The Victoria Police Magazine
Public
the
safety
June 2010
edition
SAFER STREETS How Victoria Police is working to keep the state safe.
PRINT POST APPROVED 349018/00079
On the road with the
Plus
Operations ResponseUnit Specialist teams
fight street crime >
TRUE
CRIME
>
STUDENT
SAFETY
>
DRUG
SCOURGE
june 2010
inside
contents regulars 05 Behind the badge 06 Odd Spot 30 From the Archives
cover: SAFER STREETS Melbourne East police’s Sgt Adrian Phelan and Const Sally Whyte. Photograph: Mark Wilson. Poster: on patrol The Safe Streets Taskforce. Photograph: Shane Bell. Police Life is produced by the Media & Corporate Communications Department, Victoria Police, PO Box 415, Melbourne, 3005. Fax: 9247 5982. Email policelife-mgr@police.vic.gov.au Editor Chelsea Arnold Journalists Mark Tesoriero Maria Carnovale Graphic Design Vetro Design Pty Ltd Subscriptions 9247 5419 ISSN 0032-2598L Crown Copyright in the state of Victoria. For permission to reprint any part of this magazine, contact the editor. Opinions expressed are not necessarily those of Victoria Police.
Cover story The Safe Streets Taskforce is just one way Victoria Police is tackling public safety in the community. See story on page 8.
08 Connecting the community 08 How police are fighting to keep the streets safe. 10 Encouraging student safety. 24 Motorcyclists at risk on the roads.
10
22
a safer victoria
valuing our people
22 Looking out for the elderly.
12 On the road with the Operations Response Unit.
26 More police patrolling public transport. 28 The fight against drugs.
20 Homicide Squad’s tireless fight to convict a teenage murderer.
12
Message from the Deputy Commissioner P
ublic order is a real challenge for Victoria Police going forward and is certainly a priority for us. The community has the right to feel safe and be confident to go about their activities without fear. While we are committed to making the community safer, we also need to change perceptions of safety. Safety on public transport is an example of where perceptions and actual safety vary. Reported crime on public transport is down by more than nine per cent yet commuters’ perception of safety is very low. We are working to address that difference. Activities such as operations Guardian and Omni will go a long way to increasing perceptions of safety.
02
JUNE 2010 POLICELIFE
We launched the Operations Response Unit (ORU) on 1 March and in the first three months has recorded some remarkable results. Alcohol continues to be a driver of public order issues and related crime and we are maintaining our focus on liquor licensing through Taskforce Razon. We will continue our commitment to Safe Streets in Melbourne’s CBD as well as the regional public order operations conducted in Geelong, Ballarat, Bendigo and other rural locations. We realise that public order is an issue and are committed to enforcement and community safety. Kieran Walshe Deputy Commissioner (Public Safety)
making news
public
the
safety
edition
FOR the latest police news VISIT www.vicpolicenews.com.au
.01
Tough powers introduced are helping police rid society of the knife crime scourge that is plaguing Victoria’s young people.
Editorial Chelsea Arnold
Knife fight .01 More than 800 weapons were surrendered to police during the amnesty.
O
ne in 33 people searched by police are caught carrying a knife. Compare this to booze buses which catch one in 251 people for drink-driving and one in 68 for drug-driving. Deputy Commissioner (Public Safety) Kieran Walshe said a culture was emerging with young people carrying knives because everyone else was.
Weapon wipeout There has been a 9.4 per cent increase in robberies involving knives in the past 12 months. There has been a 2.86 per cent decrease in assaults involving knives over the past 12 months. There has been an increase of these types of offences at licensed premises, whereas there has been notable decreases in these types of offences in street/lane/footpath and residential locations. There has been an increase in alleged assault with knives offenders aged 15–24 years.
www.police.vic.gov.au/policelife
“People who arm themselves with knives are placing themselves in a dangerous position. If someone has a knife, sooner or later they are likely to use it,” Mr Walshe said. Victoria Police statistics show the number of young people arming themselves with knives is increasing. In 2008–09, 58 children aged 10 to 14 were caught by police with a bladed weapon; a 45 per cent increase on the previous year. A further 287 teenagers, aged 15 to 19 were also caught with knives. Mr Walshe said it was totally unacceptable to think it was reasonable to carry a knife. “We as a community need to ask ourselves why these young people are arming themselves. As police, as a community and as parents we cannot accept a knife culture in our society and allow it to grow.” Police now have greater ability to fight weapon crime following the introduction of tough powers to search people for weapons in public places in designated areas. Since January, police have conducted four weapons search operations as part of Operation Omni.
The most recent was at Sunshine railway station where police found five edged weapons, including a knife and box cutters. In total, 864 people have been searched. Twenty-six weapons have been detected and 22 people charged with weapons offences. More operations are planned for other areas across Victoria in coming months with the added powers allowing police to conduct more random searches without warning. In April, more than 810 knives and other prohibited weapons were surrendered to Victoria Police as part of a month-long amnesty. The amnesty allowed members of the public the opportunity to surrender any unwanted or illegal items without penalty. “It is pleasing to see members of the community have taken advantage of this initiative and have helped reduce the amount of weapons in circulation,” Mr Walshe said. “By coming forward it shows people are not only thinking about their safety but also the safety of the broader community.”
POLICELIFE JUNE 2010
03
small talk policefact
voxpoP
Did you know?
HOW SAFE DO YOU FEEL? JOE HEYS, 20 MELBOURNE I feel pretty safe in Melbourne. It’s not a violent place compared to Burnley, England which is where I’m from. Burnley has a bad reputation for violence involving a lot of young people.
CAMILLA WALKER, 21 RICHMOND I feel really safe even though I live relatively close to Victoria Street which is known for drug dealing. I feel safe in all of Melbourne. My street’s really quiet.
Victoria Police is recruiting now. Victoria Police is constantly seeking to recruit dynamic, innovative and dedicated people who represent the whole community. Information sessions about the recruiting process will be held from 7pm on Wednesday, 14 July and Wednesday, 21 July at the Victoria Police Academy. To learn more about becoming a police member, or to register your attendance, visit www.police.vic.gov.au or call the Recruiting Services Branch on 132 001.
pollposition
Last edition's poll question: Do you think Victoria Police members need new uniforms? The results were: Yes 40 % No 28% maybe 32% This edition’s online poll question is: What would you like to read more of in Police Life? Vote online now at www.police.vic.gov.au/policelife on the Internet.
inbox 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, PO Box 415, Melbourne, 3005. Fax 9247 5982 Email: policelife-mgr@police.vic.gov.au Follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
@jonnyschneider Thanks @ victoriapolice, you responded quickly & appropriately to our little disturbance this evening. Good to know you're there. @JoelBarker83 The @ VictoriaPolice presence is certainly more evident on the streets today. Nice work guys! #opaegis. @tristanohlenrot @VictoriaPolice Great job guys! Thanks for getting these fools off the streets! @kateodonnell Loving the stories from @VictoriaPolice on how they are catching all the baddies today! Keep up the good work!
04
JUNE 2010 POLICELIFE
Keeping the streets safe I would just like to say thank you to all the police who were keeping Melbourne CBD streets safe on Saturday night. After attending a going away party, my partner and I had to walk a couple of intimidating blocks to our car, however, while walking we were confronted by a great police presence and it was extremely comforting. We were witness to an incident that occurred and the police involved conducted themselves extremely professionally, were very tolerant and acted appropriately. I would just like to say thank you very much for putting yourself on the line for the greater good. We are very appreciative. Rhiannon Shortal, Barwon Heads
Reassuring service I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge and thank the police from Caulfield police station. My car was broken into and various items were stolen. Detective Senior Constable Andrew Morgan was extremely helpful in keeping me up to date on the progress of the case. He is an absolute credit to Victoria Police. No one at the station ever made me feel like my case was not important or insignificant. Subsequently, the perpetrator has now been arrested. I doubt I will ever see my goods or money again, however, it is very satisfying to know that our police genuinely care about protecting the people out there. Jonathan Schilling, Caulfield North
Police presence effective I asked if a police member might just call by St Ann’s in Seaford to straighten up the motorists and cyclists ignoring safety in the area. Thanks very much. The Highway Patrol has visited twice and may I further ask that they continue to show their presence. They make a miraculous transformation of all who see them. Thanks again, we value your service. Peter White, Seaford
behindthebadge
Dinesh Nettur RANK Leading Senior Constable Age 41 GRADUATED 1997 ROLE Multicultural Liaison Officer (MLO) What does the work of an MLO involve? I was appointed to the role of MLO in 2002 when there was a real need to go out into the community to make people from diverse language and cultural backgrounds understand the role of Victoria Police. There are approximately 10 MLOs across the state. Liaising is a dual function. We engage and form partnerships with migrant community groups to increase the awareness of the role of police. Sometimes we have to dispel the negative perceptions about police that they may carry from their country of origin. We also attend functions and festivals and provide safety information sessions at universities and colleges for international students. Internally, we liaise with police members to provide them with information about local emerging communities and referrals to multicultural organisations so that they may form better local partnerships. We deal with various new and emerging communities settling in Victoria such as the Vietnamese, Chinese, Somalian, Sudanese and Indian communities and assist with policies that may impact on policing. What are the challenges you face? There are more than 100,000 international students in Victoria and the MLOs work to try to prevent them from being victims of crime by raising their awareness about safety and the role of police in Victoria. A lot of crime goes unreported in the international student community for various reasons and this has always been a challenge for us.
What do you enjoy about your work? Working long-term with various communities is a rewarding experience and we get thanked by these communities often. MLOs are invariably good at networking and accumulate some vital community contacts which in turn provide a vital resource for Victoria Police.
QUICKSTATS
Listen hear, pipe down
equipmentshowcase
Drivers were put on notice when police piped up against noisy vehicles during Operation Pipedown.
Portable metal detector
D
enhanced powers and equipment including a walk-through metal detector and handheld wand are helping wipe out weapons.
uring Operation Pipedown in April police issued 2200 Environment Protection Authority (EPA) notices to drivers of excessively loud cars and motorcycles. About 5000 EPA notices are issued across the state to excessively loud vehicles every year, with Operation Pipedown set to dramatically increase that number this year. Acting Inspector Lisa Winchester from Melbourne East police station was pleased with the results. “Drivers of illegally modified, excessively loud motor vehicles are part of an anti-social behaviour problem,” she said. “This operation is in response to the large number of complaints police continue to receive relating to overly loud cars and motorcycles. “We are asking owners of illegally modified, excessively loud motor vehicles to consider and respect other people’s rights.” Operation Pipedown was conducted by Victoria Police together with the EPA, Melbourne City Council, Melbourne University, the Victorian Deaf Society and Harley Davidson.
www.police.vic.gov.au/policelife
T
he powers, used for the first time in January, allow members to stop and search anyone within a designated area. Almost 50 police saturated Footscray railway station, searching 182 people as part of Operation Omni. Inspector Philip Green of the Transit Safety Division said Footscray was chosen after it was identified as a weapons hot spot. Over three hours, police detected seven people carrying 12 weapons. Similar searches have since been carried out in North Melbourne, Melbourne (Flinders Street), Sunshine, Dandenong and Preston. Insp Green said it was the first time a portable detector had been used in an operational context, other than for court security.
“We have undertaken traditional screening but we are finding these to be more of a visual deterrent, very effective and non-intrusive,” he said. Insp Green said police displayed utmost respect and care when using wands and for pat-down searches. “In most cases, they will never physically come into contact with the person they are searching. Pat-down searches are rare, as police usually receive a high level of public cooperation. “The police doing these searches must first undergo human rights awareness training. The protection of human rights is fundamentally important when using these powers,” he said.
POLICELIFE JUNE 2010
05
br i ef i n g
victoria police top 10 stories from www.vicpolicenews.com.au
4
3
2
8
7
1
10
5
9
1. Arrest in homicide case
H
omicide Squad detectives have arrested and charged a 43-year-old man for the murder of Elisabeth Membrey, who disappeared 15 years ago. Shane Bond was arrested in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs and charged with one count of murder. The charge follows a long investigation by the Homicide Squad into the disappearance of Ms Membrey who was last seen on 6 December, 1994. She disappeared from her Ringwood home.
Homicide Squad detectives urge anyone with information about the disappearance of Ms Membrey to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or visit www.crimestoppers.com. au online.
6
2. Crackdown on weapons
O
peration Omni VI was held on 21 April around Preston railway station.
Members searched 116 people and only three weapons were located, but all were for a legitimate excuse. For example, students with scissors in pencil cases travelling from school to home. Police also arrested one male youth and a female for possessing a drug of dependence (cannabis).
3. Wyndham police station opens Wyndham has welcomed 21 uniform police with the opening of a police station in Tarneit on 31 March. The state-of-the-art station run by Senior Sergeant Dallas Normington is now the second station alongside Werribee to service the growing area. The station will operate as a 16-hour station, but has the capability to operate as a 24-hour station.
ODD SPOT
Nine lives
Thieves who attempted to steal pigeons from a backyard aviary in Craigieburn were caught out when the aviary door shut behind them, locking them inside.
A cat in New Zealand has saved a couple who were within a whisker of being engulfed by fire in their home in Arrowtown, near Queenstown.
Broadmeadows police responded to the call and arrested the offenders who were not a flight risk.
JUNE 2010 POLICELIFE
More than 60 police from across western Victoria and Melbourne saturated major highways leading into Horsham and Mildura from South Australia on 22 April as part of a crackdown on traffic offences and the transportation of illicit drugs. Police locked down major arterial roads setting up sites and randomly patrolling and searching trucks in a bid to detect stolen property, drugs, drink-driving, outstanding warrants, fatigue and speeding. Police checked 721 vehicles and 730 people and seized 534 grams of cannabis as part of the operation. Two people were arrested for drug possession. Police detected 94 various traffic offences including failing to wear a seat belt, speeding and fatigue-related matters.
Thieves’ flight attempt
The owners of the property found the three teenagers stuck inside the cage full of pigeons and called police.
06
4. Heavy haulage crackdown
Maceo the cat woke his owners at 3am by wetting his paws in the toilet bowl and walking on their faces. The Age
www.vicpolicenews.com.au overseas news: what is happening in the world of policing?
2
1
1 Poland
Polish police have arrested a man for raids in which he allegedly climbed into large parcels and posted himself to businesses. He would climb out at night and burgle the premises. He made his getaway by sealing himself and his loot into another box addressed to his home.
2 USA
Police in Fairfield, Connecticut, had ample warning of a bank robbery because the two suspects called the bank before their arrival and told a teller to get a bag of money ready. Police were waiting to arrest a 27-year-old and a 16-year-old, who were described as “not too bright”.
8. Illegal DVDs found
P
7. Drug ring smashed 5. New firearms for all police
O
perational Victoria Police members will be equipped with state-of-the-art semiautomatic pistols (SAP) later this year. The .40 calibre Smith and Wesson M & P (military and police) SAP was selected as Victoria Police’s preferred weapon after an extensive tender and evaluation process. Distributor Grycol International was selected as the preferred supplier for a minimum of 10,500 Smith and Wesson SAPs.
The Altona Regional Response Unit raided a Hyde Street factory in Yarraville about 8pm in search of marijuana, but left with the DVDs, plus production equipment. They also seized five marijuana plants. Police allege the DVDs are pirated copies with an estimated street value of about $300,000.
Police smashed an alleged drug trafficking syndicate operating in and around Geelong and Torquay following raids on 13 properties. Thirty police from across western Victoria searched homes in Geelong, Torquay, Belong, Paraparap, Anglesea, Jan Juc and Werribee seizing cannabis, ecstasy, LSD, cash, a car, motorbike and three firearms. Fifteen people were arrested.
6. Don’t drink and drive-thru
A
olice netted an unexpected haul of 30,000 illegal DVDs when they raided a factory looking for drugs in Melbourne’s west on 10 May.
49-year-old Wonthaggi woman has been charged with drink-driving after wedging her car into a garden bed at Wonthaggi McDonalds.
At 2.25pm on 7 May she attempted to enter the drive-thru in her Toyota stationwagon but collided with the side of the restaurant and became stuck in the garden bed. The driver was breath-tested by police and returned a reading of 0.207. Her license was immediately suspended and inquiries are being made regarding further charges. No-one was injured in the incident and it is believed the woman did not manage to order any food before the collision.
Police arrested a 28-year-old Footscray man, a 35-year-old Deer Park man and a 27-year-old Braybrook man in relation to the find.
9. 24-hour family violence support Police in Frankston and the Mornington Peninsula are issuing safety cards to family violence victims and perpetrators. The card provides referral and emergency numbers related to family violence. Family Violence Advisor Sergeant Craig Millar said the cards would provide vital information to anyone who had been a victim of family violence. There were 1439 recorded family violence incidents in Frankston in 2008–09, and 960 in Mornington Peninsula.
10. Reckless speedster nabbed
P
olice were appalled at the behaviour of a driver who was caught travelling 73kph over the speed limit in Lakes Entrance on 5 May. The 21-year-old was detected travelling at a speed of 133kph in a 60kph zone. The Lakes Entrance man’s driver’s license was suspended for 12 months. He was issued with a $584 penalty notice and lost eight demerit points. His car was impounded for 48 hours.
n u m ber
cr u n c h i n g
0.229
6.3%
600
29
1700
Police intercepted a recidivist drink-driver four times over the legal limit on 2 May. The 48-year-old McCrae man who blew 0.229 had his licence suspended immediately and faces drink-driving charges.
The number of robberies in Victoria dropped by 6.3 per cent in 2009 to 59.3 per 100,000 population, down from 63.2 in 2008.
More than 600 pedestrians were caught crossing the road illegally during Operation Don’t Do Your Dash in April. The TAC-funded police operation aimed to reduce road trauma in Melbourne’s CBD.
The number of motorcyclists killed on Victorian roads as at 1 June. This is double the number at the same time last year.
An additional 1700 recruits will be trained at the Victoria Police Academy in Glen Waverley over the next five years.
www.police.vic.gov.au/policelife
POLICELIFE JUNE 2010
07
public
the
safety
edition
SECURING OUR
STREETS
.01
08
JUNE 2010 POLICELIFE
Street saturation .01 Police will not tolerate anti-social behaviour in the community. .02 The community has an expectation that police will be there to make the streets safe.
.02
A SAFER VICTORIA editorial Mark Tesoriero PHOTOGRAPHY Shane Bell
Banning notices issued by designated area 19 December, 2007 to 31 December, 2009.
Everyone has the right to feel safe on the streets. Victoria Police established the Safe Streets Taskforce in October 2007 to help defend that in light of mounting public order issues. Police Life spoke with taskforce members to see how they were faring.
C
onstable Tom Windlow has vivid memories of their childhood together. He and James Macready-Bryan, living in Doncaster, instantly became friends after meeting at kindergarten. They attended the same primary school; played in the same junior football team. When his good pal moved to Kew East in grade two, Const Windlow switched football teams to maintain contact. They went different ways at high school – one to Carey Baptist Grammar and the other Koonung Secondary College – but caught up soon after completing Year 12 for a family dinner. The next time Const Windlow saw his childhood buddy, it was in the Royal Melbourne Hospital’s (RMH) intensive care unit. Macready-Bryan, out celebrating his 20th birthday with friends in the city in October 2006, had become the victim of an assault that left him with severe brain injuries. “It was pretty distressing to see your friend like that, someone you’d known and grown up with from a very young age,” Const Windlow, of the Transit Safety Division, said. Const Windlow, who graduated from the Victoria Police Academy last October, said his friend’s plight had proved an additional motivator in his daily duties.
www.police.vic.gov.au/policelife
Macready-Bryan, who requires constant attention, lives at Gardenview – the RMH’s residential care facility that specialises in patients slow to recover from an injury. “Policing is something that I was interested in from a young age, but seeing what happened to him helped drive home the potential to make a difference,” he said. Victoria Police has also been trying to make a difference to city assaults, instituting a number of public order initiatives, including the Safe Streets Taskforce. The taskforce, formed in October 2007, provides a highlyvisible police presence in popular entertainment districts throughout Melbourne and its surrounding suburbs. It was a taskforce that Const Windlow served on for seven weeks after graduating. Officer in charge of Safe Streets Inspector Kate Smith said the operation focused on addressing public order incidents, such as the one involving Macready-Bryan, as well as licensing and traffic issues. With more licensed venues operating across the CBD and the rise of inner-city living in the past decade, the increased activity on Melbourne’s streets had been dramatic.
“In total, there are about 1600 licensed premises in the CBD with a capacity for more than 50,000 people,” she said. “If you add in the restaurants and entertainment venues, it has true potential to be up to 200,000 people.” Safe Streets operates every Friday and Saturday night from 8pm to 6am with members operating in either four-person or two-person street patrols. Friday nights target Melbourne’s CBD, while Saturdays also encompass the entertainment district around Prahran and South Yarra. Its hours and days of operation could also be extended to cover busy public holiday weekends such as Easter and Anzac Day, she said. Insp Smith said high-risk locations such as licensed venues were targeted, in addition to taxi ranks, 24-hour convenience stores and the Night Rider bus network. “The members wear reflective vests and are out early,” she said. “We know the critical times are not until after midnight but we are there to engage with the public so they can see the high presence of police before they go into their venues. “It’s about people enjoying themselves but if there is an issue with public order, we are there to intervene.” Patrols are intelligence based and compiled by analysts such as Region 1’s Tracy Martin. Ms Martin said analysts liaised with Victoria Police departments such as the Transit Safety Division, Embona Taskforce and various Crime Investigation Units to establish key priority areas.
Melbourne CBD
2144
Prahran
128
Latrobe
163
Ballarat
41
Port Phillip
32
Yarra
28
Bendigo
20
Geelong
16
Frankston
11
Warrnambool
9
Safe Streets members are provided with an extensive briefing about targeted areas prior to starting patrols. “Members from other areas might be looking out for an offender that is known to reside or frequent the CBD so we can inform those on Safe Streets to keep their eyes open and effectively have additional resources looking for that individual,” she said. Resources for the taskforce are mainly drawn from Region 1 with some support from across the state. Newly-graduated members on the Probationary Constables Extended Training (PCET) scheme serve a period of several weeks with Safe Streets as part of their placement with either Melbourne East or West police stations. “It’s a good experience for our members, especially the PCETs, as they get to engage in a proactive sense with the public and gain valuable street experience,” Insp Smith said.
In addition to their regular powers of enforcement, police can also issue banning notices that restrict individuals from re-entering a designated entertainment district for up to 24 hours. They can be issued when police suspect a person has committed an offence, or is acting in an offensive or drunken manner. Since being introduced in December 2007, Victoria Police has issued 2492 banning notices, 94 per cent of these were given to males.
POLICELIFE JUNE 2010
09
public
the
safety
edition
.01
Spotlight
on student safety
International students make up more than half of all students living and studying in Melbourne and police are working to make them feel safe.
COnnecting the community editorial Chelsea Arnold photography Andrew Henshaw
M
elbourne is quickly becoming the home away from home for international students. Figures show more than 100,000 international students live in Victoria, with a large concentration of these students living, studying and working in Melbourne’s CBD. Leading Senior Constable Dinesh Nettur and Leading Senior Constable Andrew Kennedy spend their days working closely with international students especially those from Indian backgrounds.
The Region 1 Multicultural Liaison Officers recognise international students have specific needs other students do not face. The pair hold student information and crime prevention sessions at universities, TAFE campuses and private colleges to ensure students are aware of services and agencies available to them and so they understand the role of police. “International students often unwittingly fall victim to civil matters. They can end up being employed and working for less than the minimum wage, or being ripped off when it comes to accommodation,” Ldg Sen Const Nettur said.
Staying safe Do not openly carry valuables, including iPods, mobile phones or laptops. Find suitable and safe routes to petrol stations, shops and your local police station. Try to find routes that are well-lit and busy. Avoid confrontation – it is better and safer to walk away if you are being provoked. If you feel you are being followed, cross the street, and if you are still worried, move as quickly as possible to a public area and telephone for help. At night, walk in pairs in well-lit areas and on busier streets, not dark alleyways and side-streets. If travelling by bus or tram at night, try not to wait alone at the bus or tram stops. Avoid walking alone after getting off public transport at night. If you can, walk close to a group of people or arrange for someone to meet you.
10
JUNE 2010 POLICELIFE
However, a lot of crime goes unreported from the international student community. “We provide them with awareness tips and encourage them to report things to police,” he said. Ldg Sen Const Kennedy said this could be partly attributed to believing that reporting a crime could have a negative effect on their visas or applications for permanent residency. “Many students think that by reporting a crime we are going to contact the Department of Immigration which is not the case. “Through the information sessions we are trying to prevent them from being victims of crime by educating them,” he said. The sessions cover basic information relating to personal safety, calling 000 and reporting crime. “International students also have a lot of questions about driving in Australia and drivers’ licenses.” On a wider scale, Victoria Police has been concentrating its resources to reduce crime against international students across the state through Operation Guardian. Deputy Commissioner (Public Safety) Kieran Walshe said “an increasing trend of violence against
international students” was identified and resources directed to highly-visible policing operations in hot-spots. “We have conducted many operations in and around railway stations late at night when students frequent public transport. We’ve since expanded this to include operations in high-risk locations including public transport corridors, railway stations, tram stops and businesses and occupations that have historically provided employment opportunities for international students,” Mr Walshe said. In one weekend in April, more than 200 police flooded Dandenong as part of Operation Guardian conducting foot patrols, traffic operations and weapons searches in a bid to decrease attacks on international students. Police spoke to 592 people, conducted 336 wand searches and 19 pat-down searches. Police visited 25 licensed premises and 40 high-risk businesses, issuing one liquor infringement notice. More than 280 vehicles were checked and 192 breath tests conducted with 61 traffic infringement notices issued. A total of 13 people were arrested and charged with 134 offences. “Our aim here overall is to not only improve safety within these communities but to also improve the perception of safety in the community,” Mr Walshe said.
Friendly exchange .01 Leading Senior constables Dinesh Nettur and Andrew Kennedy share a joke with Amberley College students Sukhjinder Mehrok, 21, Rangit Singh, 22, and Hardeep Singh, 19, at Federation Square. .02 Victoria University students Maulik Barikh, 24, Mohammed Hussain, 23, Arjun Dhandapani, 25 and Kiran Thilak, 25, discuss safety with Ldg Sen Consts Dinesh Nettur and Andrew Kennedy.
www.police.vic.gov.au/policelife
.02
POLICELIFE JUNE 2010
11
public
the
safety
.01 edition
out&
ab ut
Operation Response Unit
Timeline
1pm The ORU was a welcome sight to shoppers at Westfield Doncaster. They were approached on a number of occasions by people for anything from directions to the car park or introducing their children.
12
JUNE 2010 POLICELIFE
Organised response .01 Police were on the look for shoplifters and antisocial behaviour in and around Westfield Doncaster. .02 In Shepparton, hoons had nowhere to hide as ORU members patrolled the roads.
.02
Around every corner and at the entry of every pub and club, the Operations Response Unit did not go unnoticed during shifts in Doncaster and Shepparton.
Valuing our people editorial Maria Carnovale PHOTOGRAPHY Andrew Henshaw
ns
“W
hat’s going on?” asks a curious security guard at the front of Shepparton’s Aussie Hotel. “There’s a lot of cops around tonight.” There was not a corner left unmanned or a road clear while the Operations Response Unit (ORU) was in town. It was a dreary Friday night when the ORU was deployed to the 58,000-people town of Shepparton. The 11 members had travelled for two hours from their Melbourne offices for Operation Garden Shop, focusing on public order. Shepparton police had used many means to shape up the nightlife in town. Lockouts, a
transport bus for the alcoholaffected and a crackdown on liquor license offences just to name a few, were sending a message to trouble-makers around town. The latest effort, to introduce the highly-visible ORU crew in town, was expected to make an even bigger impact.
Only weeks before their arrival, on one of the streets that ORU members were now patrolling, a man was left in a critical condition after he was bashed by a group of young men. ORU members, as well as Shepparton police, were eager to ensure it did not happen again. The ORU is Victoria Police’s latest weapon in tackling crime, public order and road policing. The unit was formed in March and comprises 120 experienced police who target issues across the state. The unit will continue to grow in the coming weeks to a capacity of 229 members. continued page 14
The ORU is Victoria Police's latest weapon in tackling crime, public order and road policing
2.15pm
10pm
The members have processed two shoplifters at the centre so far. They visit some of the stores and talk to staff about how they can prevent shoplifting.
ORU members arrive at Shepparton police station. They kit-up in their highvisibility reflective vests and are briefed by Shepparton’s Inspector Ian Bull about the night’s activities.
www.police.vic.gov.au/policelife
POLICELIFE JUNE 2010
13
public
the
safety
.03 edition
"It's very different to working at a police station. It's grassroots policing, flooding areas with police."
10.20pm
11.05pm
Senior Constable Richard Van Granberg and Sergeant Brett Ward pull over a red VN Commodore for a random check. Sgt Ward instructs the driver to start the car and beep the horn to test its noise levels, then checks the tyre treads. The driver is issued with a defect notice.
ORU members see a drunk man trying to get into the Shepparton Aussie Hotel. They speak to the man who is allegedly found to be carrying cannabis. The man is arrested and put in the back of the mini brawler van.
14
JUNE 2010 POLICELIFE
High visibility .03 Shepparton’s pubs and clubs were visited by the ORU. .04 Police teamed up with shopping centre security staff to patrol the busy aisles of Westfield Doncaster.
.04
"We have five late-night venues, some of which trade until about 5am. We are a big sporting town so after local games the players will celebrate with a night on the town." On this night it was focusing on public order in Shepparton, earlier in the day they were proactively patrolling in Doncaster and a week earlier they seized weapons in Ringwood. No matter where or when, their aim is the same, officer in charge Inspector Nigel Howard said. “We’re here to support operational police,” he said. “The ORU can be deployed anywhere. We have highly-trained members who can focus on high-priority issues in Melbourne, regional centres and country towns. “If a rural area is experiencing a certain problem, like alcoholrelated violence, we can target that issue with local police to reduce it, or work on targeted operations at train stations or other public areas for weapons crimes.
“We are prepared for anything. Whether it be crime prevention or responding to a major incident like a bushfire.” On any night, Shepparton police tackle the issues in town, but this weekend the manager of the Police Service Area, Inspector Ian Bull, was pleased to have extra hands on deck. “We have five late-night venues, some of which trade until about 5am. We are a big sporting town so after local games the players will celebrate with a night on the town,” he said. The late-night venues were the ORU’s focus as police patrolled the town, dealt with anti-social behaviour, checked known problem areas and spoke to drivers while conducting roadworthy checks.
The results for the weekend were positive. Police spoke to 128 members of the public, visited 12 licensed premises, conducted 76 preliminary breath tests and checked 69 vehicles, issuing more than 30 traffic penalty notices. Earlier that day, 18 ORU members had descended on Westfield Doncaster where they worked with local police and centre security to prevent shoplifting and antisocial behaviour around the centre. Sergeant Keith Jordan, who joined the ORU after working at Northcote police station, said the variety of operations was exactly what he liked about the unit.
“It’s very different to working at a police station. It’s grassroots policing, flooding areas with police,” he said. From the shopping centre to the busy nightlife of Shepparton, ORU members could be tasked with anything across the state tomorrow, and the communities they are likely to pounce on will not know what is coming. “You never know where we’ll be next,” Insp Howard said. “We could be in an area near you.”
12.15am
1.50am
A group of young people sit beside their cars on the main street. As police drive by, two of them get up and drive away. Suspicious about their actions, police pull them over to check the driver’s licence and search the car.
Senior constables Andrew Petrie and Shane Richards speak to security at the front of licensed premises. They check their licences and check if the premises have the required number of security staff on duty.
www.police.vic.gov.au/policelife
POLICELIFE JUNE 2010
15
public
the
safety
edition
POSTER
public
the
safety
edtion
Raisingthe
bar a safer victoria
editorial Mark Tesoriero PHOTOGRAPHY Shane Bell
.01
18
JUNE 2010 POLICELIFE
I
t has become an all too common scene at hospital emergency wards early on Saturday and Sunday mornings. Bloodied, bruised or too inebriated to even stand, patients are presenting to medical staff across the country with injuries or ailments resulting from a night out with friends. What had been envisaged as a night on the town, can become a nightmare for many. The common ingredient in almost all cases is alcohol and, more importantly, its excessive consumption.
Night owls .01 Taskforce Razon members patrol the city streets to monitor liquor licensing issues. .02 A high-visibility police presence aims to keep trouble down.
.02
Fancy getting paid to hop from bar to bar on a Saturday night? While not as glamorous as it seems, Taskforce Razon has made a big impact policing the state’s liquor licensing industry.
In a bid to curb the rise of alcohol-related incidents, Taskforce Razon was formed in April 2008 to conduct liquor licensing duties across the state. Officer in charge Inspector David Blencowe said Razon was responsible for all of the state’s licensed premises and licensed events, but primarily targeted areas and premises where there was clear evidence of alcohol-related violence or antisocial behaviour. It is an enormous task. In Melbourne’s CBD alone, there are about 1600 licensed premises that have potential to hold more than 50,000 people. With restaurants and entertainment venues included, that figure can reach up to 200,000. “Primarily, our focus is on ensuring their service and promotion of liquor is responsible and that their staff and security contractors behave in a professional manner that reflects community expectations,” Insp Blencowe said.
“We are not necessarily targeting the lower level compliance issues, it’s more about the serious issues such as serving intoxicated patrons, tolerating troublesome patrons or having a history of on-premises violence that we target. “We will look at other compliance matters, for example whether staff have suitable qualifications such as their Responsible Serving of Alcohol certificate, we’ll inspect the crowd control register, monitor staff and crowd controller behaviour and check licences to detect unregistered crowd controllers. “We also examine in detail the history of reported violence associated with a venue.” Insp Blencowe said his members worked covertly and overtly, observing many of the state’s bars during their busiest times on Friday and Saturday nights. “If we believe that a licensed premise is serving intoxicated patrons or has other issues, we will spend some time inside the premises making observations and once we’ve identified the issue, we will speak to the licensee,” he said. “We have a range of options available to us ranging from a warning to a penalty notice, and finally to disciplinary action against the premises.”
"The poorly-run premises are in the minority, but they give the industry a bad name." www.police.vic.gov.au/policelife
The latter sanction relates to applications that can be brought before the Victorian Civil Administrative Tribunal (VCAT), which can result in license cancellations, variations and fines of up to $30,000. From this year, penalty notices incurred can also dramatically increase a premise’s licensing fees the following year. “Encouragingly, some licensees have improved significantly and showed what can be achieved,” Insp Blencowe said. “But others continue as they were and blame everyone else for their problems. “The poorly-run premises are in the minority, but they give the industry a bad name.” Taskforce Razon is a mobile unit and not just limited to Melbourne’s inner-city entertainment precincts. Licensed venues in regional Victoria, events such as the Southern 80 Ski Race in Echuca and sporting clubs have been targeted in the past. “We are a statewide taskforce which spends time in the city and its inner suburbs, but per capita basis there is more alcohol-related harm in rural areas than the city, so we need to address those issues too,” Insp Blencowe said.
“We are well aware that some sporting clubs have really problematic alcohol cultures and we will continue to target them with the help of local police.” While members randomly checked some venues, Insp Blencowe said data captured in the organisation’s Licensed Premises Incident Reports and LEAP guided much of the taskforce’s work. With the aid of analysts, venues with poor records for violence and antisocial behaviour were identified and brought to Razon’s attention. “Like any area of policing, we are reliant on good quality information,” Insp Blencowe said. “Once there are a significant number of incidents of poor licensee behaviour or violence around particular premises, our local licence inspector can collate and forward evidence to the Liquor Licensing Unit for prosecution. “Importantly, Razon can undertake this collation on behalf of licensing inspectors, who can then forward the completed file for prosecution.” Insp Blencowe said Razon’s resources would be increased in the next six months, providing positions for 42 members. This would allow Razon to visit more licensed premises and events across the state, he said. “So much of the core business of our divisional vans on Friday and Saturday nights is taken up with dealing with drunks in entertainment districts,” Insp Blencowe said. “If we improve the behaviour of licensed premises responsible for drunken behaviour, a lot of the associated issues will decline. “What we want to see is people enjoying themselves in safe environments with reduced levels of drunkenness and anti-social behaviour.”
POLICELIFE JUNE 2010
19
Umbrella attacK case not open and shut The murder of a promising young man who went to his friend’s aid seemed an ‘openshut’ case to Homicide Squad detectives. But it dragged on for nearly seven years, involving two Supreme Court trials and two applications to the Court of Appeal.
valuing our people editorial Mark Tesoriero
I
t was a crime that gained notoriety as much for the weapon involved, as for the tragic loss of a young man with so much life ahead of him. Christopher Thomas Williams, 18, died after being stabbed in the head with the metal prong from an umbrella while waiting at an Essendon tram stop with friends on 21 October 2003. Like the classmates he had been celebrating with earlier at the Royal Hotel in Essendon, Mr Williams was buoyant about the future.
"Christopher being Christopher, he didn't think that was fair and went to the young woman's defence and questioned what the boy had said." 20
JUNE 2010 POLICELIFE
He had just finished Year 12 classes and was about to tackle his final exams. Phoenix Taskforce’s Detective Acting Sergeant Adam Forehan investigated the murder while working at Victoria Police’s Homicide Squad in 2003. “It was nothing more than an absolute tragedy,” he said. “I’m still in contact with the family to this day.” While at a tram stop on Mount Alexander Road, one of Mr Williams’ female friends was insulted by another teenager – a 14-year-old boy – about the length of her skirt.
Aggressive and confrontational, the boy – who cannot be named for legal reasons – called the young woman a “slut” and a “disgrace”. “Christopher being Christopher, he didn’t think that was fair and went to the young woman’s defence and questioned what the boy had said,” Det A/Sgt Forehan said. Holding an umbrella in his hand, the 14-year-old lunged forward in a “spear-like motion” and made contact with Mr Williams’ head. Coming forward again he delivered the fatal blow, thrusting the umbrella’s metal tip five centimetres into his victim’s skull. “It hit him with such a force that the medical examiners compared the force to the impact of a bullet,” Det A/Sgt Forehan said. Mr Williams died five days later in hospital.
callous attack .01 The Essendon tramstop where Christopher Williams was fatally attacked. .02 CCTV footage of the offender with the murder weapon. .03 Police found the dumped umbrella. .04 Christopher Williams.
.01
"We had to prove the umbrella was in his possession to establish that link and were able to do that via the footage we had of him 30 minutes prior to the attack." .02
The offender fled on a tram up Mt Alexander Road but was arrested a short time later by Moonee Ponds police in the front yard of a house in Essendon. Despite initial denials, the offender admitted some degree of culpability during his first interview with detectives and was charged with murder. Knowing the offender’s legal team was seeking to have the charges downgraded to manslaughter, Det A/Sgt Forehan went about establishing a strong murder case. Using transit footage and witness information, detectives tracked the offender’s movements on the morning of the incident from
www.police.vic.gov.au/policelife
Broadmeadows railway station to the tram stop, and afterwards. Multiple witnesses were also identified and their information recorded. “There were a lot of young people involved, school students who within 48 hours of Christopher receiving these injuries, would have to sit their Year 12 exams,” Det A/Sgt Forehan said. “The management of young witnesses is ordinarily difficult but to the credit of these witnesses, they showed maturity beyond their years. “They withstood the task of giving evidence at two trials, especially the young lady that was the subject of the initial verbal abuse.” Detectives also located and questioned two of the offender’s friends who were present during the attack, one of whom become an integral witness to the prosecution’s case. “One of them was quite a reluctant witness at first and possibly hostile, but after speaking to him and his mother he became a key prosecution witness,” he said. “I believe the evidence that he provided was integral to proving the offender’s intent.” Detectives also needed to establish a nexus between the weapon used to attack Mr Williams and the offender. The umbrella, discarded shortly after the offender fled the scene, was found in an alley in Essendon near the site of arrest. A neighbour told police he had witnessed the offender placing the umbrella in the adjoining alley.
.04
Forensic tests found Mr Williams’ DNA on the umbrella’s metal tip. “We needed to track the movements of the offender and were able to do that via transit footage,” Det A/Sgt Forehan said. “We had to prove the umbrella was in his possession to establish that link and were able to do that via the footage we had of him 30 minutes prior to the attack.” After a committal hearing in the Children’s Court in July 2004, the offender appeared before the Supreme Court of Victoria in early 2005. His defence counsel argued for a reduction to manslaughter but he was convicted of murder on 3 March, 2005, and later sentenced to 14 years in prison with a minimum of nine. Then aged 16, he was one of the youngest Victorians to be convicted of murder. Justice Bernard Teague told the court: “There is pain in the memories of what Christopher had been, and what he had done. There is pain in thinking what Christopher might yet be and do, had it not been for his untimely death.” However, in the Court of Appeal in May 2006, the judgement was overturned on grounds that the judge had failed to adequately instruct the jury on the differences between reckless murder and manslaughter.
.03
In a re-trial in December that year, the offender – then aged 17 – claimed he had acted in selfdefence but was found guilty of murder for a second time. During the second trial the victims’ mother, Jennifer Williams, was permitted to read her victim impact statement to the court – a first in Victorian legal history. “It was one of the most moving victim impact statements I have ever read,” Det A/Sgt Forehan said. His original sentence was reduced to 12 years’ prison, with a minimum of eight years. “From an investigator’s point of view, what this case demonstrated was that what may appear as a walk-up start is not always the case,” Det A/Sgt Forehan said. “Although we had the offender in custody, there was still an awful lot of work that needed to be done and even then, it was a matter that kept Christopher’s family in the courts for nearly seven years.”
POLICELIFE JUNE 2010
21
public
the
safety
Secure homes .01 Ldg Sen Const Garry Gleeson and Clasp’s honourary secretary Eileen Pica ensure the homes of vulnerable Mildura residents are safe and secure.
edition
Home security in your clasp How many police does it take to get a light bulb changed? The answer is one in this case.
A Safer Victoria editorial Maria Carnovale photography Rhett Hammerton
F
limsy locks and dark entries are easily fixed when Mildura police station’s Leading Senior Constable Gary Leeson is around. As part of the Community Liaison and Support Program (Clasp), he completes a once-over of a person’s house, identifies potential safety and security risks, and enlists the help of local businesses to replace and repair items. Vulnerable residents, such as the elderly and those who are likely to become victims of crime, are referred to the program.
“We assess houses from a security and crime prevention perspective. We identify how we can reduce a person’s vulnerability to prevent them becoming a victim of crime or prevent a crime from reoccurring,” Ldg Sen Const Leeson said. “If we identify that items such as security doors, sensor lights, or smoke alarms would increase safety, they are provided free of charge and in some cases are fitted by volunteers.” Clasp was developed three years ago by Mildura police station’s Sergeant Richard Law, who saw the need to provide vulnerable community members with extra support. Now, the program has expanded to receive support from the Mildura Rural City Council, the Federal Attorney General’s Department and local businesses, Rotary clubs and community agency staff.
"We identify how we can reduce a person's vulnerability to prevent them becoming a victim of crime or prevent a crime from reoccurring." 22
JUNE 2010 POLICELIFE
"I spoke to the woman and found out that it had been her family home for 60 years and that she now lived alone."
Ldg Sen Const Leeson took on the project after helping an elderly resident improve her home’s security when it was burgled on two occasions while she was home. “I spoke to the woman and found out that it had been her family home for 60 years and that she now lived alone,” Ldg Sen Const Leeson said. “She had been a victim of aggravated burglary on several occasions. She was vulnerable and the security at the house clearly needed improvement. “I approached some of the local businesses and tradesmen and we upgraded her security, put in a sensor light and grills on her windows, which made her feel safer. She’s been fine ever since. No further issues.
“It highlighted the fact that there are vulnerable people in Mildura and we realised we could do a lot more to try to prevent them becoming victims.” Ldg Sen Const Leeson said vulnerable people were referred to the program from partners including Mildura Rural City Council, CFA, Ambulance Victoria, aged services groups, community health, Neighbourhood Watch and Victims of Crime Assistance Tribunal. Since its inception, Clasp has assisted more than 200 vulnerable people in Mildura and surrounds and has been expanded to the Swan Hill area.
.01
www.police.vic.gov.au/policelife
POLICELIFE JUNE 2010
23
public
the
safety
edition
Moto madness O
COnnecting the community editorial Maria Carnovale photography Shane Bell
.01
24
JUNE 2010 POLICELIFE
ne minute 21-year-old Anthony Potter of Mulgrave was riding his beloved motorcycle home from work, the next, he was in hospital with his arm broken in two places and other significant injuries. Riding at almost double the 60kph speed limit along Centre Road in Clayton, Potter collided with another vehicle and he and his motorcycle lurched over it.
Ride on .01 Police are encouraging motorcycle riders to wear appropriate safety gear and stick to the road rules to keep the rising road toll down. .02 Anthony Potter’s mum, Joanne, said her son’s collision was “a mother’s worst nightmare”.
.02
Twenty-nine motorcyclists have lost their lives on the roads this year, 14 more than at the same time last year. Police Life’s Maria Carnovale visited one of the survivors and found out how riders can avoid becoming road toll victims. After being induced into a coma, Potter had to be resuscitated three times and then spent a week in hospital undergoing surgery on his arm and being treated for his injuries. Doctors said he was lucky, and Potter certainly feels lucky, even though his arm may never be the same and the scars from numerous skin grafts will be a permanent reminder of the collision. Anthony Potter should have known better than to be reckless on a motorcycle. Only four months earlier his best friend died while riding Potter’s motorcycle and he watched his own brother recover from serious injuries sustained in a motorcycle collision two years ago. For Potter, who has been riding trail bikes since he was a child and works as a motorcycle mechanic, this ride nearly cost him his life. “I thought I was a goner,” he said, from his wheelchair in The Alfred Hospital almost a week after the collision. “I never thought it would happen to me.” Two weeks later, with about six months of rehabilitation ahead of him, Potter is regretful. “I shouldn’t have been speeding. There’s a place to do that and the roads are not the place,” he said.
Toll tally All, but one, motorcyclists who have died so far this year were male. Unlike vehicle road toll victims, motorcyclists who have died this year have not been in the at-risk 18–25 age bracket. All but four of the motorcyclists who died this year were wearing helmets. Motorcyclists represent almost one quarter of this year’s road toll as at 1 June, 2010.
www.police.vic.gov.au/policelife
“I knew the risks. It was just being stupid that caught me out.” Wearing a helmet, protective jacket and jeans, Potter thought he was well-protected, but numerous skin grafts mainly to his legs, proved otherwise. “I usually wear all the right gear, but this was just a short trip home. I didn’t think I’d need it. If I had the proper boots and pants on I’d have a lot less gravel injuries,” Anthony Potter said. An average of 14 motorcyclists are killed in Victoria each year, and 2010 looks set to be the worst year of motorcycle deaths since 64 riders died in 2001. It is the rising road toll and sights of riders in shorts and thongs that have police concerned. Police, in partnership with the Victorian Motorcycle Advisory Council (VMAC) and VicRoads, have developed the Community Policing and Education Project. Victoria Police motorcycle riders, known as solo riders, attend events including the MotoGP, Superbikes and motorcycle expos to interact with and educate large groups of riders about road safety. Operation Yellow Flag, Black Flag is also an element of the project, running about 50 operations with police solo riders focusing on roads statewide each year. Community Policing and Education Project coordinator Acting Senior Sergeant Shane Cowman said that during a recent three-day operation, police spoke to more than 400 riders about their risky behaviour on roads through the Yarra Ranges. “The Yellow Flag Black Flag Operation focuses more on motorcycle education than enforcement,” he said.
“We interact with motorcyclists, mainly to point out any risky behaviour that they’ve undertaken. For some of the riders we speak to, they may not even realise what is risky because of bad riding habits. It could be a quick lane change, which may not be illegal, but it is risky.” A/Sen Sgt Cowman has seen more than his fair share of motorcycle collisions, even been in a few himself, which makes him even more intent on ensuring riders are well-educated. “I’ve been riding for 25 years. Because I ride for work and
strips, full-faced helmets, boots and gloves should be essentials for all riders. “People get in their suits and Gucci shoes and ride to work. There is absolutely no protection in that. They’re so much more vulnerable than the guy in full leathers on his sports bike. “There are a lot more motorbikes on the road these days. They’re economic, they go through less fuel, they’re convenient and parking is free. “Riders have got to get the message that riding a motorbike, although it’s fun and enjoyable, you are more than vulnerable as anyone else. You’re playing with cars.” Making sure riders are aware of riding laws, the risks of not being visible, lane splitting and speeding
Tips for motorcycle and scooter riders Keep out of driver blind spots. Make eye contact with drivers who are turning across your path. Signal well in advance when changing lanes. Wear highly visible protective clothing and helmet. Ride with your headlight on. Ride within the speed limit so drivers have a chance to see you. Freshen up your riding skills with a course where you can learn rider control and understand what the motorcycle will do on wet and dry roads.
personally, I’ve had a few collisions, luckily nothing serious. I saw the underneath of a Magna once, that resulted in bumps and bruises and I was sore for a week,” he said. “There was one day that sticks in my memory most. I was called out to three motorcycle collisions in the one shift. One was a fatality and the others were serious injuries. “Obviously you’re more at risk on a motorbike because you’re unprotected. In a car you have crash zones, crumple zones and air bags.” A/Sen Sgt Cowman said the importance of safety gear was paramount when riding. He said protective clothing, brightlycoloured clothes with reflective
are also a priority for Operation Yellow Flag, Black Flag. “We’ve had some studies where, particularly in rural areas, speed measurement devices have been placed and the percentage of speeders on bikes compared to cars is overrepresented,” A/Sen Sgt Cowman said. “If you’re speeding you’re at greater risk. If you’re properly equipped and ride safely you shouldn’t have a problem.” With a long stint of physiotherapy ahead of him, Anthony Potter is unsure about whether he will ever ride again. One thing remains certain though. He has learned his lesson.
POLICELIFE JUNE 2010
25
public
the
safety
In transit .01 Police are flooding areas around railway stations to make the travelling public feel safer.
edition
Safety in numb rs Police are saturating known public transport trouble spots to rid the rail lines of anti-social behaviour.
VALUING OUR PEOPLE Editorial Chelsea Arnold PHOTOGRAPHY Suzy Wood
I
t has never been safer to travel on public transport. Victoria Police statistics show that crime on public transport is down 9.2 per cent on the same time last year. Officer in charge of Transit Safety Division Uniform Operations Senior Sergeant Dean McGowan said there are more than 240 police on patrol on trains, at stations and surrounds and CCTV covers 95 per cent of the rail network. “Statistically it’s never been safer to ride on the public transport network,” Sen Sgt McGowan said. Patronage on Victoria’s public transport system has increased by at least 33 per cent in recent years, and has meant changes to the way police patrol the trains.
“We are focusing on going out in force with large numbers of police to trouble areas based on intelligence we’ve gathered. We know that Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights are the busiest times on the rail network. “Some years ago it used to be the last trains home at night that would be our biggest concern, but not anymore. Melbourne’s café culture and associated alcohol-related problems have seen a shift in travel patterns among young people. We have taken on the responsibility of changing social awareness that loitering around stations or drinking alcohol on the way into town every Friday and Saturday night is unacceptable. “People are trying to preload on liquor before and during their trip because it is cheaper than buying it at a nightclub. We are concentrating on early intervention in trying to stop the problems before the mess begins later in the night. Our focus on harm minimisation has been effective, and also supports ongoing initiatives like Safe Streets.” Sen Sgt McGowan said that while less crime was occurring on trains, more incidents were being reported within a two-kilometre radius of train stations.
"Statistically it's never been safer to ride on the public transport network." 26
JUNE 2010 POLICELIFE
“While we have been working hard to achieve our goals, we are also mindful of the displacement effect of crimes against the person off the public transport network. In response, our members are not solely riding trains and Operations like Safe Stations, Guardian and Omni (weapons searches) have achieved great results. “We are flooding the hotspots, like Dandenong and Sunshine. We know that the majority of crime in and around railway stations is alcohol-fuelled and public order related. Concentrating on street crime in the first instance has been the key.” Transit police are also using additional search powers, targeting knife crime in and around the public transport system. Operation Omni involves Transit Safety Division and the Operations Response Unit (ORU) members conducting targeted weapons searches in and around railway stations under the Control of Weapons Act. “Operations such as this send a clear message to people who think that carrying a weapon is acceptable – it is not. They need to understand that if they bring weapons into these areas they will be caught,” Sen Sgt McGowan said.
74 10 01 01 684 254 254 06 89 89 5 17 17 41 932 932 0 545 545 98 235 235 4 461 461 09 822 822 064 1125 1125 100 49 21 8876291 5165870 43136 16 0 59 65 8716701 4 8 45 654 701916 979704 45 45 2 1 16 050 64 4 98 98 9 094 7 8 090 9 765 1461 86 16 907 167 54 61409 9 9410980 8 044 941 7 +84 79841 946176 2 64989 005 79 61 84651 03 67 216 8 Another initiative returning 794 significant results is Crime (public transport). Sen 6Stoppers Sgt McGowan said the program 5had seen 80.5 per cent of crimes 1 publicised being solved. Of the 15 rail lines, 13 feature 64display publicising 98incidentboards details and images 7of Asoffenders. at 25 March, 72 incidents 9had been publicised, 58 solved 86and 101 offenders processed by police. 167 Although concentrated in 9Melbourne, the Transit Safety covers the entire 80Division Victorian transit system and has 941 six ‘direct start’ teams operating out of Frankston, Dandenong, Box 79841 Epping and Werribee with 2Hill, another soon at Sunshine. 005 61 03 216
.01
www.police.vic.gov.au/policelife
POLICELIFE JUNE 2010
27
public
the
safety
edition
Drugfight is something to
rave
about
.01
28
JUNE 2010 POLICELIFE
Party drugs .01 Police are fighting the growing trend of GHB use by training police dogs to sniff out the drug.
If you are in trouble and need assistance, telephone ‘000’.
Police are enlisting the help of event organisers and trialling innovative measures to keep drugs out of reach at dance parties.
A safer Victoria editorial MARIA CARNOVALE
I
nside, smiles, music and bright lights go as far as the eye can see. Outside, just out of sight, a young man is fighting to stay alive after taking a party drug. Melbourne has developed a reputation for its dance party scene. Drug use and an increase in the incidence of overdoses have forced at least one event to be cancelled and others to increase security measures. Events like the Trance Energy dance party, which resulted in 26 drug overdoses at Calder Park in April last year, have contributed to the reputation. Eleven of those overdoses occurred over a three-hour period and since then organisers have decided not to hold the event again.
At the 5th Australasian Drug Strategy Conference attended by emergency services and health agencies recently, the Victoria Police Drug and Alcohol Strategy Unit’s drug trends project officer, Oliver Markovski, presented his research on drugs at dance parties. He said that depending on the type of dance party, the drugs used differ. “Different types of music determines the type of patrons and drugs at the event, as well as the outcomes police can expect to deal with,” he said. “Events with rock music tend to have patrons who consume mostly alcohol and result in brawls and other alcohol-related incidents. However, trance music attracts ravers who consume ecstasy and amphetamines. “The trance events more recently have seen a rise in the use of GHB (gamma-hydroxy butyric acid) which is a cheaper illicit drug and comes with a high risk of overdose.” It was in 2005 when the party drug GHB, also known as Grievous Bodily Harm or GBH, took its first Victorian victim. Belinda Davey was young, pretty and healthy, with her life ahead of her. The 22-year-old enjoyed a career as a nurse and had loving family and friends.
She died from a GHB overdose in a drug dealer’s car after celebrating a friend’s 21st birthday party. She had only been using drugs for a few weeks. It is this case and many others which have prompted police to take action on the emerging drug. In an Australian-first, the Victoria Police Dog Squad began trialling police dogs to sniff out chemicals that produce GHB. The Dog Squad’s Leading Senior Constable Peter Wilson said having Passive Alert Detection (PAD) dogs at an event meant fewer drugs inside the venue. “Only one dance party where PAD dogs were in attendance had overdoses. That was at Kryal Castle in 2007,” he said. “Most people at the dance parties are at the age where they’re experimenting with drugs and don’t necessarily have an addiction. “Their interaction with a PAD dog may be the way to alter their behaviour and assist in steering them away from drugs. “We’ve found that 75 to 85 per cent of people who are cautioned for drugs or put through a diversion program do not re-offend.” More than 20,000 people attended last year’s New Year’s Eve Sensation event at Telstra Dome where two police dogs and teams of police were on site. “We had a good result. We made 50 drug detections, located a few drug traffickers, and there were no overdoses,” Ldg Sen Const Wilson said. Sensation organiser, Robert Loader, said a lot of planning went into preparing for major dance parties to prevent outcomes such as that of Trance Energy. “Sensation this year had 24,000 in attendance. There were 304 security personnel, 130 customer service staff, 80 harm minimisation representatives
"Events with rock music tend to have patrons who consume mostly alcohol and result in brawls and other alcohol-related incidents. However, trance music attracts ravers who consume ecstasy and amphetamines." www.police.vic.gov.au/policelife
– Red Frogs, and up to 80 first aid and medical staff. In addition, there were around 40 staff in crowd service roles,” he said. “Talks were organised with Victoria Police to manage the process of drug detection and pre-event intelligence briefs were given to the medical providers to ensure staffing levels and response methods were appropriate. “We also organised a highsecurity screening presence upon entry to ensure patrons were frisked and bags were searched thoroughly and we had a highlycoordinated harm minimisation campaign with the Red Frogs who were effective as another set of eyes on the crowd.” Mr Loader has attended dance events for six years and organised events like Sensation for two years. With this experience to draw from, he said there was a lot more that could be done to ensure the events were safer for patrons. “Crowds generally behave better with a police presence on the ground,” he said. ”While drug detection can be effective with the more common party drugs, GHB is ultimately the greatest drug of concern for organisers.” With a growing dance party phenomenon in Melbourne and across Victoria, Mr Markovski said patrons should be informed about the risks of drugs such as GHB. “GHB is dangerous and can result in overdose, especially when mixed with other depressant drugs such as alcohol,” he said.
POLICELIFE JUNE 2010
29
from the archives A piece of our past the infamous police strike
editorial Mark tesoriero
Striking staff .01 A photograph of the police strike from 1923. .02 The special constables’ lapel badge.
M
elbourne plunged into chaos on 31 October, 1923, when Victoria Police members took industrial action in response to poor working conditions and claims they were being spied upon by management. It was the only time in Australian history that a police organisation has gone on strike. Riots and looting ensued during the next three days, which resulted in three deaths and trams being overturned and one set alight.
The strike, staged on the eve of the Spring Racing Carnival, was initiated by a squad of 29 constables at Russell Street Police Headquarters, who refused duty. Conditions at Victoria Police during this period were inferior to other police jurisdictions. The pay was poor, they were grossly understaffed and their industry pension had recently been abolished, meaning members and their families were not protected in the event of injury or death. A group of sergeants had also been appointed as plain clothes special supervisors to monitor the uniformed members at work.
.01
The initial dissidents at Russell Street refused to work for a second night until the special supervisors were removed. Command refused and sacked the strikers, sparking industrial action from 634 members – about a third of the organisation’s strength at the time. The strike escalated into riots on the Friday and Saturday nights with crowds streaming down Swanston and Elizabeth streets, smashing store windows and looting merchandise. To help quell the discord, a group of special constables were appointed to assist the remaining Victoria Police members who had not taken industrial action. The special constables were issued with a baton, lapel badge and arm band emblazoned with SCP (Special Constable of Police). The riots were eventually quelled within a week but the 634 striking members who were dismissed were not reinstated. A subsequent Royal Commission into the conditions of Victoria Police members at the time seemed to vindicate the action, stating: “At the St Kilda Road Depot… the horses are much better served than the men…none of the most ordinary comforts or graces of home life are permitted…the whole effect was one of repelling cheerlessness”. A display of the special constables’ equipment and photos can be seen at the Victoria Police Museum. Items relating to Victoria Police’s history can be seen at the Victoria Police Museum, corner of Flinders and Spencer streets, Melbourne. Opening hours are from 10am to 4pm, Monday to Friday. Entry is free. For more information, telephone 9247 5214.
.02
30
JUNE 2010 POLICELIFE
WHAT WAS HAPPENING IN POLICE LIFE 15 YEARS AGO?
V
ictoria Police became the first Australian state to allow its police to use capsicum spray. It was just one of several options available to police faced with violent or potentially violent situations. Chief Commissioner Neil Comrie announced in September 1995 that all operational police would trial the use of capsicum spray. The use of capsicum spray was introduced following Victoria Police’s introduction of a minimum use of force objective. Capsicum spray, also known as Oleoresin Capsicum or OC, was previously only used by the Victoria Police Special Operations Group.
www.police.vic.gov.au/policelife
Cartoon connections
I
n the past, humorous cartoons regularly appeared in Police Life. This cartoon featured in the March 1956 edition and shows police cracking down on noisy motor vehicles.
POLICELIFE JUNE 2010
31
Recruiting now
Are you looking for a challenging, rewarding and diverse career? Victoria Police is accepting applications.
Call 132 001 or visit police.vic.gov.au