Police News December 2014

DECEMBER 2014

Fighting for their lives

How two police officers survived every cop's worst nightmare

Ryan Marron Foundation helps another police officer The Foundation grants Allan Cowan another chance

Full WAPU 78th Annual Conference Coverage

All the motions, guest speakers and action from this year’s Annual Conference

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POLICE NEWS THE MAGAZINE FOR THE WA POLICE UNION

CONTENTS

10

Fighting for their lives How Mick Williams and Emma Needs fought for their lives when confronted

by Russell Graham Penny

Delegates from around the State and the world converged on Perth for WAPU’s 78th Annual Conference.

32

The Ryan Marron Foundation gives police officer another chance

Photos of all the happenings from WAPU’s major event

22

Heroism Medal rewards Smith’s service Retired police officer Christopher Smith recognised for community service 4

Conference sets agenda

16

Foundation grants Cowan last chance

POLICE NEWS DECEMBER 2014

28

Annual Conference Pictures

34

WAPU 78th Annual Conference Motions Outcomes of Motions on notice

06 WAPU DIRECTORS AND STAFF 08 PRESIDENT’S REPORT 15 WAPU OPINION 21 WAPU OPINION 24 FIELD REPORT 26 Q&A 27 WAPU OPINION 49 MOTORING 51 LEGAL 52 HEALTH 53 MEMBER BENEFITS 54 ENTERTAINMENT 56 NEW MEMBERS 58 R ETIREMENTS, RESIGNATIONS AND VALE 59 WHERE ARE THEY NOW?

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ABOVE WAPU President George Tilbury addresses the 78th Annual Conference.

COVER Picture: Jody D’Arcy Photography

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6 POLICE NEWS DECEMBER 2014

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POLICE NEWS DECEMBER 2014

GEORGE TILBURY President

Your welfare is our main concern THE THEME OF THIS YEAR’S ANNUAL CONFERENCE was particularly close to many officers’ hearts; including my own.

This is manifestly unfair and an undignified way of treating officers who were injured as a result of frontline policing.

8

The health and wellbeing of our Members is the single most important concern for our Union, and as such, we devoted this year’s conference to emphasising the need for WA Police to take care of the officers who have given their all, and in return, been dumped on the scrap heap with a myriad of mental health issues, including Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

We launched the findings, recommendations and written report of Project Recompense – a two-year research project revealing the inadequacies of the Agency’s response to the burgeoning epidemic of police PTSD. We also shared the very moving personal accounts of seeing, attending and dealing with the aftermath of traumatic incidents. After more than two decades in the job, even I was shocked and appalled at what I read.

I must impress upon you all the immediacy of finding answers to this epidemic.

WA Police and the WA State Government have not only a moral responsibility to rehabilitate and support these officers, but they also have an obligation as their employer.

If it wasn’t for joining WA Police and putting the needs of the community above their own, officers would not be in the predicament of feeling helpless, alone, desperate and deeply traumatised as a result of what they have seen and experienced.

The way in which the Agency retires those who are no longer able to be a police officer is a disgrace and needs to change.

At the moment, officers who are medically retired must go through the Commissioner’s loss of confidence process, which is generally reserved for officers who have been accused of misconduct.

This is manifestly unfair and an undignified way of treating officers who were injured as a result of frontline policing.

This has been the case for injured police officer Constable Ryan Marron and we expect Commissioner Karl O’Callaghan to keep his word and continue to employ Constable Marron

until an ex-gratia payment has been made by Government.

We hope Government will expedite this process as a matter of urgency.

Compensation for officers who have been broken at work is also a must, and much debate has occurred in the media about giving up entitlements such as sick leave in order to pay for a workers’ compensation scheme.

One thing that needs to be made clear is these are two separate issues and one should not need to be given up in order for the other to be established.

A case in point is the Former Police Officers Medical and Other Expenses Scheme, which was introduced to compensate officers for medical expenses after they leave WA Police for injuries that occurred while they were serving, and no sick leave entitlements were given up for that!

Medically retired officers only make up about 20 retirements per year, so the cost for compensation is minimal when compared to the untold harm and suffering discarded officers have to endure. Compensation should be applied retrospectively to the 300 officers who have been medically retired from WA Police to ensure they have a reasonable quality of life.

Police officers do one of the toughest jobs on the planet and often have to make split-second decisions that have life-long consequences.

One recent decision was the need to take one man’s life in order to save that of an innocent woman.

The consequential treatment of four officers involved in that shooting incident in Carlisle was deplorable. WA Police should have given the officers a bravery award – not an order for their arrest.

It’s tough enough being a police officer without having to fight tooth and nail to get the Agency and the Government to take responsibility for looking after their people.

But we will.

It’s tough enough being a police officer without having to fight for a fair compensation scheme.

But we will.

PRESIDENT'S REPORT

The consequential treatment of four officers involved in that shooting incident in Carlisle was deplorable.

WA Police should have given the officers a bravery award – not an order for their arrest.

It’s tough enough being a police officer without having to tell you their heart-wrenching stories to effect change.

But we will.

Annual Conference allows the voice of our 6,000 Members to be heard and shapes the agenda for the coming year.

It is important that Government and WA Police take notice of what we resolved at Conference to ensure that a good working relationship exists between those writing policy, and those on the frontline.

Some of the issues that we discussed at Conference were: • Mandatory life sentences for anyone convicted of murdering a police officer; • The use of police issue personal recording devices; • Slowing down around emergency vehicles; • Extinguishing the Commissioner’s authority to compel officers to be deployed anywhere in the State and introduce a mutually agreeable arrangement; • Upgrading CCTV systems at all police facilities; and • The need for stab-proof vests for all officers due to the high terror alert and increased risk of ‘lone wolf attacks’.

I would like highlight a few achievements during this past year.

President Tilbury conducts a press conference to discuss the health and wellbeing of police officers.

During my second year as President, we were able to: • Campaign for mandatory blood testing of offenders who expose officers to blood-borne diseases, which is now law; • Campaign for legislation which repeals section 139 of the CIA that required police officers to “baby-sit” those in custody; • Close a loophole which allows offenders on mandatory terms of imprisonment for assaulting a police officer to be eligible for parole; and • Ensure minimum staffing levels are in place for custodial care duties in regional WA. We will also actively pursue the best outcomes forMembers during the continued rollout of Frontline 2020.

Finally, I would like to thank you, our Members, for your continued belief in WAPU and I would like to express my gratitude for being able to continue as President of such a strong and unified group of people.

Like us, most of you will be working over the busy festive season.

Where possible, spend valuable time with your loved ones and stay safe!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

9

FIGHTIN

10 POLICE NEWS DECEMBER 2014

NG FOR THEIR LIVES

BY JESSICA PORTER

“Guilty.”

It was the moment that left First Class Constable Emma Needs and her partner in life and the job, Sergeant Mick Williams, in tears.

Emotions ran over in the WA Supreme Court on Friday, October 31 as the jury forewoman delivered the verdict to Russell Graham Penny. They unanimously found him guilty of endangering the life, health or safety of Sgt Williams and intending to do him harm.

The two officers, who were seated in the public gallery, embraced as the five day trial came to an end.

But it was November the year before when the police pair’s lives were turned upside down.

All who know their story will say they are lucky to be alive, especially since it can now be revealed for the first time, the man at the centre of the crime was a violent criminal who, in 1987, was convicted of murder and spent the next 15 years in prison.

“It started as a normal shift,” Sgt Williams said of November 28, 2013. “We went into work, did a few hours of paperwork, then went out on patrol.”

The couple hit the road in LV202 to start a drag net operation targeting speeders, drink and drug drivers, motor vehicle and licence checks. They were monitoring north and southbound traffic along Albany Highway near Williams, Boddington and Pingelly.

During a random breath test of a female that night about 12.30pm, the officers were drawn to an older style coaster bus which had just driven past them with a broken tail light. They finished the test, returned to the car and then took off after the bus.

As the passenger, 1/C Needs ran the licence plates of the bus through TADIS and found that the registered owner, a Caucasian

man with red hair, had drug convictions. The bus strangely pulled over before the police cars’ lights and siren were activated.

But when 1/C Needs saw the driver, she told Sgt Williams “that’s not him”.

The driver, who was a dark-skinned male, told police he “needed to go for a piss”. But 1/C Needs told him to move the bus further north into a truck rest area.

The truck rest area was in complete darkness, so with that in mind, Sgt Williams manoeuvred the police car to light the driver’s side door with the roof-mounted lights and headlights.

“I walked up to the driver’s side with my torch and Emma walked around the other side of the bus. At that time I wanted to check the roadworthiness of the bus because it was an older style model, check his drivers’ licence and complete a breath test,” Sgt Williams said.

But those simple tasks did not go to plan.

As soon as Sgt Williams reached the driver, who we now know was convicted murderer Penny, he became aggressive and agitated.

“When I got to Penny he said to me, ‘what’s your fucking problem, I just want to take a piss’,” Sgt Williams said.

“That was pretty unusual because most people we stop are courteous, so that made me feel increasingly cautious,” he said.

Sgt Williams introduced himself and 1/C Needs and asked Penny for his driver’s licence.

Again he responded with, ‘I just need to take a piss’. ▷ 11 POLICE NEWS DECEMBER 2014

“At that point, I thought I was gone.

I thought he was going to shoot and kill me.”

“I was thinking then that Penny was under the influence of drugs or alcohol, and he wanted to dump something in the bush,” Sgt Williams said.

Eventually, Penny reached over to the front passenger side area and produced his driver’s licence.

“I asked him what he was doing out here and he said he was travelling to Perth to get his daughter. He said she had some drug-related problems and he wanted to get her and bring her back home,” Sgt Williams said.

Sgt Williams handed Penny’s licence to 1/C Needs and she returned to the police car to check his details.

“I walked back to the car with his licence and put his details into the TADIS system and it took a minute or two to load the information. The area we were in was an area with limited reception. On Albany Highway there are a number of black spots where TADIS won’t even work,” 1/C Needs said.

At that point Penny seemed agitated and the officers suspected there may be drugs in his vehicle or that he may be under the influence of drugs.

Sgt Williams told him that the officers wanted him to get out of the bus so they could conduct a search of his vehicle and person.

“I asked him twice if there was anything he wanted to declare to police and both times he said no,” Sgt Williams said.

“Even though the front driver’s door was already open, Penny said he wanted to exit the bus through the rear door.

As Penny was in the rear of the bus, Sgt Williams walked around the front of the bus to try and see him through the windscreen, but a curtain blocked the view into the back.

Hesitant, Sgt Williams crouched down along the darkened side of the bus and due to his increased suspicions, he rocked his taser forward and unclipped the hood.

Penny was calling out for help to open the door. Sgt Williams helped him and Penny emerged from the bus and then went to urinate.

Shining his torch on Penny, 1/C Needs returned from the police car and spoke with Sgt Williams.

“I told Mick that there was a Christmas tree with a 420 on board. This was something that Mick and I used. We incorporated 12 POLICE NEWS DECEMBER 2014

this into our vehicle stops as an inconspicuous way to talk about drugs and alerts.”

After he finished, Penny turned around and Sgt Williams saw he was holding onto something under his t-shirt. He asked Penny to show his hands and walk to the front of the bus for a search.

He declined and also told the officers to walk in front of him.

“I thought I was dealing with someone difficult and that he must have drugs down his pants,” 1/C Needs said.

“I was concerned Penny was holding onto something and he wouldn’t show me his hands,” Sgt Williams said.

“I also asked him to show me his hands but he kept saying his pants would fall down if he let go,” 1/C Needs said.

After continued and repeated requests to show his hands, Sgt Williams grabbed Penny and held him against the bus.

A struggle ensued as Penny refused to let go and show his hands.

Sgt Williams was able to taser Penny in the small of his back.

“Penny fell to his knees at which point he immediately turned on his bottom and started to get back up. I pulled the taser trigger again in an attempt to recycle it, but I realised it wasn’t working.

Penny then rushed to 1/C Needs.

“I grabbed him with my right hand and then punched him with my left hand, which fractured my knuckle,” she said.

Sgt Williams backed away to reload his taser cartridge when he saw Penny coming towards him.

In an arcing motion, Penny pulled out a 60cm sawn-off shotgun from his shorts like he was pulling a sword from its sheath.

1/C Needs yelled immediately to Penny to drop the gun.

“I didn’t feel anything. It was all just very robotic. When he has drawn his gun out, I’ve drawn mine out straight away,” 1/C Needs said.

Sgt Williams heard Penny say ‘you’re gonna fucking find it, you can have it you c***s,’ as he walked forward with the gun.

“At that point, I thought I was gone. I thought he was going to shoot and kill me,” Sgt Williams said.

“I dropped my torch and taser and rushed Penny to grab the gun from him. I was absolutely petrified. I thought I was going to die if I didn’t secure the gun.”

1/C Needs had her gun trained on Penny ready to take a shot, but Sgt Williams and Penny started to struggle with the gun. She holstered her firearm, ran into the struggle and kicked Penny’s feet causing Sgt Williams and Penny to fall.

“I put my knee on his head and tried to grab the gun. I grabbed his hand off the gun for a split-second but then he went for the gun again.”

Penny and the officers were fighting for control of the gun and at two critical points, the gun has ended up in the faces of both officers.

Then the gun went off.

“I thought Mick had been shot,” 1/C Needs said.

Sgt Williams was on top of Penny in a T-position, still struggling for control of the gun.

“I was trying to slam his hands into the ground so he would let go but mine were on top of his,” Sgt Williams said.

“But I could feel the wood and the steel starting to slip through my fingers. At that point, I called out to Emma to shoot him.”

During the struggle for the gun, it ended up in 1/C Needs’ face again.

“Everything had slowed down in time in my mind and it felt as though time was almost standing still. I could see everything, but there was no sound. I remember seeing two barrels and a piece of wood underneath the barrels. The little piece of wood looked so smooth,” she said.

“I tensed up. My shoulders were around my ears. All I could think of was this was going to hurt.”

The gun again moved away from her face again and 1/C Needs then had a clear shot to Penny’s head.

“All I thought, was not in the head,” she said.

So 1/C Needs stepped over Sgt Williams and aimed at Penny’s torso.

“I thought both our lives were in danger so I shot him in the stomach once,” she said.

Sgt Williams said Penny continued to fight for the gun even after the bullet had pierced his stomach.

“Then all of a sudden I felt him deflate like an air mattress.

He let go of the firearm and then started crying.”

1/C Needs checked that Sgt Williams was alright then ran to the police car to call for urgent backup.

“I called VKI urgent. I called it about four times but there was no response. We have always had communication issues in the Great Southern. There are some spots where you can’t get VKI, TADIS or phone reception,” she said.

“Eventually I spoke to Albany base and told them shots were fired and man down. I then grabbed the first aid kit.

Amazingly, 1/C Needs who just shot Penny, then worked to save his life. ▷

“I tensed up. My shoulders were around my ears. All I could think of was this was going to hurt.”

13 POLICE NEWS DECEMBER 2014

“What I want officers to take from our story is that every traffic stop is a high risk traffic stop and complacency will get you killed.”

After the incident, the officers were separated and had to remain at the scene for five hours before they were taken to Boddington Police Station and were processed.

Sgt Williams and 1/C Needs weren’t able to wash the blood from their hands, hair and body until after the forensic testing was completed seven and a half hours after the incident, and there was nowhere for the officers to have a shower.

Instead, 1/C Needs agreed to participate in an internal interview with Penny’s blood smudged on her body and in her hair.

WAPU Solicitor Darren Jones was by the officers’ side during the aftermath and assisted 1/C Needs with the recall.

“He was amazing, he was extremely supportive and sat with me during my first recall,” she said.

“But I was disappointed with Health and Welfare’s approach.”

11 months later, Penny, Sgt Williams and 1/C Needs were face to face again. This time in the Supreme Court.

“Going through it all again, it was a bit emotional. When I gave evidence I was trying to put myself back at the scene and that was hard,” Sgt Williams said.

“I hadn’t seen Penny since that night. I looked at him and just thought, ‘you piece of shit, you turned our lives upside down’.

“It’s not just Emma and I who have been affected; it’s all our family, our kids, parents and friends,” he said.

Penny is currently sitting in jail until he is due to be sentenced on January 13 next year.

Pro Police torch

WAPU President George Tilbury said the two officers showed a great deal of strength going through the shooting and aftermath.

“Sgt Williams and his partner, 1/C Needs, were faced with extreme danger that night and I commend them for their tenacity, skill and experience which made the difference in their fight for survival,” Mr Tilbury said.

“I also commend 1/C Needs’ actions in saving the life of her partner and immediately administering first aid to Penny’s wound.”

President Tilbury said while it was unfortunate Penny could not be charged with attempted murder of both officers, this incident highlighted the extremely dangerous and difficult work confronting police on a daily basis.

“These officers and those involved in the investigation, did an excellent job and I applaud them for their hard work and dedication,” he said.

Throughout the whole ordeal, the officers had to postpone their wedding and now hope to tie the knot later this month.

“What I want officers to take from our story is that every traffic stop is a high risk traffic stop and complacency will get you killed,” 1/C Needs said.

“If Mick and I hadn’t known each other’s routine, and worked so well together, the Commissioner would have been going to a police funeral.”

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WAPU OPINION

BRANDON SHORTLAND Senior Vice President

Your Security THE WORLD IS ONCE AGAIN experiencing elevated security concerns.

It is only a matter of time before one of our Members is seriously hurt as a direct result of inadequate safety and security measures by their employer a duty by which it should be bound.

With instability in other parts of the globe, it is inevitable that some will use those heightened tensions to agitate and others the opportunity to prey on the vulnerable, with a view to using them to commit acts of violence in our communities.

Australia's threat level was recently increased from medium to high.

Our colleagues in other states have fallen victim to extreme violence perpetrated in the name of some higher cause.

The most recent and published incident occurred in Victoria when two police officers were severely injured while they were simply doing their job. There was no intelligence that this attack was to occur and it unexpectedly unfolded when our brothers were about to undertake a routine interview with a member of the public, Abdul Numan Haider - a task which our Members undertake countless times every single day.

The tragic case of Brendan John Lindsay who held and stabbed an innocent member of the public in Carlisle is another example of a critical incident unfolding before a sole police officer with no intelligence indicating it was to happen.

Police are on the frontline of this and every other terror threat that plays out. We are the first responders and the ones who put ourselves between the terrorists, gang members, drug dealers, drunks, perpetrators of domestic violence and the law abiding public of WA.

Our Members and their families are regularly threatened, assaulted and have their personal property attacked and damaged. Our Vehicle and Personal Safety Report published in 2012 identified many cases where our Members were subjected to serious breaches of their personal security and safety. Police stations are also regularly attacked, with firearms being used to shoot at them and vehicles firebombed in unsecured grounds.

It is only a matter of time before one of our Members is seriously hurt as a direct result of inadequate safety and security measures by their employer a duty by which it should be bound.

A classic example of the lacklustre priority given by WA Police for the safety and security of its staff is the ongoing situation at the new Per th Police Complex. The complex has absolutely no provision for secure parking of Members’ private vehicles.

WAPU identified in 2006 that the plans for this complex failed to provide sufficient parking for our Members and since that date we have fought to have this known issue rectified - to date our concerns have been met with inaction and, at times, flippant comments by the Commissioner of Police.

As a result of recent events and genuine justified concern for our Members’ safety, WAPU corresponded with WA Police regarding an order that all Members travelling to Brisbane must do so in uniform without the protection of their accoutrements.

Disappointingly, Deputy Commissioner Stephen Brown responded to our concerns stating there was no real intelligence of an attack against police and advised the order would stand.

The G20 Operation has finished but I am still fuming that our Members’ safety was placed at risk while they travelled to Brisbane.

Our Members should have travelled in plain clothes or if uniform was required then accoutrements should have been worn.

In light of recent attacks, the Union has recommended that all on-duty police officers wear accoutrements, even if they are conducting office duties.

Another example of an unforseen attack was the tragic assault at Canada's Parliament building. An attack which saw a soldier guarding the building shot and killed.

Despite the weight of evidence clearly indicting our Members are at serious risk of attack every day, let alone when there are demonstrated acts of violence and damage, little action seems to take place.

Even though there was, to quote Mr Brown, "no specific intelligence in relation to terrorist plots or targets", security measures and extra protection for politicians and their places of business were increased following the attack on the Canadian Parliament. But when two police officers in Victoria were attacked, WA Police saw fit to not extend any additional protection for our Members.

What will it take for the safety and security of our Members to be given some priority?

Unfortunately, I think we all know the answer to that question.

15 POLICE NEWS DECEMBER 2014

Foundation grants Cowan last chance

BY STEVEN GLOVER

16 POLICE NEWS DECEMBER 2014

Senior Constable Allan Cowan married Brenda in December 2013.

In February this year, they were told he had six to 12 months to live.

Brenda said she did not know what to do when the news came she was stunned, shell shocked.

“I took a chunk of time off when he got that news, I was like what do I do? I don’t want to waste time. Go to work while he is home alone, what do we do? Do we totally enjoy the next six to 12 months doing things,” she said.

Brenda works as an unsworn member of WA Police and her decision to take time off was also partly due to an unsupportive work environment which led her to have a meltdown at work soon after her husband’s condition really hit home.

“I couldn’t function,” she said.

In November 2012, a progressive glioblastoma brain tumour, was initially discovered.

Due to previous brain tumours, Allan was having regular brain scans and every MRI for the previous two to three years was fine.

“They started to push the MRIs back and the last time they waited a whole year (in between scans) and in that whole year that is when the new one started to grow,” Brenda said.

“We made it to the year mark and then they discovered a new tiny little dot, it was just a spot on the MRI and then it grew into this big circle.”

Doctors used stereotypical radiation, a one shot, to attack the tumour but it kept growing. Allan then underwent different chemotherapies and finally doctors gave him Carboplatin which is a liquid taken intravenously.

The Cowans believed this to be their last chance and when it didn’t work they were devastated.

Luckily, the doctor had one last option.

Allan’s doctor said Avastin could help. It works by cutting off the blood supply to the tumour however, it is not covered by health care and to receive it the Cowans would have to pay $12,000.

“It’s the last thing the doctor said to try, she said after that there is nothing else so we were anxious to try it if there wasn’t anything else,” Brenda said.

But the Cowans could not afford the treatment. With Brenda taking leave without pay, they managed to access Allan’s superannuation to secure their Ellenbrook home but their lifestyle had been based on two incomes. ▷

17

POLICE NEWS DECEMBER 2014

Sergeant Trevor Cruikshank from WA Police Health and Welfare was told of the situation by Allan during one of their conservations. Allan said Trevor had advised him that the Ryan Marron Foundation might be able to assist and Allan quickly got in touch with Toni Misitano.

Ryan Marron Foundation founder Toni Misitano said when she heard of Allan's struggle and his inability to fund possible lifesaving treatment it was truly heartbreaking.

“When there are medical advances that can improve someone's quality of life and the only barrier between receiving this treatment is money, it was the least we could do for a fellow officer in need, to ensure he had access to this treatment.

“We hope and pray this provides Allan and his family with some comfort that they are not fighting this alone and that his brothers and sisters in blue are beside him during this fight. The Cowan family are incredibly strong and resilient and we only wish we could do more.”

With the funding for the last treatment option secured, Allan started his treatment in May 2014.

Within a month of taking Avastin, blood supply to the tumour had stopped and his symptoms had disappeared.

“Since having the Avastin, it’s been stable so we had a couple of MRIs,” Brenda said.

“The tumour is still there but the blood supply has gone away and so too has the swelling.”

At this point given the positive results, the Cowans don’t have to pay anymore for Avastin because the upfront fee has been paid by the Ryan Marron Foundation and Allan can stay on it for as long as it is working and required.

“So we are quite grateful for that because it is doing its job and the side effects that he has from this is just that all his muscles ache the next day. Like this morning, when he got up he was like a grandfather,” Brenda said.

“My elbows, shoulders and wrists just ache and throb away and I’m also just tired and sleepy,” Allan said.

However, all of the treatments Allan has undergone have made him very tired, to the stage where he used to fall asleep at his desk while trying to work in between treatments.

“With the treatment, I was going into work, be taken for treatment but once I had the treatment it use to knock me out and I’d fall asleep at the desk,” he said.

“They (WA Police) put up with it for a couple of months but they said time’s up, we are more interested in your history, stay home, get your treatment and get better.”

Brenda said WA Police told Allan to stay home while he is under treatment so he has been off work since the beginning of this year.

“WA Police assisted me in allowing me to stay home and getting paid as a sworn. For Brenda, as unsworn, she 18 POLICE NEWS DECEMBER 2014

has had no assistance. She was told she had to use up all of her leave and after that, go and take leave without pay,” Allan said.

Brenda said financially they could not afford for her to take leave without pay.

“It was then approved that I was allowed time off for Allan's appointments. However, I had to attend work the day of the appointment to be honoured that time off. In the beginning when Allan was still at work that wasn't a problem, it worked out well 'cause Allan just worked down the street and the hospital was just 15 minutes away. But if the appointment took all day or Allan was home sick and I needed to stay with him due to him recovering from chemo it would not be approved.

“Working from 6am till 3.30pm slowly started to get to me due to other stressful issues going on in my department, unrelated to Allan, which also lead to my meltdown that affected everyone, not just me.

“When Allan was no longer able to attend work, taking him to an appointment meant a 45-minute drive to work, 45 minutes back home to get him, then an hour drive to the appointment. Then same going back if I went back to work that's almost a whole day of driving just to get paid.

“I was told to receive the management time I was expected to justify every minute I was absent with doctors notes and of how long the appointment took including travel time.”

In the end, Brenda was offered her long service leave early which she had been planning to use to visit her ailing mother in her native Canada. She hasn’t been back to Canada since 2008.

“Allan and I had always planned to go, but because of his health the doctors have recommended that he not fly to Canada due to risks from a long flight and not being able to get insurance,” she said.

“It's sad because he won't ever get to meet my mother and she is 83 with her own health issues. It will probably be one of those things we will always regret that we never got to do.”

Brenda has recently gone back to work and is working in a more supportive environment at the Major Crash Squad.

“The department where I was, there was zero support, micro-managers, it was a nightmare and WA Police have put me somewhere where it is a little more relaxed and I work as much as I can,” she said.

“I’ve been working 10 'til six because getting up in the morning is hard as Allan has difficulty sleeping and keeps me awake.

“Really it is up to me if I want the pay or not. For all his appointments, I take the whole day off, go to the appointments and then I usually take the next day off after the chemo just to make sure there are no serious side effects because he has to immediately go to the hospital.”

“Nothing hurts more than having to accept that your partner is going to die.

However, if you live your life not taking any risks, then you could miss out on some of the most enjoyable moments that you treasure forever.”

01

This isn’t the Senior Constable’s first battle with a brain tumour.

He has faced and beaten brain tumours before.

While serving at Katanning Police Station, his first country posting, in 1998, he experienced dizzy spells and went to the local doctor for treatment.

He was told to go on a diet regime to lose weight.

“I said, alright fine I’ll go on a diet and I lost so much weight, I went down to about 75 kgs (previously 88 kgs),” Allan said.

“I achieved losing all that weight and I went back to the doctor and said ‘hey I’ve lost all this weight but I’m still getting these dizzy spells’ and that’s when they started to send me to Perth.

“Over a number of months, they put me through psychiatrists, psychologists and some sort of special doctor because they thought there was the possibility I’d lost the plot!”

After seven months of tests and interviews, a doctor finally sent Allan for an MRI and he then returned to Katanning.

“Two days later, I got a phone call from Perth and they said you’d better get back here we’ve found a five centimetre brain tumour.”

In April 1999, Allan underwent surgery to remove the brain tumour. Doctors were able to remove most of the tumour apart from a section which was too risky for surgery.

The tumour remained dormant until 2006 when it started to change shape and doctors immediately put Allan through a radiation treatment program.

“They sent me on treatment Monday to Friday for seven to eight weeks,” Allan said.

It is this aggressive treatment which Brenda blames for her husband’s current life threatening tumour.

“I believe that is what caused this new tumour, I really do.

I think it was the radiation because when I did Googling on radiation and side effects, it said there is a possibility that new tumours can grow because of the radiation and that is exactly what happened,” she said.

The treatment lasted until 2008 and between 2009 and 2010, Allan was undergoing regular check-ups to ensure the tumour remained benign.

It was during this time when Allan’s life changed again - he met Brenda.

Allan was working at the Police Officer Deployment Unit and Brenda was visiting an old colleague of hers, whom happened to work in the cubicle next to Allan.

“I use to go say hi to Jim every now and then and Allan was sitting next to him. Then it was the whole will she go for a coffee with me if I ask her,” Brenda said.

Brenda allowed Jim to pass on her number to Allan but his first attempts at securing a date was unsuccessful because she was busy at the time but Brenda was going to visit Allan’s office the following week.

“I got the cold shoulder when I arrived,” she said.

“I asked Jim what was wrong with Allan and he said Allan knew when he was being rejected.”

“Later that day, I decided to message her and ask her if she really was interested or not,” Allan said.

“I was happy to hear that she was. Later that evening I rang her and we spoke for six hours over the phone. I planned for the two of us to have a lovely lunch in the Swan Valley the following weekend. This was our first date of many more to come.”

It was at this lunch that Allan first told Brenda about his brain tumour and that he was in remission.

“I guess you can say in the beginning I had been hesitant about getting too close, worried he would get sick again and leave me,” she said.

“Nothing hurts more than having to accept that your partner is going to die. However, if you live your life not taking any risks, then you could miss out on some of the most enjoyable moments that you treasure forever.

“I'm glad I took the risk. I couldn't have asked for a better husband.” ▷

01 The Cowans with the latest scan of Allan's brain.

19 POLICE NEWS DECEMBER 2014

“The Foundation are at the top of the list for thank yous, for the help they have given us.”

While the results of the Avastin treatment on his current tumour have been positive, the Cowans cannot predict the future.

“We don’t guess and try and predict and this is where I struggle with what do I do?” Brenda said.

“Do I continue working; should I take six months off and do things, I can’t decide. I feel like I sit at my desk and I am doing work and I feel like I am wasting time. I worry that if something happens to Allan I’m going to wish that I spent more time with him.

“When I look at him like this and he’s healthy, I can’t imagine something happening so we try and live life normally like normal people. We know it is there and just pretend that nothing is going to happen and we just keep living and pretending it is ok. But we know that it’s not.”

Doctors do not want to do another MRI on Allan’s brain until symptoms begin to appear.

“If we do the MRI and there are changes and then all of sudden I’m going to be like that’s it, it’s all downhill now and I’ll be feeling negative,” Brenda said.

So for now the Cowans keep hoping the current treatment continues to work and Allan does not experience any symptoms.

They cannot speak highly enough of the Ryan Marron Foundation. Allan said he was given six to 12 months before Avastin and now that treatment has extended his life.

“The Foundation are at the top of the list for thank yous, for the help they have given us,” Allan said.

Ms Misitano said the foundation was delighted to expand its cause to all WA police officers in necessitous circumstances.

“The ongoing support (for the foundation) has been overwhelming and the generosity of our donors has made this expansion possible,” Ms Misitano said.

Allan’s major concern now is for Brenda’s wellbeing.

“I worry something will happen to her under all the stress she still faces. She worries so much about us, money and our unknown future. Though I can still see her smile, I can see the sadness and worry in her eyes. I worry what will happen if something happens to me. How she will cope and manage without me emotionally and financially,” he said.

“If Brenda didn't come into my life I would have been doing all this alone. I probably wouldn't have the same desire to live.

“Having Brenda in my life has given me something to live for.”

To make a donation to the Ryan Marron Foundation visit www.ryanmarronfoundation.org 20 POLICE NEWS DECEMBER 2014

WAPU OPINION

KEVIN McDONALD

Metropolitan Director

What does promotion mean?

READERS MAY RECALL MY

article relating to promotion published in the previous edition of Police News (or online, if you missed it).

Promotion is used by most organisations as a method of identifying and placing the best person in the best job to facilitate improved or maintained quality and quantity of service delivery.

The end result … would actually ensure the right people are promoted to the right place, with the right expertise and delivering the best possible service to the community.

On the other hand, employees see promotion as a reward or recognition for their hard work and achievements. It provides increased wages, opportunity to undertake greater responsibility, decision making , exploit their professional attributes and is an affirmation of their own sense of worth.

Promotion within organisations is, however, one part of broader strategic managerial methodologies designed to ensure delivery of services.

Other managerial systems include proper business planning and review, quality and appropriate equipment, customer surveys, marketing, training, employee retention and complaint management.

Ultimately an organisation’s primary responsibility is centred upon delivery of its service or product. If an organisation loses that focus, undoubtedly business will suffer.

Private sector organisations have an acute bottom line when this happens; they lose customers, profits decline and eventually they go out of business.

That loss of focus can be attributed to any one or a combination of the above methodologies.

Conver sely, while the same manager ial methodologies are equally relevant and applicable, public sector agencies don’t have the same bottom line concern about losing customers. On the contrary, the fewer customers the better, it seems.

WA Police is currently doing everything it can to shed itself of customers under a corporate strategy referred to as demand reduction.

Quite paradoxically, it is this demand reduction that is intended to keep WA Police afloat – while at the same time, maintain service delivery.

It is in the current context of significant organisational change within WA Police, weaknesses in management practices are exposed.

Broken internal systems like promotion can no longer hide beneath perpetually r eg ur g it ate d e mpt y co r p o r ate rhetoric. The current promotion system is seen by many outside management as a long-term failure and one that has left the organisation with a generation of disaffected, disenchanted and unmotivated apparent under-achievers.

Waiting in the wings is the next generation of talented, deserving and dedicated enthusiasts, busy learning their craft, serving the community and not realising that their future aspirations are also reliant upon a system that has failed so many before them.

This is not a good place to be and service delivery (to the community) will be the ultimate loser.

The way forward for WA Police and its employees has to be a complete deconstruction and reconstruction of the professional policing career path and promotion system.

The first part (deconstruction) shouldn’t be too difficult to achieve if it’s accepted that there is very little structure in place anyway. Never ending cosmetic tinkering isn’t going to solve the problems. Apart from early

promotion at initial ranks, the current career path and promotion structure is very much a piecemeal arrangement that lacks depth, cohesion or any semblance of a system.

Specialist career streams are offered on a purely ad-hoc and subjective basis beset with problems associated with bias and discriminatory practices. Successive tenure policies contribute to a lack of stability in both professional career pathways and agency service delivery.

Prom ot ion opp or tunit ie s in specialist areas are not linked or in any way defined, and a generalist view that diversification is required and rewarded is also ad-hoc and inconsistently applied. Academic opportunities are loosely and intermittently offered and while notionally relevant, they are most often completely disconnected, and as a consequence, irrelevant.

In context this is a pretty sad state of affairs given the majority of the police budget is expended in salaries and the Agenc y’s most ‘prized possession’ is its people.

The second part (reconstruction) presents more of a challenge which is why I suspect it’s never been properly thought through or attempted. Because career path is inextricably linked to promotion, reconstruction is viable but dependent upon a workable promotion model. WA Police could do worse than to examine the highly effective, organised and defined defence force models.

Continued page 25 21 POLICE NEWS DECEMBER 2014

Heroism C Medal rewards Smith’s service

BY STEVEN GLOVER

22 POLICE NEWS DECEMBER 2014

hristopher Smith was shocked when he won the Heroism Medal as part of the pride of Australia Awards recently.

So shocked to win, Chris didn’t even have a speech prepared so he thanked his family and the medical teams that saved his life.

“It was a complete shock to me, to be honest. I knew I was nominated and I thought that was for the categories of either community work as a volunteer or as a volunteer,” he said.

“I was contacted by The Sunday Times, who said we’ve changed your category to heroism. And I laughed and I said ‘heroism, I haven’t risked my life to save anyone else’s life.’

She said by what happened to you when you were a police officer and going on from there and what you’ve done, we’ve put you down as heroism and to let you know you are in the top three finalists for the category.”

Chris won the award for his dedicated service as a Justice of the Peace helping the community, in particular his work with the Citizens’ Advice Bureau, where he is currently the coordinator at the Rockingham Branch. He gives advice, is an accredited mediator, specialising in family law. Previously, he was also awarded the Order of Australia Medal.

If it wasn’t for an incident on Sunday July 15, 1984, who knows what direction Chris’ life would have taken.

He pulled up next to two bikies and while talking to them, one of them managed to get behind Chris and then they took to him with their crash helmets resulting in serious head injuries.

Chris was rushed to hospital as doctors began work to save his life, resuscitating him twice …

Those nearby reported that a police officer had been shot, mistaking the backfire of the motorbikes as gunshots, as the two thugs sped off from their callous attack on a lone police officer.

Chris was rushed to hospital as doctors began work to save his life, resuscitating him twice, while his colleagues tracked down the two bikies.

After the men were caught, they were charged and subsequently convicted.

Chris’ memory of the events that followed his attack are only from what others have told him, he has no recollection of the events himself.

“Everything that I know about that night is only what I have been told. And unlike today where you’ve got all the social media, there was absolutely nothing back in 1984,” he told Police News.

Luckily for Chris, the medical teams that worked furiously on him in the hours, days, weeks and years following the incident have allowed him to make a recovery.

“I’d like to thank the doctors who helped me to be here.

Initially, the doctor who received me on the night I was injured, Dr Neale Fong, and following from that the medical team who really looked after me, the now Professor Stokes, his team and later on by Dr Skerritt and obviously my family and if it wasn’t for all of these people I wouldn’t be here now,” he said.

However, that recovery never led to another day on duty for WA Police.

“Not that I remember much of back then, but what I do remember very clearly was I was told that I should apply for retirement and go with what little dignity I had left. That says it all doesn’t it,” he said.

“I knew I was going to go places in the police force, I’d probably still, even at my age now of 65, be in the police force now at a senior rank.

“Police officers who are injured either physically or mentally should not be put into the position where they may lose their job because of carrying out their duty and then put in the situation where they are told to either buck up or ship out.”

Chris was whisked out the back door so covertly that many of his colleagues didn’t know he was no longer a police officer.

He recounts bumping into an officer he used to work closely with for many years. His mate asked where he was working.

Chris had to tell him of his retirement.

Following the incident, Chris knew he needed to find something to move onto and help his rehabilitation.

“I knew, even though I was pretty much a mental case at the time, I had to survive for my kids,” he said.

That was when it was suggested he should become a Justice of the Peace and his community service began.

He still has a lot of contact with police. He was President of the Retired Medically Unfit WA Police Officers Association and works closely with the local police in Rockingham.

“The local coppers they have me on their books so they will come down here or call out to my place on some of the more serious matters,” he said.

Even though he has experienced the worst of policing, Chris still signs papers for those wanting to join WA Police.

“They always ask if it is a good job? And I say yep. I always try to encourage them to go for it and if you ever feel like you are tired of a particular job keep a lookout in the police gazette because there are always different jobs coming up, you can always transfer to another job.

“I don’t tell them about what happened to me because that will put them off because there is no compensation.”

Following the attack that nearly took his life, Chris was awarded a $15,000 criminal injuries payment and a $60,000 ex-gratia payment to support his recovery, wife and four children.

“How does $75,000 equate to look after you and your family for the rest of your life?” he said.

But Chris has no bitterness towards anyone for what has happened, he says there is no point.

“Police officers who are injured … should not be put into the position where they may lose their job because of carrying out their duty and then … told to either buck up or ship out.”

23 POLICE NEWS DECEMBER 2014

DEAN GIACOMINI & DAVE LAMPARD Field Officer

Field Officer

WA Police Facilities update RECENTLY, WA POLICE RELEASED AN UPDATE ON SOME OF ITS FACILITIES which it has identified need upgrades and timeframes for when the works will be completed.

A number of stations are experiencing accommodation issues which will be addressed as part of the Major Upgrade and Refurbishment Program, subject to funding in the forward estimates.

24 POLICE NEWS DECEMBER 2014

WAPU’s two Field Officers regularly inspect all facilities to ensure Members are operating in safe and compliant workplaces.

During a visit to Kununurra earlier this year, WAPU raised serious concerns with the state of the police station and its lock-up. Discussions are continuing between WA Police and the Department of Justice to use the recently vacated transportable justice facility.

This transportable facility was used while the new Kununurra Justice Facility was built, adjacent to the current police station.

Police facilities in Augusta, Carnarvon and Margaret River are due for completion next year. Mundijong is currently in schematic design and due to be completed in 2016 as is Cockburn Central however, the completion date for this project is March 2017.

South Metropolitan District Office will relocate to Cockburn Central once completed and until such time will remain in temporary accommodation in Myaree.

A site is currently being acquired for the Ballajura Police Station and this project will be completed in early 2017.

Central Station, Claremont and Stirling are all to be closed in the coming years.

A number of stations are experiencing accommodation issues which will be addressed as part of the Major Upgrade and Refurbishment Program, subject to funding in the forward estimates. These stations are: Boddington, Cottesloe, Dwellingup, Katanning, Jurien and Waroona.

Waroona is due to be replaced as part of the program with design works underway for a new facility on the existing site to be completed by late next year.

Cottesloe’s future is still uncertain as it is linked to the Western Suburbs project which has been deferred.

There is a review of the entire Maylands Police Complex Site which will determine the location of a number of units including TRG. In disappointing news, the Secret Harbour Police Station has been scrapped.

Electric gates will be fitted at Belmont, Forrestfield, Gosnells, Hillarys and Kwinana but no timeframes have been provided for these works which will occur in consultation with OICs and Districts.

A number of charge rooms, cells and charge docks in regional WA are subject to the current custody upgrade program. This is a rolling program based on priorities set by Regional WA. CCTV would not be an automatic inclusion for a charge dock as PICs are not supposed to be left unattended. If a complete new charge room is built then CCTV and recording would be provided.

Front counter security at Kambalda has been completed and works at Toodyay Police Station have recently been approved.

Boddington has not been identified an immediate priority.

WA Police has committed to inspecting armouries at least once a year.

If Members have concerns about their facilities, please contact WAPU’s Field Officers on 9321 2155.

WAPU 2015 DELEGATE TRAINING PROGRAM WAPU will be conducting a series of training opportunities in 2015 to assist our dedicated team of Branch Officials in developing their skills and knowledge as a WAPU Delegate for the benefit of Members.

The training will incorporate our Core Skills for Delegates course as well as a suite of new courses aimed at other important skills such as planning and holding meetings, communications skills, leadership and leading teams and understanding bullying and dealing with anxiety in the workplace.

A Delegate Mentoring Program will also commence in 2015 with interested delegates forming mentor/mentee relationships to impart knowledge and experience as WAPU Branch Officials.

A WAPU Leadership Program, incorporating all the training events, will be established to identify and develop our union workplace leaders of the future.

FIELD REPORT

01 02

Continued from page 21

01 Fortescue Branch President Sam Kelsey and Secretary Michael Hitchcock.

02 Police auxiliary officers Vice President Sharron Delaney, President Fiona McPherson and Secretary Mike Chinn of the newly formed Perth Watch House Branch.

It is hoped that the new Branch will assist to improve the working conditions of the police auxiliary officers in custody support roles.

WAPU OPINION

Delegates wishing to partake in any of the training opportunities can do so under the provisions of Clause 45 of the WA Police Industrial Agreement 2014 and attend during working hours as per the TUTA leave option on SIMR. A training program and calendar will soon be added to the WAPU Website Members Area, showing details of the courses and the dates they will be delivered.

Interested Delegates can contact Field Officer Dean Giacomini for further information or to book on a course.

PWH BRANCH FORMED Members voted overwhelmingly to create a new WAPU Branch at the Perth Watch House to represent the 117 Members who work at the Watch House which includes sergeants and police auxiliary officers.

Given the unique working environment and conditions, two industrial agreements and high stress custody area it was agreed that a new Branch was essential to give Members the best coverage and support.

It is hoped that the new Branch will assist to improve the working conditions of the police auxiliary officers in custody support roles.

The new Branch has full voting rights and will attend its first Annual Conference in 2015.

Another example for WA Police to consider is the 2011 review of the NSW Police promotion system which made numerous recommendations to resolve festering problems. These included precluding ranks below sergeant from applying for senior sergeant and also, requiring sergeants to have served at that rank for a specified time, before being able to apply for senior sergeant.

The NSW review also recommended increased weighting given to experience and noted that years of experience should be taken into account to determine eligibility, inclusive of position-specific qualifications while affording limited recognition of tertiary qualifications.

The end result of a new and improved promotion and career path system would actually ensure the right people are promoted to the right place, with the right expertise and delivering the best possible service to the community.

Thus, employees would feel connected, motivated, valued and professionally satisfied with service delivery being the winner.

25 POLICE NEWS DECEMBER 2014

Q&A

Q: What did you think of the Union’s free presentation of Dr Kevin Gilmartin’s lecture Emotional Survival at the 78th Annual Conference?

CONSTABLE SEAN MAYS It was really good. It gave me some options about how to de-stress and gave me some insignt into how we take many things for granted. The physiological response to stress was really interesting and I learnt more about how it can effect your personal life.

CONSTABLE TANYA LEYTING I thought it was great.

I learnt about how to deal with all the stresses at work and how to deal with life outside of policing. I learnt about how to feel like a normal person again!

26 POLICE NEWS DECEMBER 2014

SERGEANT MATT HOLLAND It was an excellent presentation. It is something that all police officers should see. It definitely should be part of the Academy. I learnt a lot about the importance of switching off from work during down time.

SENIOR CONSTABLE WENDY DAWES I thought he was talking about me the whole time! I really enjoyed learning about the parasympathetic and sympathetic responses to stress; it was really interesting. He was a very good communicator and it would be great if this was taught in the Academy.

WAPU OPINION

PETER POTTHOFF

Metropolitan Region Director

You can’t all be Commissioner OVER THE LAST 30 YEARS, as a member of WA Police, I have seen many different types of management and supervision styles practiced by senior police employees (police and public servants).

They understood people and policing in WA and earned their promotion to Commissioner by doing their job on the way to the top, not by being a bully …

Some were good, some bad and some that breached various awards and policies.

Most of us would have thought that in the modern era with various rules, regulations and policies governing our every step in life, that senior employees would be well briefed in all areas and actually treat staff accordingly.

However, over the last eight years, as a WAPU Director, I have seen all the issues confronting our Members and it is obvious that unfortunately there are still a number of senior employees who have little regard for the Industrial Agreement, legislation and policies.

Some actually believe that the world should run according to them!

A number, amazingly, choose to disregard the Industrial Agreement in relation to rosters, entitlements, allowances and other aspects. Some choose to disregard some legislation and others simply don’t follow policies put in place by the Commissioner of Police and some can only be described as bullies.

The Industrial Agreement is a document agreed to by the Commissioner of Police, the WA Government and WAPU.

Therefore, a note to those maverick managers and supervisors within WA Police, you don’t have a choice in regard to the Industrial Agreement, you must comply with it.

Then we have the ‘penny pinchers’, those who don’t spend their budget, preferring to hand money back at the end of the financial year, instead of using their allocated funds for the purposes they were allocated, in the first place.

It is a common topic of discussion amongst Members, that those senior employees who choose not to spend their budget believe that by handing back funds, they will endear themselves to senior management and thereby ‘fast track’ their way to the upper levels of management, while under resourcing their own staff.

A note to those wanting to be the Commissioner. WA is currently only on our fourth Commissioner since 1985 and in those 30 years only two have been ‘home grown’ and are/were good Commissioners.

They understood people and policing in WA and earned their promotion to Commissioner by doing their job on the way to the top, not by being a bully or using aggression, by being rude, by penny pinching or any other unacceptable tactics.

So instead of continually causing your staff grief, how about trying a different approach, you might be surprised that your staff will actually work better with your support instead of your boot. You won’t get promoted simply by being a tyrant, you have to: • Understand your people (Staff are your greatest asset); • Be aware, all people are different; • Treat people as you would like to be treated yourself; • Remember, we all joined WA Police to make a difference; and • Read the Industrial Agreement and have a full understanding of legislation and policies.

Be aware, if you choose to breach the Industrial Agreement, be prepared to attend the WA Industrial Relations Commissions, as the accused!

WAPU Members We need to know the issues confronting you. Without knowing what is happening to you, we can’t stop it continuing.

In the process, you can help yourself and other Members. I urge you to contact WAPU HQ or a WAPU Director if: • You have had a legitimate claim for anything, knocked back by a supervisor, manager or a ‘beancounter’ (overtime, meal claim, shift penalty, other allowance); • You have a question in regard to an allowance as per the Industrial Agreement; • You have been bullied (please read the definition of bullying);

• Accommodation booked for you for work travel is not of high standard and you are directed to share rooms (you need to tell WAPU before, as we can’t do much after); • You are rostered to work outside the Agreement; • Your shifts are changed outside the Agreement: • You don’t get your share of weekends, Christmas and/or New Year’s Eve as leave;

• You are being required to conduct OIC duties across more than your own sub district; • You are instructed to undertake single officer tasks; • You are not getting meal breaks; • You are being instructed to use your own mobile phone because work ones are not available; and/or • If you have any questions.

Please call WAPU HQ on 9321 2155 or a WAPU Director for any issue concerning you, about anything. At least we will listen to you, assess your station and provide advice and assistance, where appropriate.

Don’t sit back and let your thoughts fester, speak to someone from WAPU and help yourself and possibly 27 other Members.

POLICE NEWS DECEMBER 2014

IT’S TOUGH ENOUGH BY JESSICA PORTER

The WA Police Union Annual Conference, held over November 24-25, this year focused on the need to compensate medically retired officers and the welfare of those serving.

U

nion President George Tilbury told dignitaries, Delegates, guests and the media that Government and WA Police owed it to medically retired officers to establish a compensation scheme which would give them a reasonable quality of life. And also put in place preventative schemes to protect officers from prolonged exposure to trauma.

As unveiled in Project Recompense, Recommendation 13 seeks a compensation scheme similar to workers’ compensation.

President Tilbury said WAPU wanted to sit down with Government and the Agency to devise an appropriate scheme.

“We are always prepared to look at the detail of any proposal that’s put forward but our medical conditions are hard-fought so we want to do everything possible to retain this,” Mr Tilbury said.

The Union President said any compensation scheme that was put in place should not replace entitlements for serving officers.

“Police officers are on duty 24/7 and have to act whenever a situation arises so we need to ensure that the coverage is appropriate for the entire time,” he said.

Funding for a compensation scheme was a concern to the Union, but Senior Vice President Brandon Shortland said you could not put a price on the health and wellbeing of police officers.

“Dollars are obviously a factor, but that pales into significance when you look at the trauma suffered by our Members,” he said.

“All we are asking is that WA Police and Government recognise that trauma has been suffered by our Members and they compensate them for that.”

Deputy Commissioner Stephen Brown, who attended Annual Conference in the place of Commissioner Karl O’Callaghan, said he recognised that the current systems in place are insufficient.

“The current lack of workers’ compensation for police officers here in Western Australia, in some cases, means that some of our police officers are hanging on working hard for the community because they simply don’t have any compensation at the end of their employment, and that is not acceptable to anybody,” Deputy Commissioner Brown said.

“We are going to work with the Union on this and other industrial relations reforms. There are a number of things in this

28 POLICE NEWS DECEMBER 2014

space that need fixing and fixing very quickly.”

He said the WA Police Executive would meet with WAPU to discuss compensation for police officers.

“You’ve got a new, young, keen Police Union Executive and you’ve got a Commissioner of Police who’s committed in this space. It’s part of our reform program to optimise the workforce… and we’ve got to start working on these things now,” Deputy Commissioner Brown said.

But the welfare theme of Conference went beyond compensation after trauma.

Project Recompense recommended that a service similar to the Department of Veterans Affairs’ service, Operation Life, is established to promote resilience, mental health and wellbeing, enhance protective factors that reduce the risk of suicide and develop partnerships with other organisations that offer support and education.

“There are structures in place at the moment, but we don’t think they are adequate. Health and Welfare need a huge injection of staff to make sure that their police are looked after,” Mr Shortland said.

“No one wants to see WA police hurt or traumatised any more than they have to. It’s tough enough being a police officer without having to battle for support or assistance to have their trauma treated. Prevention is better than a cure but we have to ensure that those who have experience trauma are adequately compensated.

“There’s a mountain of evidence to show that if you’re a WA police officer, you are going to attend traumatic incidents, you are going to suffer trauma and I think there is enough body of evidence now to say that if you are a police officer, you will be traumatised and you need to be looked after.”

Trauma and emotional survival were also themes in presentations from guest speakers including former NSW police officer and author Karen Davis, Police Association of NSW Assistant Secretary of Legal Services Julie Carroll and doctor and author, Kevin Gilmartin.

Members and Delegates have said this year’s Conference was one of the most informative and important in recent times. ▷

“It’s tough enough being a police officer without having to battle for support or assistance to have their trauma treated.”

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01 George Tilbury during his Opening Address to the Conference.

02 Police Association of NSW Assistant Secretary of Legal Services Julie Carroll.

03 Dr Kevin Gilmartin.

29 POLICE NEWS DECEMBER 2014

PROJECT RECOMPENSE RELEASED IT HAS TAKEN MORE THAN TWO YEARS OF RESEARCH but now Project Recompense has been released.

GILMARTIN HEADLINES ANNUAL CONFERENCE MORE THAN 200 WAPU MEMBERS took the opportunity to listen to world renowned behavioural scientist Dr Kevin Gilmartin on day two of the WAPU Annual Conference.

He presented two sessions, the first to Conference Delegates and a second to WAPU Members who attended specifically to listen to the good doctor’s wisdom.

President George Tilbury said Dr Gilmartin’s presentation was a reality check for all in the policing profession.

“The Doctor has been presenting all over Australia recently and the Board is very proud to have brought Dr Gilmartin to Perth given his wealth of experience, which was also shared in a special afternoon session for non-Delegate Members.

“His presentation has certainly given us all plenty to think about.”

All Members who attended one of the sessions received a free copy of his book: Emotional Survival for Law Enforcement.

Mr Tilbury encouraged Members to read this book as it provides great advice for all serving and retired police officers.

Copies of the book can be purchased from www.emotionalsurvival.com.

30 POLICE NEWS DECEMBER 2014

As part of the 78th WAPU Annual Conference, Senior Vice President Brandon Shortland and Research Officer Jane Baker presented the 214-page report and its 14 recommendations to Conference Delegates.

Project Recompense is a WAPU-initiated research project that intends to secure a fair outcome for all Members who have suffered trauma during the course of their employment with WA Police and have been, will be or could be medically retired.

Mr Shortland said the Project builds a case to advocate for a fair and sustainable process to compensate Members without the need for ad hoc ex-gratia payment applications.

“Project Recompense was conceived out of the innumerable calls WAPU received from both serving and retired Members seeking assistance and support in the wake of life changing physical and psychological trauma,” he said.

“WAPU has been so overwhelmed with requests for assistance with ex-gratia applications, that it was deemed necessary to undertake research into not only Members’ experience of work-related physical or psychological trauma and the Agency’s response, but also the forms of compensation available,” he said.

“We look forward to achieving positive results for all Members arising from the research and recommendations contained within the report. This is the first step to remedy an unjust and undignified system.”

WAPU conducted a Member survey which had nearly 900 responses. It was this survey along with research which helped to create the report and its recommendations.

The full report is available to view online via the WAPU website, www.wapu.org.au.

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WAPU RECOGNISES OUTSTANDING OFFICIALS WAPU RECOGNISED A NUMBER OF OFFICIALS for their long and outstanding service to the Union and Members at Annual Conference.

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Life Membership was conferred on former Treasurer Merv Lockhart at the Annual Conference Dinner. He was nominated for Life Membership by the current Board of Directors, a number of whom he had worked alongside for many years.

Mr Lockhart had been a long serving WAPU Official right up until his retirement from WA Police earlier this year.

The 190-strong crowd gave Merv a standing ovation, showing the high regard he is held in by WAPU Members.

The Union’s annual Dowd Dempsey Award, which recognises outstanding contributions over the last 12 months was presented to Sergeant Sharon Croft from the Perth Police Centre Branch.

Sergeant Croft received the award for her hard work and dedication as an Branch Official and her tremendous efforts to assist WAPU to finalise the first ever Police Auxiliary Officers Industrial Agreement.

She worked hard to ensure additional police auxiliary officers and supervisors were provided to the Watch House.

Sergeant Croft also developed a number of creative initiatives that made the job safer for her staff whilst ensuring that their industrial and OSH entitlements were protected.

A new initiative to recognise the service of WAPU Officials was also unveiled during Annual Conference.

WAPU Officials who serve the Union for five, 10, 15 or 20 years will be presented with a WAPU Service Pin as recognition for their dedication and service.

President George Tilbury congratulated all award winners for their dedication and commitment to WAPU. “WAPU Officials are our representatives on the ground who are often the first port of call for Members,” he said.

“Most are volunteers who work extra hours to assist Members, organise Branch Meetings and drive the Union message from the frontline and it is only fitting that we recognise their efforts because without their support our Union would not operate.”

WAPU SERVICE PIN RECIPIENTS The following Members were inaugural recipients of WAPU Service Pins and were in attendance for the presentations.

20 Years’ Service Arno Albrecht 15 Years’ Service Mick Kelly George Tilbury Harry Russell Merv Lockhart 10 Years’ Service Dave Flaherty Jon Groves Kevin McDonald Peter Potthoff John Raphael Five Years’ Service Mark Folkard Peter Gerada Darren Gill Michael Gill Doug Holt Stuart Lapsley Peter McGee Danny Richmond Brandon Shortland Max Walker Shane Wheeler Rob Witt

01 Guests at the Annual Conference Dinner rise to give new Life Member Merv Lockhart a standing ovation. 02 Merv Lockhart addresses the Conference Dinner after receiving his life membership from WAPU President George Tilbury. 03 Delegates who received their five-year WAPU Service Pin with President Tilbury.

31 POLICE NEWS DECEMBER 2014

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32 POLICE NEWS DECEMBER 2014

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WAPU Annual Conference 2014

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NOVEMBER 24-25, 2014 PARMELIA HILTON, PERTH 01 78th Annual Conference Delegates. 02 WAPU Treasurer Mick Kelly and Police Federation of Australia CEO Mark Burgess. 03 Police Federation of Australia President Mark Carroll. 04 Author and former NSW police officer Karen Davis. 05 Peter Eley, Peter and Marilyn Kelly and Nigel Jenkins. 06 WAPU Delegates supporting Movember. 07 Ceri Skamp and Ian Moore.

08 Sam Kelsey, Jon Ellis, David Holmberg, Chris Fox and Rob Jonas-Green. 09 Robert Hamilton, Mick Barnes and John Weaver. 10 Jan and Lindsay Garratt with Cate and Mark Johnson. 11 Peter McGee, Harry Arnott and Gareth Reed. 12 Dr Kevin Gilmartin with President George Tilbury. 13 Police Health Deputy Chairman Inspector Kevin Lawton. 14 Opposition Leader Mark McGowan and Shadow Police Spokeswoman Michelle Roberts. 15 George Tilbury thanks Julie Carroll for her presentation.

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33 POLICE NEWS DECEMBER 2014

MOTIONS ON NOTICE 78TH ANNUAL CONFERENCE 2014 1.0 CORPORATE 1.1 EXECUTIVE

1.2 EXECUTIVE

Conference directs that Rule 5.2 - Retired Membership be amended to provide Retired Membership eligibility to ordinary Members who separate from WA Police due to retirement on attaining the age of 55, resigning having attained the age of 55 AND with at least 20 years’ service as an ordinary Member, or retired due to total permanent incapacity.

Retired Membership (a) Any Member who ceases to be eligible for membership by reason of:

(1) their retirement on attaining the age of 55 years, or

(2) their resignation having attained the age of 55 years with at least 20 years’ service as an Ordinary Member, or

(3) their total permanent incapacity

may apply for membership as a Retired Member. (b) A Retired Member shall be entitled to those benefits of membership as determined by the Board from time to time without further payment of any subscription, fee, fine or levy. (c) A Retired Member shall not be entitled to stand for election as an Officer of the Union or vote in any election held pursuant to these Rules. (d) For the purposes of these Rules a Retired Member shall be deemed to be a financial member of the Union.

EXPLANATION Members who retire from WA Police are eligible to remain WAPU Members under the classification of ‘Retired Members’.

The recent experience of Members exiting WA Police under severance packages without being classified by WA Police as ‘retiring’ created a potential anomaly in their ability to remain as Retired Members, and consequently the level of services WAPU can provide.

Further, Members who have attained the age of 55, and have left WA Police to continue employment in a different field, have been denied membership as Retired Members, as they were classified by WA Police as having ‘resigned’ not ‘retired’.

This change enables Members to become Retired Members when they separate from WA Police, having met one of the three criteria. This provides continued access to relevant WAPU services, such as holiday homes and retirement plaques.

Moved: Lindsay Garratt CARRIED 34 POLICE NEWS DECEMBER 2014

Seconded: Ward Adamson

Conference directs that Rule 9 – Meeting Procedure be amended to ensure Standing Orders are retained with the Constitution for ease of reference and control.

9 – Meeting Procedure (a) The Board shall have the power to make Standing Orders consistent with these Rules for the conduct of all meetings of the Union.

(1) Standing Orders made under Rule 9 (a) shall be annexed to these Rules as a standalone attachment. (b) Any business dealing with the alteration, or repeal of Standing Orders, or the addition of new Standing Orders, shall not be decided at a meeting of the Board unless particulars of such alteration, repeal or addition have been included in the notice of meeting; and the motion has been supported by a two-thirds (2/3) majority of those present at the meeting. (c) The Board shall have authority to interpret any Standing Order and shall finally determine any matter where the Standing Orders are silent.

EXPLANATION When the Constitution was comprehensively amended in 2010, the Standing Orders were removed. This was to provide a number of benefits, such as reducing the size of the document and to provide for amendments to be made to the Standing Orders without the need to invoke the full range of legislated and constitutionally dictated processes, for what are essentially administrative practices.

Standing Orders are an important set of rules. This proposed change ensures they are retained with the Constitution for ease of reference and control.

Moved: Harry Russell CARRIED

Seconded: Mark Johnson

1.3 EXECUTIVE Conference directs that Rule 10 – Referendums be changed to ensure that only those Members who are directly affected by a question under determination are involved in any ballot.

10 – Referendums (a) The Board, an Annual Conference, Special Conference or Special General Meeting shall have power to remit any question, which in its opinion is of more than ordinary importance, for determination by secret ballot of all the Members.

(1) Under any secret ballot conducted pursuant to Rule 10(a), only those Members directly affected by the question under determination will be balloted.

(b) The Board shall appoint a Returning Officer who is not a Member or employee of the Union to conduct the referendum ballot. (c) The Returning Officer shall have the authority to appoint such Assistant Returning Officers as may be necessary for the proper conduct of the ballot and in the absence of the Returning Officer, an Assistant Returning Officer shall have the same powers, duties and responsibilities of the Returning Officer. Members and employees of the Union are eligible to be appointed as an Assistant Returning Officer.

(2) For Police Auxiliary Officers an amount equal to 1.35% of the base salary of a band 1AP1.3 Police Auxiliary Officer rounded up to the nearest 10 cents;

(i) For Police Auxiliary Officer (Cadets), the fee shall be $10 per fortnight in lieu of that prescribed at Rule 11.1(a)(2).

(3) For Aboriginal Police Liaison Officers an amount equivalent to 1.35% of the base salary applicable to the rank of a First Class Aboriginal Police Liaison Officer rounded up to the next nearest 10 cents; and

(4) For all other Ordinary Members an amount determined by the Board.

(d) The Returning Officer shall forward a referendum ballot paper to each Member of the Union whom are to be balloted in accordance with Rule 10(a)(1). Such referendum ballot paper shall contain full particulars regarding the matter upon which a decision is asked and shall clearly state the date of the closing of the ballot. The system of distribution and return of referendum ballot papers shall be determined by the Returning Officer and may include the use of a system of electronic distribution and return.

(b) An Ordinary Member who converts to part-time employment shall pay an amount determined by the Board.

(e) Any referendum under this Rule that may be carried out using an electronic voting system must preserve the secrecy of Members’ votes and the integrity of the voting process. The outcome of the vote and the records associated with such electronic vote must be preserved for a period of 12 months.

(d) For Life Members and Retired Members, subscriptions shall not be required to be paid, whether or not the Life Member or Retired Member is entitled to membership under another classification.

(f) The Returning Officer shall certify to the Board the result of the referendum which shall be binding upon all Members of the Union. (g) The result of any referendum will be determined upon the returned vote only whereby sixty five per cent (65%) either for or against will be deemed to be a majority result. Should 65% either for or against not be reached the question put to vote will lapse.

EXPLANATION It has been acknowledged that a Referendum need not impact upon, or be relevant to, all Members. The recent example of the Referendum to ‘appoint’ Directors to fill five casual vacancies highlighted that it is not appropriate for certain categories of Members, such as Retired Members, to participate in the ballot/Referendum for Board appointments.

The proposed changes provide flexibility to prescribe which groups will be subject to a Referendum.

Moved: Brandon Shortland CARRIED

Seconded: Graeme Macey

(c) For an Ordinary Member (who must inform the Union in writing of their intention to do so) proceeding on maternity leave or absence from duty without pay, normal subscriptions shall not be required to be paid during such leave but the Member shall contribute an amount determined by the Board and will be still entitled to the full privileges of membership.

(e) Subscriptions shall be payable fortnightly or at such other greater intervals as may be determined by the Board from time to time.

EXPLANATION From 1 January 2014, the Commissioner of Police introduced a new classification of PAO, the PAO (Cadet).

This classification is open to individuals whom are over 16 years of age, and has a pay schedule that mirrors public sector junior rates and Level 1 Public Servants. Such pay rates are significantly lower than other PAO classifications. Accordingly, it is considered inappropriate to charge standard PAO subscription rates for this classification.

This proposed change incorporates the current policy position of WAPU to charge $10 per fortnight subscriptions for PAO (Cadets).

Moved: Brandon Shortland CARRIED

Seconded: Mark Johnson

1.5 MIRRABOOKA BRANCH Conference directs the Board of Directors to make changes to the WAPU Constitution so that Chaplains Joe Newbold and Keith Carmody be appointed as Members of WAPU.

1.4 EXECUTIVE Conference directs that Rule 11.1 – Subscriptions be amended to introduce a subscription rate for PAO (Cadets), whom are on a lower pay scale than other PAOs. 11.1 – Subscription (a) Subscriptions for Ordinary Members shall be:

(1) For members of the Police Force an amount equivalent to 1.35% of the base salary applicable to the rank of a third year Constable rounded up to the next nearest 10 cents;

EXPLANATION With the poor performance of Health and Welfare Branch, both Padres have done outstanding job regarding the emotional health of WAPU Members, both current and retired. As a result, it is the opinion of the Mirrabooka Branch both are in the need of protection of WAPU. Moved: Mark Folkard LOST

Seconded: David Flaherty

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POLICE NEWS DECEMBER 2014

1.6 CURTIN BRANCH Conference directs the Board of Directors that ‘weighted voting’ be implemented at the WAPU Annual Conference.

EXPLANATION There are approximately 6,000 financial WAPU Members, and the uneven distribution of these Members to Branches, which are also unevenly distributed throughout the State, results in the current WAPU Conference voting system not fairly and equitably representing each Member. In effect, some Members’ votes are worth more than others.

The allowance would be applied indiscriminately, so that officers who decide to seek and purchase their own accommodation would receive the same allowance.

Moved: David Holmberg CARRIED

Seconded: David Flaherty

2.2 WEST PILBARA BRANCH Conference directs the Board of Directors to lobby GROH for equity between GROH tenants and private rental tenants in relation to annual inspections and maintenance.

For example, there are 43 Branches (21 metropolitan and 22 regional WA), which all have an equal two votes (maximum) on Motions debated at the WAPU Annual Conference. With the 15 Directors having one vote each, there are a total of 101 votes (86 Branch votes). In effect, each Branch has approximately 2 per cent of the possible votes.

EXPLANATION Currently there is no equity between different tenants, with private rental tenants being subject to a greater impost with up to four house inspections per year compared to GROH tenants who may receive one.

However, not all Branches contain an equal number of Members. Hence, each WAPU Member’s vote does not carry equal weight, with smaller Branches carrying more voting power than the larger Branches.

The standard and approval process for maintenance varies between private rental tenants and GROH tenants. Private rental tenants are subject to the owner’s willingness to resolve the issue, which varies from owner to owner.

A weighted voting system is based on the idea that some voters (in our case Branches) are given more weight to ensure that all constituents (in our case the Members) are fairly represented on issues. This allows for each Member’s voice to be heard equally, rather than some Member’s voice being louder than other Members. This type of voting system is common place in shareholder meetings, where votes are weighted by the number of shares that each shareholder owns.

Moved: Doug Holt CARRIED

Moved: Ian Moore LOST

2.1 LEEUWIN NATURALISTE BRANCH Conference directs the Board of Directors to lobby the Commissioner of Police to offer officers in regional WA an allowance to seek their own accommodation in lieu of GROH provided housing (that aren’t GROH owned) and to ensure the allowance is not subject to taxation.

EXPLANATION Officers have no choice in regards to the type of housing that is made available and there is a discrepancy in the state of some houses. Some officers prefer accommodation that is closer to particular facilities, some prefer less or more bedrooms and others prioritise shed space and availability. When transferring to a new location, an officer and his family requirements are not taken into consideration.

An allowance that replaces GROH provided private rental housing allows an officer to seek a house subject to their own requirements.

This allowance would ideally be replacing leases that GROH has with private rental owners, as such costs borne by the department would also be reduced as vacancy periods would not cost the department money.

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2.3 CENTRAL MIDLANDS BRANCH Conference directs the Board of Directors to lobby the Government to change the entitlements relating to attraction and retention payments to include those residing within a 50 kilometre radius of their workplace whether or not they are occupying GROH housing.

Seconded: Julian Donahoe

2.0 INDUSTRIAL

POLICE NEWS DECEMBER 2014

Seconded: Peter Gerada

EXPLANATION The current provisions allow only for those occupying GROH housing and residing within a 30 kilometre radius to receive the payments. Eligibility for GROH housing requires employees to reside 50 kilometres or more from their workplace. Even if employees want GROH housing they are not entitled to it and this exempts them from the payments.

Moved: Max Walker CARRIED

Seconded: Harry Arnott

2.4 NORTH EASTERN GOLDFIELDS BRANCH Conference directs the Board of Directors to lobby the Commissioner of Police to consider changing the current process when Members take up residence and vacate GROH properties.

EXPLANATION Members have been hit with hefty bills from GROH when they have vacated a property. Properties are inspected sometimes weeks after the Member has moved and issues such as weeds in the garden, dead or overgrown lawns, cobwebs and dirt build up arise. Members are then sent a report stating unreasonable costs to then have these issues rectified.

We propose that when a Member moves in there should be a GROH Inspector present and also before the Member moves out, a GROH Inspector be present to review the property with the Member so any foreseeable issues can be

raised and in fairness to the Member, give them an opportunity to rectify it.

General wear and tear of properties also needs to be considered.

Moved: Kurt Weedon CARRIED

Seconded: Aaron Ogg

2.5 BUNBURY AUSTRALIND BRANCH Conference directs the Board of Directors to request the Commissioner of Police instigate GROH housing options for officers transferring from non-GROH country locations to the metro area.

EXPLANATION Perth is no longer the ‘home’ hub for many officers, especially those in non-GROH locations in regional WA. Many officers have never lived in the metro area and have no connections there.

Some officers want to retain properties in regional WA and return to them later. Unlike those that are able to retain houses in Perth due to being supplied housing at subsidised rent, this is not a viable option.

The Perth property market is expensive. There are few officers who could maintain a home in regional WA and either buy or rent in Perth.

The regional property market is depressed. This means that many officers are unable to sell their homes and those that do, find they cannot afford to buy anything similar in Perth.

Moved: Gareth Reed LOST

Seconded: David Flaherty

2.8 PEEL SOUTH BRANCH Conference directs the Board of Directors to lobby the Commissioner of Police to introduce a 38-hour week which will allow for 12 Rostered days off (RDO) per year without any loss of salary.

EXPLANANTION WA Police will fall in line with every other WA government department which currently, and for some time, have enjoyed the benefit of a 38-hour week as have most other police jurisdictions throughout Australia. WA Police have been left well behind in this area.

Moved: Andy Maher CARRIED

Seconded: Brandon Shortland

2.9 TRAFFIC SUPPORT BRANCH Conference directs the Board of Directors to: 1) Seek change to the provisions of clause 36 of the 2017 Industrial Agreement to remove the limitation on reimbursement of expenses for x-ray or other services unless provided under a referral given by a medical practitioner.

2) Lobby the Commissioner of Police to administratively remove this limitation until such time as the 2017 Industrial Agreement is registered.

Seconded: David Flaherty

2.6 CENTRAL MIDLANDS BRANCH Conference directs the Board of Directors to lobby the Commissioner of Police to prevent the rostering of single day weekly leave days, where practicable.

EXPLANATION Recent surveys within the metropolitan districts have shown officers receive no respite from single days off. Combined with shift work and short changeovers, this can only lead to increased sick leave and fatigue-related incidents within the workplace.

Moved: Max Walker CARRIED

Moved: Max Walker LOST

Seconded: Harry Arnott

2.7 CENTRAL MIDLANDS BRANCH Conference directs the Board of Directors to lobby the Commissioner of Police to change the shift penalty entitlements to include a penalty amount to the same value as a weekend dayshift worked on a weekday when the start time is 0600 hours.

EXPLANATION A night shift penalty of $68.71 currently applies to employees when a shift commences at 0530 hours. A part-penalty shift should apply when it commences only 30 minutes after and would invariably include travel time to work.

EXPLANATION Injuries to the body that do not require emergency care but require treatment or diagnosis from specialists such as a physiotherapist or chiropractor can be assessed by someone other than a medical practitioner (as defined in the Industrial Agreement).

Referrals from specialists, who also have the same ability as a medical practitioner to refer an injured person for medical tests, or to other practitioners, should be accepted for the purposes of having additional services reimbursed. Similarly, a medical certificate from the treating specialist stating that they are being treated for a current injury or an old recurring injury that occurred while employed by WA Police should suffice.

Introducing these changes will alleviate the costly and unnecessary medical costs of the employee having to attend their doctor for a referral which could easily be provided by other practitioners. Further, this will align with health insurance protocols of not needing a referral for these types of treatments. It will also assist the Department of Health by allowing more medical appointments to be available to those in the community who are generally unwell, by not taking up unnecessary appointments with doctors.

Moved: Paul Gale CARRIED

Seconded: Lindsay Garratt

▷ 37 POLICE NEWS DECEMBER 2014

2.10 TRAFFIC SUPPORT BRANCH In preparation for the 2017 Industrial Agreement negotiations, Conference directs the Board of Directors to investigate and compare shift definitions and penalty rates with consideration to align them with other public sector departments such as WA Health, DFES and other Australian police jurisdictions.

EXPLANATION Members are continuously being treated as general public sector workers, however, the shift definitions and rates are significantly different (and often lower) to other public sector workers.

Moved: Paul Gale CARRIED

Seconded: Lindsay Garratt

2.11 EASTERN GOLDFIELDS BRANCH Conference directs the Board of Directors to lobby the Commissioner of Police to include in future Industrial Agreement negotiations that Clause 12(9) of the Industrial Agreement 2011 be amended to include, that where the 10-hour break provision runs into a rostered 44-hour shift, it applies to that shift in the same manner as an ordinary hours shift, and that Clause 14(7) (d) (iii) – or similar in 2014 IA – be amended to include that it is subject to Clause 12(9).

EXPLANATION Recently, Members have had their 44-hour allowance reduced to actual time worked as per Clause 14(7) (d) (iii), when they have taken the allowed 10-hour break between shifts, after a period of authorised overtime.

This has meant that staff, if they wish to retain the 44-hour allowance, are coming to work fatigued due to not having a 10-hour break between shifts.

This is a clear occupational safety and health risk.

Staff may also be put in the position of refusing recalls or not being contactable after hours, for fear it may affect their following 44-hour shift. This could then conceivably affect operational effectiveness and service delivery to their communities.

Moved: John Hennah CARRIED

Seconded: Harry Arnott

2.12 EASTERN GOLDFIELDS BRANCH Conference directs the Board of Directors to lobby the Commissioner of Police to include in future Industrial Agreement negotiations that Clause 12(9) (a) (ii) and (iii) of the Industrial Agreement 2014 be amended to remove the word “four” from each of the clauses, and replace with suitable words to reflect a period equal to half of the duration of the shift length to be worked in the shift following the 10-hour break.

EXPLANATION Clause 12(9) (a) (ii) and (iii) were instigated when the majority of shifts worked throughout WAPOL were of 8 hour duration. Now the norm in a majority of places are 9 and 10 hour shifts. On occasion, Members of this branch have claimed this 10 hour break and been excused from the following shift.

With authorised overtime following an already lengthy 10 hour shift, staff are placed at more risk of fatigue, particularly following a recall from night 38 POLICE NEWS DECEMBER 2014

shift for court that goes for an extended period. Due to the strains that are already placed on the body through shift work, to expect a night shift worker to come in to work up to 3am, after they have effectively worked or been awake for a “double shift” of 20 hours is unreasonable and can only be seen as a hazard to the staff member and his or her colleagues.

Moved: John Hennah CARRIED

Seconded: Shane Wheeler

2.13 WEST KIMBERLEY BRANCH Conference directs the Board of Directors to lobby the Commissioner of Police to introduce parity in allowances between country police station OIC and Detective OIC positions.

EXPLANATION OICs of country detective offices do not receive overtime payment for additional hours worked during a rostered week and do not receive the same allowance as a police station OIC. The hours are supposed to be adjusted during the relevant pay period but this is rarely possible.

With the introduction of the new investigative doctrine this has resulted in an increase in after-hours calls to Detective OICs to the point where some Detective OICs are receiving the same, if not more calls than OICs of police stations. This disruption to family life is significant and should be recognised for Detective OICs. Moved: Shayne Knox LOST

Seconded: Peter McGee

2.14 MIRRABOOKA BRANCH Conference directs the Board of Directors to conduct a study by a suitability qualified professional to compare the WA Police Industrial Agreement and the Working Hours Code of Practice as set out in the Commission of Occupational Safety and Health to examine if the Agreement conflicts with the code. The study results should be made available to all Members at the next Annual Conference.

EXPLANATION At present the Agreement states officers should not do than five days in a row but as discussed, this does occur. As such, the impact of working 60 hours accumulatively needs to be addressed.

There has been a lot of research on the health of shift workers when the finish time goes past midnight. The issue we have is with the introduction of 10-hour shifts, with the exception of dayshift, there are very few shifts which are completed prior to midnight.

Also given that 10-hour shifts have been introduced, consideration for evening shifts be abolished and WA Police go back to an afternoon or nightshift penalty rate because evening shifts are essentially completed in night time hour. For example an evening shift commencing at 1800 hours and finishing at 0400 hours the following morning, is essentially worked during night time. If one looks at the definition of night time in the Criminal Investigation Act being 2100 hours to 0600 hours. Shift descriptors

cannot be based around sunset and sunrise as this changes.

Moved: Mick Kelly CARRIED

Seconded: Ward Adamson

3.2 NORTH WEST METROPOLITAN BRANCH Conference directs the Board of Directors to lobby the Government to amend the Road Traffic Act 1974 to provide protection for emergency service workers on a road, by mandating other motorists to slow down to a defined speed when approaching and overtaking.

By comparing the Agreement to the code of practice, any issues that are identified can be introduced at the next IA negations to maximise the health and welfare of Members.

Moved: Mark Folkard CARRIED

Seconded: Max Walker

2.15 WEST PILBARA BRANCH Conference directs the Board of Directors to lobby the Commissioner of Police to insert the following words in the next Industrial Agreement, and in the interim, secure a letter from the Commissioner of Police confirming that: “The employer recognises that it is paramount that Union representatives in the workplace are not threatened or disadvantaged in any way as a result of their role as a union representative.”

This must also be sent in a broadcast to WA Police employees.

EXPLANATION The above wording remains in other public awards but was removed from the Agreement more than 10 years ago because the same protections apply under State and Federal legislation that covers “freedom of association”.

This Motion seeks to protect Members, both junior and senior, in that it informs all parties in a readily referred document of these principles. While the next Industrial Agreement is three years away, in the interim a broadcast by the Commissioner expressing his support for such should be communicated.

Moved: Doug Holt CARRIED

EXPLANATION 1. The colours blue; red and orange covers all emergency service vehicle covers Police, Fire and Rescue, CALM Fire vehicles, Ambulance and SES, Western Power and other aligned services at emergencies on roadways only. The Police Commissioner can use their discretion to extend the coverage to other vehicles.

2. Make it law for vehicles approaching a vehicle displaying emergency lighting blue; red and orange to slow to 30kmh if the posted limit is under 60kmh; 50kmh if the posted limit is over 60kmh. This will not stop crashes; but if the law is obeyed it will reduce the severity and provide time for personnel to take evasive action. Ask any road worked no matter what the legislation and signs say motorists will make driving errors and l run into your vehicle, fortunately rarely. This is why road workers on the freeway even with speed restriction sign erected have a ten tonne truck fitted with a crash barrier where they work. This is practical only on Fire Trucks. It does not stop the crash it lessens the chance of one of them being injured.

3. The reason emergency lights are to be activated is to increase the visibility of the emergency service vehicle waring approaching drivers of the need to slow and take care.

4. Can it be enforced; it is impossible to enforce every time there is a breach of conduct covered by legislation. It will make the majority obey and slow down and obey; the minority will be apprehended occasionally and where their breach results in a crash they can suffer the consequences of misconduct. Currently staying at the speed limit increases the risk of injury.

Seconded: Lindsay Garratt

3.0 LEGAL

3.1 EXECUTIVE Conference directs the Board of Directors to lobby the Government to introduce legislation that will ensure a person convicted of the murder of a police officer is sentenced to mandatory life imprisonment without parole, as is the case in NSW. EXPLANATION Section 19B of the Crimes Act 1900 (NSW) was introduced to ensure an appropriate mandatory punishment existed for occasions when police officers paid the ultimate sacrifice, whilst acting in the execution of their duty. It is imperative and appropriate that WA should follow suit with similar legislation on behalf of our Members.

5. The distance of 100 metres either side of a emergency vehicle was chosen based on experience; what final distance is up to Parliament.

6. Definitions already found in the Road Traffic Act 1974 have been used to create certainty. Amending the existing sections is only a suggestion.

What form the final legislation takes is up to Parliament. It was created to provide a base for people developing legislation to work from.

7. Workplace safety on a roadway is a safety issue emergency service personnel in most Policing Jurisdictions. Their presence on a roadway is to assist in wide variety of situations, 24/7 in broad range environmental conditions and the more adverse the environment the greater the need to attend (adverse weather; smoke from fire and other factors affecting visibility).

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39 POLICE NEWS DECEMBER 2014

The situations range from breath tests; assisting motorists; vehicle accidents all the way to assisting at fires and crashes). While emergency services attempt to provide a safe working environment by activating lights motorists appear to ignoring the danger posed not reducing speed and direction when passing emergency personnel. There could be a variety of explanations for this but inattention with mobile phone use being the main suspect.

Emergency services cannot choose the time, place and location where they are required. Other road workers know the time; place and location and can erect signs to limit speed at the workplace. Signs to bulky to carry in most emergency services vehicle; even if it was possible to carry and erect them the urgent nature of the required response limits the ability to erect them before responding.

The logic behind circumstance of aggravation is simple; the only reason a person would leave where there was an injured member of the emergency services is fear of the consequence of all the circumstances regarding their inattention becoming known. It is the same logic behind Jessie’s Law. Moved: Darren Gill CARRIED

Conference directs the Board of Directors to lobby the Commissioner of Police to change the manner in which internal complaints are dealt with. There should be separate teams to investigate managerial and criminal matters, even if they arise from the same set of circumstances.

EXPLANATION Best practice with regards to internal investigations would be to completely separate managerial investigations from criminal investigations.

It is not fair on Members to have the same person or people investigating both sides of the complaint (criminal/managerial). Members feel they are being pressured into pleading guilty when charged with criminal/traffic matters because they feel they will face further sanction with regard to the managerial outcomes.

This is nothing short of workplace bullying and should not be tolerated. The Commissioner of Police should make a clear and unequivocal statement to that effect for the benefit of all Members and adopt an appropriate policy to prevent this happening in the future.

Seconded: David Flaherty

3.4 BUNBURY AUSTRALIND BRANCH Conference directs the Board of Directors to demand that the Commissioner of Police change the manner in which internal complaints are dealt with, to have the investigative team separated from the consideration of charges and/or sanctions.

EXPLANATION Members subject of internal complaints feel that the current system has no benefit for any person involved in the process. It is expected that internal 40 POLICE NEWS DECEMBER 2014

Investigators should maintain a professional approach towards the interview and leave the final outcomes of the complaint and what the appropriate sanctions will be to senior officers.

Moved: Gareth Reed Seconded: Max Walker CARRIED

3.5 EXECUTIVE Conference Directs the Board of Directors to instruct the WAPU Industrial Team to prepare an amendment to Section 14 of the Police Act 1892 for submission to the Minister for Police. The purpose of this amendment is to extinguish the Commissioners unfettered authority to compel WA Police employees to perform their duties in any WA location.

Seconded: Brandon Shortland

3.3 BUNBURY AUSTRALIND BRANCH

Moved: Gareth Reed CARRIED

investigations will be stringent, transparent and professional. However, there appears to be an air of hypocrisy with the process and Members feel that investigators overstep the line when conducting interviews with Members.

It is apparent that interviews become opportunities for internal investigators to “have a crack� at Members when this is not their role at that time.

EXPLANATION Tenure and transfer issues have been the catalyst for Member dissatisfaction and distress over many years. Members have little or no industrial recourse for management decisions which they believe have been to their detriment.

During recent lobbying of politicians by WAPU, Parliament determined that no concession would be extended to police officers with regard their unique industrial predicament and the request for their exclusion from the Workplace Reform Bill.

There is no greater community need for essential services such as government employed nurses or doctors to perform their duties in any part of the State, than there is for a police officer to perform theirs. Government employed nurses or doctors however are under no statutory obligation to undertake to work in any part of the State. Rather, they are consulted and agreements are reached for such employees to undertake intrastate transfers.

It is in this context that police officer employees seek to be treated with industrial equality as applied to other essential government sector workers.

By removing this tyrannical legislative arrangement, WAPU Members will be in a position to exercise more control over where, when and for how long they are deployed, through a process of mutual agreement and with greater industrial input and representation from WAPU. Currently WA Police is undertaking a project review of its transfer and tenure policy and it is timely that this proposal is submitted to Government.

Moved: Harry Arnott CARRIED

Seconded: Lindsay Garratt

3.6 EXECUTIVE Conference directs the Board of Directors to lobby the Government amend Section 14 of the Police Act, as drafted by the WAPU Industrial Team, for the

purpose of extinguishing the Commissioners unfettered authority to force police officer employees to perform their duties in any part of the state of Western Australia.

EXPLANATION Tenure and transfer issues have been the catalyst for Member dissatisfaction and distress over many years. Members have little or no industrial recourse for management decisions which they believe have been to their detriment.

During recent lobbying of politicians by WAPU, Parliament determined that no concession would be extended to police officers with regard their unique industrial predicament and the request for their exclusion from the Workplace Reform Bill.

There is no greater community need for essential services such as government employed nurses or doctors to perform their duties in any part of the State, than there is for a police officer to perform theirs. Government employed nurses or doctors however are under no statutory obligation to undertake to work in any part of the State. Rather, they are consulted and agreements are reached for such employees to undertake intrastate transfers.

It is in this context that police officer employees seek to be treated with industrial equality as applied to other essential government sector workers.

4.2 PEEL SOUTH BRANCH Conference directs the Board of Directors to lobby the Commissioner of Police to introduce one rostered study day per year where all frontline officers will be required to undertake all mandatory Blackboard courses.

EXPLANATION With the large number of Blackboard courses that all frontline officers are required to undertake annually, which as of 1 January 2015, will include the theory course requirements for CS1 and CS2, one day for each frontline officer should be allocated to undertake these courses.

It is impractical to undertake these Blackboard courses during “downtime” and this demonstrates how out of touch senior management is when they suggest this.

Moved: Andy Maher CARRIED

Seconded: Kurt Weedon

4.3 PEEL SOUTH BRANCH Conference directs the Board of Directors to bring to the attention of the Commissioner of Police, and if necessary the media, that with the introduction of the 2020 Reform, there is an urgent need for more equipment such as TADIS, torches, Tasers, portable radios, computers, vehicles, etc. These shortages have been brought about by the Reform.

By removing this tyrannical legislative arrangement, WAPU Members will be in a position to exercise more control over where, when and for how long they are deployed, through a process of mutual agreement and with greater industrial input and representation from WAPU.

EXPLANATION Reform has now put more police officers on the frontline and as such more equipment as outlined in the Motion is required.

Currently WA Police is undertaking a project review of its transfer and tenure policy and it is timely that this proposal is submitted to Government.

Moved: Andy Maher CARRIED

Moved: Brandon Shortland CARRIED

Seconded: Lindsay Garratt

Seconded: Brandon Shortland

4.4 PEEL SOUTH BRANCH Conference directs the Board of Directors to lobby the Commissioner of Police to abolish the current promotional exams for Senior Constables and 1/C Constables and introduce a more relevant and contemporary promotion system.

4.0 OPERATIONAL

4.1 EXECUTIVE

Conference directs the Board of Directors to lobby WA Police and Government to immediately upgrade CCTV systems at all Police facilities in the State to ensure that they record and play in real time.

EXPLANATION CCTV equipment in this day and age that does not record and play in real time is totally unacceptable.

The State Government and WA Police urgently need to upgrade every single CCTV system at police facilities in the State in order to protect Members and the public.

To be fair to all parties, every single CCTV camera in police facilities should be upgraded so that it records events in real time with sound. If the upgrades occur, this will allow our Members’ actions to be judged more fairly.

Moved: Harry Russell CARRIED

Seconded: Graeme Macey

EXPANATION Members seeking promotion to Senior Constable and 1/C Constable have found that the exam questions are not relevant to the workplace and are far too difficult.

Some officers have sought assistance from Detective Sergeants and Detective Senior Sergeants and have been unable to answer the questions. Members believe they are being set up to fail.

Moved: Andy Maher LOST

Seconded: Samuel Kelsey

4.5 PEEL SOUTH BRANCH Conference directs the Board of Directors to lobby the Commissioner of Police to have all operational police vehicles decommissioned at 80,000 kilometres or three years.

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41 POLICE NEWS DECEMBER 2014

EXPLANATION The recent change to de-commission police vehicles at 120,000 kilometres is an unsafe practice and has increased costs. Unsafe practices will eventually lead to officers being injured or worse.

Moved: Andy Maher CARRIED

Seconded: Shane Wheeler

4.6 NORTH EASTERN GOLDFIELDS BRANCH Conference directs the Board of Directors to lobby the Commissioner of Police to re-evaluate safety and on-road training for the Troop Carriers.

EXPLANATION The current Blackboard training course is simply not sufficient for officers to become familiar with driving a Troop Carrier on unsealed roads.

Doing a computer course does not give any on-road experience and as such, there have been a number of incidents involving the Troop Carriers rolling on the unsealed roads due to inexperience and inadequate tyres fitted to the vehicles.

Consideration must be given to using better quality tyres which provide better grip and increased surface area when driving on unsealed roads, as well as upgrading the suspension on all vehicles to increase stability.

We understand this issue is going through Corporate OSH and also understand the process may take some time. In the interim, officer safety is of great concern and we would like these measures implemented as soon as practicable to minimise risk.

Moved: Kurt Weedon CARRIED

Seconded: Aaron Ogg

4.7 WEST PILBARA BRANCH Conference directs the Board of Directors to lobby the Commissioner of Police to provide an alternate approved uniform option for general duties officers.

Current approved polo shirts are utilised by various sections within WA Police.

An approved polo shirt should be provided that can be utilised by all officers.

EXPLANATION Polo shirts provide benefits when officers are exposed to hotter climates and are more practical when performing certain functions including search warrants.

Polo Shirts are worn by various other police jurisdictions in both Australia and overseas.

Moved: Doug Holt CARRIED

Conference directs the Board of Directors to lobby the Commissioner of Police to implement the use of video recording devices for Members while conducting their duties.

42

Recording the unfolding events when dealing with a subject can also reduce the number of ‘not guilty’ briefs as the recording can be made available to the offenders defence counsel.

Allowing sound to also be recorded can give an accurate account of the incident and show demeanour of both the subject and officer.

Moved: Kurt Weedon LOST

Seconded: John Hennah

4.9 GREAT SOUTHERN BRANCH Conference directs the Board of Directors to approach the Commissioner of Police regarding the dangerous trend of realigning smaller stations in regional WA when they have officers on leave.

EXPLANATION Realigning smaller stations places Members at risk and increases the stress and responsibility of OICs at smaller stations.

OICs are being instructed that they are responsible for other police subdistricts as well as their own station.

Officers from smaller stations are being directed to travel to team up with officers from other stations.

The OIC is deemed responsible for the operation and management of those other stations without any form of recompense.

Realignment is being used to excess. For example, one OIC was responsible for up to three subdistricts for an extended period of time, drawing on a small amalgamation of staff from those stations. The OIC then became subject to fatigue, responding to call outs, local emergency management, BAMR etc. for all three stations.

This realignment also put officers in a position where there is only one officer available to cover up to three police subdistricts. Recently, one officer was available in the Ravensthorpe Hopetoun subdistricts due to illness and leave commitments.

It also means that an officer is not alone in town for extended periods. What would the outcome for Sergeant Clifford have been if he had been the only officer at Walpole when he was attacked in his driveway, in uniform, by a mental health patient? At this time, Sgt Wall is one up at Walpole.

Seconded: Mark Johnson

4.8 NORTH EASTERN GOLDFIELDS BRANCH

POLICE NEWS DECEMBER 2014

EXPLANATION Members are continually subject to scrutiny and complaints by the general public. Wearing a recording device would offer protection from such allegations.

Where realigning occurs, the Commissioner should liaise with the District involved to determine if its own limited resources can cover the needs of the community. If not, relief positions should be advertised in the metropolitan area.

Firstly, it fills the position and secondly, it allows junior staff who are based in the metro area to gain experience in country policing. This may entice officer to consider policing in regional WA.

The Great southern has already set a precedent with this issue regarding the staffing of Katanning Police Station.

Moved: Danny Richmond CARRIED

Seconded: Rob Jonas-Green

4.10 CENTRAL GREAT SOUTHERN BRANCH Conference directs the Board of Directors to lobby the Commissioner of Police to ensure that two and three person stations have relieving officers when one officer takes annual leave.

EXPLANATION In recent times in the Central Great Southern, Members have been granted annual leave and have had no relief officers provided to cover the deficit.

This has led to fatigue and response time issues.

These station have been required to rely on other stations to provide Members to assist.

There have been times when two Members have been covering three stations. This has occurred with Cranbrook, Tambellup and Gnowangerup.

Two Members have been covering all three stations. This has led to huge fatigue issues.

Moved: Tristan Taylor CARRIED

Seconded: Rob Jonas-Green

4.11 LEEUWIN NATURALISTE BRANCH Conference directs the Board of Directors to lobby the Commissioner of Police to undergo an urgent review of staffing levels throughout regional WA taking into consideration; incident reports, listed offences, event management, CAD tasking hours, population – both permanent and itinerant/transient, allocate FTE positions accordingly and undertake urgent action to remedy FTE shortcomings.

EXPLANATION Areas including Busselton and the South West region have experienced rapid population growth. Busselton alone has experienced approximately 30 per cent population growth over 10 years while having the same number of FTE. Busselton is not alone when comparing to other stations that have had vast population increases, yet other stations have had significant reduction in population yet have retained the same FTE positions. A thorough analysis would enable the Agency to allocate resources according to need.

Moved: David Holmberg CARRIED

Seconded: Sharon Croft

EXPLANATION Currently, there are no dedicated custodial officers and officers are often required to complete multiple roles. With the recent custodial incidents at Broome and South Hedland Police Stations, and the high profile media interest, officer safety and legal requirements are compromised.

Staffing will be required for a 24-hour period, seven days a week.

Moved: Doug Holt CARRIED

Seconded: Samuel Kelsey

4.13 EAST KIMBERLEY BRANCH Conference directs the Board of Directors to lobby the Commissioner of Police to review the current staffing levels at Multi-Function Police Facilities (MFPF) and for a minimum of three officers to be stationed at any MFPF. EXPLANATION Currently the MFPFs in the East Kimberley only have two personal. During busy periods at these locations, officers can work long and extended hours over the course of the day and excessive hours above 40 hours per week.

There is no fatigue management during these periods.

With an extra officer, there is the ability for the MFPFs to be self-relieving and reduce the risks associated with fatigue. This also removes the necessity for the bigger stations to have to provide personnel for relief at these MFPFs. Moved: Michael Henderson CARRIED

Seconded: Shayne Knox

4.14 EAST KIMBERLEY BRANCH Conference directs the Board of Directors to lobby the Commissioner of Police to increase the current staffing levels at all East Kimberley stations.

EXPLANATION Current staffing levels are not adequate and are placing increasing pressure on stations to complete frontline policing duties.

Moved: Michael Henderson CARRIED

Seconded: Danny Richmond

4.15 GERALDTON BRANCH Conference directs the Board of Directors to lobby the Government to fund and the Commissioner of Police to introduce light weight, personal issue, stab proof vests to all Members.

EXPLANATION In light of the increased terror alert in Australia and recent threats and attacks on Police in the Eastern States, the risk to Members is of serious concern.

4.12 WEST PILBARA BRANCH Conference directs the Board of Directors to lobby the Commissioner of Police to provide police stations with adequate staffing, surplus to current resources, to allow two officers to have dedicated custodial care duties at stations that perform custodial functions.

The current issue ballistic vest is too bulky and heavy to wear, for regular frontline duties, on a daily basis.

Moved: Michael Hall CARRIED

Seconded: Mick Kelly

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POLICE NEWS DECEMBER 2014

4.16 LEEUWIN NATURALISTE BRANCH Conference directs the Board of Directors to lobby the Commissioner of Police to change tenure, so that those with a maximum tenure of four years can have their tenure changed to four years, plus one year, plus one year, plus one year (4+1+1+1) with time served beyond four years subject to performance.

Explanation The restriction of four years maximum tenure results in numerous losses to the Agency, station, community and individual officers. These could be reduced by allowing performing officers to have the opportunity to stay beyond four years.

Due to the limitation of four years regardless of performance, many quality applicants refuse to apply as the four year time frame can be vastly disruptive to their families.

A seven-year maximum tenure would allow a child to complete either primary or secondary education with stability.

Spouses often have the difficulty in being gainfully employed in the community as employers are aware that their employment would be subject to two to four years only.

While in a time of fiscal belt tightening, the financial burden borne by the Agency could be reduced by some officers staying beyond four years. There will also be decreased periods of vacant GROH rentals.

Officers always take time to adjust to their new surroundings and meet and understand their local PPOs. The officers who have the greatest local knowledge and use it accordingly traditionally have the best performance.

Allowing them to stay longer allows continuous gains to be made in a station’s performance.

The reasons why tenure was introduced has much to do with anti-corruption measures, fairness and equality to all personnel. Royal Commissions into Police corruption have proclaimed that corruption in Western Australia Police is almost non-existent, negating this argument.

Fairness to Members would still be achieved through natural attrition and the non-extension of time beyond the four years for personnel not meeting performance requirements of their position.

Moved: David Holmberg CARRIED

Conference directs the Board of Directors to lobby the Commissioner of Police to abolish maximum tenure in the Perth metropolitan region.

EXPLANATION There is enough movement though the Metropolitan area with officers wanting to move without the Commissioner having to enforce management initiated transfers.

There are places in the Metropolitan region that are designated “hard to fill locations” although there are officers willing to stay there. The Tenure Policy 44

Moved: Andy Maher CARRIED

Seconded: Sharon Croft

4.18 MURCHISON BRANCH Conference directs the Board of Directors to lobby the Commissioner of Police to make Meekatharra, Cue, Mount Magnet, Yalgoo and Mullewa Police Stations, priority placement stations.

EXPLANATION The five stations located within the Murchison Branch it extremely difficult to recruit and retain staff.

Meekatharra Police Station has been actively trying to recruit a Constable for 10 weeks, as well as still needing a Sergeant. Cue Police has been without a Sergeant for over a month.

Mullewa Police have been proactively attempting to recruit staff for the last 8 weeks without any interest.

All five stations are 44-hour week stations with high amounts of overtime. The average pay is above $100,000. It is now obvious that the financial benefits of being in a location such as one of these five stations is not enough to recruit and retain officers. Subsequently, WA Police need to consider other alternatives in an effort to ensure these stations have sufficient staff.

Moved: Peter Gerada CARRIED

Seconded: Mick Gill

5.0 WELFARE

5.1 EXECUTIVE Conference vehemently opposes WA Police and/or the Government making any changes to dilute the current work and non-work related medical entitlements for serving police officers and authorises the Board of Directors to take any action necessary to protect our hard-fought conditions.

EXPLANATION Police officers do a difficult, dangerous job and have unique working conditions to reflect the nature of work they undertake.

Seconded: Gareth Reed

4.17 PEEL SOUTH BRANCH

POLICE NEWS DECEMBER 2014

when enforced can also be in direct conflict with other HR policies such as “fatigue management” and “attraction and retention of staff.”

Current medical entitlements are well deserved and should not be eroded due to fiscal difficulties experienced by Government or to address shortcomings in other areas, which should be funded independently.

Moved: Brandon Shortland CARRIED

Seconded: Mick Kelly

5.2 EXECUTIVE Conference adopts the Project Recompense Report, endorses all 14 Recommendations contained therein and authorises the Board of Directors to take whatever action is necessary to have them implemented.

EXPLANATION Project Recompense was conceived out of the innumerable requests received from both serving and Retired Members seeking assistance and support in the wake of life-changing physical or psychological trauma. Due to the overwhelming requests for assistance with ex-gratia applications, it was deemed necessary to undertake research into not only the Member experience of work-related physical or psychological trauma and Agency response to said trauma, but also the validity of a variety of forms of compensation.

The recommendations contained within the Project Recompense Report address: the need for WA Police to take responsibility and admit accountability for its role in the ill-health of its employees who are suffering from workrelated psychological and physical illnesses/injuries; the need for greater mental health training and awareness initiatives and interventions; the need for increased numbers of support staff and contact with separated officers; and the requirement for legislative amendments to be enacted to better care for and support broken police officers.

The report findings and recommendations will have far-reaching and positive consequences for both serving and Retired Members. It is therefore imperative that the Board of Directors take whatever action is necessary to have Government and WA Police implement the report’s 14 recommendations.

Moved: Brandon Shortland Seconded: Mick Kelly CARRIED

5.3 EXECUTIVE Conference directs the Board of Directors to lobby the State and Federal Governments to implement a pension scheme based on final wage and years of service for sworn Members and is CPI guaranteed for life.

EXPLANATION The pension is a privilege enjoyed by most Western police forces around the world with Australia being an exception. The recent GFC has shown how vulnerable superannuation is as most Members have lost up to 50 per cent of the value of their superannuation and could not retire at the time. Furthermore, Retired Members were forced to apply for a senior citizen pension.

This Motion has been proposed but not passed before at Conference level.

The explanation being: The State Government approves it in theory but blames the Federal Government who would have to fund it. This is not an acceptable explanation; funding is not our concern. We should be demanding this Motion be put forward to protect our Members’ financial futures.

Moved: Brandon Shortland CARRIED

Seconded: Mick Kelly

5.4 LEEUWIN NATURALISTE BRANCH Conference directs the Board of Directors to lobby the Commissioner of Police and Federal Government, via the PFA, for the Federal Government to extend the same retirement conditions afforded to the AFP, to WA police officers.

EXPLANATION With retirement ages increasing, the expectation that all police continue until retirement age is increasingly unreasonable. Federal police officers are covered under the Department of Veterans Affair for service, as should all police officers.

Moved: David Holmberg CARRIED

Seconded: Gareth Reed

5.5 MIRRABOOKA BRANCH Conference directs the Board of Directors to take a greater role in the identification, investigation, intervention and prosecution of workplace bullying. Further, the Board of Directors take a more active role in protecting workplace bullying victims and all workplace bullying be reported in the WAPU Annual Report and to Conference.

EXPLANATION In the recent Reform, the treatment of part-time sworn staff officers is evidence that bulling in the workplace is alive and thriving. Part-time officers were forced into roles, duties and changing hours of duty that suited the Reform rather than what was a mutually agreed outcome for both the officer and the Agency.

Experts predict economic downturns roughly every 10 years. In a full 30year career, an officer can expect to lose value on his superannuation up to three times.

Officers are reluctant to come forward and complain for fear of repercussions to their career or work circumstances. E.g. you don’t complain against a senior officer for bulling as they can and have changed roles in reform e.g. LPT to Response, LPT to non-operational etc.

Therefore, in the interest of job and retirement security, WAPU believes a pension scheme would greatly enhance police retention rates.

Moved: Mark Folkard LOST

Sworn Members would be given a one-time choice to retain their super or join the pension scheme and lose their accumulated non-voluntary superannuation assets.

If a Member has made voluntary contributions and wishes to join the pension scheme, those voluntary contributions can be calculated and then rolled into a superannuation plan of their choice without affecting the pension.

The scheme should be based on research conducted of Federal Police, Armed Forces, US and UK police models.

Seconded: David Flaherty

5.6 SOUTH WEST HINTERLAND BRANCH Conference directs the Board of Directors to lobby the Commissioner of Police to provide mental health assistance to Members who suffer a “substantial and extraordinary” trauma associated with their duties.

The assistance should include assistance with two weeks sick leave to attend as a voluntary patient at Perth Clinic or another recognised mental health hospital to participate in a Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) course on referral by a Qualified Psychiatrist.

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POLICE NEWS DECEMBER 2014

A “substantial and extraordinary” trauma would include: • Participation in a life-threatening incident; • Death caused by shooting, stabbing; • Serious crash involvement by the Member which involved death or permanent injury; • Multiple death incidents; and • Murders and the like whereby the Member’s life was in immediate peril and / or the circumstances of the Member’s attendance at a death or other serious incident was such that it could be clearly defined as extraordinary in its impact.

EXPLANATION Medication has been a long-time approach to manage depressive behaviour.

However, the use of medication and CBT is recognised worldwide as the most effective intervention.

It works on identifying and challenging unhelpful, irrational or negative thoughts and beliefs that individuals develop relating to themselves or others.

The cycle of depression generally includes but is not limited to; extreme sadness, loss of interest or pleasure, guilt, low self-worth, low energy, concentration and social withdrawal.

This therapy can be conducted as an in-patient with the benefits of rest, care, medication and meals, combined with the freedom to come and go as one pleases.

The costs associated with this treatment are considered by most health services as cost effective, such is the impact of CBT. The costs to WA Police would be minimal in the large scheme. Any gap between fees could be claimed by the patient.

Moved: Darren Browne CARRIED

Seconded: David Flaherty

Conference directs the Board of Directors to lobby the Commissioner of Police to close Health and Welfare Branch and outsource these services.

EXPLANATION Members have no confidence nor trust Health and Welfare Branch (HWB) as it exists.

Members believe that HWB only acts in the best interest of the Commissioner of Police and not the Members.

This “reality or perception” can only be addressed by outsourcing this function and making it totally independent and without any interference from the Commissioner of Police. This will allow officers who require the services of HWB confidence that there is a genuine concern for them as persons and not a “disposable resource”.

46 POLICE NEWS DECEMBER 2014

Conference directs the Board of Directors to lobby the Commissioner of Police to review the current critical incident response from Health and Welfare Branch.

EXPLANATION When officers are involved in critical incidents, the response received is a generic email from HWB and / or a phone call.

With officers working shift work, the phone calls are often missed and only voice messages left. There is no follow on from this. There should be some onus on HWB to endeavour to make personal contact with the officers.

Officers are also afraid that any contact or services used with HWB will be placed on personal files and may go against their career developments.

Members want an outside agency they can use without having to use any references to an officer’s details and to be completely anonymous.

Moved: Michael Henderson Seconded: Peter Gerada CARRIED

5.9 LICENSING ENFORCEMENT BRANCH Conference directs the Board of Directors to lobby the Commissioner of Police to ensure that Health and Welfare Branch conduct follow up contact with Members who have separated from service with the organisation to ensure proper adjustment to civilian life.

EXPLANATION Adjusting to civilian life after working in the police service can be a difficult task for long-serving Members who have retired, resigned or who have been retired medically unfit.

WA Police should ensure that Members are adjusting to change and maintain regular contact unless the Member declines it.

Moved: Howard Kelly CARRIED

5.7 PEEL SOUTH BRANCH

Moved: Andy Maher LOST

5.8 EAST KIMBERLEY BRANCH

Seconded: John Hennah

Seconded: Mick Kelly

* WAPU SCHOOL HOLIDAY BALLOT APPLICATION APPLICATIONS WILL ONLY BE ACCEPTED ON THIS FORM, It can be faxed, emailed or posted to WAPU HQ. Complete and return by Friday 23 January 2015 to: WA Police Union 639 Murray Street, West Perth WA 6005 Fax: 9321 2177 Email: admin@wapu.org.au

Only mark the holiday periods and locations you are prepared to accept in numerical order of preference.

Note: Bookings are available from Saturday (2pm) to Saturday (10am) only.

OCTOBER 2015 WEEK 1 26.09.15 to 03.10.15

Results to be advised by Friday 30 January 2015

WEEK 2 03.10.15 to 10.10.15

EITHER WEEK

ALBANY

Name (Please Print):

BUSSELTON VILLA 4

PD No:

BUSSELTON VILLA 11

Address (Home):

BUSSELTON VILLA 15 Post Code: Work (Unit/Section):

ESPERANCE EXMOUTH KALBARRI UNIT 27

Email (Home): Phone no. (Work): (Mobile):

KALBARRI UNIT 71 PORT DENISON YALLINGUP

47 POLICE NEWS DECEMBER 2014

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This is the first Toyota imported to Australia from the US; the thirdgeneration Kluger is produced only in Indiana. The three-tier Toyota Kluger line-up costs a little more than before, but now gets seven seats as standard.

On each grade, all-wheel-drive can replace the standard front-wheel-drive for a further $4,000.

Recommended Retail Pricing: • $40,990 GX • $49,990 GXL • $63,990 Grande There’s plenty of space too. With the new flexible seating configuration and fold-flat third row seats, you can now fit more cargo. The new Kluger is larger in every dimension than the model it replaces – it is 80mm longer, at 4825mm, and 15mm wider than before, at 1925mm.

All grades of the Kluger have a 3.5-litre petrol V6 engine with improved fuel economy and six-speed automatic transmission – one extra gear than before. That’s the only option – no manual; no diesel; no hybrid. It comes with a 5-star ANCAP Safety Rating and boasts an impressive lineup of features that include but aren’t limited to: • Seven SRS airbags • Brake assist • Reversing camera • Reverse Parking Sensors • Smart entry and start system in the GXL and Grande models

• Bluetooth audio connectivity • Alloy wheels as standard • Downhill Assist & Torque Control on AWD models Fleet Network has already seen a high interest in the new model Kluger.

Especially from past Kluger owners who are excited to upgrade to the new sleek, athletic design.

Fleet Network has been sourcing a better deal for police officers and WAPU Members for two decades.

As a nationwide company, Fleet Network has strong buying power and can source the vehicle of your choice from anywhere in Australia.

Your dedicated consultant will supply detailed salar y packaging information to your department so they can arrange deductions on your vehicle finance and running costs.

You choose your car, and we’ll take care of the rest.

Speak to one of Fleet Network’s expert Consultants for an obligationfree quote today.

Let us show you how to best use your pre -ta x salar y and S AV E THOUSANDS on your next new car.

It’s one of the benefits of being a police officer.

If you’re in the market for a new car, make the smart choice. Call Fleet Network on 1300 738 601 or visit www.fleetnetwork.com.au 49 POLICE NEWS DECEMBER 2014

Free legal service for current and retired WAPU Members and their families.

The WA Police Union is partnering with leading law firm Tindall Gask Bentley to provide Members with access to first class legal services.

Established in 1970, TGB has grown to become South Australia’s largest plaintiff law firm and has now expanded into Western Australia.

The firm offers a full range of legal services.

Receive 30 minutes free preliminary advice on all legal matters.

We also offer a 10% discount on any legal fees for: • Workers Compensation*, • Motor Vehicle Accident Compensation*, • Family and Divorce law, • Estates and Estate Planning, • Business and Property.

To book an appointment with a lawyer or for more information contact WAPU HQ on (08) 9321 2155.

*If you have not made a claim, disregard this publication.

SARAH MITCHELL

LEGAL

Lawyer, Tindall Gask Bentley Lawyers

Tips and Traps for Executors FINDING OUT YOU HAVE

been appointed the executor of a Will can be daunting.

It means someone, often a family member or close friend, has put you in charge of their affairs after their death. They have deemed you to be best suited to carry out their wishes as expressed in their Will.

An honour, and a significant responsibility.

In carr ying out the role of an executor, there are some things to keep at the forefront of your mind, what you might call ‘tips and traps’.

1. GET LEGAL ADVICE Often, and especially initially, trying to work out exactly what needs to be done can be overwhelming. An experienced Wills and Estate lawyer can provide you with advice tailored to your particular circumstances, and set you on the right track.

You may decide to engage a lawyer to help you prepare the necessary Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration documentation which can be tricky given the technicalities of the law in this area. Your lawyer can also help you generally with the administration of the estate if you don’t have the time or inclination to perform the work yourself; work which can be time consuming and often complicated.

Having the support and guidance of a lawyer when dealing with beneficiaries can also provide peace of mind.

Therefore, don’t mess with the Will!

Don’t undo the staples then staple the Will back together. This is crucial.

2. WHATEVER YOU DO, DON’T TOUCH, CHANGE OR ALTER THE ORIGINAL APPEARANCE OF THE WILL When the Will gets sent to the Court to be checked over and proven as the last original Will of the testator (the testator is the person who made the Will), the Court is on high alert for anything that may suggest the Will is not the last original Will of the testator or has been tampered with in any way.

Therefore, don’t mess with the Will!

Don’t undo the staples then staple the Will back together. This is crucial.

If the Court suspects the Will has been tampered with, this will need to be investigated and explained through the provision of Affidavits etc. As a result more time is needed to finalise the estate and more costs are incurred.

Keep the Will in your possession and control where possible so you can ensure third parties (such as banks) don’t have the opportunity to remove staples. If you have a lawyer helping you, the original Will is probably safely stored away until it is needed to be sent to the Court.

3. KEEP BENEFICIARIES INFORMED

By keeping beneficiaries informed you do your best to avoid complaints and general angst. Regular communication is the key.

4. MAKE SURE ADEQUATE INSURANCE IS IN PLACE AND KEPT UP TO DATE, AND BEWARE ‘UNOCCUPIED CLAUSES’ If the assets in the estate include real property, make sure there is adequate house and contents insurance in place.

Check the policy to make sure that it provides adequate cover for your situation. For example, is there an ‘unoccupied clause’ in the policy? If the property is left vacant for a certain period of time, will there be implications for insurance coverage?

If you don’t have a copy of the policy that applies, contact the insurance provider and request a copy so you can check the policy terms.

Finally, refer to point number one.

Make an appointment to see a lawyer.

TGB has a legal service available to WAPU Members and their families, and we would be pleased to assist.

To arrange an appointment with one of TGB’s Wills and Estates lawyers, please call at WAPU HQ on (08) 9321 2155.

Make sure the beneficiaries are kept up to date. Set up a regular diary date to contact each beneficiary.

TGB Lawyers are available to WAPU Members, retired Members and their families. Call WAPU HQ on (08) 9321 2155 to arrange an appointment.

51 POLICE NEWS DECEMBER 2014

PROFESSOR DANIEL FATOVICH

Emergency Medicine, Royal Perth Hospital and University of WA

HEALTH

Illicit drugs in Perth THERE HAS BEEN A LOT OF

recent media attention on this subject, especially on methamphetamine.

Methamphetamine is a devastating drug that can literally make people wild and crazy, with a sense of feeling like superman. It affects every part of the body and using it is a fast track to ageing.

Many people will have seen the before and after photos from using methamphetamine that show the rapid ageing that occurs. We know that this fast track to ageing is also occurring on the inside, as well as the outside.

WA appears to have adopted amphetamines as our drug, perhaps reflecting a Wild West mentality.

These drugs are bought in little snap lock plastic bags, typically in units called a ‘point.’ One point is one tenth of a gram, which costs $100. It’s cheaper in bulk, with one gram costing $400. The use of this drug reflects its availability, and it’s easy to manufacture.

Another amphetamine drug is ecstasy. Ecstasy is readily available, typically costing $25-$50 per tablet.

This provides a feeling of wellbeing and sociability. It can cause excessive thirst, high body temperature and muscle breakdown. There are rare high profile cases where people take one tablet of ecstasy and die. Long term effects include depression and memory problems.

‘Medical’ marijuana is a label that combines an accepted term (medical) with an illicit term (marijuana) to give it an air of respectability. It doesn’t magically change it into a useful drug.

52 POLICE NEWS DECEMBER 2014

I see so many young people who are taking antidepressants that I wonder if there’s an association with ecstasy use.

National drug use surveys show that marijuana is the most commonly used illicit drug in Australia, with over one third of those surveyed reporting use at least once in their lifetime.

Several years ago, when we sur veyed 18-25 year olds in our emergency department, more than 80 per cent reported any lifetime use of marijuana. Over a third had used it in the last month.

Short term effects include a feeling of wellbeing, reduced coordination, loss of inhibitions and increased appetite. At higher doses, it causes confusion, detachment from reality and mental health problems in vulnerable people.

Long term effects include decreased learning abilities, dependence and lung cancer.

Marijuana costs $350 per ounce.

You can buy a small sachet for $25, which is one to two grams to make about five joints. One of the commonest effects we see from marijuana use is intractable vomiting. And as marijuana remains in the body for around six weeks, treatment of the vomiting is difficult.

Recently, marijuana use has been legalised in some states of the USA. My colleagues there are already seeing more acute psychosis, directly as a result of this change. Not surprisingly, long term heavy use of marijuana i s a s s o c iate d w i t h s t r u c t ur a l abnormalities in the brain that may explain some of the effects seen.

Synthetic forms of cannabis have become available in recent years. We see more problems from the synthetic forms than from marijuana. Besides all the negative effects that we see from traditional marijuana, there are a lot of seizures, paranoia, rapidly beating heart, kidney failure and strokes.

‘Medical’ marijuana is a label that combines an accepted term (medical) with an illicit term (marijuana) to give it an air of respectability. It doesn’t magically change it into a useful drug.

While there are some reported p har ma ce u t ic al b e n e f it s f r o m marijuana, these are not well defined in the medical literature. So it needs further rigorous scientific study to work out if there are cases where the benefits outweigh the harms. Currently, there is no clear cut evidence of this.

And remember, like all drugs, for ‘medical’ marijuana, there is no free lunch. There are always harms; sometimes there are benefits.

If you would like Professor Fatovich to write about a particular health topic, please email your suggestions to jessica.porter@wapu.org.au

SAVE with WAPU Member benefits Check out more Member benefits online at the WAPU website

MORE DISCOUNTS? If you know a business or a venue that might be interested in providing a special deal or rates for WAPU Members, the Union would like to hear about it.

Please contact Director Peter Potthoff on 0407 476 679 or admin@wapu.org.au to pass on the details.

OFFER RENEWED AT MANTRA ON HAY

NEED NEW SUNGLASSES?

WAPU has extended its relationship with the Mantra on Hay to provide Members with a 15 per cent discount off the best available rate of the day.

WAPU Members receive 55% off recommended retail price on all sunglasses purchased direct from Spotters sunglasses*.

Mantra on Hay offers WAPU Members the opportunity to enjoy a newly refurbished spacious apartments located in the heart of the city.

To book, call (08) 9267 4888 or email hay.res@mantra.com.au Offer valid until 30 December 2015.

MEMBER BENEFITS

www.wapu.org.au

WAPU TRADES & SERVICES FORUM

WAPU HQ has a number of Spotters sunglasses at Reception. Alternatively, you can view the Spotters range via their website www.spotters.com.au. *Offer not valid at retail stores

The Tradie's Forum on the WAPU website needs more trades and services.

Through the WAPU Forum, Members can advertise their own business or even their partner's business to other WAPU Members.

Members can also provide feedback on the trades and services which have been listed by other Members.

If you have a trade you wish to promote to other Members, please email admin@wapu.org.au with the business details for approval.

Book your Qantas holiday now and receive your free gift.

Travel Club Getaways is your dedicated leisure club which gives WAPU Members access to amazing travel benefits, including a dedicated travel team, access to the widest choice of travel options and same day quotesˆ.

Call us on 1300 766 283 or email wa@fctravelclub.com.au for bookings today. *Terms and conditions apply. Please ask us for further details. Offer applies to new bookings made between 1 - 31 Dec 14 while stocks last. Booking must include an international Qantas airfare departing Australia (excludes codeshare services) plus any minimum land attachment including hotel, car hire, tour, cruise or travel insurance. Maximum of one (1) Sennheiser PXC 270 foldable closed stereo mini headphones with NoiseGard™ active noise cancellation per adult.

Offer is not transferable or redeemable for cash and includes delivery to an Australian address. Headphones will be received within 7 business days once booking is paid in full. Sennheiser is not a participant in or sponsor of this promotion. ˆFor enquiries received before 3pm during business hours. Visit fctravelclub.com.au for more details. Australian OpCo Pty Ltd (ABN 20 003 279 534) trading as Travel Club Getaways. ATAS Accreditation No: A10412.

TCGHQ63051

Discount Buying Electrical Discounts MotorService Vehicles We are here to help with the products you wish to purchase! Simply contact us with the make, model number and your best price; let us do the rest!

1300 650 214 www.shoprite.com.au

With over 30 years experience, ShopRite’s car consultants know where to look, who to ask and how to negotiate. Let us do all the running around for you!

Retail Partners Receive special deals from over 60 ShopRite retail partners! Offering real discounts to members, you are sure to find a bargain!

Discount Buying Service

Make sure you check out the fantastic “Deal of the Day” offers on our website!

POLICE NEWS DECEMBER 2014

READ

NICK MAXWELL:

FROM ROOKIE TO PREMIERSHIP CAPTAIN - MY LIFE IN FOOTBALL NICK MAXWELL RRP $34.99 This is a snapshot of the former Collingwood captain's life – his decade in senior football, his family and his passions. Images and words tell the story of a man who had to make it the hard way via the rookie draft, and get the most out of every single opportunity that came his way. He was never the most talented footballer but from the beginning, he worked hard, played a role and stood up under pressure.

Enjoy the pictures, go behind the scenes with an elite athlete, relive the memories and appreciate the legacy of Collingwood champion Nick Maxwell.

WATCH

TOM CLANCY'S FULL FORCE AND EFFECT MARK GREANEY RRP $39.99

A MOST WANTED MAN

BEGIN AGAIN

A North Korean missile crashes into the Sea of Japan. A veteran CIA officer is murdered in Ho Chi Minh City, and a package of forged documents goes missing. The pieces are there, but assembling the puzzle will cost Jack Ryan, Jr. and his fellow Campus agents precious time. Time they don't have…

The challenge facing President Jack Ryan is an old one with a terrifying new twist. The international stalemate with North Korea continues into its seventh decade. A young, untested dictator is determined to prove his strength by breaking the deadlock.

Like his father before him, he hangs his plans on the country's nuclear ambitions. Until now, that program was impeded by a lack of resources. However, there has been a dramatic change in the nation's economic fortune.

When a half-Chechen, halfRussian, brutally tortured immigrant turns up in Hamburg’s Islamic community, laying claim to his father’s ill-gotten fortune, both German and US security agencies take a close interest: as the clock ticks down and the stakes rise, the race is on to establish this most wanted man’s true identity - oppressed victim or destruction-bent extremist?

Based on John le Carré's novel, A Most Wanted Man is a contemporary, cerebral tale of intrigue, love, rivalry and politics that prickles with tension right through to its last heartstopping scene.

Cast includes Philip Seymour Hoffman, Rachel McAdams, Willem Dafoe and Robin Wright.

The latest film from writer-director John Carney, Begin Again is a soulstirring comedy about what happens when lost souls meet and make beautiful music together.

Gretta (Keira Knightley) and her long-time boyfriend Dave (Adam Levine) are college sweethearts and songwriting partners who decamp for New York when he lands a deal with a major label.

But the trappings of his new-found fame soon tempt Dave to stray, and a reeling, lovelorn Gretta is left on her own. Her world takes a turn for the better when Dan (Mark Ruffalo), a disgraced record-label exec, stumbles upon her performing on an East Village stage and is immediately captivated by her raw talent.

From this chance encounter emerges an enchanting portrait of a mutually transformative collaboration, set to the soundtrack of a summer in New York City.

1 DISC $39.95 SRP

1 DISC $39.95 SRP

WIN

WIN

We have one copy of Nick Maxwell and Tom Clancy's Full Force and Effect to give away courtesy of Penguin Books Australia. To enter, email jessica.porter@wapu.org.au with your name, address and title of the book. Winners will be drawn on January 5, 2015.

We have five copies of A Most Wanted Man and Begin Again to give away courtesy of Roadshow Entertainment. To enter, email jessica. porter@wapu.org.au with your name, address and title of the movie.

Winners will be drawn on January 5, 2015.

POLICE NEWS DECEMBER 2014

SEE

LISTEN

ENTERTAIN ME

THE WATER DIVINER

THE INTERVIEW

THE VERONICAS

MAN AGAINST MACHINE

Russell Crowe's directorial Debut, The Water Diviner, is an epic adventure set four years after the devastating battle of Gallipoli in Turkey during World War I. Australian farmer Connor (Russell Crowe) travels to Istanbul to discover the fate of his sons, reported missing in the action, where he forges a relationship with the beautiful Turkish woman (Olga Kurylenko) who owns the hotel in which he stays. Holding on to hope, Connor must travel across the war-torn landscape with the help of a Turkish Officer, himself a veteran of the battles.

The Water Diviner is an extraordinary tale of love, faith and heroism that explores the conflicted and unpredictable nature of war and the human heart.

Dave Skylark (James Franco) and his producer Aaron Rapoport (Seth Rogen) run the popular celebrity tabloid TV show “Skylark Tonight”.

When they discover that North Korean dictator Kim Jong-Un is a fan of the show, they land an interview with him in an attempt to legitimise themselves as journalists.

As Dave and Aaron prepare to travel to Pyongyang, their plans change when the CIA recruits them, perhaps the two leastqualified men imaginable, to assassinate Kim Jong-Un.

The Veronicas have made an incredible return to the ARIA Albums Chart with their self-titled third album debuting at number two, making them Gold album artists.

The Veronicas’ new single ‘If You Love Someone’ has entered the charts at number five on the ARIA Singles Chart following their ARIA number one, double platinum single ‘You Ruin Me’, which continues to impact charts around the globe, recently debuting at number eight on the UK Singles Chart.

The Veronicas have confirmed their return to Australian stages this February with their national Sanctified Tour, their first Australian tour in over six years, performing in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide.

The Sanctified Tour will showcase a side to The Veronicas we’ve never seen before as they share a unique live show with Australian audiences.

US singer and songwriter Garth Brooks has revealed Man Against Machine is his highly anticipated new studio album. The album was released through Sony Music Entertainment Australia and will feature his current single ‘People Loving People’.

Garth, who in 2000, was certified by the RIAA as the number one selling solo artist in U. S. history and has sold 134 million albums to date, virtually receiving every music award possible, also began his world tour in Chicago last month.

In Garth’s words: "Music has always been a reflection of where mankind is at the time. For 14 years, I have watched heart and soul, dreams and individualism, fighting for their very existence in a world of increasing technology.

This album is a reminder to all those who dream, work, and fight for what they believe; do not give up your vision”.

SEASON COMMENCES December 26

SEASON COMMENCES January 22

WIN We have two passes to give away to The Water Diviner and The Interview.

To enter, email jessica.porter@wapu.org.au with your name, address and title of the movie.

Winners will be drawn on January 5, 2015.

THE VERONICAS Out now

GARTH BROOKS Out now

WIN We have five copies of The Veronicas and Man Against Machine to give away courtesy of Sony Music Australia. To enter, email jessica.porter@wapu.org.au with your name, address and title of the CD. Winners will be drawn on January 5, 2015.

55 POLICE NEWS DECEMBER 2014

NEW MEMBERS

MORE MEMBERS PUSHES WAPU PAST 6000 A double squad of 58 graduated from the WA Police Academy on October 24 which means for the first time the WA Police Union has more than 6,000 Members.

Grey 3/2014 and Green 4/2014 will hit the streets immediately and WAPU would like to formally welcome its newest Members.

Grey 3/2014 Patrick ADAMS Christopher CHIERA Matt COYNE Matthew CRAWFORD Lee CUNLIFFE Scott DAINTON Andrew GLENDENNING Robert HANDS Lauren HOWELLS Keith KALEMBER Matthew MacKAY Nicholas McCARTHY Kaman McDONALD Corrine McKAY Katelyn MURRAY Matthew POL Adrian RAATH Raymond REEVES Marie SANDERS Nicholas SARDINHA Nathan SMITH Scott SUMMERFIELD Matthew TOOVEY Hoai TRAN Joshua VAN DER MUNNIK Laura VERNON Isaac WATKINS Jacob YENSCH

Green 4/2014 Terry BATES Timothy BOWMAN Kyle BRAY Thomas COONEY Angus FIRTH Nicholas FRANKLYN Luke JACKSON Mitchell JACOB Terron KELLY Patrick KERRIGAN Lisa KINGSMILL Marie LESOURD Gillian MacLEAN David McCONAGHY Luke MOTSON David PHILLIPS Jemma POPE Emiley REGAN Sean ROMAN Jacob ROZARIO Daniel SAMPEY Timothy SAVICH Sophie SHEEHAN Christopher SIMPSON Dinesh SINGH Timothy WICKS Luke YAKACIKLI Ismail ZIBA David ZUIDEVELD

56 POLICE NEWS DECEMBER 2014

WELL DONE TO OUR NEW COMMISSIONED OFFICERS WAPU would also like to congratulate the following Members who received recently their commissions.

The Union represents all commissioned ranks through the Commissioned Officers’ Branch.

Commander Stuart BARTELS Craig DONALDSON apm Paul STEEL Superintendent Robert ANDERSON Roger BEER Gregory KNOTT John LEEMBRUGGEN Joanne McCABE apm Alan MORTON Michael PETERS Bradley ROYCE

Inspector Ronald ADAMS Brett BADDOCK Paul BOULT Alyson BRETT Ricky CHADWICK Anthony COOPER Tara DOYLE Donald EMANUEL-SMITH Jason FOGLIANI Tony LONGHORN Simon O’ROURKE Natalie PALMER Brett RANFORD Shane SADLER

57 POLICE NEWS DECEMBER 2014

RETIREMENTS & RESIGNATIONS

VALE

RETIRED 4532 Sergeant ROSS ANTHONY HOGAN Aged 63 3597 Detective Inspector IVON MAURICE ROBSON Aged 75 2450 Superintendent ROBERT COLIN CROWE Aged 83

RETIRING MEMBERS

RESIGNING MEMBERS

10709 David GILMOUR 4874 Philip RAMSAY

14756 James DOMAN 15445 Adam CLARKE 99717 Lisa PRESCOTT 99884 William BROWN 99387 Adrian O'BRIEN 11803 Robert HALSTEAD 14575 Dale GODSELL 12307 Duncan CARTER

EMERGENCY 24/7 DIRECTOR

0438 080 930 58

639 Murray Street, West Perth WA 6005 PH: (08) 9321 2155 F: (08) 9321 2177

POLICE NEWS DECEMBER 2014

9301 Leanne MILNER 99931 Ronald BIN SWANI 15544 Travis CAINE 9235 Andrew COEN 13208 Daniel O'MEARA 9451 Michael RYAN 12515 Paul HARRINGTON

Mick Kelly EMERGENCY DIRECTOR

WAPU www.wapu.org.au admin@wapu.org.au

WHERE ARE THEY NOW?

WHAT ARE YOU UP TO NOW? I am retired after 35 years. I have severe spinal issues with my back and neck after several vehicle accidents which affects my mobility and I deal with pain daily. My wife Jane retires at the end of this year or next, then hopefully we can travel.

For the last five years I have been Secretary of the Retired Police Officers Association plus I am building my signed book collection. I am an avid reader and fortunately have had contact with a number of authors world-wide which helped build my collection.

WHAT AREAS DID YOU WORK IN?

PHILLIP SUTTON Regimental number: 5236

I worked in the CIB including six years at the Drug Squad and four years at Bunbury Detectives.

I worked at and was OIC of a number of police stations in the western suburbs including Subiaco and Claremont. I also had numerous stints at other positions including State Security, IAU, Media and OIC of PODU and OSTU. These were many and varied over my 35 years.

WHAT DID YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT POLICING? Early in my career working as a Detective and Detective Sergeant in the crime area, especially the Drug Squad. Later, I sought the opportunity of being OIC working with and teaching younger officers in any position. Policing gave me this opportunity while also making a difference for the community.

WHAT DID YOU DISLIKE ABOUT POLICING? I disliked the paperwork and the huge amount of work created to obtain statistics or to "reinvent the wheel". Also procedures put in place by the CCC or our Agency which far exceeded the benefits; like recording everyone brought into a station for interviews. All this resulted in officers being stuck at their desks and not patrolling.

WHAT WAS THE HIGHLIGHT OF YOUR CAREER?

for three years whilst also being OIC of Claremont Police. Also, with my senior staff at Subiaco Police, we implemented major changes to the Subiaco Football Oval in all areas including licensing and security. When changed, both these areas were professionally run policing areas with high praise and compliments given to my respective teams.

IN YOUR OPINION WHAT HAVE BEEN THE BIGGEST CHANGES IN POLICING OVER THE YEARS? New technology changes how and where police patrols operate and every facet of the operation.

Sadly the promotional system has affected police officers personally but I suppose that is just moving with the times.

IS THERE ANYTHING YOU WOULD DO TO MAKE POLICING AS A PROFESSION SAFER AND MORE APPEALING? I believe that policing is already an extremely sought-after position in WA, but I would lower the beep test which is extremely high and turns a lot of young WA talent away. I would insist on some minimal standards for all officers as the condition of some of our officers makes them a danger to themselves or partners when confronted.

WHAT DO YOU MISS THE MOST ABOUT THE JOB? The camaraderie, although with 500 members of the RPOA, I get the chance to talk to a lot of them on a regular basis. I also liked not knowing what I was going to be confronted with on an hourly basis. Life is not quite like that now.

ANY SPECIAL COMMENTS? Since retirement I have seen the tremendous benefit we have in the police family in the mateship of our peers, the Union, the RPOA, Widows Guild, Legacy, PFAC and senior management. No other profession gives you this and I would recommend a career as an officer to anyone and have done regularly.

I had a lot but a personal highlight for me was being appointed OIC of the Royal Show Policing 59 POLICE NEWS DECEMBER 2014