been snapped up already.

Similarities between a standard Corolla and GR variants are in name only. The GR variants sport a lower stance, wider track, bulging front and rear mudguards and wide 18-inch alloys shod with low-profile rubber.

A big front air intake, along with bonnet and mudguard vents, ensures sufficient cooling. Sporty sill panels and large ventilated disc rotors feature along with a unique triple exhaust system.

Inside, this hot hatch is nicely laid 50

Police Journal

out with plenty of standard equipment but a lack of storage with no console bin or centre armrest. Driver and front passenger do score comfortable heated sports seats with plenty of side bolstering but manual-only adjustment.

The interior is trimmed in faux leather and suede and there’s dual-zone climate control, an eight-inch central touchscreen with satellite navigation, wireless Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto. There’s also a highpowered JBL audio system and wireless phone charging.

DRIVING The sporty driver’s seat offers sufficient adjustment to get a comfortable, commanding driving position. The heated leather sports steering wheel has buttons for functions such as choosing different displays on the 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster.

Push the start button and its throaty

Power in three cylinders

Model Toyota GR Corolla GTS, $62,300, Morizo Edition $77,800 (plus ORC).

Drivetrain Three-cylinder turbo-charged petrol, six-speed manual transmission, AWD. Performance GTS – 221kW/370 Nm, 0-100km/h 5.29 seconds. Morizo Edition – 221kW/400Nm, 0-100km/h 5.21 seconds. Both models’ top speed: 230km/h.

Safety A suite of driver-assistance and collision-avoidance technologies, reverse camera, front and rear parking sensors and seven airbags.

Fuel 50-litre tank, 98 RON premium unleaded, between 8.4 and 8.6 litres per 100/km (combined test).

1.6-litre turbo-charged three-cylinder petrol engine lights up. Yes, three cylinders that punch out a whopping 221kW of power. The transversely mounted engine drives all four wheels through a delightful short-throw close-ratio six-speed manual gearbox.

The clutch is light and when driven sedately GR Corolla is relatively smooth and quiet. Pushing the right foot down hard, however, releases an angry beast, barking from under the bonnet and out of its exhausts. Acceleration is quick, with 0-100km/h in just over five seconds.

The adjustable AWD system features Torsen limited-slip differentials on each axle. This system, along with its wide soft tyres and firm suspension, provides plenty of grip in corners. On good surfaces it rides quite well, and braking is superb.

Drivers can vary power to front and rear axles and select various drive modes including Custom, Sport and Track.

Nissan X-Trail DESIGN AND FUNCTION

Stronger platform

Award-winning fourth-generation Nissan X-Trail boasts more space, additional power, better handling and improved safety. Four petrol models (ST, ST-L, Ti and Ti-L) come with five or seven seats and in two- or all-wheel drive (model dependent). Nissan has also introduced three hybrid AWD variants (e-POWER ST-L, Ti and Ti-L).

Petrol models feature an improved 2.5-litre petrol engine with paddleshifter CVT transmission. Hybrid e-POWER variants use a three-cylinder 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine purely as a generator to charge their batteries which, in turn, power front and rear electric drive motors.

The new platform is, according to Nissan, stronger with greater use of ultra-high-strength steel. Weight savings result from some aluminium and composite panels.

Slim front and rear LED lighting assemblies, a bold Nissan-family grille, privacy glass, black sill panels, roof rails and a tailgate lip spoiler all feature.

Swish interiors feature a two-tiered centre console with lower tray and eight

Model X-Trail Petrol from $36,750 (ST 2WD) to $52,990 (Ti-L AWD). ST and ST-L petrol can be optioned with AWD and seven seats for an extra $3,100. e-POWER models cost between $3,200 and $4,200 more than their petrol equivalents.

Drivetrain Petrol models: 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol (135kW/244Nm), FWD or AWD, CVT auto transmission with manual mode and paddle shifters. e-POWER models: 1.5-litre turbo petrol (generator), dual electric motors, AWD (157kW/330Nm).

Safety Five-star ANCAP, seven airbags, front and rear parking sensors, multi-view camera system, suite of driver-assistance and crash-avoidance technologies including Pro-PILOT semi-autonomous driving. (Front park sensors, multi-view camera and Pro-PILOT not with entry ST).

Towing Between 1,650kg and 2,000kg (braked), 100kg ball weight.

Cargo space Between 465 and 585 litres (second-row seats upright).

Fuel 55-litre tank, regular (91 RON) unleaded, between 7.4 litres/100km (petrol) and 6.1 litres/100km (e-POWER) combined test.

or 12.3-inch central touchscreens (model dependent).

Trim varies between cloth (ST) and Nappa leather (Ti-L) with multi-coloured, soft-touch materials throughout. X-Trail’s 40/20/40 rear seats slide and recline and provide more room for adults than many do in this class. Generous cargo space, with under-floor compartments, features along with either a temporary spare wheel or tyre-repair kit.

DRIVING ST-L 2WD has a decent driving position owing to its 10-way poweradjustable driver’s seat and small leatherbound reach- and rake-adjustable steering wheel.

All controls are within easy reach and visibility is good. A seven-inch (TFT) instrument screen keeps drivers informed. Push-button start features along with an electronic gear selector and auto electric park brake.

Off the line, a heavy right foot might introduce unwanted torque steer.

The rest of the time this drivetrain delivers smooth linear power. Steep hills are no match, highway performance is effortless and there’s plenty in reserve for safe overtaking.

The well-equipped e-POWER Ti gets a 12.3-inch instrument cluster and useful 10.8-inch head-up-display.

Additional power provides quicker acceleration, particularly off the line.

There’s no hint of driveline vibration and, as an AWD, no torque steer.

Useful is e-Pedal mode, which provides one-pedal (accelerator) acceleration and braking.

ST-L, Ti and Ti-L models also feature Pro-PILOT semi-autonomous driving assistance. Pro-PILOT will accelerate to the set cruise speed, brake as necessary (including a complete stop) and maintain steering within one lane (if the driver’s hands remain on the steering wheel).

Summer 2024

51

PROGRAM CORPORATE PARTNER

MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS Australian Wine Showcase Magazine digital subscription (valued at $35)

POLICE WINE CLUB ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP $30 single, $50 double

PLUS ree entry to all tasting events at the Precinct Café * F and selected venues across Adelaide (approx. four per year, valued at $100pp) iscounted entry to tastings for guests of members * D ree entry into annual members wine raffle with * F a the chance to win a judging masterclass for two, hosted by Wines of Adelaide (prize value approx. $300) irect access to Winemakers * D iscounts on quality wines * D

Contact the Police Association for more information on (08) 8212 3055 52

Police Journal

ree delivery to the Precinct Café * F M * TA travel vouchers (value $100 per booking / travel conditions apply)

WINE

“Off with the Fairies” NV Sparkling Roussanne

George’s Folly Wines Currency Creek, SA georgesfolly.com.au

This NV (non-vintage) sparkling Roussanne is a bright, crisp and clean, easy-drinking drop made from 100 per cent Roussanne grapes.

A blend of 2019, 2020 and 2021 vintages, brings to instant notice aromas of lemon curd, cashew and nashi pears.

A gorgeous fine bead will precede the flavour this beautiful Cuvee will impart as one savours hints of white peach, mineral and biscuit.

Beautiful to drink on its own or with celebratory foods such as oysters, crayfish sandwiches and smoked salmon.

Or, at the other end of the food spectrum, indulge in delicious fruit-based desserts.

2023 “Give it a Whirl” Chardonnay Wild fermented in a combination of new and seasoned French oak puncheons, this beautiful new release Chardonnay exhibits aromas of stone fruit, kiwifruit and grapefruit notes, complemented with oak-derived hazelnut, vanilla and a hint of flint.

With generous fruit upfront, on the palate it’s more on the papaya spectrum. Complex flavours and a rich texture are provided by extended lees contact and wild fermentation.

This wine is, however, held in check with tight acidity.

Toast and vanillin top notes carry through at the finish.

And, while we suggest enjoying our wines when young, this Chardonnay will age beautifully.

2021 “Pie in the Sky” Shiraz This is a beautiful lighter-style Shiraz that can be enjoyed year-round.

With subtle aromas of vanilla and French oak, there is delicious pepper, liquorice and spice to enjoy on the palate.

Think hints of nutmeg and cinnamon, voluptuous red fruits and a tiny splice of chocolate to finish.

A lovely Shiraz to drink now, but this wine will cellar beautifully allowing the tannins to soften and the wine to develop an attractive complexity.

Summer 2024

53

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ADVERTORIAL

The year that was: 2023 W

hile 2023 presented challenging market conditions, Police Credit Union has remained steadfast in its support of members during these uncertain economic times.

In 2022, we launched a fresh look with our new logo and Bank On Us tagline.

While our brand has been refreshed, we continue to be driven by our strategic priorities, guided by our core values of superior service, honesty, integrity and financial prudence. These efforts have produced outstanding results across financial and non-financial measures.

This allows us to continue supporting our core bond members, police officers, who helped us open our doors in 1970.

Here are some of the key milestones we achieved in 2023.

Important community initiatives and partnerships Since 2006, our cumulative community investment spend has exceeded $6.7 million and just this year alone we invested $577,000 in sustainable strategic community investments. This included the renewal of important existing sponsorships.

We renewed our major partnership with the Country Fire Service (CFS) Foundation for another three years.

Having worked closely with those on the front line for more than 53 years, we understand the importance of the foundation’s work and the support it provides volunteer firefighters and their affected family members.

In the sporting space, we continued our sponsorship of the Adelaide Footy League.

We also continued our naming rights sponsorship of the Hills Football League.

These efforts have produced outstanding results across financial and non-financial measures.

This allows us to continue supporting our core bond members, police officers, who helped us open our doors in 1970.

We are proud to support grassroots sport across Adelaide and the hills through these sponsorships.

Turning to healthcare, we continue to support nurses and healthcare workers through sponsoring several of the Women’s and Children’s Health Network events and initiatives.

We also supported the Barossa Hills Fleurieu Local Health Network and the Northern Adelaide Local Health Network with initiatives to recognize and give back to nurses.

Giving back to our core bond and strengthening partnerships While we are for everyone, we continue to be committed to our core bond. As long-standing major sponsors of SA Police Legacy, we’re proud to have strengthened our relationship with a formal agreement for the next three years.

To demonstrate our support of South Australian police officers, we said “thank you” on Valentine’s Day with thousands of M&M hearts, we worked with the Police Association to encourage stations to have a break on RUOK? Day with Kit Kats and free coffee, and we delivered Nespresso coffee machines to numerous stations across the state. We look forward to continuing to provide these acts of appreciation next year.

experience that is still secure and even easier to use but also loaded with a range of new features. Some of the new features include biometric access with facial recognition technology adding to our existing secure login options. You can conveniently reset your password, manage your cards, and set and track a savings goal with the app’s savings calculator straight from the app.

Supporting the environment In 2007, we implemented a carbon reduction strategy to reduce our environmental impact. This strategy encompasses reducing waste, paper and electricity usage, modifying our buildings, engaging employees in environmental initiatives such as Adopt a Road, and offering greener products like our Low Rate Car Loan# and Solar Eco Loan.

In April, we partnered with EcoCaddy.

In the first 11 weeks, we saved 103kgs of green waste from landfill (equivalent to the weight of a standard fridge) which diverted 217kgs of greenhouse gasses from the atmosphere.

Since 2018, we have maintained a self-assessed carbon neutral footprint.

This year we formalized this achievement by completing our carbon neutral certification with Climate Active.

The new banking app experience In July 2023, we launched our new banking app. Continuing our commitment to digital innovation and access, we delivered a new app

Continued page 69 Summer 2024

55

Free Legal Service for Police Association Members, their families and retired Members.

Leading Adelaide law firm, Tindall Gask Bentley is the preferred legal services 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

DISCIPLINARY & ADMINISTRATIVE LAW • ICAC • Coroner’s Court • Criminal law

• Police complaints • Equity & diversity Luke Officer

Daniel Weekley

Gary Allison

Amber Sprague

Dina Paspaliaris

Rebecca Zanol

INJURY COMPENSATION • Motor accident injury compensation • Workers compensation

• Public liability • Superannuation claims (TPD)

FAMILY & DIVORCE

Matrimonial, De Facto and Same-Sex Relationships • Children’s issues • Child Support matters

• Property settlements • Pre-nuptial style agreements

Isabelle Russell

BUSINESS & PROPERTY • General business advice • Real estate & property advice

• Business transactions • Commercial disputes & dispute resolution Lauren Roberts

WILLS & ESTATES • Wills and Testamentary Trusts • Enduring Powers of Attorney • Advance Care Directives

• Advice to executors of deceased estates • Obtaining Grants of Probate • Estate disputes

Sarah Mitchell

Michael Arras

Adelaide | Reynella | Salisbury | Gawler | Mt Barker Murray Bridge | Port Lincoln | Mannum | Whyalla Perth (WA) | Darwin (NT) | Brisbane (QLD) 56

Police Journal

tgb.com.au | (08) 8212 1077

Hanna Rogers Associate Tindall Gask Bentley Lawyers

LEGAL

Presumption of innocence a genuine protection T

he presumption of innocence is a fundamental common law principle.

In law, it is presumed that every person accused of a crime is considered innocent until he or she is proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt. The burden of proving the charge rests entirely with the prosecution.

It was in this context that ACT Board of Inquiry chair Walter Sofronoff KC recently levelled criticism toward former ACT Director of Public Prosecutions Shane Drumgold SC. In 2022, Bruce Lehrmann stood trial in the Supreme Court of the ACT alleged of raping Brittany Higgins. Ultimately, the trial was abandoned because of the conduct of a jury member.

Drumgold subsequently announced his decision not to prosecute Lehrmann at a second trial. Drumgold stated that, notwithstanding his determination to decline to prosecute the re-trial of the matter, he maintained his view that there was a reasonable prospect of conviction. His concluding remarks were: “During the investigation and trial, as a sexual assault complainant, Miss Higgins has faced a level of personal attack that I have not seen in over 20 years of doing this work. She has done so with bravery, grace and dignity, and it is my hope that this will now stop, and Miss Higgins now be allowed to heal.”

Sofronoff found that Drumgold’s comments were improper, that they amounted to a failure in his duty as the DPP and that they undermined the public's confidence in the administration of justice.

However, in a progressively risk-averse society, there is an everincreasing tension between the rights and liberties of individuals, and the treatment of certain categories of alleged offenders.

Sofronoff also contended that Drumgold’s comments gave rise to a reasonable inference that he was expressing an opinion that he thought Lehrmann was guilty.

Sofronoff’s findings are a timely reminder about the importance of the presumption of innocence, a right which must be protected at all costs.

However, in a progressively riskaverse society, there is an ever-increasing tension between the rights and liberties of individuals, and the treatment of certain categories of alleged offenders.

For example, where a police officer is charged with a criminal offence, the commissioner of police has the power, pursuant to section 23 of the Police Complaints and Discipline Act, to suspend that officer's appointment, pending determination of the proceedings.

Of course, suspension pursuant to section 23 is not a punitive device.

However, the effect of a suspension in this scenario might be practically punitive, depending on an officer's circumstances.

Su sp e n sion p e nd i n g t he determination of a charge can cause financial hardship owing to suspension remuneration only being calculated at base salary, without any benefit of allowances and shift penalties.

Likewise, suspension pending the determination of a charge is generally without any accrual of rights and does not count as service. The practical effect of a suspension pursuant to section 23 might reasonably cause an officer to feel

aggrieved and as though he or she is being treated as an offender.

Much the same can be said about those who fall within the definition of a "prescribed applicant" for the purposes of the Bail Act 1985. While the Bail Act does not displace the presumption of innocence, it does alter the presumption in favour of bail for those taken into custody in relation to certain categories of offences.

The burden is shifted to those individuals to establish special circumstances which would justify their release on bail.

Recent amendments to the Bail Act now also require a bail authority to expressly take into account the harm that child exploitation material causes to children when considering bail for persons charged with child exploitation material offences.

These tensions similarly exist at an operational level for police. There is a rising demand for officers to take positive action, to ensure complainants are protected from harm (particularly relating to alleged offences of sexual, domestic and family violence) and to give substantial weight to the complainants’ wishes.

At the same time, alleged offenders are entitled to a thorough, impartial investigation. A decision to interfere with an alleged offender's liberty in the absence of contested facts being heard and determined should not be made lightly.

It is therefore important that attending police consistently strive to strike an appropriate balance between these competing priorities.

The presumption of innocence is a genuine protection which should be guarded and reinforced at all levels, and it must not be eroded as our modern society endeavours to better address and appropriately respond to sexual, domestic and family violence allegations.

Summer 2024

57

BOOKS

Holly Stephen King Hachette Australia, $32.99

Holly is on her own, and up against a pair of unimaginably depraved and brilliantly disguised adversaries.

When Penny Dahl calls the Finders Keepers detective agency hoping for help locating her missing daughter, Holly is reluctant to accept the case.

Her partner, Pete, has COVID. Her (very complicated) mother has just died. And Holly is meant to be on leave. But something in Penny Dahl’s desperate voice makes it impossible for Holly to turn her down.

Mere blocks from where Bonnie Dahl disappeared live professors Rodney and Emily Harris. They are the picture of bourgeois respectability: married octogenarians, devoted to each other, and semiretired lifelong academics.

But they are harbouring an unholy secret in the basement of their well-kept, book-lined home, one that might be related to Bonnie’s disappearance.

And it will prove nearly impossible to discover what they are up to: they are savvy, patient, and ruthless.

Holly must summon all her formidable talents to outthink and outmanoeuvre the shockingly twisted professors.

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

58

Police Journal

Khanjar

Bob O’Brien (author/publisher), $32.95

A fast-paced crime story set in New York against a backdrop of political intrigue.

Palestinian engineer Paul Shehadah comes to America to study and teach at New York City’s Columbia University.

There he meets Lucy Donaldson, daughter of Senator Debra Donaldson. As Lucy is drawn closer to the handsome Shehadah, the senator, a supporter of the Palestinian cause, worries he is not what he seems.

Soon after Shehadah’s arrival in America, a bombing takes place at one of New York’s major reservoirs. FBI agent “Bec” Bekele and her partner are sent to investigate and soon start to uncover a deadly web of international intrigue.

Tom Clancy: Weapons Grade, A Jack Ryan Jr Novel We Sweep the Streets: A police story based on fact Ivor John Carroll $28.18 (on Amazon)

Life as a cadet in training at Thebarton barracks in 1947 and beyond. Confessed ratbag Ivor John Carroll became known as “Chris”, short for “Christmas Carroll”. He relives a comical and, at times, emotional journey through policing during the 1940s and ’50s.

In a politically incorrect, unfiltered manner, Carroll recalls the array of fascinating characters with whom he worked — some loved, some hated — the continually changing states of the job, and the many cases on which he worked.

These stories are an important part of a legacy Carroll had always wanted to leave for his mates and family.

We Sweep the Streets: A police story based on fact was to be the first of a duology spanning Carroll’s entire career, from beat cop to speed cop, to his role as a detective sergeant in charge of Special Branch.

Searches have not so far uncovered a complete copy of the second manuscript, but the search continues.

Available from SA Police Historical Society.

Don Bentley Hachette Australia, $32.99

The quiet of a Texas night is shattered by the sounds of screeching brakes, crumpling metal and, most shockingly, rapid gunfire.

The auto accident Jack Ryan Jr thought he witnessed turned out to be a professional hit. Ryan might be too late to save the victim, but he’ll be damned if he’s going to let the hitters escape justice.

He’s got just one lead: a meeting the victim was going to. When Ryan shows up instead, he’s drawn into the seedy underbelly of a small Texas town and the cold case of a college student who vanished from its streets.

Ryan is left with nothing but questions. Who wants it to look like the victim was drunk? Why does someone want an innocent witness killed? And, most of all, what’s a team of South African hitmen doing in the Lone Star State?

His quest for answers will take Ryan from a quiet Texas road to the middle of an international conspiracy – and might just cost him his life.

Summer 2024

59

BOOKS

CINEMA

Consumed

Greg Buchanan Orion, $32.99

On a lonely farmstead, a 70-year-old woman falls down outside and, unable to move, is consumed overnight by two of her pigs.

It seems like a tragic accident, except the woman was well-known photographer Sophia Bertilak and, inside her house, someone has removed all her photos from their frames, seemingly erasing her past.

The first photo Sophia ever took remains her most infamous: a missing girl who was never seen again. Forensic veterinarian Cooper Allen is drafted in for the autopsy and slowly becomes obsessed with the victim, her family, and the crimes she brought to light decades ago.

Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom Released December 21

Weekend with the Sunshine Gardening Society Sophie Green Hachette Australia, $32.99

Newly divorced Cynthia has returned to her hometown from Los Angeles to reconnect with her daughter, who is pregnant and determined not to listen to her mother’s advice.

Cynthia’s former best friend, Lorraine, has been stuck mowing lawns as part of a business she shares with her husband – his dream, not hers.

When Cynthia convinces Lorraine to join the local Sunshine Gardening Society, they meet young widow Elizabeth, and rootless, heartbroken Kathy.

The four women soon discover the society is much more than an opportunity to chat about flowers. Rather, it offers them the chance to lend a helping hand to people whose lives need a bit of care and attention right along with their gardens.

The women learn that some roots go deep, and others shallow; that seeds can lie dormant for a long time before they spring to life, and careful tending is the key to lives and friendships that reach their full potential.

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After failing to defeat Aquaman the first time, Black Manta wields the power of the mythic Black Trident to unleash an ancient and malevolent force.

Hoping to end his reign of terror, Aquaman forges an unlikely alliance with his brother, Orm, the former king of Atlantis.

Setting aside their differences, they join forces to protect their kingdom and save the world from irreversible destruction.

Cast: Jason Momoa (Arthur), Patrick Wilson (King Orm), Amber Heard (Mera), Willem Dafoe (Vulko), Nicole Kidman (Atlanna), Dolph Lundgren (King Nereus).

WISH

Released December 21

Wish is an all-new musical comedy which welcomes audiences to the magical kingdom of Rosas, where Asha, a sharp-witted idealist, makes a wish so powerful that it is answered by a cosmic force – a little ball of boundless energy called Star.

Together, Asha and Star confront a most formidable foe – the ruler of Rosas, King Magnifico – to save her community and prove that when the will of one courageous human connects with the magic of the stars, wondrous things can happen.

Cast: Chris Pine (King Magnifico, voice), Ariana DeBose (Asha, voice), Victor Garber (Sabino, voice), Alan Tudyk (Valentino, voice).

Next Goal Wins (CTC) Released December 28

Next Goal Wins follows the American Samoa soccer team, infamous for its brutal 31-0 FIFA loss in 2001. The defeat, which drew headlines around the world, came at the hands of Australia.

With the World Cup qualifiers approaching for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, the team hires down-on-his-luck, maverick coach Thomas Rongen hoping he will turn the world’s worst soccer team around.

Cast: Michael Fassbender (Thomas Rongen), Will Arnett (Alex Magnussen), Oscar Kightley (Tavita), Kaimana (Jaiyah), David Fane (Ace).

Wonka Released December 14

Wonka is based on the extraordinary character at the centre of Roald Dahl’s iconic children’s book, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

Wonka tells the wonderous story of how the young Willy Wonka meets the Ooma-Loompas and becomes the world’s greatest inventor, magician and chocolate-maker.

Cast: Timothée Chalamet (Willy Wonka), Rowan Atkinson (Father Julius), Hugh Grant (Oompa-Loompa), Olivia Coleman (Mrs Scrubbit), Sally Hawkins (Willy’s mother).

Summer 2024

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DVD

London Kills 225 minutes, $29.95

The elite murder investigation team deals with a series of killings, which turn out to be linked.

It soon becomes clear that the killer has access to information from within the police service itself.

Are the detectives hunting one of their own?

“One of Britan’s most thrilling series,” according to Entertainment Weekly.

The Walking Dead: Dead City 300 minutes, $32.95

Years have passed since the last sight of Maggie (Lauren Cohan) and Negan (Jeffrey Dean Morgan), and the old enemies must now form a tenuous alliance to carry out a dangerous mission.

Maggie and Negan travel to a post-apocalyptic Manhattan, long ago cut off from the mainland. There, they discover a crumbling city, filled with the dead and denizens who have made New York their own – a world full of anarchy, danger, beauty, and terror.

But, as the pair moves deeper into the gritty depths of the walker-infested city, it becomes apparent that the traumas of their tumultuous past might prove just as great a threat as the dangers of the present.

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Monday – Friday 7am – 2pm 27 Carrington Street, Adelaide (08) 8212 2924 Chicken pesto focaccia 15.60 Chicken caesar salad 16.80 Bacon and egg brioche 7.80 Ham and cheese toastie 6.50 + tomato 0.50 Ham and cheese croissant 6.60 Raisin toast 5.40 Banana bread 6.50 Muesli & yoghurt (vegan) 7.00 Muffins 4.50 Protein balls (vegan) 4.50 Latte/cappucino/flat white 4.20 / 4.60 / 5.40 Long black 4.20 / 4.60 / 5.40 Short black/macchiato/piccolo 3.80 Hot chocolate/chai latte 4.20 / 4.60 / 5.40 Dirty chai 4.70 / 5.00 / 5.40 Mocha 5.20 / 5.50 / 5.70 Iced coffee/chocolate with ice cream 6.50 Iced latte/mocha/chocolate 4.60 / 5.40 Iced long black 4.60 / 5.40 Berry/banana/mango smooothie 7.00 Milkshake/frappe 6.50 Mt Franklin 600ml still water 4.00 Mt Franklin sparkling 4.00 Sprite/Diet Coke/No Sugar Coke 4.00 Orange juice 3.50 / 4.20 / 4.80

INDUSTRIAL

Craig Stevens In-house Counsel Police Association

Best to remove member names from electoral rolls T

he Police Association encourages all members to interact with the Australian and South Australian electoral commissions to have their names and addresses removed from electoral rolls.

The recent experience of an association member has clearly indicated that this measure is not of itself sufficient to prevent access by undesirable persons to members’ personal details.

The name and address of the member concerned was disclosed to a criminal who conducted a search with Land Services SA. The relevant data base administered by Land Services SA – the South Australian Integrated Land Administration System (SAILAS) – holds all certificates of title in respect of real property, Crown leases and LTO transactions, such as transfers and leases.

The association appreciates the affected member bringing this important issue to its attention and joins with him in encouraging all members whose details are held on the SAILAS to apply to Land Services SA for name search suppression.

While name search suppression will not completely prevent access to a member’s personal details held within the data base, any readily available protective measure should be used.

The association will be lobbying Attorney-General Kyam Maher for more comprehensive protections of the personal details of members held on the SAILAS.

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Police Journal

Industrial From page 46

Industrial From page 47

Not only is SAPOL management purporting to rely on inapplicable industrial sources, but it also purported to unilaterally “determine” that accommodation with a kitchen or cooking facilities is a consideration as to rates of allowance, despite the absence of this criterion in the purported source (industrial) documents.

As one member has highlighted: “We’ve driven over 700ks in some cases to get to our deployment points.

“When we suggested that it’s unreasonable to expect us to carry raw ingredients for food prep (management) said that we should store oils and seasonings at work and take them with us, not considering that there’s a shelf life to these items.

“I’ve stayed in some places that didn’t have any pots, pans or crockery before. We don’t know how well equipped these places are until we walk through the door.”

The association has notified SAPOL management of an industrial dispute in relation to the provision of meal allowances to members working in South Australia’s regional and remote communities.

SAPOL management has agreed to provide members with the higher of the stated allowance rates in recognition of providing the status quo.

Also an association objective in the next round of enterprise bargaining is to facilitate the inclusion of any and all allowances currently residing in general orders, as provisions of an enterprise agreement. This outcome will, among other things, aid the association in protecting members’ industrial interests.

SAPOL Human Resources Service executive director Kim-Sherie Summers responded swiftly with a strongly worded letter to the Police Association, published also on the SAPOL intranet.

She insisted that my words required “a direct response” and, while she had not up until then felt the need to respond to Police Journal articles, wrote that she was “… extremely disappointed by an article which I believe has a very narrow focus on such an important issue…”

But credit where credit is due.

I was overwhelmingly pleased that, since my Police Journal article and suggestion, SAPOL is now trialling the metropolitan outreach programme within both Western District and Southern District, respectively.

Professionally trained social workers, working within the districts, currently for one day per week, are providing support to members at the intersection of their professional and personal lives, assisting them to manage a range of matters which impact on not only their own wellbeing, but also that of their families and colleagues.

I commend this initiative, and from what members tell me, engagement levels have been very high and feedback overwhelmingly positive.

The reality is that police work is both challenging and rewarding. It’s a great job.

And now is the time to work together, both at a state and national level, unions and agencies alike.

It’s imperative that current members receive the contemporary entitlements and recompense they so very much deserve, and to entice quality recruits into a vocation which, arguably, can be one of the very best jobs in the world.

ON SCENE

Graduates’ Dinner: Course 62/2023

1

2

SkyCity SouthWest Suite November 11, 2023

1. Jade Hamilton and Leyla Mesecke.

2. Alec Cornish and Catherine Dimasi.

3. Mhairi Madigan, Georgia Chapman and Tiffany Summers.

4. Wayne Stock and Brody Trembath.

5. Mark Wiggett and Jess Leedham 6. Jade Osterholm, Rhys Hinds and Lara Wedge.

7. Master of Ceremonies Tiffany Warne 8. Vanessa Bach and Tayla Brown.

3

5

4

6

Graduation dinners are sponsored

by Health, Wealthy and Wise

7

8

The Last Shift

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

Bernie Farrington Gregory Flitton Brenton Kirk Kevin Meyer Craig Scott

Detective Sergeant Bernie Farrington APM

Sexual Crime Investigation Branch 38 years’ service Last Day: 04.10.23 Comments…

“I extend my gratitude to the association for the excellent work it continues to do in representing the professional and industrial interests of members. I am also very appreciative of the assistance President Mark Carroll has provided me over the years.

“My journey with SAPOL began in 1985 as a member of Course 15, transitioning from a trade background to embark on a new career. I have never looked back on that decision with regret, as my years within SAPOL have been immensely rewarding.

“My initial posting was Elizabeth patrols and, after six years in uniform, my career trajectory moved into the CIB and Crime Service as a detective within the Port Adelaide CIB, Drug Task Force, Operation Counteract, Child Exploitation Investigation Section, and the Sexual Crime Investigation Branch (SCIB).

“The last few years, due to health reasons, have involved part-time work at the academy and the Investigation Support Branch. I thank Simon Bell, Michelle Cahalan, and their teams for the support they provided me in those roles.

“SAPOL has given me remarkable opportunities, cherished memories,

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and good friends. I have been privileged to have known and worked with many dedicated, tenacious, and exceptionally talented individuals, and I am proud of the results that we achieved together.

“I look forward to embracing retirement, travelling with my wonderful wife, Karen, and spending more quality time with my children Holly and Dylan, their partners Zac and Adriana, and grandchildren Darcie, Ashton, and...

“I leave satisfied that I gave it my all and loved most of it.”

Brevet Sergeant Gregory Flitton

Central Crime Scene Investigation Section 17 years’ service Last Day: 06.09.23 Comments…

“I have been employed by SAPOL since 1991 when I started out as a non-sworn public servant (ASO-1).

I worked in various areas including the Stolen Vehicle Unit, Records Release, CIAVROL, Visual Intelligence Publications and, finally, as a criminal intelligence analyst (ASO-4) with the State Intelligence Branch (formerly BCI).

“I ‘resigned’ in February 2006 when I then went to the academy and, six months later, graduated as a sworn member.

“Since then, I worked at Elizabeth patrols, Elizabeth CIB (CFIS) and have spent the last several years as a crimescene investigator, at Elizabeth, Holden Hill, Evidence Desk and my current position at Central Crime Scene, Norwood.

“I have had a vast and interesting career being both non-sworn for 15 years and sworn for 17 years.

“We see and do things that a lot of people wouldn’t understand or fathom.

We are society’s babysitters as we generally see people at their worst or their most vulnerable as they turn to us for strength in sometimes difficult circumstances.

“For the most part, working for SAPOL has been extremely enjoyable and satisfying. I have met some wonderful workmates whose friendships I will always cherish. I will miss the people, the friendships and the camaraderie which is vital in a job like this.

“I will also miss some of the jobs, (the ones where you know you made a difference) and the police environment as a whole.

“The current DPM, the complexities of Shield, management practices, staffing shortage issues and the lack of member support for disturbing tasks, I will not miss. There are only so many times you can rearrange the deck chairs on the Titanic before you have to address the iceberg.

“I thank the association for its support over the years, particularly in 2014 during a domestic violence coroner’s enquiry, which is something I hope no one ever has to go through.

“My wife and I have recently re-located to the Gold Coast. My wife was offered employment at a private hospital (which made the decision to resign a lot easier).

“I have been offered a position as an RPAS (drone) chief remote pilot for the Australian UAV Service.

“So, if anyone comes up to the Gold Coast, I’ll be the guy on the beach with not a care in the world flying drones for a living.”

Senior Sergeant 1C Craig Scott

T&DC Operations Support Service 42 years’ service Last Day: 19.10.23 Comments…

“To say my 42 years in SAPOL have been an incredibly rewarding and enjoyable time would be an understatement.

“I commenced with SAPOL on March 12, 1981, in Course 76 and, from that date, I have had one of the greatest rides anyone could have in their working life.

“I have had the pleasure to work with some amazing people during my time and nearly all the memories I have are good ones.

“To every boss (and I had a few) who asked me into his or her office during my career and encouraged me to take the next step and become an officer: aren’t you all glad I never seriously entertained that thought?

“I have been inspired by many people through my time, the first being Mick Butler as my senior partner at Hindmarsh.

One of the most professional, hardworking patrol officers you will ever find.

The fact that he only recently retired while still being a patrol sergeant defies belief.

“Bob Nash and Peter Walsh inspired me to head down the training road as they made sense of things that made no sense and genuinely cared about our members.

“Jeff White (Darlington T&DC) made me sit the senior constable exam. Without this I would never have made the rank of senior sergeant.

“Gayle Raven took me under her wing and inspired me to be a better trainer.

“I got the opportunity to run a cadet course at the academy for six months and learnt from the likes of Stuart McLean, Kevin Moore, Mark Spence, Phil Vincent, Mark Ryan and Mark Ager. If not for Mark Ager, I would never have won the senior sergeant position at South Coast.

“Deb Pearce (South Coast admin manager) inspired me to think outside the square, to be compassionate, and to strive to make a difference. She is an excellent leader and, more important than anything, she is very funny.

“I was lucky enough to have Paul Greathead as my senior sergeant when I was at Darlington and Glenelg and then to have him as the DCI at South Coast was a blessing. He was the most caring and dedicated officer I have worked under.

“Damien Epps was one of the constants at South Coast and another I admired and learnt from.

“Sue Webb and Sue O’Connor also played a significant part in my time at South Coast and my passion to help others.

“To this day, I still get disappointed that SAPOL (or more accurately one person) did not support the Peer Support Program that was successfully trialled for two years at South Coast. It would have made a difference to the lives of all SAPOL members.

Continued…

Summer 2024

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THE LAST SHIFT

“I especially thank my wife, Mel, who has been an incredible support to me and has been a rock during my last few years of policing and has assisted my transition to retirement.

To my four children, Jacinta, Daniel, Archie and Ruby: thank you for your understanding, support and love.

“I’m not sure the South Australian public is safer because of my time in SAPOL, but I hope the members of SAPOL enjoyed my enthusiasm, dedication and passion for making a difference.

“It’s very easy to throw grenades and complain constantly, especially when you are leaving but, in the end, it’s still the best job to be a part of.

The camaraderie, the can-do attitude, and the I’ve-got-your-back mentality is second to none.

“The equipment and training provided to us by the organization is excellent and the opportunities for development, both professionally and personally, are there if you want to take it on.

“But the greatest gift I will take away from my 42 years are the stories and the laughs that go with them.

“Finally, I thank the Police Association. I remember distinctly walking along King William St towards the steps of parliament in the 1990s to protest about our pay and conditions. This was the catalyst for changing our pay to reflect the job that we do and to bring about parity with other police jurisdictions.

“The association has fought very hard for our conditions and will continue to fight for our rights.

I am forever grateful.”

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Sergeant Brenton Kirk

Communication Group 32 years’ service Last Day: 04.12.23

Senior Constable Kevin Meyer

ND District Teams Two years’ service (previous service 2012-2017) Last Day: 10.11.23 Comments…

“I always said that my return to SAPOL would be treated like a working holiday and that, when it stopped being fun, I’d pack it in.

So here we are. I just wanted to acknowledge some folks on the way out.

“Shannon ‘Webby’ Webb: thank you for motivating and challenging me with respect to taking on supervising. You helped me realize I can do a whole lot more and, thanks to you, I was competitive enough to win the leadership role I’m going to.

It wasn’t acknowledged enough what you did for our team and how you tried to look after us as individuals.

“Dan Richards. I’ve never met such an unflappable individual. I enjoyed our car conversations immensely and appreciated the family/life/lawn advice you gave. We had some good laughs, and I will miss working with you.

“Sarah Curtis. The friendship we’ve struck up is one of the biggest wins for me coming back. I consider you the best patrol partner I ever had.

If you enjoy your work, you’ll never work a day in your life. That’s how I felt when we buddied up for a shift.

Don't change one bit.”

Comments…

“I thank the committee and delegates, both previous and current, for their continued support of the members and improving our working conditions.

“Having joined SAPOL on October 17, 1991, Course 53, I just missed out on the pension but, as a result of the efforts by the association at the time, I am able to still enjoy a comfortable retirement with the super fund that we have available. Thank you.

“I leave with fond memories and amazing experiences (both good and bad) that I would not have believed I would encounter. Having worked metro and rural postings, plus 20plus years as a police negotiator, I encountered pretty much everything.

“Thank you to all I worked with over the years. The comradeship and support we give each other is invaluable.

“Finishing my career at Communications Group, both as an operator and then a training supervisor, was an absolute pleasure.

“To all members at the pointy end, I wish you well and good luck. Keep fighting the good fight.”

H E A LT H

ADVERTORIAL

From page 49

From page 55

By affecting the serotonin pathway in the brain, use is associated with happiness. But, as serotonin is depleted, depression becomes part of the feeling.

Long-term use affects memory, usually causes depression, and affects the ability to think clearly.

Pre-existing mental-health issues can be exaggerated and made worse while brain damage might lead to apathy and demotivation.

Withdrawal is associated with mood swings, exaggerated anxiety, and depression. Detoxing or maintaining a healthy lifestyle after dependence is difficult.

METHAMPHETAMINE (meth) is similar to MDMA chemically but seems to have different effects.

When taken orally, both drugs increase cardiovascular measures (blood pressure and heart rate) and “positive” subjective effects but decrease food intake.

Methamphetamine in some cases seems to improve performance and disrupt sleep, while MDMA seems to be associated with more “negative” subjective effects.

Street use, particularly of methamphetamine, is often with other drugs and associated with dental issues (“meth mouth”) and picking at skin. It is highly addictive. Meth overdose is known to cause hyperthermia and risk of death from stroke or heart attack.

It is also associated with extreme wakefulness, increased and sometimes violent physical activity, and increased risk-taking.

MANAGING people with addiction begins with making sure you are safe, as unpredictable, out-ofcharacter behaviour is common. Next, it is important to make sure the person is not putting himself or herself, or others around him or her at risk.

Once the acute effects wear off, it is preferable to get the person into a system that will provide mental and physical support. This is difficult when services either don’t exist or circumstances have left an individual isolated and with little social support.

Medical help and advice are useful but not always available and, without alternatives, the addiction and dependence make repeat encounters likely.

Achieving results across key metrics We’re proud to share that Police Credit Union has achieved another excellent year of performance. Our unwavering support to members achieved a 92.7% member satisfaction rating. Our strong consistent results also included a prudent profit after tax result of $6.87 million, taking member reserves to $112 million, representing a 5.8% increase on the previous year.

As a mutual customer-owned organization, we put our members first by reinvesting 100% of profits back into the business to continue to provide highly competitive products and services.

For more information about our award-winning products and your exclusive benefits as a Platinum member, including select discounts on loans and $0 loan package fees – a further saving of up to $420*, please contact your local Platinum relationship managers, Glenn Lewis on 0421 243 741 or Ryan Mountford on 0437 286 804. They’d love to provide you with their personal banking service.

Please view more Platinum benefits at policecu.com.au/platinum. You can read about the last year in detail in our annual report on our website.

Award-winning products and services Testimony to the competitiveness of these products and the strength of our value propositions to members, this year we were proud to be awarded the prestigious title of Australia's Best Credit Union in the Mozo Experts Choice Awards for Australia's Best Banking in 2023. Recognizing our competitive home loan products, we were also named by Mozo as Home Lender Credit Union of the Year. These two honours are the crowning glory on top of a long list of achievements and awards received this year.

Police Credit Union Ltd (PCU) ABN 30 087 651 205 AFSL/Australian Credit Licence 238991. Terms, conditions, fees, charges, lending and membership criteria apply. Full details upon request. All information is correct and current as at 31/10/2023. Police Credit Union reserves the right to withdraw or amend product features at any time. #Estimated Car emissions will be offset for the term of the loan. *Excludes Business Banking &/or Commercial Loans and loans to a Trust or SelfManaged Super Fund and special offers.

Summer 2024

69

Jobs you never forget I was at Millicent police station when a call came from Berri CIB. The information was that a man had entered Renmark police station and told officers that he had killed his wife and mother-in-law. He said their bodies were at a Millicent address. My partner and I attended the address but couldn’t raise anyone. With about five aggressive dogs in the rear yard, we gained entry through a front window. In a front bedroom, I saw blood splattered on a wall. The deceased wife was in the bed, bashed to death. The dogs somehow had access to the back part of the house and stopped us from getting access.

But we eventually secured them in the rear yard and found the mother-in-law in a wardrobe. She had been strangled.

So, for the double homicide, I assumed the role of forward commander.

My partner and I attended a house fire at Mount Burr and understood that an elderly man was possibly inside the house. When we got there, CFS units were trying to extinguish the fire. About six women were standing out the front crying. Three of them were the elderly occupant’s daughters. He lived alone in the house with his dog and had poor mobility. Members of the public had tried to break the back door down but couldn’t get inside owing to the smoke.

The man had died and was found at the rear of the house. It was a very emotional scene – dealing with the family, watching them as they watched their father’s house burn down, knowing that he was inside and that there was nothing we could do and, at the same time, managing the scene as police forward command.

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SENIOR CONSTABLE TANYA PAYNE (Millicent Police Station)

I arrived on the scene of an attempt suicide where a two-person female patrol had responded and found a man in a shed, standing on a plastic chair. A piece of rope was secured around a roof beam and wrapped around his neck, secured with a noose at the rear. The man, who weighed over 120kg, began to lean forward and choke himself. One patrol member and I, and the man’s grandmother, tried to push him back onto the chair but that proved a short-lived effort owing to the size disparity. The other patrol member found a serrated steak knife, climbed onto the bonnet of a car in the shed and cut the noose from the roof beam. The man fell to the ground and was hostile, but we calmed him with our communication skills and SAAS took him into their care.

The grandmother later said the police, with their prompt response, had saved his life.

“… as they watched their father’s house burn down, knowing that he was inside and that there was nothing we could do.”

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