AUGUST 2018
Injured cop not eligible for compensation
A police officer seriously injured will not be compensated.
Recognition 23 years in the making
On duty death is finally recognised.
Survey results show good value in WAPU membership The WAPU Survey results are in.
THE MAGAZINE FOR THE
WA
POLICE UNION
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AUG 2018
POLICE NEWS THE MAGAZINE FOR THE WA POLICE UNION
CONTENTS
10
Injured cop not eligible for compensation Laurie Morley has undergone a series of operations yet he will not receive any compensation.
16
Recognition 23 years in the making Recruit Gary Keppler was posthumously awarded the Police Star and will now be placed on the National Police Memorial.
22
Guide to pregnancy and parental leave for officers whose partner is pregnant Special lift-out feature series continues.
4 POLICE NEWS AUGUST 2018
26
Survey results show good value in WAPU membership Results from the survey will allow WAPU to streamline its offerings to Members as well as set the direction for the organisation.
31
Leave approved for participants of the AP&ES Games The Commissioner of Police has approved one day of paid leave for competitors, officials or volunteers.
06 W APU DIRECTORS AND STAFF 08 PRESIDENT’S REPORT 20 D IRECTOR OPINION 24 F IELD REPORT 33 L EGAL 35 HEALTH 36 M EMBER BENEFITS 37 MOTORING 38 E NTERTAINMENT 40 N EW MEMBERS 41 RETIREMENTS, RESIGNATIONS AND VALE 43 FROM THE ARCHIVES
WA
POLICE UNION
639 Murray Street West Perth WA 6005 P (08) 9321 2155 F (08) 9321 2177 E admin@wapu.org.au OFFICE HOURS Monday-Friday 7am-4pm AFTER HOURS EMERGENCY DIRECTOR 0438 080 930 www.wapu.org.au Follow us facebook.com/WAPoliceUnion Twitter @WAPoliceUnion PUBLISHED BY WA Police Union 639 Murray Street West Perth WA 6005 (08) 9321 2155 ADVERTISING WA Police Union (08) 9321 2155 DISCLAIMER WAPU (“Publisher”) advises that the contents of this publication are the sole discretion of the WA Police Union and the magazine is offered for information purposes only. The publication has been formulated in good faith and the Publisher believes its contents to be accurate, however, the contents do not amount to a recommendation (either expressly or by implication) and should not be relied upon in lieu of specific professional advice. The Publisher disclaims all responsibility for any loss or damage which may be incurred by any reader relying upon the information contained in the publication whether that loss or damage is caused by any fault or negligence on the part of the Publishers, its Directors or employees. COPYRIGHT All materials in this publication are subject to copyright and written authorisation from WAPU is required prior to reproduction in any form. ADVERTISING Advertisements in this journal are solicited from organisations and businesses on the understanding that no special considerations other than those normally accepted in respect of commercial dealings, will be given to the advertiser. All advertising is undertaken in good faith and WAPU takes no responsibility for information contained in advertisements.
COVER Harvey Police Station OIC Sergeant Laurie Morley. Picture: Jody D'Arcy ABOVE Gary Keppler’s mother, Carol, was awarded the Police Star on his behalf at a ceremony in June. Picture: Jessica Porter.
WA
POLICE UNION
GEORGE TILBURY President 0409 105 898
HARRY ARNOTT Vice President 0407 989 008
BRANDON SHORTLAND Senior Vice President 0419 802 650
24/7 EMERGENCY DIRECTOR
MICK KELLY Treasurer & 24/7 Emergency 0438 080 930
Bunbury Australind
Board of Directors
Central Great Southern Great Southern Leeuwin Naturaliste Lower South West
Perth Police Centre Perth Watch House
WARD ADAMSON Director 0457 603 311
DAVE CURTIS Director 0400 864 591
Commissioned Officers
Eastern Goldfields
Professional Standards
North Eastern Goldfields
Prosecuting
South East Eyre
LINDSAY GARRATT Director 0407 775 050
MICK GILL Director 0427 097 000
Academy
Avon
Maylands Complex
Central Midlands
State Traffic Operations
Central West Coast Eastern Wheatbelt Gascoyne
South West Hinterland
Geraldton
Upper Great Southern
Murchison
Staff PAUL HUNT Secretary 6 POLICE NEWS AUGUST 2018
CHRIS VITLER Finance Manager
WENDY ROUTHAN Executive Personal Assistant
STEVEN GLOVER JESSICA PORTER Media Officer Media Officer
KATRINA MASON KATRINA TAYLOR MATTHEW PAYNE Industrial Research Industrial Officer Officer Officer
BOARD OF DIRECTORS & STAFF
PETER McGEE Director 0418 938 354
ANNTOINETTE CASHMORE Director 0403 807 717
PETER POTTHOFF Director 0407 476 679
Major Crime
Air Wing
Serious & Organised Crime
Cockburn Central
Armadale / Gosnells
Intelligence Services
Cannington
Midland
Fremantle
Licensing Enforcement
Midland Workshops
MARK JOHNSON Director 0488 352 525
KEVIN McDONALD Director 0447 817 181
East Kimberley
Joondalup
Fortescue
Mirrabooka
North Pilbara
Northern ROG
MICHAEL HENDERSON Director 0448 803 155
West Kimberley West Pilbara
DEAN GIACOMINI Field Officer
Sex Crimes
CARL GROSSETTI Field Officer
Water Police
CARL STEWART Field Officer
PENNY BROWN Member Services Officer
KIM RICHARDS Administration Officer
HARRY RUSSELL Director 0412 585 429 Mandurah Rockingham / Kwinana TEG South Southern ROG
BRANCH PRESIDENTS Academy Graham Daisley Air Wing John Gobbels Armadale-Gosnells Paul Burke Avon Dave Flaherty Bunbury Australind Matt Fogarty Cannington Lynda McCutcheon Central Great Aaron Honey Southern Central Midlands Peter Toia Central West Coast David McDonald Cockburn Central Matt Turner Commissioned Noreen O'Rourke Officers Eastern Goldfields Kevin Guy East Kimberley Stuart Lapsley Eastern Wheatbelt Dayna Rigoir Fortescue Russell Evans Fremantle Julian Donohoe Gascoyne Darren Wood (Vice President) Geraldton Glenn Wishart Great Southern Danny Richmond Intelligence Services Contact WAPU HQ Joondalup Rosie McKee (Vice President) Leeuwin Naturaliste Tim Saxon Licensing Michael Sedgman Enforcement Lower South West Sasa Dzaferovic Major Crime Greg Hart Mandurah Harry Russell Maylands Jon Groves Midland Jason Mora Midland Workshops Jeanette Maddison Mirrabooka Debra Hutchinson Murchison Aaron Cleaver North Eastern Mat Parsonson Goldfields North Pilbara Sarah Clarke Northern ROG Cris Marzo Perth Police Centre Peter Henry Perth Watch House Jen Hill (Vice President) Professional Ian Moore Standards Prosecuting Jarred Gerace Rockingham Kwinana Richard Wells Serious & Peter Birch Organised Crime Sex Crimes Cliff Daurat South East Eyre Emily Woodland Southern ROG Mark Crossley South West Dion Jackson Hinterland State Intelligence Peter Potthoff State Traffic Paul Gale Operations Traffic Enforcement Chris Patten Group North Traffic Enforcement Steve Kent Group South Upper Great Dorry Grzinic Southern WAPU NOW Debra Hutchinson Water Police Brendan Packard West Kimberley Jason Gentili West Pilbara Neil Vanderplank
7 POLICE NEWS AUGUST 2018
GEORGE TILBURY President
Major flaws in Criminal Injuries Compensation Act THIS EDITION’S COVER STORY IS A PRIME EXAMPLE of why the State Government needs to urgently address issues with the Criminal Injuries Compensation Act 2003. Due to a decision in the District Court last year, police officers are now subject to an unfortunate legal precedent, which treats them differently to other workers. The decision of Cooper v Smith [2017] WADC 82 has effectively excluded seriously injured police from being able to apply for criminal compensation as they have incurred a greater amount of sick leave and medical costs. In Cooper, Judge Derrick held that medical and leave payments of a police officer were considered to have been received by the appellant officer by way of ‘compensation’ for ‘loss’. Further, given the total amount of the medical and leave payment was well in excess of the statutory maximum compensation award that could be paid to the appellant ($75,000), the result was that no compensation was therefore payable to the injured police officer under the Act. This therefore creates the ludicrous situation where police officers who receive minor injuries can still seek compensation whilst those more seriously injured are excluded. I encourage you to read Laurie Morley’s story on page 10 and I am sure you agree, he deserves some compensation for the injuries that were inflicted on him. We first raised this with the Police Minister and Attorney General last year in hope that common sense will prevail and an amendment to this piece of legislation will occur to provide the protection our frontline police officers deserve.
REFUSING DANGEROUS WORK Picture this. A house is burning down. Firefighters, paramedics and police are all in attendance. The situation is precarious. All of a sudden, part of the roof collapses. You then think you hear what you believe to be a cry for help. Unsure about where the sound is coming from, you are directed to enter the building and conduct a search. The firefighter and paramedic are both given the same directive. However, they both refuse to enter the building, fearing it will collapse and kill them. 8
They are allowed to refuse this directive but because you are a police officer, technically the lawful direction must be followed and there is no ability for you to refuse dangerous work under the Occupational Health and Safety Act 1984 (OSH Act). While this situation is not common, there are no legal provisions to allow a WA police officer to refuse dangerous work that has a reasonable risk of causing serious harm to themselves or others. We campaigned on this issue in our 2017 Pre-Election Submission and have now used a review of the OSH Act by the Acting Director General (Safety Regulation) to implore the Government to adopt an amendment to the Work Health and Safety Bill which will improve the personal safety of police officers by bringing them into line with other emergency service workers.
DEPLOYMENT AND PROMOTION POLICY REVIEW WAPU has requested the WA Police Force to immediately review the Deployment Policy Selection Process and the WA Police Force Promotional System to increase accountability and transparency. WAPU has asked the Force to ensure a sworn officer oversees the final decision for all sworn officer positions; written feedback be given to all unsuccessful applicants, excluding the use of generic or nons pecific feedback currently offered, including recommended improvements to applications or professional development plans; and when PODU do not support the recommended applicant, written feedback be provided to the selection panel and/or OIC. Further, the entire promotional system is due for review after remaining unchanged for many years. Members believe significantly greater emphasis should be given to the inclusion of a practical component (i.e. field or frontline experience), so the person’s ability to do the job competently can be assessed.
PRESIDENT'S REPORT
The WA Police Force has confirmed that it will review the Deployment Policy’s Expression of Interest Process and Promotional System as part of a future program of works and will engage with us to seek feedback. The Force said the reviews will be subject to confirmation of priorities and availability of resources.
BEREAVEMENT TRAVEL LEAVE In 2012, WAPU sought a change to bereavement leave provisions which made it equitable for officers to travel for bereavement purposes. Since this change was made, another inequitable situation has become known. Current provisions provide a Member, who travels to a location within WA that is more than 240 km from their workplace for bereavement leave purposes, with paid time off for the travel undertaken in ordinary hours to a maximum of two rostered shifts per bereavement. In contrast, if a Member has to travel interstate or overseas for bereavement purposes they do not currently have access to the same paid time off travel provisions. However, Members instead can immediately access accrued annual leave, long service leave, and/or leave without pay. We have asked that this be rectified administratively.
WAPU ELECTION As you will be aware, the Police Federation of Australia – WA Branch is holding elections for the Board of Directors. This will be the first time our new first past the post voting system will be used. This will mean Members only have to mark the box next to one name on the ballot paper (as a minimum), which eliminates the need for preferencing. The ballot will open on Wednesday September 5, 2018 and close on Thursday October 4, 2018 with the results to be announced on Monday October 8, 2018.
01
GERALDTON PRISON BREAK A mammoth operation was undertaken at the end of last month to recapture 10 escapees after a riot at Greenough Regional Prison. Local officers were assisted by a number of units, including canine, TRG and RIU, who successfully caught the escapees in just 40 hours. I congratulate all of our troops on the ground for conducting and executing the recapture in such a professional and methodical manner. The Government called this the largest riot in the prison’s history and the biggest escape in WA. Premier Mark McGowan called the behaviour of the prisoners “unacceptable” and said he looked forward to “severe justice taking place, in relation to these people”. Call me cynical, but the McGowan Government’s track record on law and order does not inspire any confidence that these offenders will have the full force of the law brought down on them or that his Government is serious about keeping criminals behind bars.
01 Read Laurie Morley's story on page 10.
This therefore creates the ludicrous situation where police officers who receive minor injuries can still seek compensation whilst those more seriously injured are excluded.
9
POLICE NEWS AUGUST 2018
INJURED COP NOT ELIGIBLE FOR COMPENSATION BY STEVEN GLOVER
“In 43 years, this was and still is the only time in my career I thought I was going to die.”
T
his is what was going through Sergeant Laurie Morley’s mind as he faced the fight of his career in Harvey on October 16, 2015. Laurie was on his last day of annual leave when he stopped into a local liquor store to pick up a bottle of wine just before 6pm. While he was inside the store, he heard a commotion outside and then saw a young man “flying backwards past the doorway” and a group of 10 people attacking him. Even though he was off duty, Laurie chose to intervene. “By the time I managed to get out of the shop, which was split seconds, they had him bailed up between a verge rubbish bin and a car and they were kicking him in the face, stomping on him and punching him. It was almost like everyone was trying to get a blow in,” Laurie told Police News. “My immediate thought as I identified myself as a police officer was they were trying to kill him. “As I intervened, five of them took off and five stayed behind.” Laurie identified himself as a police officer again and told one of the men he was under arrest, only to be greeted with a punch to the chest just below the throat. “His exact words were ‘You touch me again mate, you’re fuckin gonna die, you’re dead’. That didn’t stop me and I managed to peel myself through the group of people and get over the top of the young man that was being assaulted.” 11 POLICE NEWS AUGUST 2018
Laurie managed to get the young man into the safety of a nearby car which was driven by a local man. With the boy in the safety of the car, Laurie continued to be punched and kicked. “In particular, a female who was there was over the top, screaming in my face and smacking me so I’m trying to hold people off with my hands and eventually, for some reason, their attention turned to how come he’s gone but we’re still here. I said I’ve arrested him, I hadn’t arrested him but I had to think on my feet, he’s gone up to the police station why don’t we go up to the police station?” Laurie said the group agreed, followed him to the police station, pushing, shoving and abusing him the whole way there. While this was going on, Laurie is led to believe there were lots of calls being made to WA Police to assist him. As Laurie and the group approached the police station where the boy was sitting in the car with the door open, one of the offenders was able to get ahead of Laurie and ran to the car to attack the boy with a double fly kick to the groin. The crowd then started punching and hitting the young man again. “When you are in these volatile situations you do tend to get a little tunnel-visioned and my vision was again that I needed to protect this young man,” Laurie said. “I again fought my way through the crowd despite getting punched, kicked and hit and I managed to huddle over him and screamed at him to get in the car and lock the doors. “While this is happening, the car door is open and I was sort of jammed in there, I feel blow after blow after blow down my back, I felt one blow which was definitely a king hit to the face and I seriously started to see stars. I thought I was going to fall to the ground and all I remember thinking is don’t fall down, don’t fall down, don’t fall down. I’m feeling all of these blows. They were punches and kicks and then this 40-something female started to choke me. She was trying to pull me off the young guy that I am huddled over so that this adult male could get to him. So she is choking me to my right and this fellow has grabbed my left arm and gone between me and the door and pulled my arm that far back behind my body that it caused a fair whack of damage.” Laurie’s body started to pump adrenalin and he is thankful it did. “If I had known what we believed happened to me at the time, I probably would have found myself in a whole lot more bother. I think I would have gone into a bit more of a panic mode than a protective mode,” he said.
12 POLICE NEWS AUGUST 2018
“Suffice to say I thought I was going to die. The assault was protracted, was really, really violent and I’ve been in a few blues in my day. In 43 years, this was and still is the only time in my career I thought I was going to die and I’ve been in some pretty hairy situations.” Eventually, Laurie was able to assist the young man into the car until more police officers were able to arrive and assist. It turns out that the on-duty officers were on the other side of town, dealing with reports of this group from earlier in the day. “My CSO told me that just before the other police arrived, two more car loads of people had arrived and were getting out of the car to come over and intervene but as the other police cars arrived they got in their cars, took off and we never saw them again,” he said. With the other police officers now on site, Laurie and his team were arresting people and sorting out the carnage but not without a few more kicks and stomps to Laurie’s back and legs from the woman. Police also discovered a hammer and a 33cm knife at the scene outside the station which belonged to the group. Five offenders were charged with a range of offences and one adult male was charged with the assault on Laurie, as well as assaulting his own mother, and spent 13 months behind bars. Following the incident, Laurie was hurting. He was battered and bruised. In the weeks, months and years following the incident, his body and his mind wore the scars of the battle in the main street of Harvey. A month after the incident, Laurie visited his surgeon who inspected his bruised arm, in particular his elbow which soon became the priority. “He said to me there was more damage to my arm but they had to prioritise the surgeries,” he said. “I said to him, I believe I was hit on the elbow with a hammer. When he operated on me his words to me were he’d never seen an ulna nerve so badly flattened.” Laurie had a major surgery called an Ulna Nerve Translocation, which saw his ulna nerve moved from the front of his arm to the back because of the damage and the pain caused by the incident. Following the surgery, Laurie was in a cast and sling for six months, sleeping on his lounge chair to avoid knocking the injury. All the while complaining of pain in his wrist, shoulder, back and hip as well as having a tooth fall out.
“I felt one blow which was definitely a king hit to the face and I seriously started to see stars. I thought I was going to fall to the ground and all I remember thinking is don’t fall down, don’t fall down...”
Six months later, Laurie underwent nerve surgery in his hand, then developed a frozen shoulder and a small procedure on his hip led to a diagnosis of two bulging discs in his lower back. More surgery followed on his shoulder to repair torn ligaments and bursitis and another six months in a sling. These procedures started to fix Laurie’s damaged arm however, he was still struggling with pains in his hand. Some two years following the incident, Laurie went back to his surgeon in Bunbury. “It was really funny, when I first got assaulted all I could complain about was my thumb, I didn’t complain about my elbow, hand, fingers, it was my thumb,” he said. “I said to the surgeon, mate you have to do something my wrist is just bloody killing me. I couldn’t play golf, I break in horses and I couldn’t handle ropes. He had my wrist scanned and he said ‘I can’t do this, I’m sending you to another specialist in Perth.” Laurie went up to Perth where the full extent of the damage was identified. What followed was another operation however, this operation had the added risk of Laurie potentially losing the use of his left hand.
“Before I go into surgery, the specialist says ‘I will go in and have a look but I think there is something more serious than what I can see and if needs be, we will stop the surgery, wake you up, have a talk about it and you can sign the forms and we will go back in and fix it’. “I said ‘why would we do that’ and he said ‘there was the possibility you may lose the use of your hand, there may be damage in there that I can’t fix and there could be some repercussions.” Laurie took his chances and instructed the surgeon not to wake him up and to do what needs to be done. The surgeon performed a TFFC Reconstruction on the ligament that holds his hand on his arm. “I had complete bone separation of my hand to my arm and bone separation of my fingers to my hand so for two years, in layman’s terms not in medical terms, my hand was not attached to my arm,” he said. It has only been recently that Laurie has been able to stop physiotherapy however, he still has to go back to Perth to test the strength in his hand and wrist following his most recent surgery.
Laurie Morley out the front of Harvey Police Station where the battle occurred.
POLICE NEWS AUGUST 2018
While the surgeries have been successful, there is permanent damage which will never heal. “I can’t push myself up from a seat, I can’t do a push up, which might be a good thing, and the flexibility is severely diminished. I can’t rest my elbow on anything because my ulna nerve is not on the outside it is on the bottom.” In another twist, due to a decision in the District Court last year, Laurie is not able to receive a cent in compensation under the Criminal Injuries Compensation Act. Due to an unfortunate precedent set by Cooper v Smith [2017] WADC 82, more seriously injured police officers are effectively excluded from being able to apply for criminal compensation as these police officers have incurred a greater amount of sick leave and medical costs. For Laurie that is another blow however, he has had his fair share. The incident also caused Laurie to be checked into the Perth Clinic for the second time in his police career. Back in 2002, Laurie was first diagnosed with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), after his wife insisted he visit the doctor after she noticed he was not himself. “It simply turned out that I’ve dealt with too many dead people,” Laurie said. “I went to a fatal traffic crash as a cadet, I’ve been to lots of deaths of different kinds and this particular crash I was 17 years old and essentially picked a man’s parts and brains that were smeared all over the road with my bare hands, put them in a plastic bag and buried them on the side of the road. “It might not sound like a challenge but it is in an emotional sense when I was at Traffic Operations Group I was part of the 14 POLICE NEWS AUGUST 2018
“Not only was I having nightmares about this particular event, I started to have flashbacks and see faces of dead people. I can remember every single face ...”
State Ceremonial Motorcycle Team that did all the escorts for the Newman funerals, Cheryl Klumper, Mike Jenkins. All these young people who were being killed in the line of duty and I don’t know if it sounds soft or not but the emotional impact of doing that all the time can be quite severe.” As a result of the injuries inflicted on him by the group in Harvey, Laurie was on strong painkilling medication. When he was coming off the stronger medication, he started to have anxiety attacks and nightmares. “Not only was I having nightmares about this particular event, I started to have flashbacks and see faces of dead people. I can remember every single face but I can only remember the name of one person that died, which is confusing for me. “I’m a firm believer that if you suffer from mental health issues you need to seek help. I sought help in the first instance 16 years ago with the help of my beautiful wife who dragged me to the doctor by the ear. “She identified that we needed to get some help and I knew that I was in trouble. “After the assault, knowing what assistance was available to me, I sought help through Health and Safety Division to go and see my psychiatrist again and they went, ‘yes in a hurry’.” Laurie said that without the support of Sean Attwood from Health and Safety Division he would have been a lot worse off. “I had lots and lots of things going through my mind. I had feelings of abandonment from some of my peers, it is really funny I had feelings of shame and embarrassment that I’d been assaulted to the point where I was having all this time off work but in reflection, it was a silly way to think.” Laurie went back to the Perth Clinic for two weeks, completing a Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Course, which he credits as a lifesaver. “It has allowed me to rationalise what happened, my thoughts and practice sleep techniques and sort of settle my mind a little bit.” The course enabled Laurie to identify when he is having “moments” and he needs to take steps to look after himself. “You need to as a sufferer of depression, anxiety or posttraumatic stress to be in a situation where you can recognise what is happening to you and take positive steps to try and help yourself. These therapies and the professional people involved in the mental health industry can help you through it, if you want to adopt what they have got to say.” Laurie hopes that the broader community realises the impact mental health problems can have on society. “Back 16 years ago, I was the toughest bloke God ever put on this earth and no way in the world was anybody going to see a weakness in me except for my wife maybe,” he said.
“PTSD for me is not a mental health illness, it is a mental health injury. Because until such time as I went through all this stuff I was ok and then all of a sudden I had this massive anxiety attack.”
“The stigma back then about mental health issues, and I suppose in particular PTSD, was such that you were weak, a bludger, you were worthless. “Mental health was treated with a comment like you need to get over it, toughen up, don’t be so weak. I confess, until I became a sufferer, I was one of them. “Until I developed a mental illness of my own, I was one of the most ignorant bastards God put on this earth. Mental health to me was some pyscho druggie having a psychotic turn that needed to go to the Alma Street Clinic, not a bloke like me who was caring, loving, happy and loved going to work. “My wife could have walked because I turned into an absolute prick. Not violent, but she couldn’t talk to me, look at me, walk past me, everything was why are you doing that? Why are you looking at me like that? “Once I got the right kind of help the sky turned from dark to blue again.” Laurie has used his experiences to spread the word about mental health and the need to assist people, often speaking to groups of police officers and the community. “PTSD for me is not a mental health illness, it is a mental health injury. Because until such time as I went through all this stuff I was ok and then all of a sudden I had this massive anxiety attack. It was like this having a big tonne of bricks and shit all over me, I couldn’t breathe and the first time I thought I was having a heart attack,” he said. Laurie has spent 43 of his 60 years as a police officer. He joined as a cadet back in October 1975 and has served all over the State including several traffic locations and the areas of Fremantle, Rockingham and Mandurah. More recently, he has served as OIC at Yarloop and the past six years as OIC of Harvey. A location he always dreamed of serving. For Laurie, the sun has set on his policing career as he retired earlier this month. While he has enjoyed his policing career and the relationships he has built with colleagues and the community, he admits the events of his assault in Harvey have taken their toll. “The last two and a half years of my career have actually been quite shit.” 15 POLICE NEWS AUGUST 2018
RECOGNITION 23 YEARS IN THE MAKING
BY JESSICA PORTER
More than two decades ago, a young man entered the gates of the old Maylands Police Academy. He was full of enthusiasm and eager to complete his dream to become a member of the WA Police Force. However, part way through his training, 23-year-old Gary Keppler was struck down with body aches, a sore throat, terrible fatigue and swollen glands. He was diagnosed with glandular fever and ordered to take sick leave. After being cleared by a doctor, he returned to the Maylands Police Academy and was instructed to participate in a timed, mandatory run. Unexpectedly, Gary collapsed and was taken to hospital where sadly he died. For 23 years, Gary’s death was not considered by the WA Police Force as an on-duty death despite appearing to meet the criteria of the National Police Memorial Wall. 16 POLICE NEWS AUGUST 2018
The absence of Gary’s name on the WA Police Force Honour Roll has always sat uncomfortably with Maylands Branch Official and WAPU Life Member Jon Groves. He believed Gary’s death should be remembered as it is on the WA Police Union and Police Legacy Honour Rolls. So Jon started making enquiries as to why recruit 299, who had already taken an oath to protect the lives of the community, was not formally recognised. He contacted Gar y’s former squad mates and instructors who all echoed the tragic circumstances of his death.
“Gary, his illness, and the way he died, fits very squarely in the criteria that would enable him to go onto the wall in Canberra.” The WA Police Force officially recognised Gary’s death at the time by planting a tree at the old Academy site and dedicated it to him. However according to Jon, the tree was cleared during CHOGM preparations and two large portable toilet blocks were placed over the site. A plaque organised by Gary’s White and Blue Squad members also sat amongst the Maylands grounds. However, that too went missing during CHOGM. “We couldn’t locate the plaque so I got the authority from the Commander at Counter Terrorism to get a new plaque made up. We then got the chaplain and some of Gary’s excolleagues and the personal training instructor to come along for the blessing of the plaque,” Jon told Police News. “From then on, I lobbied left, right and centre to have his name recorded on the Memorial Wall.” After not gaining much traction with the Honours and Awards Branch, Jon used his opportunity as a Delegate at the 2017 WAPU Annual Conference to push for Gary’s inclusion on the official Honour Roll. He told Gary’s story to a room full of Delegates and members of the WA Police Force during the Assistant Commissioner’s Portfolio Panel session. Jon told the panel that the WA Police Force recorded Gary as dying from an undiagnosed medical condition. However, this was incorrect. “I’ve done some examination and investigation into it. That officer had a diagnosed medical condition. He had glandular fever and we have about 40 police officers who saw it and are willing to give statements to say that he was back squadded, took a number of days off on sick leave and had just returned from sick leave to duty when he was put on this mandated time trial,” Jon explained. “Gary, his illness, and the way he died, fits very squarely in the criteria that would enable him to go onto the wall in Canberra. Yet, for 12 months, I’ve exchanged emails with your beleaguered Honours and Awards Branch but nothing has been achieved at this stage.” This passionate plea to recognise Gary’s contribution and death garnered a rousing applause. A post on Facebook also yielded many comments of support for Gary’s official recognition. Following Annual Conference, Assistant Commissioner (Training and Development) Kellie Properjohn took on this task and despite more than two decades of inaction, a plan to list Gary on the Honour Roll started. POLICE NEWS AUGUST 2018
“If something’s wrong, I like to have it righted and this struck at the very heart of what policing is about; that’s teamwork and the love you have for your mates,” Jon said. At the start of the year, a nomination was also put forward to Commissioner Chris Dawson to award Gary with the newly created Police Star. The Police Star was introduced in 2017 as a way to recognise police officers injured or killed in the line of duty. Gary posthumously received the medal alongside Constable Donald Steward, Detective Sergeant Geoffrey Bowen and Constable Damien Murphy at the 2018 presentation. His mother, Carol Keppler, attended the ceremony to finally receive the recognition, more than 20 years in the making. Carol said when Gary died in 1995, she did not think anything of Gary’s passing not being recognised as an onduty death. “At the time, I was grieving and there were so many things to do and think about, so I didn’t really consider it much,” she said. “I just felt pleased that they had given him such a lovely funeral and they had been so nice to me.” “But I did feel a bit strange when I was watching the television and I was seeing the Remembrance Day in September and I often thought, I should be there. Then I put it out of my mind and didn’t think anything more of it,” she said. “Then I got this phone call from Jon last year and he said ‘You won’t know me but…’ and that’s how it all started.” Carol said she felt honoured to receive the medal after all this time. Jon credits Assistant Commissioner Properjohn for expediting the issue following it being raised with her in 2017. “All credit to Assistant Commissioner Kellie Properjohn. She took on the task with both hands and almost immediately things started to happen,” he said. “I’m not critical at the unsworn staff at Honours and Awards, but you basically need to be a police officer to understand how we feel about each other and Kellie certainly did.” Jon said Gary’s name will now go on the National Police Memorial in Canberra for Police Remembrance Day this year and as a consequence, will then go on the wall at the WA Police Academy. “Receiving the Police Star, Gary is well and truly one of us as of today,” he said. In a coincidental act of serendipity, Jon also received a Police Star at the same ceremony for injuries he sustained whilst stationed in the North West. “I love the timing of that. I was always going to stick my head in when Mrs Keppler was awarded the medal but the timing was just wonderful and I was glad to be there on the day to see it,” he said. “I has been lovely to get to meet Mrs Keppler and know her. I just wish I had of met Gary.”
18 POLICE NEWS AUGUST 2018
01 02
01 Carol Keppler received the Police Star from Commissioner Chris Dawson at a ceremony at the Police Academy in June. 02 A plaque in honour of Gary Keppler now rests in the gardens of the Academy Chapel.
“If something’s wrong, I like to have it righted and this struck at the very heart of what policing is about; that’s teamwork and the love you have for your mates.”
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BRANDON SHORTLAND Senior Vice President
Is it fair to put a price on justice? I’VE LONG HELD THE BELIEF THAT ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS. Many people say many things about many topics – not always genuine or delivered with a real intention to deliver on them. You can always trust what you see them do and how they act. That is a far more accurate test of genuine intent. I’ll revisit this line of thought in a moment. For now, I wish to cover the current and grossly unfair situation that has emerged which threatens the very foundations of justice and fair treatment of citizens of WA. Although not as easy to find as it once was on the Agency’s website, WA Police continue to reference its statement of core values within the WA Police Code of Conduct. WA Police claims it values honesty, empathy, respect, openness, fairness and accountability. It is stated that WA Police values consistency and equity in decisions and processes, in dealing with the community and each other. It is intrinsically expected of a police force that justice is not only served by them, but must be seen to be served fairly, to all members of the community including police officers. One would expect that the police force would do everything within its power to ensure a fair system of justice for all members of our community. However, recent decisions by the police hierarchy have created a feeling amongst some of our Members that they are being forced under a threat of significant costs, not to pursue their legal rights when defending charges laid against them. In this State, if you are charged with a criminal offence and prosecuted in the Magistrate’s Court, in most cases you will be prosecuted by a police prosecutor. It is true that on occasions the State Solicitor’s Office (SSO) conducts prosecutions, but these cases are relatively small in number as compared to the number of cases WA Police conducts.
... recent decisions by the police hierarchy have created a feeling amongst some of our Members that they are being forced under a threat of significant costs, not to pursue their legal rights when defending charges laid against them.
20 POLICE NEWS AUGUST 2018
If you are a serving WA police officer, the Agency has made the decision that you will automatically be prosecuted by the SSO. Reasoning behind this decision has been given as ‘it is appropriate’ and ‘there is legal support for doing so’. In fact, up until the late 1980s the prosecution of police officers charged with summary offences was conducted either by the OIC of Perth Prosecuting Branch in the metropolitan area or by the District Officer in regional WA. Given the immense and multi-level contemporary oversight, scrutiny and governance, it is unclear if the Agency now believes its people will not undertake their duties to their best ability, if corruption exists or if the Agency has lost faith in its people. This point needs to be made as strongly as possible and crystal clear – despite WA Police being well resourced with highly trained, efficient, dedicated and high level prosecutors (who also have access to its own group of unsworn lawyers), they make the deliberate and conscious decision to brief out prosecutions of police officers to the SSO. By virtue of our Members’ employment and service, they are treated differently than most other West Australians by their own employer. In the early 2000s a decision was made to seek costs for a successful SSO prosecution of a police officer in the Magistrate’s Court. This changed the position where previously, only costs such as the prosecution notice fee would be sought. Following the first case where this occurred, the then WAPU President corresponded with the then Commissioner of Police Barry Matthews and requested this unfair situation be rectified. To his credit, Commissioner Matthews saw reason and agreed to remedy it himself. In 2011, Commissioner Karl O’Callaghan reviewed the arrangements in respect to court costs and again changed the position by instructing the SSO to request costs in successful prosecutions of police officers.
DIRECTOR OPINION
We cannot stand by and allow such an unfair and discriminatory practice to continue against the people who choose to serve their community. The current position is a grossly unfair practice that results in manifest perversions of justice.
WAPU advocated heavily for a reversal of this decision. Commissioner O’Callaghan refused to reverse his decision so WAPU lobbied the then Police Minister Liza Harvey on grounds of the gross unfairness and discriminatory nature of the excessive burden of the costs. Examples were cited where WAPU Members were bullied and duress applied from the SSO with the leverage of excessive costs being used to elicit guilty pleas from our Members when they were in fact innocent. As a consequence, WA Police acquiesced and the position was returned to that which provided the common sense and naturally just approach. Earlier this year, WAPU received correspondence from new Police Commissioner Chris Dawson advising that although the matter was last settled in 2013, he had himself taken the view that prosecution costs would be once again sought from police officers successfully prosecuted by the SSO. The consequences of this deliberate decision making start to take on sinister tones and a foreboding when you begin looking at the consequences of this policy. The SSO charge WA Police its fees when it is briefed to act on the Agency’s behalf. And those fees aren’t cheap. In recent prosecutions, the SSO has claimed its fees are between $8,000 and $12,000 to conduct a simple prosecution. A cost which dissuades serving police officers from exercising their right to consider defending themselves in court when they are innocent. In criminal prosecutions on indictment in WA (which are brought in either the District or Supreme Courts), the general rule remains that the prosecution neither pays nor receives costs (Latoudis v Casey (1990) 170 CLR 534). Likewise, defendants in indictable matters are not awarded costs if they are successful. In January this year, we wrote to Commissioner Dawson and pointed out not only the tortured history of this issue but
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the inherent unfairness of his position. To date, we still have not had a response. There are prosecutions underway where police officers have based their decisions on the former reasonable policy and who are now subject to this harsh, oppressive and unfair situation. The SSO, as instructed by the Commissioner, has refused to acknowledge this unfairness and maintains its right to extract costs from police officers, if it is successful. This leads to the most disturbing issue with whole episode. At the July 2018 WAPU Board of Directors meeting, whilst discussing this very topic and having just heard the Commissioner say he was entitled to recover legal costs, I asked him if he favoured money over justice. The Commissioner asked what I meant. I outlined to him how his decision had revisited the former practice of his people having the issue of exorbitant legal costs waved in front them as an inducement to plead guilty for offences they had not committed. My accounts were waved off as fiction. Despite no response from the Commissioner to our previous letter of January 2018, we have again written to both the Commissioner and the Minister of Police, this time with a number of verified examples where this has occurred. We cannot stand by and allow such an unfair and discriminatory practice to continue against the people who choose to serve their community. The current position is a grossly unfair practice that results in manifest perversions of justice. We hope the current Police Minister and Commissioner of Police see reason and do what is fair and right. Our Members will be watching to see if the actions of those responsible match their words of valuing fairness and justice.
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POLICE NEWS AUGUST 2018
RE LIF FE T-O RE U NC T E
GUIDE TO
Pregnancy and parental leave for officers whose partner is pregnant Firstly, congratulations! Secondly, here is some important information about your responsibilities and entitlements that will assist you with your partner’s pregnancy.
CAN I APPLY FOR PAID PARENTAL LEAVE?
You are entitled to paid parental leave if you meet the following prerequisites:
You have
completed 12 months continuous service in the WA public sector; and
Your partner’s
expected due date is in eight weeks or more; and
You will be
the primary care giver for the child.
If you do not meet these prerequisites, please contact WAPU before submitting your claim.
If I meet these prerequisites, how much parental leave will I be entitled to?
Paid parental leave
My partner is an officer or a WA Government employee – does this affect my entitlement to paid parental leave?
Yes, if you and your partner are both employed by the WA Government, you are limited to a combined entitlement to 14 weeks paid parental leave. While you can change who is the primary carer, you will need approval from Employee Relations if you wish to take paid parental leave concurrently.
Unpaid parental leave
560 hours (14 weeks or 28 weeks at half pay) 38 weeks
Total parental leave
52 weeks
Can I take time off work for my partner’s medical appointments?
If your partner suffers an illness related to her pregnancy or is required to undergo a pregnancy related medical procedure, you may be able to utilise carer’s leave
When can I start leave?
(2017 Industrial Agreement, clause 35).
I have an upcoming court case; do I need to attend? Yes, according to HR 07.05, the following applies to court attendance: • If you are on paid parental leave and attend court, you will be granted one eight hour shift in lieu for each day of attendance. This shift is added to the end of the paid parental leave period. • If you are on unpaid parental leave to attend court, you will be entitled to one eight hour shift paid at ordinary rates for each day of attendance. • If you cannot attend court, you will need to speak with the prosecutor to seek an exemption.
Can I use my annual leave or long service leave while on unpaid parental leave? Yes, an employee may elect to substitute any part of that leave with accrued annual leave or accrued long service leave for the whole or part of the period of unpaid parental leave.
Partner leave (including paid parental leave) can only start immediately following the birth of the child (2017 Industrial Agreement clause 32(6)(a)). However, we recommend having your application approved by Employee Relations a minimum of eight weeks before the due date. If you are planning to take leave before the expected due date you will need to utilise other forms of leave.
I am deployed in regional WA and my partner needs to travel to another location for treatment, what leave can I take? If your partner has a pregnancy-related illness, has to undergo a medical procedure or has to travel to hospital for treatment you can apply for up to 80 hours carer’s leave. You may need to provide evidence from your partner’s medical practitioner detailing her condition, including instructions to travel, to your OIC when making your application for leave.
My partner is having a caesarean, what leave am I entitled to? Your entitlement to leave depends on whether your partner is claiming paid parental leave, if your partner is on paid parental leave the following applies: Week 1 and 2 Additional Leave
80 hours carer’s leave Any additional leave will need to be taken as unpaid partner leave, annual leave or long service leave
If your partner is not claiming paid parental leave, you can apply for carer’s leave as above or paid parental leave if you will be the primary care giver for the child while your partner is in recovery.
What happens if my partner’s pregnancy is terminated? If your partner’s pregnancy terminates other than by the birth of a living child in the last 20 weeks of their pregnancy, you may be entitled to paid parental leave under clause 32(4)(e) of the 2017 Industrial Agreement.
Can I request a change to my hours of duty or work part time upon my return to work? Yes, this may require a flexible working arrangement between the employee and employer (2017 Industrial Agreement clause 32(10)(c)).
(2017 Industrial Agreement clause 32(8)(a)).
For further information contact the WAPU Industrial Team on 9321 2155.
WA
POLICE UNION
CARL GROSSETTI Field Officer
So you’ve been “invited” to participate in an internal interview AS A FRONTLINE COPPER, you’re more than likely going to have a complaint made against you at some point in your career. Unfortunately, complaints come with policing but it doesn’t always mean that you’re bad at your job or necessarily a bad person.
Early notice allows us to assist Members with preliminary advice, preparatory actions or we can “advocate” for the Member with the investigating officer, if required.
24 POLICE NEWS AUGUST 2018
Field Officers are often the first point of contact in these matters. Investigators will first likely advise you that you are the subject of an investigation or will invite you to participate in a criminal or managerial interview at Internal Affairs Unit or one undertaken locally within your district. Importantly, if you or someone else you know has been advised you are under investigation or invited to a formal interview process, touch base with a Field Officer or Branch Official at the earliest opportunity. This includes instances where Members are formally stood aside or stood down from operational duties or informal district arrangements, temporarily removing officers from operational tasking. Obviously, not all circumstances or investigative processes are the same and seeking early advice is highly recommended. Quite often we are contacted by a Member requesting advice or our services as an interview support person on the day of the interview, with very little notice. Early notice allows us to assist the Member with preliminary advice, preparatory actions or we can “advocate” for the Member with the investigating officer, if required. Internal interviews generally fall into two categories, namely criminal investigations, where the provision of the Criminal Investigation Act apply and managerial or disciplinary investigations that are catered for under the provisions outlined in the Police Force Regulations. As a general rule, Members are usually advised to decline any invitation to participate in a criminal investigation. However, there are some circumstances where this process may be advantageous. Early advice from our legal partners at Tindall Gask Bentley Lawyers is highly recommended.
If an invitation for criminal interview is declined by the Member, a notification to attend and participate in a managerial/disciplinary interview, under the provisions of the Police Force Regulations, usually follows. This is a formal order to attend and cannot ordinarily be declined. WAPU has some general advice relating to your obligations in a managerial interview: • All managerial interviews are audio recorded; • You are entitled to have an interview friend/support person present during the interview. That person cannot interfere or answer questions on your behalf and should be independent of any dealings in the matter subject to the interview/investigation. It can be a colleague, OIC, supervisor or Field Officer. Their role is to ensure you are treated fairly and the interview is procedurally fair; • You can request a break if the interview causes you concern, stress or you want to discuss something raised in the interview with your support person; • Have the investigating officer confirm, on audio, that this is not a criminal matter/investigation and then they will give you the “demand” to participate in the interview under the Police Force Regulations; and • Preceding any interview you should request that you are afforded the protection of the “demand to participate in the interview” in accordance with Police Force Regulations 1979 and respond to the demand with the WAPU caveat. • The WAPU caveats are available via the WAPU website and App. Please don’t hesitate to contact WAPU if you require any further information before starting the internal investigation process. The sooner this occurs, the better.
CARL STEWART
FIELD REPORT
Field Officer
DUMP OF THE MONTH 01 02
03 04
The unfortunate winner of this edition’s Dump of the Month goes to Gnowangerup Police Station. For those of you that aren’t familiar with Gnowangerup, it’s a small, picturesque town in the Great Southern region. It has a small team of three police officers, but unfortunately, their station is now more than 50 years old and starting to show its age. Gnowangerup suffers from poor front counter security with no barrier to protect our Members from the ever-present risk of assault. To process a suspect they enter the charge room via a rear door. Fingerprints are taken in the charge room on a small wooden table and the suspects must then be escorted into the crib room to wash up and have DNA taken, which poses severe security and hygiene risks. If the suspect is then to be interviewed, they continue through the crib room down a corridor and into the interview room. This room has been repurposed and was once the old magistrate’s office. In addition to interviewing facilities, it has a porcelain sink and towel rail next to the door. The station is undoubtedly no longer fit for purpose. These shortcomings and security concerns have been raised with the Great Southern District Office, and we await a response. We are hopeful of a positive outcome and trust that we can have the concerns held for the suitability of this station addressed.
01 Gnowangerup Police Station is no longer fit for purpose. 02 Charged persons walk through the kitchen to the holding cell. 03 A lack of security in the station is putting officers at risk. 04 Fingerprinted suspects wash their hands in the white basin in the staff kitchen.
If you believe your station or facility is a candidate for our Dump of the Month, please email admin@wapu.org.au telling us why and we will look to schedule a visit to judge for ourselves.
25 POLICE NEWS AUGUST 2018
SURVEY RESULTS SHOW GOOD VALUE IN WAPU MEMBERSHIP The WA Police Union recently surveyed its Members in relation to a broad range of topics. Results from the survey will allow WAPU to streamline its offerings to Members as well as set the direction for the organisation. President George Tilbury said the survey results were positive and showed Members were satisfied with the performance of the Union. “We’ve been through a difficult period following protracted industrial agreement negotiations and for more than two thirds of respondents to say the value of WAPU membership is positive, is a massive tick for our organisation,” Mr Tilbury said. “The three most important services identified in the survey were legal, negotiating pay and conditions, as well as industrial advice and representation. This is our core business and internal focus, so it is pleasing to see Members back that up in their responses.” Mr Tilbury said the results raised concerns with costs associated with the production of Police News and annual conference. “Police News is an important vehicle for WAPU to communicate with Members. The magazine operates to a budget with the revenue from advertising covering the costs of printing,” he said.
“The three most important services identified ... were legal, negotiating pay and conditions, as well as industrial advice and representation.”
26 POLICE NEWS AUGUST 2018
“Suggestions have been made that we should move to an electronic publication, which is available, so Members will now be provided with the choice to only receive a digital copy of the magazine, if that is their preference.” Mr Tilbury said Annual Conference was a constitutional requirement and an important forum to help set the agenda for the next 12 months. “The events which support Annual Conference are a great opportunity for delegates to network and the sponsorship dollars we bring in helps to cover the cost.” Part of the survey also focused on the performance of the McGowan Government. Sixty-nine per cent said the WA political process was not delivering good outcomes for WAPU Members and 80 per cent said law and order was not a priority for the Government. “These numbers do not paint a pretty picture for Premier Mark McGowan or his Government,” Mr Tilbury said. “Our Members are clearly aggrieved at not being treated with respect, not being a priority and not being resourced appropriately.”
“These results should be sounding alarm bells for the Government because unless it changes its attitude towards police officers and WAPU, it really could be staring down the barrel of being a oneterm government. “I have previously warned the Government that its arrogance and failure to listen to those who put them in power would set them on the same path as the fallen Campbell Newman Government in Queensland, if it didn’t change its ways.” Concerningly, only 20 per cent of Members indicated they were regular attendees at Branch Meetings. Mr Tilbury said the Board would need to look closely at this result and consider strategies to improve attendance. “The Branches are the cornerstones of our organisation. Therefore, it is vitally important that Members on the ground attend meetings, share their views and feed this back to the Board and staff to ensure that we are aware of all the issues and can advocate on their behalf,” Mr Tilbury said. “ There is no doubt there is considerable interest in WAPU, as 84 per cent of Members discuss issues with their colleagues. The challenge for us is trying to convert that interest into attendance at Branch Meetings.”
YOU AND YOUR UNION | 2018 Survey Results
HOW OFTEN DO YOU ATTEND WAPU BRANCH MEETINGS?
RARELY 31.8%
NEVER 18.2%
ALWAYS 4.6%
“I am a strong supporter and believer in WAPU. I attend meetings as often as possible to show my support.”
OFTEN 15.8% SOMETIMES
“If I don't attend the meetings and 29.7% “The Branches are my voice isn't heard then how is the WAPU HQ the cornerstones of WAPU 23.6% Union to know what is affecting us FIELD our organisation. OFFICER on the front line?” Therefore, it is vitally 18.6% important that WAPU OTHER MEMBER Members on the The responses suggest WAPU Branch meetings are more likely to be attended 6% 24.3% by older Members who are both male and ranked Senior Constable and above. ground attend WAPU Regional respondents were also more likely to regularly attend than their meetings, share their WAPU BRANCH Metropolitan counterparts. OFFICIAL views and feed this DIRECTOR 21.3% 6.2% back to the Board and staff to ensure that we are aware of IF YOU NEEDED ADVICE ON A WAPU ISSUE WHO WOULD BE YOUR FIRST POINT OF CONTACT? all the issues and can advocate on their behalf.” WAPU MEMBER 24.3%
WAPU HQ 23.6%
“I want the advice of someone I know and trust who is both an experienced police officer and someone with union knowledge”
WAPU BRANCH OFFICIAL 21.3%
WAPU FIELD OFFICER 18.6%
OTHER 6%
WAPU DIRECTOR 6.2%
“The only person I know and trust enough to go to in the first instance happens to be a Field officer. He can point me in the right direction from there.”
POLICE NEWS AUGUST 2018
1 2 3
WHAT ARENEGOTIATING THE MOST IMPORTANT LEGAL INDUSTRIAL SERVICES ADVICE AND PAY AND PROVIDES BENEFITS WAPU TO YOU 84.1% REPRESENTATION CONDITIONS 74% 76.7% AS A MEMBER?
1 2 3
WHAT ISSUES WOULD YOU MOST LIKE WAPU TO PUBLICLY CAMPAIGN ON?
“If it wasn't for the legal protection side of things - I wouldn't be a Member.”
LEGAL SERVICES 84.1%
NEGOTIATING PAY AND CONDITIONS
THE TOP 3 ISSUES RESPONDENTS IDENTIFIED ARE:
COMPENSATION SCHEME FOR MEDICALLY RETIRED POLICE OFFICERS 71.8%
76.7%
INDUSTRIAL ADVICE AND REPRESENTATION COMPENSATION 74%
SCHEME FOR MEDICALLY RETIRED POLICE OFFICERS 71.8% “I have used a range of things
from Holiday Homes to funeral services to wills to discounts and PAY AND CONDITIONS legal advice, it’s a brilliant Union 80.8% - the envy of many others.”
“Knowing WAPU are always there to support us in any situation.”
EXCELLENT 9.5% EXCELLENT 9.5%
FAIR 21.4% FAIR
VERY GOOD 25.0% VERY GOOD
21.4%
25.0%
GOOD
GOOD 33.0% 33.0%
POLICE NEWS AUGUST 2018
REGIONAL RESPONDENTS NOMINATED GROH RENTS AND Regional respondents STANDARD OF HOUSING AS THEIR nominated GROH rents and MOST IMPORTANT ISSUE standard of housing as their most important issue.
HOW DO YOU RATE THE OVERALL VALUE PROVIDED BY YOUR WAPU MEMBERSHIP?
POOR 11.1%
POLICE NUMBERS AND RESOURCES 64.5%
85.2%
POLICE NUMBERS AND RESOURCES 64.5%
POOR 11.1%
PAY AND CONDITIONS 80.8%
“...I have great relief knowing that if representation is required that I will be provided with an excellent level of service that I could otherwise not afford.”
73.8%
73.8%POSITIVE
“Provided legal expertise and POSITIVE assistance when previously required as well as OSH, FEMALE RESPONDENTS FemaleRESPONDENTS respondents were FEMALE WERE THE DEMOGRAPHIC industrial relations, WERE THE DEMOGRAPHIC the demographic who most WHO MOST VALUED WHO MOST VALUED general knowledge valued t heir membership. THEIR MEMBERSHIP. THEIR MEMBERSHIP. assistance...”
“When the chips have been down for me over the years they have consistently come through.”
YOU AND YOUR UNION | 2018 Survey Results
HOW OFTEN DO YOU DISCUSS WAPU ISSUES WITH YOUR COLLEAGUES? NO 85.0%
IS THE MCGOWAN GOVERNMENT APPROPRIATELY RESOURCING THE WA POLICE FORCE?
84% MORE THAN
OF RESPONDENTS DISCUSS WAPU WITH YESISSUES COLLEAGUES 2.8%AT LEAST SOME OF THE TIME
“We are having a huge portion of our budget stripped in the coming years. The public will start to feel the hurt when that happens.”
NO 85.0%
UNDECIDED 12.2%
“To keep my team in the loop with current issues and provide advice/ suggestions when required.” YES 2.8%
HOW OFTEN DO YOU READ OUR WAPU MAGAZINE, POLICE NEWS?
UNDECIDED 12.2%
DO YOU WANT WAPU TO TAKE PUBLIC ACTION WHEN STATE GOVERNMENTS BREAK ELECTION PROMISES AFFECTING WAPU MEMBERS? NO
82.4%
REGULAR READERS
More than four-fifths of respondents were regular readers of Police News, responding either "Always" or "Often".
HAVE YOU DOWNLOADED THE WAPU APP?
49.6%
RESPONDED “YES”
50.4% RESPONDED “NO”
The demographics of those who answered ‘Yes’ reveal male respondents downloading the App at a rate four times that of female respondents.
80.5% reasonable “Within bounds that cannot be seen to potentially affect the public safety.”
UNDECIDED YES 12.8 6.7%
87.3% RESPONDED YES
3.9% RESPONDED NO 8.8% WERE UNDECIDED
DO YOU BELIEVE LAW AND ORDER IS A PRIORITY FOR THE MCGOWAN GOVERNMENT?
NO 80.5%
87.3%
“It is a priority but they don't want to pay for it with resources, police, prisons, courts and rehabilitation programs.”
RESPONDED Y
UNDECIDED YES 12.8 6.7%
3.9% RESPONDED
8.8% WERE UNDECI 29 POLICE NEWS AUGUST 2018
28 OCT OCT- 3- NOV 3 NOV ● APANDESGAMES.COM.AU APANDESGAMES.COM.AU 28 PEOPLEPEOPLE EXTRAORDINARY EXTRAORDINARY FORFOR GAMES EXTRAORDINARY GAMES EXTRAORDINARY
30 POLICE NEWS AUGUST 2018
Leave approved for participants of the AP&ES Games W
ith the Australasian Police & Emergency Services Games less than three months away, the planning is well under way for each of the 50 various sports on offer and week long supporting social events. To date, approximately 1,700 participants from across Australia, New Zealand, New Caledonia and Singapore have registered to compete, with several sports nearing the capped numbers. The WA Police Force contingent is tipped to increase significantly given the Commissioner’s recent broadcast approving one day of paid leave for competitors, officials or volunteers who take part in the Opening or Closing Ceremony March or one day of competition during the Games. The leave will be subject to operational/work requirements, and submitted via email application to the officer’s or police staff’s OIC/Manager. Games Director Acting Senior Sergeant Jeremy Petersen said the recent broadcast provided all employees of the WA Police Force a real opportunity and motivation to get involved. “It is likely that the decision will see a real boost in those sports which are run and won in a single day,” he said. One day team sports include the fast5 netball, water polo, and basketball competitions with a number of individual event entry fees tipped to fill quickly. “The recent implementation of the metro district restructure was also likely to be the catalyst for a recent surge in registrations, as staff were provided clarity about rosters and able to plan ahead,” Acting Sen. Sgt Petersen said. The Opening Ceremony will take place on Sunday, October 28, 2018 along the eastern foreshore in Mandurah, with the Closing Ceremony taking place on Saturday, November 3, 2018 within the Games social village, named the MARQUAY, on the picturesque Mandjar boardwalk precinct. The Organising Committee of the AP&ES Games were really encouraging individuals of all levels of sporting abilities to get involved in the Games. The Games Healthway message of ActBelong-Commit was introduced to get all personnel with law enforcement and emergency services to maintain a level of mental and physical health, as they commit to completing in a familiar event, or challenging themselves for the first time in
new and exciting activities. For those seeking to get involved in a less physical capacity the Games offers darts, ten pin bowling and lawn bowls. “A lot of people might not be aware that each event is broken down into five year age brackets, giving everyone a real chance to secure one of the thousands of Games medals up for grabs during the week,” Acting Sen. Sgt Petersen said. “Registration in the Games also entitles the participant to a Games Registration Pack, valued at approximately $100, including event back pack, water bottle, gym towel, RockTape strapping tape, Aqualyte solution, Revvies supplements, plus much more.” The WA Police Sports Federation (WAPSF) is currently finalising uniform designs for each member of the WASPF, which was likely to comprise of a team polo shirt, sports shirt and cap (valued at $70). WA Police Force staff, both sworn and unsworn, who are not yet members of the WAPSF can email sports.federation@police.wa.gov.au ASAP to sign up for a membership ($3.50 per fortnight) and receive this uniform. New members will also receive an additional WAPSF polo. “To register for the Games visit the Games website www.apandesgames.com.au and enter the registration portal. For those wishing to take part in team events but don't yet have a team, the option exists to select “find me a team” and we will look to place you in a WA Police Force team where vacancies exist, or connect you with other teams chasing a few more players,” said Acting Sen. Sgt Petersen.
WHAT DOES IT COST? • Registration Fee - $70 • Individual Sports Fee from $20 depending on chosen sport WHAT DO I GET? • Registration Pack valued at $100 • WAPSF Team Uniform valued at $70 • One day approved leave to be involved in this extraordinary event – Priceless
POLICE NEWS AUGUST 2018
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To arrange a preliminary in-person or phone appointment contact WAPU HQ on (08) 9321 2155
Leading Australian law firm, Tindall Gask Bentley is the preferred legal services provider of the WA Police Union, offering 30 minutes of free initial advice and a 10% fee discount.
PERSONAL INJURY • Motor accident injury compensation
• Public liability
• Workers compensation
• Superannuation claims (TPD) Tim White
Nakkie Le Roux
Wendy Barry
Renee O’Callaghan
Rosemary Caruso
John Pitman
FAMILY AND DIVORCE Matrimonial, De Facto and Same-Sex Relationships • Children’s Issues
• Property Settlements
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• “Pre-nuptial” Style Agreements
WILLS AND ESTATES • Wills and Testamentary Trusts
• Advice to executors of deceased estates
• Enduring Powers of Attorney
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Divorce: Making dollars and sense of your settlement WHAT’S THE FIRST QUESTION your family lawyer will ask you when you step into their office? Answer: What are you and your spouse worth?
What we sometimes find when meeting clients for the first time, is that they have no idea of the overall financial situation they and their spouse are in.
It’s true - when we get down to it and are in the process of offering you advice as to your entitlements and approach to negotiations, the first thing we will look at is the value of your “asset pool”. This means the net value of all of your and your ex partner’s assets, liabilities, superannuation and financial resources. Only with that information, are we able to let you know what a reasonable division of your property will be and what sort of entitlement you can expect. We’ll also look very carefully at how your and your partner’s assets are held and, even more importantly, whether your partner will be able to deal with those assets to your detriment without your consent (think draining bank accounts, frivolous spending, commuting pension entitlements, etc.). If that is possible, it may be that urgent legal action is required to protect your interests. What we sometimes find when meeting clients for the first time, is that they have no idea of the overall financial situation they and their spouse are in. They might know that they and their spouse own a business and that it delivers a reasonable income but they have no idea about what that business is worth or how much debt it carries. Or, indeed, how that debt is secured. Or they may know that their partner has investments in property or shares or superannuation, but not the actual value of those assets. It may involve
a considerable amount of legal work to find out that information, which can end up costing a lot in legal fees. So, what does that mean for you, if you are in the process of separating from your partner? The key step for you is to do all the background work you can, before you s epar ate and potentially lose your access to your family’s financial documents and records. If you can, get copies of your and your par tner’s tax returns (including the financial statements of any business), recent bank account statements and superannuation statements before you leave the family home. If you are not in the position to do that anymore, because you have already separated or those documents are “under lock and key”, all is not lost. Both parties in a matrimonial or de fac to property settlement negotiation or proceeding are entitled to “full and frank financial disclosure” from the other party. That means if your partner asks to know about your holdings of assets and liabilities, they are entitled to have that information and you are required to provide it. They are also required to provide the same to you. The rule engenders fairness in the negotiation and settlement process and, when both parties comply, can result in a far more cost effective (and ultimately less destructive) separation. Once you and your law yer understand what assets there are to
divide, we can provide you with advice on a fair and legal division of those assets, by looking at the contributions that each of you made to those assets and each other (cooking, cleaning and caring for children are contributions, just as paying the mortgage and saving for retirement are) and each of the parties’ respective needs for the future. Many people are able to negotiate the process themselves without the need for lawyers to advocate on their behalf. That is without doubt the simplest and most costeffective way to proceed and it may be that the only involvement you will require from a lawyer is to formalise that agreement so that it is final and binding. If you intend to negotiate a settlement yourself, do not forget about your right to negotiate from a position of knowledge. Firstly, make sure you know all you need to know about your partner’s holdings of assets and liabilities. And secondly, consider obtaining early advice from a lawyer who specialises in family law as to what an appropriate settlement should look like. That doesn’t mean you will have to “get lawyers involved” in the negotiations but at least you will know what your entitlements are and the steps you should go through to bring the financial aspects of your relationship to a favourable and riskfree conclusion.
33 POLICE NEWS AUGUST 2018
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HEALTH
POLICE HEALTH
Identifying PTSD Symptoms DEALING WITH HIGH-STRESS and traumatic situations is part of the job for police – but how often do you stop and consider the effect this exposure may be having on your mental health, relationships and lifestyle?
If you suffer flashbacks, have nightmares or upsetting memories, or feel distressed both physically and mentally when something reminds you of that event, talking to a professional is important.
Associate Professor Samuel Harvey from the University of New South Wales and the Black Dog Institute estimates as many as 10 per cent – or around 8,000 – police and emergency services workers suffer from posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). More broadly, around 12 per cent of Australians will encounter PTSD at some time in their lives. There’s also an increased rate of suicide among emergency services workers suffering PTSD. Repetitive exposure to scenarios where a person is directly in danger, or is witness to traumatic events is what most commonly leads to PTSD symptoms in police and emergency services personnel. Signs and symptoms vary from person to person, which is why a personally tailored approach to treatment is essential however, there are some general indicators that you or a colleague may be suffering and not even realise. Knowing these signs and being able to identify them in yourself and others, could be the key to early intervention and treatment. One sign, according to Associate Professor Harvey, is if the person “repeatedly re - experiences the trauma event s they have been exposed to through nightmares or flashbacks”. “They can get stuck in that aroused ‘fight or flight moment’ and so they are often very jumpy - they can’t sleep, they can’t relax. They often also suffer depression, anxiety disorders and develop substance abuse problems,” he said.
Symptoms often start after seeing or experiencing something involving injury, death, torture or abuse, during which the person felt scared or helpless. If you suffer flashbacks, have nightmares or upsetting memories, or feel distressed both physically and mentally when something reminds you of that event, talking to a professional is important. Associate Professor Harvey says the stigma attached to mental illness in the broader community as well as the fear of the impact on career is holding many people back from seeking help. This needs to change, and it starts with being open and honest about the signs and symptoms.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR According to Beyond Blue, there are four key indicators you should seek help for anxiety or PTSD:
1. Re-living the traumatic event – The person relives the event
through unwanted and recurring memories, often in the form of vivid images and nightmares. There may be intense emotional or physical reactions, such as sweating, heart palpitations or panic when reminded of the event.
2. Being overly alert or wound up – The person experiences
sleeping difficulties, irritability and lack of concentration, becoming easily startled and constantly on the lookout for signs of danger.
3. Avoiding reminders of the event – The person deliberately
avoids activities, places, people, thoughts or feelings associated with the event because they bring back painful memories.
4. Feeling emotionally numb – The person loses interest in dayto-day activities, feels cut off and detached from friends and family, or feels emotionally flat and numb. If any of the above symptoms are present, ask the person if they’ve: • had trouble remembering important parts of the event; • had very negative beliefs about themselves, others or the world; • persistently blamed themselves or others for what happened; • persistently felt negative, angry, guilty or ashamed; • felt less interested in doing things they used to enjoy; • felt cut off from others; or • had trouble feeling positive emotions (e.g. love or excitement). And has the person experienced at least two of the following: • had difficulties sleeping (e.g. had bad dreams, or found it hard to fall or stay asleep); • felt easily angered or irritated; • engaged in reckless or selfdestructive behaviour; • had trouble concentrating; • felt on guard or vigilant; or • been easily startled? If these symptoms and patterns are present, the person may be experiencing PTSD and needs to seek help from a trusted medical professional, such as a GP or psychologist. Police Health memb er s are encouraged to draw on their psychology and counselling benefits to assist. For crisis support, please contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.
35 POLICE NEWS AUGUST 2018
SAVE with WAPU Member benefits NEW ASCOT HOLIDAY HOME TO PROVIDE METRO ACCOMMODATION The Board of Directors recently approved the purchase of a new metropolitan holiday home to add to WAPU’s portfolio of 10 properties across the State. WAPU first identified the need for a metropolitan property more than two years ago and on the recommendation of the Member Services Committee, the Board approved the purchase of an Ascot property in June. President George Tilbury said the purchase was made possible after WAPU received an insurance rebate. “The Board decided to invest in a property that will benefit Members well into the future, particularly those in regional areas needing discounted Perthbased accommodation,” he said. “The new holiday home will provide a much needed metropolitan option and will replace our leased apartment in Como."
The agreement at Como was a significant financial burden on WAPU with rental income not covering the costs for the past six years, as it was heavily subsidised for Members. “All of our holiday homes are provided to Members at significantly subsidised rates which makes it cheaper for families to enjoy an affordable getaway.” The three-bedroom, two-bathroom townhouse is in a secure facility with a pool, spa and barbeque area. It is close to the airport, the new Perth Stadium and has numerous transport options. The Ascot townhouse is now available to rent for $140 per night, with a minimum stay of two nights.
BOOKINGS FOR ALL HOLIDAY HOMES CAN BE MADE VIA THE HOLIDAY HOMES BOOKING PAGE ON THE WAPU WEBSITE OR BY CONTACTING WAPU HQ ON 9321 2155.
www.wapu.org.au POLICE NEWS AUGUST 2018
Check out more Member benefits online at the WAPU website
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MOTORING
FLEET NETWORK
Introducing the all-new Santa Fe! THE NEW HYUNDAI SANTA FE seven-seat SUV has arrived in showrooms, bringing an improved interior and more tech. Can it make even greater inroads than its wellregarded predecessor? While this new model remains a little smaller than topsellers such as the Toyota Kluger and Mazda CX-9, it offers more cabin room than the outgoing model ever did.
The Santa Fe looks totally different to the previous model, inside and out. The front now has the same ‘upside down face’ as the Kona, with the daytime LEDs placed high and the headlights low, either side of an impressive cascading grille. There also appear to be improvements in cabin ‘ambience’ thanks to heavier use of high-grade materials and textures, modern active-safety features including some partially driverless tech and fuel economy gains from an updated drivetrain.
the Highlander rounds off the offering with a four-wheel-drive diesel with 19-inch alloys and all the fruit. There are nine colours available, with premium paints attracting an additional cost. Hyundai has engineered a very premium feel to the interior with soft-touch material on the dashboard and centre console surrounds. There are some harder plastics around the door, but they don’t mark easily and appear to be built for durability given their location around hand entry/exit points.
THE RANGE
STANDARD EQUIPMENT IS GENEROUS, YOU’LL GET:
The all-new Santa Fe range kicks off from $43,000 (plus on-road costs) and comes with the choice of four variants, one driveline and two engines, with pricing running all the way through to $60,500 (plus on-road costs). At the entry level, is the Santa Fe Active in a 2.4-litre four-wheel-drive petrol, with a 2.2-litre four-wheel-drive turbo diesel available for an additional $3000. The next step up is the Elite four-wheeldrive diesel with 18-inch alloys and finally
• Six airbags • Autonomous emergency braking • Adaptive cruise control with stop/go, rear cross-traffic alert • Lane-keeping assist • Blind-spot monitoring • Rear parking sensors • A rear-view camera • Auto dusk-sensing headlamps • LED daytime-running lights • 17-inch alloy wheels • 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto • Cloth trim for all seven seats Stepping up into the Elite adds heated leather seats upfront, an 8.0-inch screen with sat nav, front parking sensors, proximity key, paddle shifters, Infinity stereo system, dual-zone climate control, tinted rear windows with sunshades, power tailgate and electric folding mirrors. The top-of-the-range Highlander has all of the Elite’s equipment plus a panoramic glass roof, auto parking, surround view camera, LED headlights and tail-lights, 7.0-
inch virtual instrument cluster, heated front and rear (outboard) seats, wireless phone charging and a head-up display.
SAFETY AND COMFORT The blind-spot collision avoidance also works to prevent the driver from moving into another lane if there is a vehicle present. It will even lock the rear doors if a passenger tries to exit the vehicle when another vehicle is approaching, it’s excellent technology that could prevent tragic accidents from taking place. Leg and head room in the first row are good with several seat adjustments available. Second-row leg room is good, but head room is a little limited with the panoramic sunroof fitted to the Highlander. ISOFIX points are located on the two outboard seats, while the secondrow slides and reclines to offer extra accommodation to third-row occupants.
TIME FOR A NEW SET OF WHEELS? If you are interested in learning more about the new 2018 Santa Fe range, or any other vehicles, the team at Fleet Network have extensive experience in negotiating, procuring and salary packaging vehicles across Australia. Speak to one of Fleet Network’s expert Consultants for an obligationfree quote on a novated lease today. Let us show you how to best use your pre-tax salary and save thousands on your next new car. It’s one of the benefits of being a WAPU Member. CallFleetNetworkon1300738601or visit www.fleetnetwork.com.au/wapu 37 POLICE NEWS AUGUST 2018
READ
WATCH
LIAR, LIAR
LOOSE UNITS RRP $34.99
SAVE ME
Harriet Blue – a detective with nothing more to lose – must decide whether or not to cross the ultimate line in the third explosive thriller in James Patterson’s bestselling Australian series. Detective Harriet Blue is clear about two things. Regan Banks deserves to die. And she’ll be the one to pull the trigger. But Regan – the vicious serial killer responsible for destroying her brother’s life – has gone to ground. Suddenly, her phone rings. It’s him. Regan. ‘Catch me if you can,’ he tells her. Harriet needs to find this killing machine fast, even if the cost is her own life. So she follows him down the Australian south coast with only one thing on her mind.
Paul Verhoeven’s father, John, is a cop. Well, an ex-cop. Long since retired, John spent years embroiled in some of the seediest, scariest intrigue and escapades imaginable. Paul, however, is something of an artsy, sensitive soul who can’t understand why he doesn’t have the same heroism and courage as his dad. One day, John offers Paul the chance of a lifetime: he’ll spill his guts, on tape, for the first time ever, and try to get to the bottom of this difference between them. What unfolds is a goldmine of true-crime stories, showing John’s dramatic (and sometimes dodgy) experience of policing in Sydney in the 1980s. The crims, the car chases, the frequent brushes with death and violence, and the grey zone between what’s ethical and what’s effective: finally Paul gets real insight into what’s formed his father’s character. Thrilling, fascinating and often laughout-loud funny, Loose Units is a high-octane adventure in policing, integrity and learning what your father is really all about.
From the multi-award-winning producers of Line of Duty comes the brand new gritty, gripping British drama Save Me. Written by and starring the multi-talented Lennie James (The Walking Dead, Line of Duty), alongside renowned, must-watch star Suranne Jones (Doctor Foster, Scott & Bailey). Nelson “Nelly” Rowe (James) is a ducker and a diver, a charmer, a chancer, a fighter and a liar. He ‘likes a drink’, spending most of his time in the local pub, and he loves whoever he’s sleeping with. He’s also a man who should know better at his age but couldn’t care less…that is until his whole world comes crashing down around him. When Nelly’s 13-year-old daughter, who he barely knows goes missing, her mother Claire (Jones), is convinced of his guilt. Before he knows it he’s been arrested and charged with Kidnapping. Desperate to clear his name Nelly, looks to his community for help. Hell-bent on finding the perpetrator and saving his daughter, he will stop at nothing in his life-changing quest for truth.
RRP $32.99
WIN Thanks to Penguin Random House Australia we have one copy of Liar, Liar and Loose Units to give away. To enter, email jessica.porter@wapu.org.au with your name, work address and title of the book. Winners will be drawn on September 3, 2018. POLICE NEWS AUGUST 2018
SEE
REQUIEM What if you discovered that your parent had lied to you? That almost everything they’d said about their own history, and yours, was untrue? In 1994, a toddler disappeared from a small Welsh village, never to be seen again. 23 years later, in London, the mother of rising cello star Matilda Gray commits suicide, without apparent reason. Among her possessions, Matilda discovers tantalising evidence, linking her mother to the Welsh girl’s disappearance all those years ago, sending her grief-stricken to Wales. Determined to find out who she really is, Matilda unravels her own identity and exposes long buried secrets that a remote community are trying desperately to forget. One secret is more bizarre, terrifying and dangerous than anything she could have imagined, one that has been waiting many years for Matilda to return. Contains paranormal/supernatural themes.
ENTERTAIN ME
MILE 22
A SIMPLE FAVOUR
James Silva is an operative for the CIA’s most highly prized and least understood unit. As the enemy closes in, a top-secret tactical command team helps Silva retrieve and transport a valuable asset that holds lifethreatening information. Mile 22 is the new action film starring Mark Wahlberg, Lauren Cohan and John Malkovich.
A Simple Favour is a stylish post-modern film noir directed by Paul Feig. It centres on Stephanie (Anna Kendrick), a mommy blogger who seeks to uncover the truth behind her best friend Emily’s (Blake Lively) sudden disappearance from their small town. Stephanie is joined by Emily’s husband Sean (Henry Golding) in this thriller filled with twists and betrayals, secrets and revelations, love and loyalty, murder and revenge.
SEASON COMMENCES August 30
SEASON COMMENCES September 20
WIN Thanks to NIX CO entertainment, we have five copies of Save Me and Requiem to give away. To enter, email jessica.porter@wapu.org.au with your name, work address and title of the movie. Winners will be drawn on September 3, 2018.
WIN We have two double passes to give away to Mile 22 and A Simple Favour. To enter, email jessica.porter@wapu.org.au with your name, work address and title of the movie. Winners will be drawn on September 3, 2018. 39 POLICE NEWS AUGUST 2018
NEW MEMBERS
WAPU WELCOMES ITS NEWEST MEMBERS 01 PAO CUSTODY COURSE 2/2018.
01
TOODYAY PICNIC RACES 23 SEPTEMBER 2018 1 HOUR FROM PERTH | GATES OPEN FROM 11AM
FREE ENTRY FOR ANY ATTENDING WAPU MEMBERS POLICE NEWS AUGUST 2018
• 7 race meet, on course Bookies and TAB available • Full bar facilities and ample food suppliers • Fashions on the Field – prize pool worth thousands • Dash for cash – win the 100 metre foot race and pocket $1000
Wrist bands available from WAPU Avon Branch President Dave Flaherty. A return bus service departing from the casino will be available for a fee. For details please contact Dave Flaherty: 0407 083 350
RETIREMENTS & RESIGNATIONS
VALE
RETIRING MEMBERS 4831 Spyros SANDERS 5139 Robert RUNDLE 5426 William BELCHER 5461 William NORTON 5463 William MANSAS 5525 Philip ARNTZEN 5540 Wayne BRYAN 5612 Susan BOJCUN 5668 Rodney BIRCH 5683 Laurie MORLEY 5746 Graham BINDER 5880 Terence RAKICH 5891 Kearns GANGIN 6039 Raymond WHARTON 6043 John KEENE 6044 Ian FLOWER 6055 Stephen DA RE 6090 Craig KEALS 6104 Stephen EVANS 6270 Louis WILLIAMS 6334 Francis GLYNN
6400 Terrance SHELTON 6403 Peter TRIVETT 6411 Ross MATTHIESSEN 6428 Carol VERNON 6442 David CALDWELL 6463 Martin DOWNEY 6470 Ian GILYEAD 6483 Edwin PHILLIPS 6496 Thomas MILLS 6553 Vincenzo CURULLI 6560 Stuart HALLIGAN 6693 Stephen FRANCIS 7082 David CAREY 7646 Gary CHANDLER 7692 Murray McKAY 7784 Lionel WILLIAMS 8296 Carolyn LUTEY 10023 Ricky COOK 11181 Carol EATON 11940 Susan STERN 13881 Juanita ELLIS
RETIRED 3941 Sergeant MICHAEL ARTHUR COSTER Aged 70 2540 Superintendent BERNARD (BERNIE) BROMILOW JOHNSON Aged 85 Correction from June Police News 3635 Sergeant JERZY (GEORGE) WLADISLAW ZERKO Aged 74 Correction from June Police News
RESIGNING MEMBERS 9959 Nathan TRENBETH 10116 Clinton TAYLOR 10130 Tara DOYLE 10212 Kirstie ROWE 10604 Clare LIMPUS 13245 Liam McNALLY 13969 Calum GANNAWAY
14351 Andrew CUTHEL 14983 Heidi ADAMS 15780 David DOW 15793 Eric RICHARDS 51400 Yang LI 99543 Easwaran SOMALINGAM 99930 David PHELPS
41 POLICE NEWS AUGUST 2018
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FROM THE ARCHIVES
FRONTLINE FIRST
AUGUST 2004
President Michael Dean discussed Commissioner of Police Karl O’Callaghan’s new Frontline First initiative in the August 2004 edition of Police News. Although it had the full support of the Union, he said while it sounded simple it was not. “The immediate questions are about who fills these vacant FTE positions. Obviously, civilisation and position review becomes necessary,” Mr Dean said in his President’s Report. “The Commissioner has warned of some angst during this process, therefore it is incumbent on the Union and its Members to carefully manage this issue with due consideration to individuals concerned and associated training requirements.” Mr Dean said he had no doubt the realignment would benefit the community.
KARRATHA TO BROOME BIKE RIDE The 11th Karratha to Broome Bike Ride was conducted in June 2004 with 30 riders taking part. It is interesting to note that this event still occurs and is one of the major fundraisers for WA Police Legacy.
ANNUAL CONFERENCE 2004 The 2004 edition of the WA Police Union Conference marked Commissioner of Police Karl O’Callaghan’s first conference. “Policing our new horizon” theme laid a platform for promise but it also highlighted potential problems. In addition to speeches from Mr Dean and the new Commissioner, Premier Geoff Gallop addressed delegates on the good reputation of WA Police, new initiatives and the Government’s capital works program which included 14 new police stations. The Union also presented a number of awards recognising the important contribution of Members and Staff.
43 POLICE NEWS AUGUST 2018
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