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WHAT IS THE BEST THING ABOUT POLICING IN A RURAL AREA? ACTING SERGEANT SHANNON JOYCE BENDIGO POLICE STATION “You have a better chance of getting to know the locals, which makes the job a whole lot easier. Also, you get to quickly know the area better because it’s a smaller region.”
If you think about what is needed to catch a crook a gun, handcuffs or a key piece of evidence might be the first things that come to mind.
CONSTABLE MOLLY PENNO BENDIGO POLICE STATION “The best thing is being able to have a good relationship with the community.”
A diary might not even make your list, but for police this unassuming tool can play a leading role in a criminal case. Crime Department and Crime Investigation Unit (CIU) members are required to maintain official diaries as a record of daily duties performed.
SENIOR CONSTABLE ANDREW HEAZLEWOOD BENDIGO POLICE STATION “People take a lot of pride in their town and are very willing to help you catch a crook.”
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POLICE LIFE LOVES HEARING WHAT YOU THINK ABOUT THE MAGAZINE, YOUR LOCAL POLICE AND VICTORIA POLICE IN GENERAL. WRITE, FAX OR EMAIL POLICE LIFE AT: POLICE LIFE, GPO BOX 913, MELBOURNE, 3001. FAX: 9247 5982 EMAIL: policelife-mgr@police.vic.gov.au JOIN VICTORIA POLICE ONLINE
Marie Economedes The way the police force supports and gets behind each and every one of its members especially in times of need is so inspiring! Truly inspirational! Jacqui Burns Fantastic effort Vic Pol! Thanks for fighting to get drugs off our streets and away from our children. Sarah Hernandez Well done to the officer that risked his own life to save another. Without his fast courageous thinking she wouldn't be alive today!
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AUTUMN 2014 POLICELIFE
OFFICIAL DIARY
The diary provides accurate information to supervisors as to the manner in which duties are carried out and it protects and assists members on all occasions of future reference to their conduct.
THANKS PSOs We caught a bus into the city to see the fireworks on New Years Eve but discovered that the buses finished at 9.30pm so we could not get home. We caught a train to Blackburn Station in the hope of getting a taxi from there. Unfortunately there were no taxis and we couldn't get through on the phone. The Protective Services Offices (PSO) that were on duty were so fantastic. It was just myself and my teenage children and we were scared standing in the street for nearly 40 minutes but the PSOs kept checking on us, even lending me their personal mobile to see if it was a problem with my phone. They offered to walk us up the street so we could try to flag one. I can only say how amazing and fantastic they were. We eventually got a taxi and I just wanted to say it was a job well done. From now on I will get the train, as I found it to be a safe experience. J. HORVATH DONCASTER EAST
Police have specific guidelines on using the diaries, including that only factual information can be used, it must be in chronological order and precise times, names and locations must be recorded. Supervisors regularly inspect the diaries to ensure proper completion of entries. Melbourne North CIU’s Detective Sergeant Dave Renney said the official diary can be used as evidence in criminal cases. “If the defence calls for the diary you are required to bring it to court because it has specific details about what was involved in an incident,” Det Sgt Renney said. “It’s also a handy tool for police to look back on cases they have worked on and refresh their memories on different observations.”
GREAT JOB CHIEF I watched Chief Commissioner Ken Lay’s press conference recently, regarding the tragic and shocking murder of Luke Batty and the death of his father. I want to commend you for the way you handled this awful event. At the beginning you clearly expressed great empathy with Rosie Batty. You picked up on what she had so bravely said on her hope that this would somehow help in the tackling of the scourge of family violence. It gave you the opportunity to emphasise that this was a complex issue with many parts that needs to be considered and somehow brought together. It was also good to hear you put so simply the position that your members at times have to face and your support of them. The people of Victoria and indeed Australia are fortunate to have people like you in a leadership position. I wish you well as you follow through on the enquiries and look forward to better ways being found to deal with family violence. D. NICHOLAS EAST PERTH