JUNE 2019
“And we that are left, shall never forget� Since 1992, WA Police Legacy has stepped in to help families after their police officer loved one has died.
IA negotiations progress as deadline looms
June 30 is the deadline for the expiration of the WA Police Industrial Agreement.
Committing to Cops WAPU has launched a campaign to encourage the community to value their police officers.
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JUNE 2019
POLICE NEWS THE MAGAZINE FOR THE WA POLICE UNION
CONTENTS
10
“And we that are left, shall never forget” Police News highlights the great work WA Police Legacy does to help police families.
17
IA negotiations progress as deadline looms Both the WA Police Union and Government continue to negotiate in good faith, with hopes of an offer to be finalised this month.
18
Committing to Cops
The WA Police Union has launched a campaign to encourage the community to care for their police officers, just like how police care for the community. 4 POLICE NEWS JUNE 2019
22
Putting the 'Welfare' back into Health, Welfare and Safety An overhaul of HWS has now included more sworn officers and a focus on regaining Members' trust.
24
06 WAPU DIRECTORS AND STAFF 08 P RESIDENT’S REPORT 20 INDUSTRIAL LIFTOUT 28 FIELD REPORT 30 H EALTH 31 M OTORING
Dark Blue
33 LEGAL
WAPU hosted an advanced screening of the Police Federation of Australia’s new movie Dark Blue, a movie based on the real experiences of police officers.
36 MEMBER BENEFITS
26
A magical ride for all: Ride Alongside 2019 Eleven cyclists committed to treacherous weather and cycling conditions to raise awareness of mental health conditions experienced by emergency service workers and defence personnel.
34
Need a holiday?
The Union has a range of holiday homes available for Members across the State.
38 NEW MEMBERS, RETIREMENTS, RESIGNATIONS AND VALE 39 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 Andrea GilmoreBroderick, her son Noah and daughter Amy. ABOVE The film Dark Blue will be released by the Police Federation of Australia in July.
WA
POLICE UNION
Board of Directors 24/7 EMERGENCY DIRECTOR
HARRY ARNOTT President 0407 989 008
MICK KELLY Senior Vice President & 24/7 Emergency Director 0438 080 930
BRANDON SHORTLAND Vice President 0488 9080 93
WARD ADAMSON Treasurer 0457 603 311
PAUL GALE Director 0403 314 426
JASON GENTILI Director 0437 417 467
MICK GILL Director 0427 097 000
Staff
PAUL HUNT Secretary 6 POLICE NEWS JUNE 2019
CHRIS VITLER Finance Manager
STEVEN GLOVER JESSICA PORTER Media Officer Media Officer
KATRINA MASON KATRINA TAYLOR Industrial Industrial Officer Officer
MATTHEW PAYNE Research Officer
BOARD OF DIRECTORS & STAFF
DEBRA HUTCHINSON Director 0414 935 498
DEAN GIACOMINI Field Officer
MARK JOHNSON Director 0488 352 525
JASON MORA Director 0410 927 445
CARL GROSSETTI CARL STEWART Field Officer Field Officer
HARRY RUSSELL Director 0412 585 429
TARRYN SMITH Finance Officer
GEORGE TILBURY Director 0409 105 898
PENNY BROWN Member Services Officer
CLINT WHALLEY Director 0409 118 381
DEBORAH THOMAS Administration Officer
BRANCH PRESIDENTS Academy Mark Gannaway Air Wing John Gobbels Armadale-Gosnells Paul Burke Avon Dave Flaherty Bunbury Australind Gareth Reed Cannington Rod Moore Central Great Aaron Honey Southern Central Midlands Thomas Louden Central West Coast David McDonald Commissioned Noreen O’Rourke Officers East Kimberley Stuart Lapsley Eastern Goldfields Kevin Guy Eastern Wheatbelt Dayna Rigoir Fortescue Russell Evans Fremantle Rachel Rawlins Gascoyne Anntoinette Cashmore Geraldton Tim Saxon Great Southern Danny Richmond Intelligence Services Contact WAPU HQ Joondalup Ben Giff Leeuwin Naturaliste Brad Walder (Vice President) Licencing Michael Sedgman Enforcement Lower South West Sasa Dzaferovic Major Crime Greg Hart Mandurah Harry Russell Maylands Complex Scott Sulley Midland Jason Mora Midland Workshops Jeanette Maddison Mirrabooka Todd Robinson Murchison Jake Hendry North Eastern Matt Parsonson Goldfields North Pilbara Sarah Clarke Northern ROG Cris Marzo Perth Andrew Simmons Perth Watch House Gemma Priest Professional Ian Moore Standards Prosecuting Branch Jarred Gerace Rockingham Richard Wells Kwinana Serious & Peter Birch Organised Crime Sex Crimes Cliff Daurant South East Eyre Emily Woodland South West Dion Jackson Hinterland Southern ROG Mark Crossley 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 Dave Groenenberg West Pilbara Neil Vanderplank
7 POLICE NEWS JUNE 2019
HARRY ARNOTT President
Committing to #Care4Cops JUNE IS ALL ABOUT caring for police officers. We have launched a social media campaign under the hashtag Care4Cops which is already underway across Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. The campaign seeks to show West Australians that police officers not only care for themselves and their colleagues but they care for the community and everyone in it. The commitment is about everyday people committing to caring for police officers, similar to police officers committing to care for the community when they join the job. We will film and/or photograph key Perth figures making the commitment and use that to create social media posts in the form of videos and pictures. Upon making the commitment, they receive a #Care4Cops merchandise pack. Make sure you follow our social media accounts and like and share the #Care4Cops content so we can get as many people as possible to make the commitment. If you can manage it, you may even want to make the commitment yourself!
DARK BLUE Last month, we held an advanced screening of the Police Federation of Australia’s production Dark Blue. The screening was attended by Federal Members of Parliament and candidates, Liberal, Nationals WA and Greens State politicians, members of the WA Police Force Executive, other unions and WAPU Members.
The commitment is about everyday people committing to caring for police officers, similar to police officers committing to care for the community when they join the job.
8
I know the film resonated with those in the room and I hope they can spread the word to those members of the McGowan Government, who were notably absent. So far, the film has been well received and we are looking forward to its release in July so all Members can experience its power and strength. It will start a conversation. A conversation that we desperately need to have about mental health. You can read more about the film on page 24.
INDUSTRIAL UPDATE At the end of June, the industrial agreement for police officers will expire. We are currently in negotiations with the Government and the WA Police Force. WAPU acknowledges that some Members are frustrated at the lack of information being sent out about the negotiations however, that is part of our strategy. Delegates at last year’s Annual Conference directed the Board to handle the negotiations and to only report back with major developments. The past two rounds of IA negotiations have shown that by publishing too much information, Government (regardless of stripe) takes umbrage which hampers our efforts to get the best deal at the negotiation table. We are committed to providing as much information as we can to Members when appropriate and we are striving to deliver the best deal for the membership. We have provided an industrial agreement update on page 17.
STATE BUDGET The latest State Budget was again all about budget repair and frugality. Policing-wise, the WA Police Union was pleased to see funds committed to personal issue body armour and the mobility project.
PRESIDENT'S REPORT
PFA President Mark Carroll, WAPU President Harry Arnott, Commissioner of Police Chris Dawson and John Schumann at the advanced screening of Dark Blue.
The body armour will increase your safety on the frontline and we are eagerly looking forward to the results of the trial. While the mobility project will greatly assist you to spend more time on the frontline attending jobs and assisting the community, we believe this technology will see a significant increase in expected productivity for the WA Police Force. The State Government has announced that it will defer the GROH rent increase however, it gave no detail as to the deferral time frame. Our lobbying of the McGowan Government has made sure it is under no illusions GROH rent is one of the absolute priorities for the WA Police Union. While we have won this battle, the war is far from over. We will only stop campaigning on this issue when there are no more GROH rental increases for regional police. It is clear that this may well be an overthought ploy by some industrious minds within Government to negate our claims during industrial negotiation. This Perth Parliament faces the very real possibility of police officers exiting the bush in droves if any GROH rent increase goes ahead. Our Members have paid their dues in respect to budget repair. Increasing GROH rents for the third successive year is nothing more than a cash grab.
The body armour will increase your safety on the frontline and we are eagerly looking forward to the results of the trial.
POST SERVICE MEDICAL CLAIMS & RISK COVER As you may be aware, there was an internal review of claims and procedures conducted by Risk Cover and you or your colleagues’ claims may have been affected. Importantly, our retired and serving Members may have issues with: • Reaching claim limits or having no more funds available • Having claim(s) denied • Reaching the maximum five-year claim time period • All injuries or illness being treated as a single claim • Difficulty claiming some treatments or medications • How to start claiming entitlements We encourage all retired and serving Members who may be unsure of their entitlements or experiencing difficulty with claims through the Police (Medical and Other Expenses for Former Officers) Act 2008 or Risk Cover to contact our Industrial Team for assistance. Kind regards, H.
9
“And we that are left, shall never forget” BY JESSICA PORTER
It’s a club that no one wants to be part of. But for the hundreds of families who are unfortunate members, they are glad it exists.
10
Andrea Gilmore-Broderick and her son Noah and daughter Amy are thankful for the support of WA Police Legacy.
POLICE NEWS JUNE 2019
L
osing a loved one is never easy, but for the men and women in blue, it can be an uncomfortable reality that along with the possibility of becoming gravely ill, there is always the added danger of policing the frontline. Since 1992, WA Police Legacy has stepped in to help police families after their police officer loved one has died. Just like the Police Ode says: “And we that are left, shall never forget,” Police Legacy does just that. Currently, WA Police Legacy assists 403 widows, six widowers and 52 children. One of those widows is Andrea Gilmore-Broderick. Andrea’s late husband Lee Gilmore died on February 23, 2009 after a two-year battle with secondary melanoma. Looking at a photo of Lee which she keeps next to the dinner table, Andrea remembers the shock of Lee’s diagnosis. Lee was getting a haircut when his hairdresser saw a mole that was usually hidden by his hair. Lee's hairdresser encouraged him to get it checked. Years of surfing and growing up around the beaches near Fremantle meant Lee spent a lot of time in the sun. This was the catalyst for his melanoma to grow. The melanoma was soon cut out but doctors advised Lee to keep an eye on his lymph nodes, particularly if he felt any lumps. With that scare behind them, Andrea and Lee continued with their happy life, raising their son, Noah, and daughter, Amy. At that time, Andrea and Lee planned to move their family to France to live for one year, then return to Perth and WA Police. They took a trip to France for their wedding anniversary to find schools for their children, work for Lee and a place to live. They found it all, and plans were soon in place to move the year after. But it was on the plane back to Perth that Lee found a lump. A visit to the emergency department revealed that the melanoma had spread. It was aggressively close to Lee’s brain and lungs. “He had all his lymph nodes cut out and he went back to work. We crossed our fingers hoping that it would be okay and then he found out through all the testing that he had thyroid cancer as well. It turned out that he had it for seven years,” Andrea said. Lee had surgery to remove the thyroid tumour and returned to work at Water Police. In July 2008, a PET scan revealed cancer had spread to Lee’s brain. He had three brain tumours. The next day, Andrea went to work when she received a call from Lee, who was on sick leave. He was confused and didn’t know where he was. “I knew he walked to the gym, because he wasn’t allowed to drive. I knew where he would be. So I drove to get him and put him in the car. I don’t know how I did that because he was a big guy. We drove straight to the hospital,” Andrea said.
“It helps us to stay connected to who Lee was, what he did and what he loved. And him as a human being, as a protector and what he did for the community. But also it helps the children realise they weren’t alone because they got to spend time with other kids who had also lost a parent.”
“They weren’t going operate. They told me to say goodbye, but I wouldn’t. I said to the surgeon, you’re going to do whatever you can. I stood there shouting at them all. Looking back now I don’t really know where I got the strength from. I just said, no, he’s not leaving us. And bless him, this lovely anaesthetist was standing in the room. You could see he was about the same age, and he could see this was dire straits and it was up to him whether he (Lee) went to surgery or not. They took him to surgery and he came out alive three hours later.” After the surgery, Lee had to learn to walk and write again. Andrea said she received incredible support from Lee’s OIC now retired Senior Sergeant Greg Trew. She said Greg was able to accommodate Lee in the station on a part-time basis, giving Lee some meaningful work while he was sick. “Realistically, he wasn’t going to get any better, but it meant the world to Lee, for his dignity, to be there,”she said. Greg, who had become a close family friend, also took Lee away on a final surfing holiday to Bali. “I said no, he can’t go, but one of Greg’s friends was a doctor who said he would look after him so Lee got to have this amazing surfing trip thanks to this amazing, amazing man.” Two years after his first melanoma diagnosis, Lee died peacefully at home surrounded by his family. “He was very strong, very manly, so sweet and a beautiful daddy,” Andrea said. “We used to say we had the white picket fence life; happily married, two very healthy children. “I’m glad he got everything he wanted in life. He had the perfect job, because he always wanted to be in Water Police, a wife that adored him and two perfect children.” Before his posting at Water Police, Lee and his family moved to Leeman where they became an integral part of the local community. ▷ 11 POLICE NEWS JUNE 2019
01 02
“The friendships I’ve made through Legacy are usually stronger than the ones I’ve made through school because of the similar life track we’ve had.”
12 POLICE NEWS JUNE 2019
Lee took an active interest in community policing and taught the school children about bike safety. He was even able to secure a grant to create a bike track and skate park to keep the kids busy. Years later, the park was named the Lee Gilmore Skate Park. During Lee’s career, he donated every fortnight to Police Legacy. Never did Andrea think she would be on the receiving end. A Water Police colleague of Lee’s told Andrea about Police Legacy and the support that it offers. “There are two main things I love about Legacy,” Andrea said. “It helps us to stay connected to who Lee was, what he did and what he loved. And him as a human being, as a protector and what he did for the community. But also it helps the children realise they weren’t alone because they got to spend time with other kids who had also lost a parent. Mostly dads sadly, but that was the biggest thing; those camps. They were immeasurable in the support and what they provide is something that I couldn’t provide.” WA Police Legacy run two camps per year for the children of deceased officers. One camp is combined with the military legacy and the other organised by WA Police Legacy. The camps are run by volunteer police officers and return servicemen and women from the military. Amy and Noah went to their first WA Police Legacy camp about six months after their father died.
Amy, who was 10 when she went to her first camp, said she remembered feeling apprehensive about leaving her mother. “I am usually a very loud and open person but I was so shy, just hugging my pillow and didn’t want to let go of mum. But as soon as we got on the bus, there was another girl there who was so nice and introduced me to all the other kids and I thought this is cool. On the way there, we became really good friends and then I was fine after that,” she said. “I remember it being pretty strange making friends not in a school situation,” Noah added. “And just meeting everybody, and knowing that you weren’t alone, was pretty special. “Because obviously, not too many kids at school have gone through the same experience but meeting all the kids who have gone through similar things was pretty good,” he said. Both Noah and Amy said the friendships they formed through the camps were incredibly strong and have lasted long after they finished attending the camps. “The friendships I’ve made through Legacy are usually stronger than the ones I’ve made through school because of the similar life track we’ve had,” Noah said. Amy agreed. “With Police Legacy friendships, they aren’t just over now that we’ve finished camp. We are really, really close with our friends from camp. We consider them family. We just had people over from Canberra and Melbourne. There’s one girl from army legacy in London we still keep in contact with.” Andrea said the camps provided the children with support, friendships and taught them life lessons that possibly would have been taught by their father. “It’s the male mentorship,” Andrea said. “They make sure they have those strong male role models in their life.”
“Amy’s been driving for about two years, and she had a flat tyre last week. It was about 4pm and it was just off the freeway ramp and she rings me and she says ‘I have a flat tyre’ and I go into mum mode thinking I have to ring my dad to come and get her and all that, but she said ‘no, it’s alright, I changed it. I'm just telling you’. Legacy taught her that,” Andrea said. “These life skills, things that her dad would have taught her, Legacy did all that.” Noah also said he learnt skills from the camps that he now uses daily, like learning to shave. “The guys taught us things that dad would have taught us,” he said. The Legacy camps are a highlight for WA Police Legacy, according to Manager Jill Willoughby. “It’s actually priceless what the kids learn,” she said. “One of the boys on the camp said a few years ago, the one thing he really got out of these camps was that he could speak to a police officer who knew his dad. His dad died when he was three, so he really didn’t know his dad. So the police officer told this boy that he worked with his dad and he was a top fella and he was a great guy. So to talk to someone who knew his dad, made a huge difference to that boy.” Jill said the children are all brought together under horrible circumstances, but always make the most of it. “It’s a club you never want to be a member of when you have lost a parent, but they have a beautiful bond.” Widow Jackie Boardman, whose husband David died in Geraldton after a quadbike accident in 2007, agreed. “No one wants to be a part of it but you appreciate what you have when you’ve got it,” she said. Jackie’s three children, Jessica, Nathan and Stacey, all attended the Police Legacy camps and had similar experiences to Noah and Amy. Like Noah and Amy, the first camp was difficult, but since then, they loved going to every camp. “When they go, they are one way and when they come back, they have a different mindset. Even now, Jessica and Nathan still both wish they could still go on those camps because it’s had such an impact,” Jackie said. “It’s helped them to find out that they are actually stronger than they think and they can overcome obstacles that they think they can’t.” She added the camps also gave the children companionship and camaraderie with the other children, volunteers and supervisors. “They’ve always said how much they have been supported and encouraged. They all know why they’re there. They can just enjoy themselves together and have fun.” Jackie remembers one camp that was particularly special for Stacey. An officer who had worked with Stacey’s dad saw her name on the list of children at the camp and, after asking if it was ok,
“When your husband’s no longer there, you feel that you’re no longer part of that Police Family where before, that is the majority of your friends. So in a way, it still nice to be connected to the Police Family because you know and understand the work that police do and I still appreciate how much my husband did.”
01 Amy, Andrea and Noah share memories of their dad and husband, Lee. 02 Andrea, Noah and Amy hold their favourite photo of Lee, who was stationed at Water Police in Fremantle. 03 Jackie and David Boardman with their children Nathan, Stacey and Jessica. This was their last family photo before David died in 2007.
03
spent time with Stacey. He shared stories with her about her dad, who died when she was just five years old. He wanted to share happy memories of David and tell her what a great man he was. “So even nearly 12 years later, you still have these officers who remember who the kids were and are still trying to help them,” Jackie said. Remembering David is something Jackie does every day. But she is glad Legacy does that as well. “When your husband’s no longer there, you feel that you’re no longer part of that Police Family where before, that is the majority of your friends. So in a way, it still nice to be connected to the Police Family because you know and understand the work that police do and I still appreciate how much my husband did,” she said. Jackie said David would also volunteer at their children’s school and help with reading. “He was always the life of the party, he was a good dad, a good husband, a good son and family was his number one. “He was also very funny. Everyone he worked with would know it. He used to do silly things to get a laugh,” she said. Apart from the camps, Legacy has also assisted Jackie to send her daughter on a trip to Cambodia and Thailand to complete some community work. WA Police Legacy has been helping WA families for nearly 30 years, assisting them financially, emotionally and also ensuring they still feel part of the Blue Family. ▷ 13 POLICE NEWS JUNE 2019
04
Jill said all of the money raised during fundraising activities is given back to families. All administration and salary costs associated with Legacy are covered by investments. While big fundraising activities such as the Karratha to Broome Bike Ride and the Broome WA Police Legacy Ball raise large amounts of money for Legacy, officers are encouraged to donate through their fortnightly pay. Officers like Lee and David, whose families are now in receipt of Legacy support, donated to Legacy immediately after joining the Academy. Jill said only 52 per cent of officers currently contribute to Police Legacy through fortnightly payments.
19792019
04 Jill Willoughby, WA Police Legacy Manager.
“One of the comments I make to the recruits, is you can be a teacher or work in the local shop or the bank. If you die, your partner will be looked after. They will get a bunch of flowers and a few meals and things delivered for a month or so, and then you’re virtually forgotten,” she said. “Police, we don’t ever forget. We look after you until the day you die. We’ve got some very elderly widows in their late 90s, they don’t want anything, but they still come to our lunches, they still get a bunch of flowers on their birthday, little things like that to let them know that we do still remember them and they are still part of us.” Jill said the intent of Legacy is never to replace a parent, it just wants to help fill a gap. “We just don’t want these children to go without. They don’t need to miss out on things that they would have had if they had both parents there,” she said. “It doesn’t matter how the officer has died, whether it be suicide, natural causes or killed on duty. It doesn’t make any difference, we look after them all. “And this is all for less than the cost of a cup of coffee a fortnight.”
TO DONATE To donate fortnightly to WA Police Legacy, email payroll with your desired donation amount or email Jill Willoughby via manager@policelegacywa.org.au.
40th ANNIVERSARY To celebrate the commencement of 79 Division on September 17, 1979, a social gathering of former members of 79 Division will be held on Saturday, September 14 2019.
Come along and catch up with former partners and fellow members for a social drink. As usual, memorabilia for the occasion is included in your entry fee. DATE: Saturday, September 14, 2019 VENUE: Riverton R.S.L Club. Riverton Rd, Willetton TIME: 7pm to 11pm DRESS: Smart casual COST: $25 per member DRINKS: Happy Hour Prices
So we can arrange and pay for memorabilia and the necessities please pay ASAP. Please Direct Debit to: Institute: P & N Bank BSB: 806 015 Acc No: 01998986 Reference: YOUR SURNAME & REG No.
For more information, please contact: Val Ferguson on 0409 345 365 Andy O'Neill on 0438 265 614 or email andrew.oneill6@bigpond.com
14 POLICE NEWS JUNE 2019
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IA NEGOTIATIONS UPDATE
Negotiations progress as deadline looms X x ▷
BY STEVEN GLOVER
Xx
June 30 is the deadline for the expiration of the WA Police Industrial ▷ Agreement and both sides continue to negotiate in good faith, with hopes of an offer to be finalised this month. Negotiations began in March when the WA Police Union served its log of claims on the WA Police Force. Secretary Paul Hunt, who has been leading the negotiations for WAPU, said the Union had changed its strategy during this negotiation. “In the last two rounds of negotiations, we have been very open with what we are asking for, to not only our Members, but also in the media,” he said. “For whatever reason, that openness has hampered the negotiation so this time around we have deliberately kept the full details of our claim out of the limelight. “It is the view of the Board of Directors and the Negotiating Team that this will allow us to negotiate in good faith with Government and deliver a positive outcome for our police officer Members.” Mr Hunt said one item which is publicly on the table for police officers is the 38-hour week. He said the 38-hour week could be delivered with police officers still working 40 hours and effectively banking two hours per week to be used as rostered days off. “The vast majority of our Members work 40-hour weeks and we are finding that with the rigours of the job and the increased prevalence of mental health conditions, our Members need more time away from the frontline,” he said. “The Union believes that by delivering police officers one rostered day off a month, this will assist Members to refresh and we will see positive effects on their general wellbeing and productivity. “We do not believe this will be a big impost on Government because the flow on effects are positive.
“For whatever reason, that openness has hampered the negotiation so this time around we have deliberately kept the full details of our claim out of the limelight.” “There will be less sick leave and as these will be rostered days off, police stations won’t be left short on numbers like they currently are when someone calls in sick.” Mr Hunt acknowledged that some Members were aggrieved at the lack of information being sent out but said it was all part of the strategy. “Delegates at last year’s Annual Conference directed the Board to handle the negotiations and to only report back with major developments. “We understand there is some frustration but the past two rounds of IA negotiations have shown that by providing too much information to Members that can seriously hamper our efforts to get the best deal at the negotiation table. “What the Union does commit to doing is providing as much information as we can to Members when appropriate and we are striving to deliver the best deal for the membership.”
WANT MORE INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR IA NEGOTIATION? Visit the Members Area of
www.wapu.org.au to stay up to date with the latest developments. 17 POLICE NEWS JUNE 2019
COMM “It was a great show of support to have these high profile people from our community make the commitment and now we hope that others will follow suit and get behind our Members.�
POLICE NEWS JUNE 2019
MMITTING TO COPS BY STEVEN GLOVER
The WA Police Union has launched a campaign to encourage the community to value their police officers. President Harry Arnott said police officers care for the community and their colleagues and the Union now wants to community to Care4Cops. “Our campaign seeks to show the community how police officers care for the community we all live in and they work hard, on and off duty, to ensure that occurs,” Mr Arnott said. “We want people from all walks of life to make a commitment to Care4Cops. “We have targeted high profile people to come on board and make the commitment but we also want everyday people to upload their videos and images direct to our social media platforms and tell us they are committed to cops.” The #Care4Cops Commitment campaign will run
throughout June on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter and everyone is encouraged to get involved. The first commitment video was launched on June 4. “It was a great show of support to have these high profile people from our community make the commitment and now we hope that others will follow suit and get behind our Members,” Mr Arnott said. “Our Members make great sacrifices for our community, they display a great deal of goodwill every day so that we can all remain safe and secure in our homes. “We are not asking for much, we just want people to make the commitment via social media so that everybody in WA understands that the community cares for cops.”
* Will you commit to Care4Cops?
If you want to make the commitment to our Members, post your photo or video to any of our social media accounts (Facebook, Instagram and Twitter). Create a post saying: “I care for cops because INSERT REASON”. The best reason posted on social media will win a #CARE4COPS pack which includes t-shirt, cap and sticker.
POLICE NEWS JUNE 2019
RE LIF FE T-O RE U NC T E
GUIDE TO carer’s leave
and bereavement leave CARER’S LEAVE
What changed? Examples when carer’s leave may be utilised:
Since improvements were made to carer’s leave entitlements in clause 35 – carer’s leave in the Western Australia Police Industrial Agreement 2017, we have produced this guide to assist our Members in claiming this entitlement. While you can still claim carer’s leave when a family member is ill or injured, carer’s leave may now also be utilised due to an unexpected emergency affecting a family member. • When a family member is ill or injured, including when a family member is undergoing medical treatment or hospitalised. • When a family member is recovering from surgery or other medical treatments at home. • Planned childcare arrangements are cancelled without notice. • Please seek advice from the Industrial Team if these scenarios do not match your current situation. What evidence is required?
Who is considered a family member?
Sub-clause 35(3) of the Western Australia Police Industrial Agreement 2017 defines a family member as: • the partner of the employee; • the child, step child or grandchild of the employee (including an adult child, step child or grandchild); • the parent, step parent, or grandparent whether they live with the employee or not; • the sibling of an employee; or • any other person who, at or immediately before the relevant time for assessing the employee’s eligibility to take carer’s leave, lived with the employee as a member of the employee’s household.
An employee who claims to be entitled to carer’s leave is to provide the employer with evidence that would satisfy a reasonable person of the entitlement.
How much carer’s leave am I entitled to? Employees are entitled to claim a maximum of 40 hours of carer’s leave per calendar year. Where employees have exhausted their 40 hours of carer’s leave, they are able to access up to an additional 40 hours of their illness and injury leave entitlements as prescribed under clause 34 – Entitlement to Leave and Allowances through Illness or Injury, per calendar year to care for a family member. Carer’s leave is not cumulative from year-to-year.
Can carer’s leave be applied for in advance? Yes, if a family member is undergoing planned medical treatment or surgery you may apply for carer’s leave in advance. You will need to include a letter from your family member’s treating medical practitioner or hospital as supporting evidence when making your application.
BEREAVEMENT LEAVE
We have produced this guide to assist Members to claim bereavement leave under clause 31 of the Western Australia Police Industrial Agreement 2017.
Bereavement leave may be utilised on the death of:
• the partner of the employee; • the child or step child or grandchild of the employee (including adult child, step child or grandchild); • the parent, step parent or grandparent of the employee or their partner’s parent; • the brother, sister, step brother or step sister of the employee; • any other person who, immediately before that person’s death, lived with the employee as a member of the employee’s household; or • the employer may exercise discretion to grant bereavement leave to an employee in respect of some other person with whom the employee has a special relationship.
What evidence is required? Under sub-clause 31(5), payment of such leave may be subject to the employee providing evidence of the death or relationship to the deceased, satisfactory to the employer.
How much bereavement leave am I entitled to? Employees are entitled to claim up to two days paid bereavement leave per bereavement. These two days do not need to be consecutive.
I am already on leave, can I still claim bereavement leave? Under sub-clause 31(4), bereavement leave is not to be taken during any other period of leave.
Can I claim additional bereavement leave for when travelling for a funeral? Officers deployed in the metropolitan region:
While there is currently no entitlement to additional bereavement leave for travel, officers travelling within WA, interstate or overseas due to a bereavement will have immediate access to annual leave, long service leave or, if all accrued leave is exhausted, leave without pay to accommodate travel needs.
For further information contact the WAPU Industrial Team on 9321 2155.
Officers deployed in regional WA:
Under sub-clause 31(6) in the event of a bereavement, employees deployed in regional WA, who need to travel more than 240 km from their workplace will be granted paid time off for travel to a maximum of two rostered shifts per bereavement. Under sub-clause 31(7), the employer may approve additional travel time within WA where the employee can demonstrate to the satisfaction of the employer that more than two days travel time is warranted. There is currently no entitlement to additional bereavement leave for travel under 240 km within WA, interstate or overseas due to a bereavement. Instead, employees will have immediate access to annual leave, long service leave or, if all accrued leave is exhausted, leave without pay to accommodate travel needs.
WA
POLICE UNION
01
Putting the ‘Welfare’ back into Health Welfare and Safety It may have included a simple name change, but the overhaul of the Health Welfare and Safety (HWS) Division last year has already shown Members it is moving in the right direction.
01 Members of the Injury Coordination and Support Services Unit (L–R): Senior Sergeant Bill Darby, Senior Constable Andrew Seery, Senior Constable Dave Broadbent, Supt Glenn Feeney, Insp. Jane Higgins and Sergeant Mish Iskra. 02 Superintendent Glenn Feeney. 03 Inspector Jane Higgins.
22 POLICE NEWS JUNE 2019
Divisional Superintendent Glenn Feeney, who this month celebrates 44 years in the job, and Inspector Jane Higgins have been tasked with changing the service delivery model, coordination and trust in HWS. A comprehensive review, initiated in January last year, found a number of gaps in the then Health and Safety model, including a view that Members could not trust their information was confidential. Along with the findings, the review brought to light a number of recommended changes, some of which have already been implemented. Inspector Higgins, who was tasked with undertaking the review, looked at past reviews, Union submissions and sought feedback from a number of different people within the organisation. “I also had a submission from the Union, which was extremely helpful, and it supported what the reviews had identified,” Insp. Higgins said. “There were a few things that became apparent through the review and building trust was one of them. We also needed
to show employees that we had a coordinated service delivery so that employees knew how the information goes in, and what they can expect.” A raft of changes were recommended, including the inclusion of more police officers within HWS Division, particularly at the newly created Injury Coordination and Support Services Unit (ICSSU). The inclusion of police officers at the coalface of welfare services was also a strong suggestion from WAPU. The addition of a Superintendent to lead the Division was another recommendation that has been implemented. “Even since the Injury Coordination and Support Services Unit was established in August, we’ve had such good results and feedback and I believe having that operational police component here has made a difference. The ICSSU coordinates all incoming sick leave and knows when officers have been absent for 10 days or more. It also reviews all critical incidents and assists when Members need support whether it be vocational rehabilitation or physiological assistance,” Insp. Higgins said.
A best-practice injury management model is currently being developed as well as procuring a case management system. The implementation of the case management system was one of the recommendations from a coronial inquest into the suicide of a serving officer who died in 2008. The case management system will ensure better management and coordination of cases as well as giving the Division the ability to analyse trends in illness and injury, have oversight of critical incident attendance and keep track of requests for welfare support. The Division is also working on a website that families of police officers can access to help them navigate welfare issues and services that the Force offers. Getting the trust back from Members will be an ongoing work in progress following the changes that have already been implemented, according to Insp. Higgins. Supt Feeney said: “Our uniformed officers here in the Division have recent frontline experience so they can relate to officers and the issues they face. “I think a greater uniform presence in the Division can achieve so much with a more personal approach. I’ve already received great feedback from the Union and officers on the ground, which is a great start. “We have started that journey to gain trust and will do everything we can to help our officers. “Our people want to be able to talk to someone and be confident their information will not be shared, as people have been hesitant to ask for help in case it affects their transfers or career. “I must stress that confidential information is exactly that, confidential, and will remain so, in accordance with our own policy and the medical practitioners and allied health professionals' Code of Ethics.” While Health Welfare and Safety does everything it can to assist officers, Supt Feeney and Insp. Higgins encourage everyone, particularly senior officers, to adopt a caring approach to their colleagues. “Officers want to hear from their own people. They want to hear from their managers, they want to hear from their supervisors, and they especially love to hear from their superintendent if they’ve been to a critical incident. And a lot of the research says that the support given from their own work environment can assist in reducing trauma,” Insp. Higgins said. “We’re very good at responding to critical incidents and helping members of the community in their time of need. What we need to do is to look after ourselves and our colleagues. Early intervention, self-awareness and talking about the issues is a great start,” Supt Feeney said. “The Commissioner has made it crystal clear to me that care for our people has the highest priority."
“Our people want to be able to talk to someone and be confident their information will not be shared, as people have been hesitant to ask for help in case it affects their transfers or career.”
02 03
23 POLICE NEWS JUNE 2019
Advanced screening of Dark Blue received well BY STEVEN GLOVER
The WA Police Union hosted an advanced screening of the Police Federation of Australia’s new movie Dark Blue, which forms part of its mental health campaign. The movie was written based on the real experiences of police officers from around the country, including seven from WA. WAPU President Harry Arnott said the movie was an acknowledgement of the hard work police officers do every single day and the trauma and unfairness they are subjected to. “Dark Blue is a very real and depicts some of those traumatic and unfair scenes our officers are confronted with,” Mr Arnott said. “I would also like to acknowledge the main federal political parties who have identified that mental health in policing is an issue that urgently needs addressing. Our State Government and its representatives have not acknowledged this fact and we hope this film will change that focus. “The McGowan Government are happy to put the safety and wellbeing of police officers at risk by denying the opportunity of respite. Denying hard working police officers the opportunity to stand down and spend time away from the rigours of policing. “As you will see in the film, these rigours also take their toll on the families of police officers. Our Members need time to refresh and regroup from these experiences and that is why we are pushing for additional time away from the frontline.” Mr Arnott said the film was well received by politicians and members of the WA Police Force Executive. “Dark Blue will start a very seriously conversation about mental health and policing,” he said. “We hope those who were lucky enough to experience the advanced screening will sell its messages to those that did not attend the screening. “We are looking forward to the conversation beginning and spreading.” All Members will have the opportunity to view Dark Blue when it is released in July. POLICE NEWS JUNE 2019
POLICE NEWS JUNE 2019
A magical ride for all: RIDE ALONGSIDE 2019 BY RHIANNON BARRETT
On May 12, the 500km cycling event, Ride Alongside commenced in Bunbury. Travelling through regional WA, over five days, the cyclists committed to the treacherous weather and cycling conditions to raise awareness of mental health conditions experienced by emergency service workers and defence personnel.
26 POLICE NEWS JUNE 2019
Founder of Ride Alongside and former Senior Constable Rob Seaman embarked on the journey for the third year. Joining him were nine other current and former police officers, as well as two enthusiastic cyclists, making it the largest ride to date. “I believe it was very successful and everything went to plan. All the riders I spoke to enjoyed themselves and had a great time. All the volunteers worked very hard to ensure meals were given, fuel was given and tanks were full ready for the next leg of the journey, we were very thankful for them,” Rob said. Along the journey several emergency service departments welcomed the cyclists for morning teas, barbeques and beverages. “The best welcome was probably our final destination of Denmark when they provided a huge noisy welcome with a police escort. We rode in to see a large group of emergency services, police officers, paramedics and fire fighters. It was memorable that’s for sure,” Rob said. However, the journey wasn’t all celebration and smiles. As Rob recounted, the largest challenge was the final hills and kilometres of the ride, especially with the rain and horrendous weather conditions they endured. “During the tough times, the team came together to show support and camaraderie for each other by bringing words of encouragement to the ride. It really brought us all together and you could feel it,” Rob said. The tough times allowed onlookers, followers and the cyclists themselves, to ultimately understand that these hardships are experienced everyday by emergency service workers on the frontline. Rob hopes that as they passed through regional towns, the event was able to create a discussion of about mental health
within the emergency services context and ultimately provide a solution for tackling the issue. “It was magical ride for all involved,” Rob said. “It’s not just a professional or serious event but a social event which allows us to meet many fantastic people. It is fantastic to revisit old stations which I used to serve at and meet the new people which are coming through and providing their time.” The uncertainty and pace of the emergency service work was displayed when the Ride Alongside squad was unable to be hosted by or visit the Cranbrook Police Station and SES volunteers as duty called with an emergency unfolding at Bluff Knoll. “When we turned up to Cranbrook they got called to go to the job and it just really reflects the nature of the workers. They have to drop any plans they have in place and do their duty,” Rob explained. As next year’s planning is already under way, Rob was unsure whether the event was able to expand. “I would love for the event to get bigger each year however, I don’t think it would be possible due to restrictions of logistics and volunteers. I do however, plan to change the route for 2020 and go to different locations to spread the word even more,” Rob explained. The ride was made possible because of the support of a number of organisations including the WA Police Union. “I would like to greatly thank the WA Police Union for the opportunity of such events and ability to spread awareness for such a great cause,” Rob said.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON RIDE ALONGSIDE
“During the tough times, the team came together to show support and camaraderie for each other by bringing words of encouragement to the ride. It really brought us all together and you could feel it.”
Visit www.ridealongside.org.au or follow the Ride’s Facebook Page – RideAlongside.
27 POLICE NEWS JUNE 2019
MICK KELLY
Senior Vice President WA Police Union
WAPU Guidelines for Members subject to investigation IN AUGUST 2018, AN ARTICLE APPEARED IN POLICE NEWS on the topic of Member rights and obligations when subject to either a criminal or disciplinary investigation. This article further expands on that advice and it is not intended that these guidelines provide comprehensive legal advice, or that they cover every possible situation you might face.
We cannot stress enough the importance of contacting WAPU for relevant advice as soon as you are contacted by investigators (in person or by written advice).
28 POLICE NEWS JUNE 2019
In recent times, it has become apparent that some Members have not actively sought relevant advice prior to engaging with the Professional Standards Portfolio, local investigators or quite simply have been given inaccurate advice. We cannot stress enough the importance of contacting WAPU for relevant advice as soon as you are contacted by investigators (in person or by written advice). Before any interview commences, you should always ascertain from the investigator whether the interview concerns a criminal or disciplinary investigation.
CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS AND INTERVIEWS • If you are being interviewed for a criminal matter, you have the same (CIA suspect/involved person) rights as any other member of the community. • As a general rule, you should decline to participate in a criminal interview until you seek legal advice. • If the subject of the interview relates to an “on duty” (critical) incident or event, you may already have made a witness statement as part of your duties (to report) as a police officer. Provided your witness statement is accurate and truthful, it is possible that the written statement you have already made, which contains a complete account of your actions can be handed to investigators for that purpose. • WAPU’s position is that your statement should contain a relevant caveat (criminal or coronial). • If you are involved in an “on duty” Critical Incident Involving Police (CIIP), ensure that the WAPU Emergency Director has been made aware (it is part of the CIIP formal notification and call-out process by POC). A representative from WAPU and our preferred solicitor’s firm will attend the scene. Your legal and welfare concerns are of paramount importance at any CIIP.
• Whether or not you answer questions in a criminal interview should not affect your prospects of being charged. There will either be sufficient (prima facie) evidence to charge you or not. • A Court cannot draw any adverse inference against you as a result of you exercising your right to silence and declining to participate in a criminal interview. • You should not participate in any re-enactment or identification parade under any circumstances. • Always remember that any person you speak to (including your work colleagues), may be directed to make a statement about those conversations. Be cautious about talking to other people about the subject matter of an investigation.
DISCIPLINE MATTERS • Section 23 of the Police Act 1892 provides that the Commissioner of Police (or other appointed person), may do certain things in the investigation of a discipline offence. This includes to direct any police officer, auxiliary officer, APLO or cadet to give any relevant information, produce any relevant document or answer any relevant question. • The authority to direct an officer to report or answer questions is provisioned for in the Police Force Regulations 1979 at Regulation 603 and 605. • If you are interviewed in relation to a discipline offence and you are given a direction pursuant to the Police Force Regulations then you MUST attend at a place as directed and co-operate. • You must comply with your statutory obligation to answer questions during your discipline interview unless you are justified in refusing to answer question (which will only rarely arise).
FIELD REPORT
Do not disclose the nature or receipt of the CCC “advice” until permission to disclose it is obtained. Failure to comply with this advice MAY result in an offence being committed.
• The “coercive” powers referred to do not extend to interviews concerning criminal matters. • If you have been interviewed in relation to a criminal matter and a caution has been administered you should not then be subjected to a disciplinary interview, if the substance of the allegation is the same. • Before being compelled to answer questions in those circumstances, all criminal allegations should have been concluded and confirmation that no criminal charges will be preferred should be communicated to you. • It is illegal for an investigator to use the power of compulsion during a disciplinary interview, as a means of acquiring evidence in support of a criminal prosecution.
THE CORRUPTION AND CRIME COMMISSION (CCC) The Corruption and Crime Commission may take an active role in investigations involving police. Its involvement may be as part of a joint agency investigation or undertaken independently. Powers for use of investigation practices, including coercive hearings are contained in the Corruption, Crime and Misconduct Act 2003. A Member who receives: advice of adverse notice in a CCC report; a summons or request to appear before the CCC; or other correspondence related to their official duties should immediately contact the CCC contact person (listed in the document) and seek permission to contact WAPU for a referral to obtain further legal advice. Do not disclose the nature or receipt of the CCC “advice” until permission to disclose it is obtained. Failure to comply with this advice MAY result in an offence being committed.
GENERAL INVESTIGATIVE PRACTICES AND ADVICE As with any investigation undertaken into serious crimes, investigators have a wide range of investigative tools available to them. These include: • Electronic and/or physical surveillance (including telephone intercepts and listening devices); and • Undercover operatives and controlled operations. Potential exists for you or your dealings with a person under investigation to be captured or recorded by the lawful use of covert investigative measures. Any conversation you have with a person under investigation may be recorded and
has the potential to cause you embarrassment (or worse). Members must always be mindful of the “Declarable Association” policy applicable to all Members. This policy can be found in Police Manual at AD-96.00. If you are interviewed as a witness in a criminal investigation you may be lawfully directed by a senior officer/ investigator to provide a witness statement or report. You should first seek legal advice before making a statement to investigators and your witness statement or report should contain a relevant WAPU caveat.
PROCEDURAL FAIRNESS AND NATURAL JUSTICE The WA Police Force Professional Standards Portfolio Section 23 Examination Guidelines - provides guidance to all parties involved in a Section 23 disciplinary examination. The overriding principle of all disciplinary systems must always be one of fairness. Procedural fairness includes: • Advice of the specific allegation of misconduct against the Member; • A real opportunity for the Member to refute the allegation or provide an explanation to mitigate his/her conduct; and • Unbiased consideration of the Members’ explanation. Whilst there is no defined timeframe for notification of the specific allegation/s against a Member, WAPU consider it is procedurally fair to provide written notice (by email prior to the start of a disciplinary interview) to allow a Member to prepare/assist in the interview process. Members should: • Seek clarification if they are the subject officer or witness in the investigation; • The specific allegations of wrongdoing directed to them during the managerial interview; and • Contact WAPU or the Emergency Director.
SECTION 23 EXAMINATIONS AND WHAT NEXT? In the next edition of Police News, we will take a closer inspection of the process and procedures related to the Section 23 (Police Act) disciplinary procedure.
29 POLICE NEWS JUNE 2019
Bought to you by
HEALTH
POLICE HEALTH
‘All I had to think about was getting better’ "I WENT FROM BEING VERY healthy and very fit to having to fight my own body,” Sergeant Chris McLoughlin said.
“I was drawn to the police to help defend the defenseless, if you will. But I was always confident I could look after myself, especially with the training the police give you. I’d worked in indigenous communities where you’d have riot situations, and large amounts of people in heated situations and I always thought I’d be right. "But then I was bitten at work unfortunately, and the subsequent blood test resulted in me being informed that, unrelated to the bite, I had stage four lymphoma – and there’s no stage five." Since being diagnosed with Lymphoma in 2015, Chris has claimed almost $65,000 in benefits from his Police Health cover. “I didn’t have any symptoms. Yes, you get night sweats and you get fatigued – but I’ve been a shift worker for 30 years and you’re always fatigued, that’s normal, and out here in Mount Isa it's 44-45 degrees so you’re going to sweat anyway – so I didn’t notice any changes.
It sounds silly but for me, as a dad and a provider, early on I wouldn’t tell the doctor how sick I was or in how much pain I was, because I was trying to reduce the costs. So once I knew that things were covered by Police Health, I could actually say how much pain I was in and convalesce finally.
30 POLICE NEWS JUNE 2019
“It was only because this young fella bit me, and he was flagged for medical issues, that I went along and had a disease test. I remember getting a call to come and see my local GP. “He sat across the room – he’s been our family GP for 10 years – and he was in tears and I thought ‘that’s a bit odd’. "I had been researching the particular thing that I thought I might contract from the bite… and if I caught what the other bloke had, apparently you lose weight which isn’t a bad thing, and I’d be a bit yellow, looking a bit jaundiced. So I thought if I got bitten twice I could have had a bit of a tan despite being a night shift worker, which wouldn’t be so bad either. “So I was joking with my doctor about that when he started to cry, and I said ‘mate, what’s up?’. He said ‘you’ve got lymphoma and you need to fly to Brisbane immediately’ and I thought, ‘shit that’s bad’.” Lymphomas are the sixth most common form of cancer overall (excluding non-melanoma skin cancer). Chris and his wife had to leave Mount Isa for treatment, and stayed in a 30-unit block at Leukaemia House in Brisbane’s Dutton Park. “It was a formative time for my young son; he was in grades 11 and 12 so essentially he had to look after himself in Mount Isa. He had an older brother looking after him but it’s not the same as having mum and dad home. My other son was working 12-hour shifts so it was quite difficult for him, but we had to maintain the family and the family unit. Plus the costs that go with it,” Chris said.
“One of the things that really helped through all of that was Police Health, because I was really worried about the financial cost and I’d say to my wife all the time 'How much is this going to cost?' and she just said 'don’t worry about it, you just worry about getting better'. But the whole time I’d be sitting there at night thinking ‘how am I going to pay for all this stuff? “Police Health were really wonderful and supportive, they were terribly transparent and clear about what we could and couldn’t do, and they covered so much of our financial burden, it was just amazing. “How do you thank that company and say ‘look, you’ve taken so much of the worry, the financial burden out of the equation, I could actually just lie there in the bed and just think about getting well, and not worry that I’m spending my children’s inheritance and my wife’s retirement fund selfishly. I’m just getting better. Because that’s how you feel. You go, there’s X amount in the bank and this is going to cost X amount… and as a bloke you go, that’s too selfish to spend that on myself, it’d be cheaper if I died,” Chris said. “It sounds silly but for me, as a dad and a provider, early on I wouldn’t tell the doctor how sick I was or in how much pain I was, because I was trying to reduce the costs. So once I knew that things were covered by Police Health, I could actually say how much pain I was in and convalesce finally.
Continued on page 38
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MOTORING
FLEET NETWORK
New Mazda 3 revealed HAVING FACED STIFF competition from the likes of the Hyundai i30, Toyota Corolla, Kia Cerato and Ford Focus in recent years, the next-gen Mazda 3 has been reoriented for a more premium position in the market.
Minimalist design is the order of the day in the interior, with high quality feel materials, a dark colour scheme and subtle climate and media control labelling.
Reflecting customers’ moves away from the entry level model, this new offering brings luxury and safety to the forefront with a chic new exterior design and top of the line safety tech. Now included as standard are a button start, seven airbags and upgraded tech like radar-guided active cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure warning and front and rear autonomous emergency braking.
A NEW OUTWARD LOOK Thanks to a sleek new headlight and grille design and a C-pillar fitted at the rear, the bold new exterior has elicited a love or hate reaction. Slightly lower and shorter than the previous model, it still fits well into the ‘small car’ category, but with a sophisticated look you’d expect for a premium buyer. All five options come in a range of standard colours, including snowflake white pearl, sonic silver, machine grey, jet black, titanium flash and deep crystal blue. Metallics are available for an additional $495, with a choice of machine grey metallic, polymetal grey metallic and the always popular soul red crystal metallic.
18-inch alloy wheels are standard, and a subtle body kit also on offer with side skirts, a rear diffuser and front spoiler. A rooftop spoiler is standard on the hatch, with twin chrome exhaust standard on both hatch and sedan.
A CHIC INTERIOR VIEW Reflecting their new market position, all models now come with a head-up display, 8.8-inch screen, reversing camera, sat nav, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with digital radio, Bluetooth and steering wheel mounted controls. The G24 GT and G25 Astina now also boast a 12-speaker Bose stereo, but the standard eight-speaker system on the remaining grades is certainly nothing to sneeze at. Minimalist design is the order of the day in the interior, with high quality feel materials, a dark colour scheme and subtle climate and media control labelling. Cupholders have been moved and are now in front of the shifter, ushering in a longer centre armrest and a bigger console. The centre screen is also now slightly further away, allowing for a more streamlined ‘cockpit’ like feel.
Upgraded hardware and software supports a new infotainment system, ensuring bet ter loading times, conversational voice control and a cleaner user interface.
A SMOOTH, QUIET DRIVE Previously criticised for noise and vibration, the new model employs 49 different noise and vibration reducing techniques. Sound-deadening, different seals and revised engine mounts and dampers reduce tyre and wind noise, resulting in a smoother, quieter ride. Buyers can choose two engine types, the G20 and more powerful G25, and from five model types: Pure, Evolve. Touring, GT and Astina. G20 models come with a 2.0-litre naturally-aspirated petrol-fired fourcylinder engine, with a choice of sixspeed manual or six-speed torqueconverter-type auto transmission. G25 models come with the current 2.5-litre petrol four, but with a low-stress cylinder deactivation system designed to reduce fuel use. All Australian models will come with front-wheel drive and are covered by a five-year unlimited-kilometre warranty. The new Mazda 3 hatch is on sale now, with the sedan driving into dealerships around July.
TIME TO UPGRADE?
If you are interested in learning more about the new 2019 Mazda 3 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 our expert consultants for an obligation-free 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. Call Fleet Network on 1300 738 601 or visit www.fleetnetwork.com.au/wapu today. 31 POLICE NEWS JUNE 2019
Intelligent Intellig Intelligent lligent solutions to Intelligent solutio solutions to tions toall ofto life’s solutions all of li f life’s all of of problems. life’s proble life’s blems. problems. problems. • Family & Divorce
We’re Free legal services for committed to We’re committed to • Wills Estatesand you, ourfamilies clients, and you, our & clients, WAPU Members, their • Injured have been for more have been People for more and retired Members. • Family & Divorce • Family & Divorce • Criminal ed toWe’re committed Traffic to than four decades. To arrange a& preliminary than four decades. •isFamily & Divorce Leading Australian law& firm, Tindall We’re toGask Bentley •committed Wills Estates or phone appointment • Wills & Estates , and •in-person Workplace you, our clients, and the preferred legal services provider of the WA Police Union, contact WAPU HQ on • Wills & Estates • Injured People you, our clients, and • Injured People morehave • Business Propert for more offering been 30 minutes of free initial advice and a 10% fee discount. (08) 9321&2155 • Injured&People • Criminal & Traffic • Criminal Traffic havefour been for more des.than decades.
tgb.com.au tgb.com.au
South Australia | Western Australia South | Queensland NorthernAustrali Territor Australia || Western
JON REDMAN
Senior Lawyer Tindall Gask Bentley Lawyers
& JACINDA REDMAN Senior Associate Tindall Gask Bentley Lawyers
LEGAL
Do I need a pre-nup? Maybe… IN WA, IF YOU HAVE BEEN IN a committed relationship for two years or more there is a possibility (but no more) that your partner may take you to the Family Court of WA and ask that Court to make an order about property that you or they or both of you own.
There has always been a requirement of a BFA that the parties have had “independent legal advice” as to whether or not the agreement is in their interest and how it affects their rights.
If you live together the chances are much higher.
IS THAT A BAD THING? It may be that a prenuptial agreement, by its correct name: Binding Financial Agreement (BFA) is not going to get you a result that is any better or worse than the treatment you would receive from the Family Court of WA. The true purpose of a BFA is to exclude the Court from deciding how to divide up your assets. It also excludes the Court from making orders about spousal maintenance. It thus opens the door to “unfair” deals the Court would reject – more on that later. Once you have a BFA then the only way the Family Court of WA can make an order is if the BFA is set aside by the Court.
WHEN SHOULD I GET ONE? • If you have, or had, property that your partner had nothing to do with – for example the money, property from your previous relationship breakdown, inheritances, gifts, winnings etc; • If you want to keep your earnings and property separate from your partner’s, now and forever; • If you want to make sure that children from a previous relationship get your assets and avoid all the fights that come from their concern that they may not; and • If you want to prevent any future claim for maintenance by your partner (not your children though).
WHAT DOES IT DO?
ANOTHER FLY IN THE OINTMENT…
A BFA creates a written agreement between you and your partner about what is to happen if your relationship breaks down. It can cover not only your property now but property you get in the future, however it is received.
There has always been a requirement of a BFA that the parties have had “independent legal advice” as to whether or not the agreement is in their interest and how it affects their rights. Without that independent legal advice the agreement is automatically invalid. If the purpose of the pre-nup was to reach an agreement that heavily favoured the wealthier party the advice that most people will be given is that they should not sign the agreement and although they are free to do so against that advice many, of course, won’t. Lawyers are wary of pre-nups because of the possibility of being accused, down the track, of not providing proper advice. Most lawyers will not encourage somebody to sign a pre-nup which is unfair and this makes it harder to get them executed. It is a fine idea to have an agreement that allows you to protect the assets you bring to a relationship and the legislation is designed to put in place a procedure for that to happen. However, the system is far from perfect and right now it may not be the right answer for you. The bottom line is this: For many people a BFA is a ver y attractive alternative to taking a chance before the Family Court. But you first need to get sound legal advice about whether a BFA is right for you. Tindall Gask Bentley’s family law team is experienced in BFAs and all other areas of family law. We are proud to be WAPU's legal services provider and offer Members a free, initial 30-minute consultation and 10 per cent discount on fees. 33
IS IT BETTER THAN A COURT ORDER? No. The Court can hear an application to set aside the BFA and can (and does) decide to do so for a variety of reasons including: • Some technical fault with the BFA or its execution; • Not real consent because there was: • Duress; • Unconscionable conduct; • Undue influence; • Fraud; and • Uneven bargaining power. Essentially, the particular facts mean that the agreement to sign the BFA was not genuine or was not freely given. There is presently more uncertainty about BFAs than ever before due to a recent court decision which said that an agreement was signed under duress because of “inequality of bargaining power where there was no outcome to her that was fair and reasonable”. One of the main reasons for entering into a BFA is to obtain a result that would be better (for the wealthier party) than would be the likely result in the Family Court. But now the Court is going to look at how the bargaining power of the parties stack up. There is now concern and doubt as to the validity of BFAs which is yet to be resolved.
POLICE NEWS JUNE 2019
01
Have you used the WAPU Holiday Homes lately?
02 03
04
The WA Police Union has a range of holiday homes available for Members across the State.
05 06
So, whether it is a trip down south to Albany, Busselton, Esperance or Yallingup or a trip to the warmer climate of Exmouth or Port Denison, there is something for everyone. 07 08
09
34 POLICE NEWS
There is even an apartment in Ascot close to the city and Perth Stadium if you are thinking of travelling to Perth to watch your team in action.
10
WANT TO BOOK? Visit www.wapu.org.au or the WAPU App to book any of these properties today!
WAPU Holiday Homes ALBANY
EXMOUTH
This three-bedroom holiday home sleeps eight people at the Emu Beach Holiday Park at picturesque Emu Point. It is only 100m from a safe swimming beach and there are trampolines and mini-golf on site. Other nearby attractions include boat and surfcat hire, golf, bowls and tennis clubs. Albany was the first settlement in WA and is therefore rich in history. The coastline is among some of the most beautiful and spectacular in the State.
The Exmouth home is the perfect fishing shack for those keen to experience the Coral Coast which is famous for its fishing and diving as well as the wild and beautiful scenery of the Ningaloo National Park. The year-round warm climate also makes it an ideal getaway from the winter cold. This air conditioned (reverse cycle) home is in a quiet street within walking distance of the town centre.
ASCOT PHOTOS 08-10
PORT DENISON PHOTOS 01-05
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. It is perfect for regional Members who need to travel to Perth.
The Unit has an ocean view and only 150m from the beach. This is a favourite spot among holiday makers and the unit sleeps eight in three bedrooms. Just minutes from the Brand Highway with nearby attractions including the marina, golf course and restaurants within walking distance to the twin towns of Port Denison and Dongara, which are beautifully nestled beside the beach in the history-rich region of Irwin Shire. Beach angling and offshore fishing from the boat harbour are very popular.
BUSSELTON PHOTOS 06-07 Each of WAPU’s three villas at the Broadwater Villas has three bedrooms and sleeps six people. Members can access the great facilities at the complex including a heated indoor pool and tennis courts. While the complex backs straight on the beach.
ESPERANCE The south coast town of Esperance is well known for its pristine beaches and is a popular holiday destination for the Goldfields. This three-bedroom townhouse is centrally located in a quality complex opposite coastal parkland. It is within easy walking distance of Town Beach, skate park and amusement area, Taylor Street Tearooms and jetty, boat ramp and shopping. Undercover parking is available with room for trailer, boat and caravan immediately adjacent to the unit.
YALLINGUP Crystal clear blue waves lapping against white sandy beaches. Sun-drenched vineyards. Narrow roads winding through clusters of fresh, sweet-smelling marri trees. Nestled on WA’s magnificent coastline between Dunsborough and Margaret River, approximately three hours south of Perth, Yallingup offers a true holiday experience, whether you want rest and relaxation or adventure in some of the State's best surf. This park home located at the Yallingup Beach Holiday Park has two bedrooms, sleeping seven people, with bathroom and toilet. Kitchen, meals and living area are spacious and the covered verandah has an outdoor setting.
KALBARRI UNITS MAKE WAY FOR NEW PROPERTY AND REFURBS The Board of Directors has recently decided to sell the two holiday homes at Kalbarri. These units have been underutilised by Members for some time and it is anticipated that the sale of both units will be completed by the end of June. The Holiday Homes Committee is currently assessing all existing properties to decide if there are any refurbishments required as well as looking for new properties and location to add to the portfolio. The Committee wants Member input, so please take part in the Holiday Homes Survey which is out now and can be accessed via the WAPU website or App.
35 POLICE NEWS JUNE 2019
SAVE with WAPU Member benefits PET FRESH Pet Fresh is a locally family owned and operated business based in Midvale. If you’re like us, your pets are part of the family and we know you want to see them live a long and healthy life! That’s why we’ve developed a balanced RAW diet that’s made fresh to suit both dogs and cats, of any breeds,
sizes and ages, all conveniently delivered to your door. WAPU Members receive a 20 per cent discount off the entire range of pet meats, treats and supplements. Plus a 10 per cent discount off Meals for Mutts biscuits.
Visit the Member Benefits page of the WAPU Website for the discount code.
www.wapu.org.au
Check out more Member benefits online at the WAPU website
WAPU MEMBERS ONLY OFFER
30
% OFF
THE RRP STOREWIDE
10 Get an extra
OR
Offer available at the following stores:
FI3178
36
• Cockburn • Clarkson • Geraldton
• Joondalup • Malaga • Midland
• Melville • Rockingham • Mandurah • O’connor • Osborne Park
Terms and conditions. Not available in conjunction with any other offer. Excludes Floorstock items and Interest free terms. Offer only valid on presentation of current WAPU card.
POLICE NEWS JUNE 2019
OFF
ANY SALE PRICE
Offer excludes Sleep Savers range and VIP Nights.
• Bunbury • Busselton • Cannington
%
MEMBER BENEFITS
PERTH COFFEE EXCHANGE Perth Coffee Exchange is a local WA start-up run by Jon and Andrea (Jon is a serving police officer). They have hand selected some of Perth's finest coffee roasts for you to try so that you do not have to travel the State to find them. Perth Coffee Exchange also offers tours of Perth's artisan coffee scene home delivered, created so that their fellow coffee lovers could experience a tour of Perth's artisan coffee scene without having to leave the house.
There are three ways to experience the Perth Coffee Tour. You can subscribe on a month-to-month subscription from $20. Purchase a Perth Coffee Tour box from $26 or choose your favourites from our online coffee bean shop from $14. Perth Coffee Exchange also offers some great coffee gift ideas that perfect to indulge yourself and to treat that coffee loving friend or loved one.
WAPU Members receive a 10 per cent discount on all online purchases of coffee beans and gifts (excludes month-to-month subscription). To redeem, simply go the WAPU Members’ Area of the website to view the code. Further discounts on larger and custom orders may be available. Simply contact via email (inquiries@perthcoffeeexchange.com.au) to discuss your coffee needs.
* WAPU SCHOOL HOLIDAY BALLOT APPLICATION APPLICATIONS WILL ONLY BE ACCEPTED ON THIS FORM, It can be faxed, emailed or posted to the Union office. Complete and return by Friday, 12 July 2019 to: WA Police Union 639 Murray Street, West Perth WA 6005 Fax: 9321 2177 Email: admin@wapu.org.au
Only mark the holiday periods and locations you are prepared to accept in numerical order of preference. Note: Bookings are available from Saturday (2pm) to Saturday (10am) only.
WEEK 1 11.04.20 – 18.04.20
Results to be advised by Friday, 19 July 2019 Name (Please Print):
ALBANY
PD No:
BUSSELTON VILLA 4
Address (Home):
WEEK 2 18.04.20 – 25.04.20
EITHER WEEK
BUSSELTON VILLA 11 Post Code:
Work (Unit/Section):
APRIL 2020
BUSSELTON VILLA 15 ESPERANCE EXMOUTH
Email (Home): Phone no. (Work): (Home/Mobile):
PORT DENISON YALLINGUP
POLICE NEWS JUNE 2019
RETIREMENTS & RESIGNATIONS
VALE
HEALTH
Continued from page 30
RESIGNING MEMBERS 6739 Jennifer JONES 7954 Mark ETHERTON-BEER 9562 Matthew POWER 9722 Darren FAULKNE 9826 Terrence BODENHAM 11046 Travis JENKINSON 11660 Martin COLLINS 12336 Julian DONOHOE 12855 Selvan LINGHAM 14377 Robyn FERRIES 15176 Aaron RIGBY 16086 Vianna TOUSOON 16219 Steven SMITH 16239 Nicola McFALL 51456 Jamil FARHAN
38 POLICE NEWS JUNE 2019
RETIRED 4466 First Class Sergeant COLIN DELLAR Aged 68 3075 Superintendent ALLAN VIVIAN BICKFORD Aged 82
“Some people that we stayed in the accommodation with, they were up to their eyeballs in debt, and husbands and wives and children wouldn’t talk about how sick they were because they just couldn’t afford it. Some people don’t have the luxury of private health insurance so they were on waiting lists for years and some of their stories were terrible. It’s pretty sobering, and we were quite lucky.” Chris tells a story about one occasion when he was having an MRI and there was another patient there who was really upset and crying and needed some comforting words. “I said ‘I don’t know what you’ve got, and you don’t know what I’ve got – but what we’ve got is time.’ Because in my capacity as a policeman, I go to road crashes all the time, and people die in my arms regularly and have done for the last 25 years, and all that they want is more time.” Chris said the experience and the people he’s met along the way have changed him by making him a better person – both personally and professionally. “It’s just changed my focus, it’s not all about me anymore, it’s about all the people I work around and the people I’m lucky enough to live and love with. It’s just changed me a bit.”
FROM THE ARCHIVES
APRIL 2005 BUILDING POLICE STATIONS A CHALLENGE FOR GOVERNMENT
GALLOP GOVERNMENT RETURNED The 2005 State election saw the return of the Gallop Government and in his President’s Report, Michael Dean said the Union objectives were: New police stations; increase in supervisors; purpose-built vehicles; upgrade information and communication technology; and a special workers’ compensation scheme, to name a few.
NATIONAL POLICE MEMORIAL FUND APPEAL The Union launched an appeal to raise $100,000 towards the cost of the National Police Memorial in Canberra. The Union made an appeal to all Members to contribute a minimum of $20 towards the memorial which would be an eternal reminder of the sacrifice of 700 officers who paid the ultimate price. A competition was also launched by the Federal Government to design the memorial.
Police News suggested that a number of police stations may need to have their sub-districts combined and larger, modern police stations built in their place. North Perth, Leederville, Wembley, Mount Hawthorn and Subiaco were the targets and a larger police centre servicing all of the sub-districts would enable the rationalising of rosters to meet peak demands. All police stations and facilities built pre-1990 were named as challenges facing government. Any station built before 1990 was likely to have difficulties accommodating the engineering and technologies associated with modern communications.
NEW SOUTH-WEST HOLIDAY HOME The Union purchased a new holiday home at the Broadwater Resor t in Busselton. The three-bedroom townhouse, which is still in WAPU’s possession, had access to nearby beaches as well as in resort facilities such as two swimming pools, games room, café/bar, several tennis courts and a BBQ area.
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