WAPU Police News September 2022

Our President’s speech at the Public Sector Alliance Rally in August. The Great Resignation

The WA Police Force are experiencing record high resignations, here’s what we know.

18 The making of Switch Off Duty

WA police officers need the right to disconnect. Because if you can’t switch off off duty, you can’t be on on duty.

24 Best of Days, Worst of Days

A former WA Police Force officer tells all in her book, It Was the Best of Days, It Was the Worst of Days.

Freezin for a Reason

The LETR Polar Plunge 2022.

Vale Eric Couzens

Former colleague, WA Police Union President, and Life Member –we will remember.

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COVER & ABOVE The Public Sector Alliance Wages Rally in August.

Photos: Jody D’Arcy.

LINDSAY GARRATT 0407 775 050

AARON HONEY 0436 860 490

GARY LEWIS 0434 328 417

GRAEME MACEY Director 0436 946 699

BOARD OF DIRECTORS & STAFF

TODD ROBINSON Director 0433 567 519

SCOTT SULLEY Director 0437 829 145

BRANCH PRESIDENTS

Academy Craig Cobern (Vice President)

Air Wing John Gobbels

Armadale Gosnells Paul Burke

Avon Jason Mora

Bunbury Australind Gareth Reed

Cannington Cindy Beckwith (President)

Central Great Thomas Briscoe Southern

Central Midlands Michael Paterson

Central West Coast Jaime Forbes

Commissioned Kim Travers Officers

East Kimberley Rob Jonas-Green

Eastern Goldfields Fergus MacKinnon

Eastern Wheatbelt Ben Reid

Financial Crimes Peter Birch

Fortescue Emily Gilbert

Fremantle Kylie Flemming

Gascoyne Chris Fox

Geraldton John Cranley

Great Southern Nathan Parkey

Intelligence Contact WAPU Operations

Joondalup Jon Bailey (Vice President)

Leeuwin Naturaliste Tarryn Stone

Licensing Nathan Hick Enforcement (Vice President)

Major Crime Greg Hart

Mandurah Harry Russell

Maylands Complex Ian Moore

Midland Mike Pearce

Midland Workshops Jeanette Maddison Mirrabooka David McDonald

Multi Functional Martin Glynn Police Facility MFPF

Murchison Max Walker

North Eastern Kevin Guy Goldfields

North Pilbara Glenn Wishart

Northern ROG Aaron Doran

PAO Property Lisa Little Perth Ben Giff

Perth Watch House Ryan Scott

Professional Stephen Perejmibida Standards

Prosecuting Sharon Cumbers

Rockingham Kwinana Dayna Rigoir

Serious & Hannah Vialls

Organised Crime

Sex Crimes Paul Smith

South East Eyre Aaron Honey

Southern ROG Steve Kent

State Traffic Matt Hudson Operations

Traffic Enforcement Lance Munckton

Group North Traffic Enforcement Jason Annen Group South

Upper Great Mick Williams

Southern Water Police Tim Savich

West Kimberley Michael Sedgman

West Pilbara Sasa Dzaferovic

BRAD SINCLAIR

GARY KEENAN

KEVIN MCDONALD

PENNY BROWN

MICK KELLY President

Premier: don’t dictate, negotiate!

IN AUGUST, TWO WEEKS AFTER THE PUBLIC SECTOR ALLIANCE’S STRENGTH IN UNITY forced the McGowan Government to improve its wages policy for a second time in eight months, thousands of employees rallied on the steps of Parliament House to voice anger towards their employers.

I had the privilege of verbalising the thoughts of our irate members. Below is the text of the speech I gave at the Public Sector Alliance Rally.

Today, in my capacity as both President of the WA Police Union and a serving police officer, I stand here outside Parliament House in solidarity with my fellow public sector workers to deliver an important message.

It’s a message from the WA Police Union’s out-of-pocket members – the brave men and women who make up 98% of our state’s rapidly thinning thin blue line – to the out-of-touch Labor politicians who sit on the government benches in the building behind me.

The McGowan Government says committing crime doesn’t pay in WA.

Do the crime, and you’ll do the time.

That’s what I hear its cabinet ministers say in the news – online, on radio and on TV – whenever our members have risked their lives to put offenders behind bars.

Well, Premier McGowan, Minister Papalia and everyone else in the Labor caucus, I’ve got news for you.

Our members say preventing crime doesn’t pay in WA.

Our members say they’re overworked and undervalued.

Our members say they aren’t going to cop their real wages going backwards any longer.

Enough is enough.

Perth prices went up in the past year more than WA police officer base salaries have increased in the five and a half years of the McGowan Government.

Annual inflation in WA’s capital city is running at 7.4%, but no copper has experienced 7.4% growth in their base salary since this government came to power.

Indeed, under this premier – the man known as Mr 89% –the pay of some of our members has risen 3%.

What’s that? I’ll tell you what that is. It’s criminal.

It’s criminal because Perth prices have soared 15% since March 2017.

It’s criminal because that figure will be even higher two years from now because the only way is up.

It’s criminal because accepting the McGowan Government’s revised public sector wages policy would still result in every WA police officer being worse off in real terms under this Labor administration than the Liberal one it replaced.

So much for Labor being the party of the workers.

Seven weeks ago, the industrial agreement for WA police officers expired, yet we’re still waiting for the McGowan Government to put something – anything – on the table for our members to consider.

Agreements aren’t the only things that run out. So do patience and goodwill, especially when the people on the other side of the table delay, deny and deflect.

They delay tabling offers even though nothing in our log of claims should’ve come as a surprise to anyone genuinely engaged in the bargaining process.

They deny inflationary pressures are likely to remain in the economy beyond the short term, forecasting Perth prices to grow by an implausibly low 2.75% this year.

They deflect criticism despite overwhelming evidence the WA Police Force is suffering record-high numbers of resignations and record-low levels of morale.

The patience and goodwill of police officers and other public sector workers, thousands of whom have gathered here today, are what’s powered WA through a once-in-a-lifetime pandemic.

They’ve done the hardest of hard yards.

They’ll continue to do the hardest of hard yards.

However, like their pockets, their patience and goodwill are almost empty.

The UnionsWA-organised Public Sector Alliance group, of which the WA Police Union is a proud and active member, won’t rest until the McGowan Government ends its restrictive public sector wages policy, returns to genuine good faith bargaining in the public sector and makes meaningful investments in public sector workers.

Premier, don't dictate, negotiate!

It’s the right thing to do, and we won’t settle for less.

The patience and goodwill of police officers and other public sector workers, thousands of whom have gathered here today, are what’s powered WA through a once-in-a-lifetime pandemic.

…

However, like their pockets, their patience and goodwill are almost empty.

VALE ERIC COUZENS

Thousands of people have made selfless contributions to the workings of our union since its formation in 1912, but only 20 special persons have received our association’s top honour, life membership.

We’re mourning the passing of one of those 20 superstars, Eric Couzens, at 83. Eric joined the WA Police Force in 1960 and served the agency for 34 years. Not only was Eric one of the 20 people to hold the office of union president – his tenure ran from 1982 to 1986 – but also after his presidency he attained the rank of assistant commissioner.

As the sun surely sets: dawn will see it arise, for service, above self, demands its own prize. You’ve fought the good fight: life’s race has been run, and peace, your reward, for eternity begun. And we who are left, shall never forget, rest in peace friend and colleague, for the sun has now set. We will remember. Hasten the dawn. Rest in peace, Eric.

HELLO STEPHEN, GOODBYE KAREN

Since the June edition of Police News, we’ve welcomed Stephen Farrell to our industrial team and farewelled Karen Mann from our admin team.

Stephen, who boasts more than 20 years of human resources and industrial relations experience, has returned to the world of unions after running his own consultancy during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Stephen’s former employers include the Community and Public Sector Union/Civil Service Association of WA (CPSU/ CSA), Chamber of Commerce and Industry WA and Serco Asia Pacific.

Karen left us after one year in our office to collaborate with her partner, Simon Corrigan, at Corporate Affairs Australia. We wish her well.

THE GREAT RESIGNATION

If only there were one person coming into the WA Police Force for every person going out of the agency. Unfortunately, the WA Police Force is one of the employers suffering most from the Great Resignation.

A record-high number of officers quit the WA Police Force in the last financial year. Both WA Police Force and McGowan Government officials have made unsubstantiated claims attributing the former’s alarming attrition rate to the financial lure of the state’s resources sector, but we’ve collated plenty of empirical evidence to the contrary.

Human resources is powering the exodus, not the resources sector.

READ ABOUT THE FINDINGS OF OUR RESIGNATION SURVEY >

According to our collation of WA Police Force resignations, 238 officers abandoned the agency in the first six months of 2022. We invited all of them who were WA Police Union members during their WA Police Force service to take part in our Officer Resignation Survey. A total of 135 recent resignees participated. Their responses were enlightening.

Representatives of the WA Police Force and the McGowan Government would have you believe the former’s unprecedented attrition rate is due to the irresistible attraction of the state’s

resources sector. They say when mining goes boom, policing goes bust. We say that’s incorrect.

What’s powering the exodus of our members from the WA Police Force isn’t the riches of the state’s resources sector; it’s the practices of the agency’s human resources department. Apart from securing a different job, the top five reasons which respondents to our survey gave as influencing their decisions to resign from the WA Police Force were:

There a few for there’s the What’s is what’s to the record-high We think we know.

Most respondents went well beyond ticking a box to spell out why they’d walked away from the WA Police Force. Only one of them referenced swapping a police station for a FIFO gig, whereas dozens explained how working for the WA Police Force decayed their mental health, demolished their personal relationships and destroyed their work-life balance.

BROKEN SYSTEM

“The WA Police Force management doesn’t care about its people. The value placed on experience, particularly frontline, is non-existent. The minister’s comments about the culture problem show how out of touch the hierarchy are. It saddens me to know how many experienced officers are leaving because they are so fed up with sub-par treatment. I participated in an internal interview in which I was treated worse than how we’re expected to treat suspects. The whole system is broken.”

EXCESSIVE WORKLOAD

“I’d spent the past five years working in regional WA, which was critically understaffed. The workload was extremely excessive, expecting us to do more with less and sending us probationers to make up numbers. It was very dangerous at times. For me, the benefits weren’t enough to continue to put my own safety at risk. The culture wasn’t positive and the last few years I dreaded going to work.”

OFFICE POLITICS

“Lack of development and support. Perceived unfairness or lack of real feedback on internal applications. Unrealistic expectations of upper management. Secondment not supported by executive. I couldn’t see how the job would support me as I age. The job itself is hard work. Throw in the office politics and it’s a lose-lose. Fighting with the people on the street then coming back in and fighting with the office politics.”

FAMILY UNFRIENDLY

“Negative attitude from line manager regarding part-time arrangement and likelihood it wouldn’t be renewed despite positive feedback regarding my performance. Understanding many part-time positions across the agency are disappearing upon instruction from senior management. As my wife and I were both police officers with a young family, it wasn’t possible for us to both work full time. I secured other employment, which delivered greater flexibility and pay.”

SHIFTING PRIORITIES

“Disappointing trends in the force. There’s been a notable change away from valuing quality policework and specialist areas. I felt a trend towards police officers being treated far less as individual valued members and just a number to be utilised as required.”

Another compelling finding of our survey was almost four-fifth (79.2%) of respondents indicated the WA Police Force could’ve prevented them resigning from the agency. How? Here’s what some of them submitted.

PROVIDE TIMELY SUPPORT

“If I’d been helped and supported at the start of my posttraumatic stress disorder suffering, I believe I would’ve stayed and possibly not have even needed to take sick leave. I always absolutely loved policing, but after 19 years, when I finally needed support, there was none.”

REVIEW REGIONAL TENURE

“More options for officers to stay in regional towns if they’ve set up their lives and families in those towns. Provide actual support to officers who are involved in critical situations, not just five minutes of lip service.”

ACCOMMODATE WORKING PARENTS

“If the WA Police Force had compassion for family circumstances and allowed good part-time opportunities, I would’ve stayed in the agency and returned to full-time employment as our children got older.”

STOP CHANGING ROSTERS

“Provide leave without pay or another option. Stop changing the rosters. Management who don’t even work the rosters are the ones making the decisions. Management don’t care about the people doing the work.”

COUNSEL RESIGNING OFFICERS

“No one in management contacted me to discuss the reasons for my resignation or tried to retain or divert me away from my decision.”

We think Col Blanch APM’s appointment as the Commissioner of Police presents an opportunity for a hard reset of the WA Police Force back to an agency that adheres to its core values, most notably care for its employees. We’re not alone. So does one of Mr Blanch’s predecessors.

READ KARL O’CALLAGHAN APM’S OPINION PIECE, ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE WEST AUSTRALIAN ON THURSDAY 21 JULY >

Karl’s advice to Col

ONLY 29 PEOPLE KNOW or have known what it’s like to bear the responsibility that comes with being WA’s police commissioner.

It’s an exclusive club whose members know the ins and out of policing. So, when one of its retired members speaks, the serving incumbent should listen. Karl O’Callaghan APM feels so strongly about the state of the WA Police Force that WA’s second-longest-serving police commissioner penned an opinion piece for The West Australian, which we’ve reproduced here.

It was Sophocles the ancient Greek tragedian who said that what people believe prevails as the truth.

The word “tragedian” is no longer in common usage but refers to plays that are based on sorrowful events.

An apt description, perhaps, of the current extraordinary exodus from the WA Police which we are asked to believe, is about wages and employment demands in the resources sector.

There are plenty of indications, however, that this is not really the truth of the matter and never was.

Police officers are resigning at three times the rate of a decade ago when resignations were, on average about 20 officers per month. At current projections the WA Police is set to lose 500 police officers a year and only a few are moving to the resources sector.

A significant number of those resigning are from the more senior ranks of the force, a warning sign that things are not as the Government and police hierarchy would have us believe.

A workplace health and member services survey completed just two months ago found that more than 64 per cent of police officers rated morale as poor, a significant increase over a previous survey conducted in 2016.

Nearly 2000 officers responded to the question on morale, an extraordinary response rate for this type of survey. Low morale, however, can be a subjective construct and we need to look deeper into the survey to find out what exactly is behind it.

It is not easy to get to the genesis of the problem causing the current exodus.

There is plenty of evidence that many officers are feeling burned out with others claiming they have just had enough of the escalating pressures. These claims are not unfamiliar claims but much was made in the survey of the impact on officers’ families of current hours of work and the way shifts are structured.

The survey really reads like a cry for help but was inexplicably and unceremoniously dismissed by Police Minister Papalia as partly being a ruse to enhance the current police wage negotiations.

The minister might have been better served by asking what has changed in policing in the past few years to bring about such a sharp drop in morale and a widespread dissatisfaction with management. A significant clue is the much greater levels of concern echoed by metropolitan based officers when compared to those serving in regional WA.

It is the metropolitan-based police officers who have borne the brunt of the COVID response with dozens of officers being diverted from normal tasking and response

duties. We might have been led to believe that all was under control at metropolitan stations when this occurred but the fact is that most officers claim it was not.

The extra workloads falling to tasking and response officers has been significant and if anyone was to doubt these officers’ views a quick check of local community groups on social media will see that they are awash with complaints about lack of police response. Escalating crime in Northbridge being just one example.

Whether or not the police hierarchy and Government had any choice in their COVID response is a moot point. The fact is, that unavoidable or not, it has had detrimental effect on the police workforce and we are now witnessing experienced and long serving officers voting with their feet.

Some have told me that they would even have been prepared to stay if someone in senior management had listened to their concerns.

For many officers the last straw was, perhaps, the mailout of hundreds of letters seeking explanation as to why they could not take up a position in regional WA.

There were about 40 vacancies and yes, they had agreed to serve anywhere in WA when they joined the police. The circumstances of many, however, had changed in the intervening years and the communique caused enormous stress, not just to the officers, but also to their families.

This came at a time when officers were already reeling from exceptionally high workloads. Some weeks ago, a very senior officer told me that this uncompromising approach by management had been a mistake.

Far be it from me to claim that I have all the answers to the complexities faced by the police hierarchy over the past few years. COVID has been difficult for all of us and choices, no doubt, had to be made and often without consultation with the workforce.

I do, however, have a small piece of advice for the newly appointed Commissioner. It would be a gross mistake to dismiss the Police Union survey as a ruse or a platform for the disaffected. These are real officers and their families who have real issues to raise.

Exercise the independence of your office and be sure to look towards your workforce to resolve this exodus, not towards the Government. This is not about pay. It is about pain.

For the sake of the police and the community it deserves a compassionate and considered response.

Dr O’Callaghan was Commissioner of Police from 2004 to 2017.

WAPU FUNCTION SPACE FOR HIRE

Do you have an event or gathering coming up? Are you looking to host a squad reunion catch up? Host it here at our WAPU function area!

The WA Police Union would like to offer our West Perth office function space to our members for their private gatherings and events.

WAPU host several events throughout the year utilising the space for various occasions, from recruit graduation functions to memorial and commemorative events such as the evening we hosted to commemorate 20 years since the passing of Detective Senior Constable Michael Jenkins 8696. This function space is also utilised during our Annual Conference in November and by other organisations including the WA Police Social Club.

WAPU would like to offer the use of this space to our members for any social gatherings, events, or squad reunions, free of charge except a cleaning cost.

The space includes a fully equipped kitchen with two ovens, bathrooms, a bar station and fridge, parking at the rear of the building and is wheelchair accessible. Seating provided is dining tables and chairs as well as bar stool settings. If interested, please contact admin@wapu.org.au for more information.

Samsung Partnership Program

Congratulations! a member of the Western Australia Police Union asked to verify your new Account by entering the 6-digit PIN sent to your email. Next, when prompted to validate your Samsung Account, enter your company verification code: SEAUWAPU. You’re all set!

Having trouble logging in? Email us at onlinesupport@samsung.com for assistance.

Freezin’ for a Reason

Special Olympics athletes, hundreds of WA police officers and a WA Police Union team were Freezin’ for a Reason in August in the second Law Enforcement Torch Run WA (LETR) Polar Plunge event.

The icy plunge into Hillarys Boat Harbour was all in good fun helping raise more than a whopping $35,000 for children and young adults with intellectual disabilities.

Active in WA since 2011, LETR works with the WA Police Force and Special Olympics WA to support people with intellectual disabilities in WA to reach their potential through sporting achievements. LETR’s fundraising events over the past 11 years have enabled it to supply equipment to WA-based sports clubs and finance Special Olympics WA athletes to compete in National and World Games.

WAPU was a proud sponsor of the event again this year and took a plunge into the wintery waters. President Mick Kelly and his son Tom Kelly, Senior Vice President Paul Gale, Media Officer Jessica Cuthbert and Geraldton Constable Jake Mortimer took a plunge, raising $1,780 for the cause.

The roll call of LETR Polar Plunge participants also included Commissioner of Police Col Blanch APM and his executive team,

the Regional Operations Group, WA Police Academy recruits, officers from numerous stations and Special Olympics WA athletes from a range of sports.

Sergeant Chris Newman, LETR Vice President, said he was overwhelmed by the ongoing support since the inaugural event in 2021.

“We couldn’t be happier with how it all went. It was such a fantastic day, and we’re just so thrilled with how the event came together,” he said.

“People have just really surprised us with their support and generosity, especially since we’re just coming out of COVID. It goes to show the cause really hits people in the heart and a lot of people are willing to support these athletes and people living with disabilities.

“Some of the money raised will fund WA athletes attending October’s Special Olympics Australia National Games in Tasmania, where they’ll attempt for July’s Special Olympics World Games in Germany.”

“Let me win; but if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.”

- LAW ENFORCEMENT TORCH RUN ODE

Sgt Newman said it was incredible to see so much support from the WA police family and pleasing to witness the local community get behind the event.

“All up, we had 27 teams and 257 people registered to take a plunge, many of those teams made up of police officers from various stations,” he said.

“The main aim of LETR is to shine a spotlight on Special Olympics athletes. We represent some of the 110,000 law enforcement officers worldwide who volunteer their time to raise awareness and funds for Special Olympics. Having the police on board as big supporters, especially in our line of work, boosts awareness of Special Olympics and the struggles athletes face.

“The event really shines a light on supporting these athletes, who have varying goals and ambitions. One athlete that went in the water with Blue Squad generally doesn’t like being touched, but on the day, they were happy being linked arm in arm with police officers. It was great to see.

“It’s all about giving people opportunities to reach their goals.”

Sgt Newman passed on his sincere thanks to all the event’s participants, volunteers and sponsors and said educating the WA community and other police officers in the state about what LETR does was one of the Polar Plunge’s significant achievements.

“Being involved in LETR you can really see and experience the positivity of the athletes, and the difference we can make for them,” he said.

Throughout the year, LETR runs many events, including volunteer nights and sporting competitions at which new people are welcomed with open arms.

The next torch run, which will start at WA Police Force Headquarters in Perth, is scheduled to coincide with International Day of People with Disabilities on Saturday 3 December.

Email LETR to volunteer your services letr@police.wa.gov.au

Visit LETR’s Facebook page to find out more www.facebook.com/LawEnforcementTorchRunWA ■

THE MAKING OF SWITCH OFF DUTY

WA police officers need the right to disconnect. Because if you can’t switch off off duty, you can’t be on on duty. That’s the key message that permeates our Switch Off Duty campaign, which we launched in June. This is the behind-the-scenes story of how our television commercials, radio spots, print advertisements and online resources came to life.

It’s Monday 29 November 2021. It’s the first day of the WA Police Union 85th Annual Conference. It’s time to debate a couple of motions, one from our Geraldton Branch and one from our Maylands Complex Branch, about creating a hard-hitting advertising campaign to assist with our negotiations for a replacement industrial agreement in 2022.

Our annual conference delegates pass both motions, but the specifics of their supported proposals regarding the inadequacies of the McGowan Government’s public sector wages policy and the disparities between the entitlements of WA Police Force officers and the state’s other emergency services personnel may not be the best avenues of attack open to us. If we’re going to spend big bucks on a multi-channel campaign, we should obtain advice from experts in the advertising, marketing and media industries about what they think is most likely to cut through with our target audiences and achieve our key objectives of securing more remuneration, more resources and more respite for our members.

With the backing of our board, we contact numerous creative directors, including one with whom we’d worked on a similar project not all that long ago. That person is Dav Tabeshfar, who was part of the team that produced the centrepiece video of our It’s Tough Enough campaign in 2015. More than one million people viewed The Crack House Experience video online and it contributed to our successful lobbying for the WA Government to implement a policespecific compensation scheme.

Seven years on from The Crack House Experience, we find Dav at &Partners, a Fremantle-based agency, and invite him and his new colleagues to pitch for our business again. Maybe it’s because Dav had slaved away on our 2015 campaign that he gets what we want to achieve in 2022 straight away. Dav and his &Partners offsider, Bryan Dennis, present us with four embryonic ideas, each of which has legs. One, however, stands out from the crowd. It’s Switch Off Duty.

Cops need to switch off before they can switch on. It’s love at first sight for all the non-&Partners staff at the pitch meeting. The copy is succinct and on message. The red on and green off buttons are aesthetically appealing and reassuringly familiar. The decision is easy and quick.

Armed with a more refined brief from us, the &Partners brains trust go away to flesh out ideas for broadcast treatments of its Switch Off Duty concept. It doesn’t take long for &Partners to write draft scripts for television commercials and radio spots, including storyboards showing the composite shots that’d make up the video materials. &Partners casts four actors - the most important hire to get right is the man who’ll play the interrupting officer - sources three medical specialists to verbalise their expert opinions and books a professional voiceover artist.

One day of filming at an Attadale house and one morning of recording at a West Perth studio services &Partners and its third parties, which include several specialist production companies, with the ingredients they require to cook up a storm. Before we know it, we’re reviewing rough cuts, suggesting minor edits and approving major items.

It’s all very well creating compelling content, but it’s all for nothing if no one consumes it. Media fits into three broad categories: paid media, owned media and earned media. Examples of paid media include traditional advertising, direct mail and corporate sponsorships. Examples of owned media include company websites, company newsletters and company announcements. Examples of earned media include news stories, consumer reviews and online mentions. We’re using paid media, owned media and earned media to amplify our Switch Off Duty campaign and its tie ins to our industrial agreement wish list.

“In July, Col Blanch APM, Commissioner of Police, holds his first major media conference … and comments extensively about officers switching off when they’re off duty. It’s clear our campaign is cutting through … ”

Our television commercials, of which there are two short and one long versions, are playing on video-on-demand platforms because they’re more targeted and less expensive than free-to-air channels. Our radio spots are playing on commercial stations, with 6PR presenters doing what are known in the business as live reads. Our print advertisements are appearing in a range of publications, while digital versions of them are displaying on not only websites but also outdoor signage boards.

Our in-house communications personnel know their way around the world’s most popular open-source content management system, WordPress, so they build an inexpensive microsite to which all of our paid media, owned media and earned media points. Our microsite, switchoffduty.com, answers the who, what, why, where, how and when questions about our campaign, as well as hosting our content.

Our media advisers use their relationships to brief journalists about our campaign, including pitching exclusive stories to top-tier outlets such as the ABC Radio Perth, Nine News Perth and The West Australian. Earned media is the most cost-effective method of marketing and, even though the media is more fragmented than last century, positive coverage on mainstream media channels remains an immensely powerful force.

In July, Col Blanch APM, Commissioner of Police, holds his first major media conference after succeeding Chris Dawson APM in the WA Police Force’s top job and comments extensively about officers switching off when they’re off duty. It’s clear our campaign is cutting through, with not only the WA Police Force’s brass but also the WA community.

Constructive conversations about the right to disconnect and the flow-on effects of its potential implementation - for example, more money through the payment of on-call allowances to our members whom the WA Police Force insists must stay connected to enable their colleagues to switch off - take place between the agency’s executives and us. We tell the high-powered people sat opposite us it’s the way of the future and the past two years in Victoria proves they’ve nothing to fear from including a right-to-disconnect clause into an industrial agreement.

This is just the beginning. Our campaign won’t end if we’re successful in persuading the WA Police Force to add a right-to-disconnect clause to our most important shared document. Our campaign would pivot from lobbying the WA Police Force for the right to disconnect to educating everyone - from the commissioner to constables - about the right to disconnect because it would require a complementary culture change that’s not going to happen overnight. We’re in this for the long haul. ■

RELATIONSHIP COUNSELLOR

“When employees respond to emails, calls or texts outside work hours, they can’t switch off and relationships suffer. Employers with no boundaries can have toxic impacts on relationships and are often cited as factors in break-ups. Relationships need to be protected from intrusive, unrelenting work expectations.”

PSYCHOLOGIST

“Ultimately, if you can’t switch off from work emails, calls or texts, your brain can’t rest and reset for your next shift. Elevated stress hormones can cause memory loss, inconsistent mood and difficulty regulating reactions...any one of which would be problematic on the job.”

DOCTOR

“What we have here is a high-stakes occupation. An inability to switch off and recover, mentally and physically. And then the associated unhealthy lifestyle choices. These can – and do – contribute to high blood pressure, congested arteries and an increased risk of heart attack or stroke. It’s not healthy, and it’s not sustainable.”

It’s not just police officers who think police officers should have the right to disconnect. Relationship counsellors, psychologists and doctors agree.

GARY KEENAN Field Officer

From little things, big things grow

WHEN I INTERVIEWED FOR THE position of a WA Police Union field officer, I anticipated most of the questions Mick Kelly, then Acting President, would ask me. You know, the common ones. Why do you want to work here? What are your strengths and weaknesses? When have you had to overcome a tricky situation at work, and how did you manage it?

One question I hadn’t anticipated, however, was Mick’s inquiry into my experience working with police auxiliary officers (PAOs) in any of my previous jobs. I told Mick I’d had limited interactions with PAOs. I told Mick most of my conversations with PAOs had been about union coverage and how two unions – the Community and Public Sector Union/Civil Service Association of WA (CPSU/CSA) and the WA Police Union – shared responsibility for their industrial agreement. I told Mick the CPSU/CSA had identified the need to develop a plan aimed at increasing not only PAO membership but also PAO activism.

From little things, big things grow. Over the past 12 months, our work in the PAO space has centred on three key themes: relationship development, issue identification and capacity building.

We fielded all manner of PAOrelated questions and received feedback to the effect our PAO members felt we weren’t prioritising their concerns.

Fast forward three weeks and I accompanied Mick to one of my first WA Police Union branch annual general meetings. We fielded all manner of PAO-related questions and received feedback to the effect our PAO members felt we weren’t prioritising their concerns. We returned to our head office, where Mick said we must refocus our PAO efforts because our PAO members were frustrated by the actions of not only the WA Police Force but also the WA Police Union. Mick directed me to develop and implement a PAO-specific plan as a matter of urgency.

We convened meetings with our PAO branch officials and listened to them talk about their relationships with us. These meetings required trust and openness from everyone because the issues PAOs face are real and impact on their careers. We needed to acknowledge their angst, address their concerns and accept their criticisms, which included the lack of mobility between positions, absence of a joint consultative committee and leave entitlements of Perth Watch House workers.

We attended the Perth Watch House during night shifts to better understand the operational challenges of our PAO members at such facilities. We assisted in the establishment of our Belmont-based PAO Property Branch. We educated our PAO branch officials about how to develop annual conference motions that would raise awareness and garner support beyond the PAO section of our membership. Last year, conference delegates debated and passed more than 20 PAO motions.

Then we identified a few issues on which we could engage our PAO members. During his last annual conference appearance, Chris Dawson APM was taken aback not all PAOs had WA Police Force-issued mobile telephones, so we commissioned a survey of our PAO members, the results of which we used to lobby the agency to address the inequity between PAOs and police officers.

We asked our Perth Watch House-based PAO members to tell us why their sick leave entitlements are inadequate because the nature of their workplace means they sustain more injuries than their peers and, therefore, need more time off to recover. We contracted an external company, Mercers, to conduct a review to help us to tackle the topics of mobility, conditions and career paths with the WA Police Force on behalf of our PAO members.

Recently, we hosted a formal planning session with our PAO branch officials to map out our short-, medium- and long-term objectives, the most pressing of which is the compilation of our log of claims for a replacement PAO industrial agreement. The current PAO industrial agreement will expire in November. Stay tuned for more news soon.

Paul Gale EMERGENCY DIRECTOR Murray Street, West Perth WA 6005 (08) 9321 2155

WAPU SCHOOL HOLIDAY BALLOT APPLICATION

APPLICATIONS WILL ONLY BE ACCEPTED ON THIS FORM, It can be emailed or posted to the Union office. and return by Friday 28 October 2022 to: WA Police Union 639 Murray Street, West Perth WA 6005 admin@wapu.org.au be by Friday 4 November 2022

Only mark the holiday periods and locations you are prepared to accept in numerical order of preference. Bookings are available from Saturday (2pm) to Saturday (10am) only. 2023 1 WEEK 2 EITHER WEEK 01.07.23 – 08.07.23 08.07.23 – 15.07.23

Best of Days,Worst of Days

From brutal bashings and traumatic deaths to marriage breakdowns and suicide attempts. A former WA Police Force officer covers these topics and more in her book, It Was the Best of Days, It Was the Worst of Days, a compilation of short stories by 13 past and present coppers.

The honest and raw memoir relays the realities of policing from the perspectives of a baker’s dozen of people with knowledge of the job, juxtaposing their best days with their worst days for maximum contrast.

The book’s author, Dee Simpson, attained the rank of senior constable before she quit the WA Police Force after almost 14 years of service. She wasn’t surprised to read about the WA Police Force’s record-high numbers of resignations and record-low levels of morale.

The terse tales of each officer and Dee’s own account spotlight the extremes of policing – the highest of highs and the lowest of lows.

Dee told Police News she left the WA Police Force and found she wanted to share not only her experiences but also those of other officers to explain what it’s really like to be a copper because the public doesn’t know the occupation’s impacts on personal and professional lives.

The following text contains excerpts from the book, many of which are graphic and may distress some readers. For privacy reasons, Dee has changed all the names and locations mentioned in her publication.

An officer arrives home from work. Today was a good day. A missing woman in her 80s has been found safe and sound thanks to teamwork.

Another officer, Lauren, describes one of her best days, which started when she received a job about a missing 12-year-old boy. Sadly, it was later discovered the child had experienced maltreatment in his home.

After the boy was found, Lauren ensured WA’s then Department of Child Protection monitored the household moving forwards. Lauren was passionate about helping the family rather than punishing them. Instead of charging the boy’s mother with child neglect and abuse, Lauren talked her into attending a rehabilitation facility at which she received expert assistance for her drug and alcohol issues, plus she sat parenting classes as part of the agreement she’d struck to avoid charges.

Lauren followed the family’s progress but eventually had to move on to other cases. Twelve months later, a relative of the mother she’d helped recognised Lauren in the street and stopped her for a chat, telling her the family was doing well and the mum had made great strides, which she attributed to her input. The family member thanked Lauren for what the relatives of the boy and his mother thought was a miracle. In that moment, Lauren smiled. It was a good day to be a police officer.

01 Former officer Dee Simpson.

Throughout Dee’s book, police officers share their “good day” stories, which include personal yarns about rescuing children from a hostage situation, saving a young boy who’d severed an artery in his wrist and talking a loving husband and devoted father out of taking his life.

But the unpredictable nature of policing means an officer’s best day can turn into an officer’s worst day in the blink of an eye.

In the book, Jason shared the story of his ’worst day’.

Jason left home for work but not before planting a kiss on his wife’s cheek and saying goodbye to his young daughter. It wasn’t long before Jason attended a job involving an injured three-year-old toddler. A man had called the ambulance service claiming he’d hurt a baby.

When Jason and his partner entered the house, they noticed a girl with blonde curly hair lying on a beanbag. She was wearing silk pyjamas and watching The Wiggles on TV. She had a towel between her legs.

Jason remembers catching his throat as an ambulance officer brushed past him to reach the baby girl. Jason tried not to assume what he suspected he was about to hear about the scene in front of him. Jason and his partner walked towards a man, who was sitting with his head in his hands. He proceeded to tell the officers he’d had sex with his girlfriend’s baby to get back at her for leaving him for the day.

All the while Jason was fuming on the inside, he continued to do his job professionally. In his opinion, this male was the lowest form of filth he had ever encountered, and he wanted him to rot in hell, but he knew he had to keep that opinion to himself, at least for now.

Later that day when he got home, Jason took his young daughter from his wife’s arms and gave her the biggest cuddle. A tear rolled down Jason’s face and he blew a raspberry on her belly as she giggled. It was that sound that washed away the pain of his tortuous day.

It’s just one of the many shocking accounts in Dee’s book, shining a light on the truths of policing and further, she says, explaining why police resignations are so high and police morale is so low.

Dee told Police News she was inspired to put pen to paper after reading extensive criticism of police officers, particularly on social media.

“I knew I wanted to write a book. I just didn’t know what I wanted to write a book about. It wasn’t until after I’d quit the WA Police Force and saw all the criticism that I thought, hang on, these people have no idea what’s it’s like being in the uniform, they haven’t got a clue,” she said.

Dee signed up with the WA Police Force in 2005 because she wanted a career in which she could have a positive impact on the community. As a child, Dee experienced her first touchpoints with the WA Police Force in heart-breaking circumstances when, in the space of 82 days, officers knocked on the door of her family home to deliver the news her father and brother had died after being involved in separate car accidents.

While Dee remembers some rewarding days in the job, she says bullying, injuries and inadequate support from the WA Police Force overshadowed them, which led to her accepting a redundancy package in 2018.

“If I’d known how I’d be treated in my role, how much time I’d lose from my family life and how little support I’d receive from my WA Police Force bosses, I wouldn’t have joined the agency in the first place,” she said.

“There are so many different types of leaders and leadership styles in the WA Police Force. Some are really good, and some are really bad. Unfortunately, I experienced more than a few terrible ones.”

Dee’s WA Police Force career ended after she sustained an injury on duty. Dee’s Taser got caught on her car seatbelt, which resulted in her being jerked backwards when she attempted to exit her vehicle. Initially, Dee thought nothing of it. However, soon Dee experienced pain in her back and legs, pain that worsened to the point she required surgery.

“I underwent major back surgery. I had an artificial disc inserted in my spine at L4-L5 and a disc fusion L5-S1,” she said.

“The recovery was excruciating, and it turned out the surgery caused nerve damage. The pain was awful. It was like my legs were on fire.

“I was then booked in to undergo another surgical procedure 12 months later, a facet joint fusion to alleviate some of the pressure between my vertebrae.”

It was not long after Dee’s second operation that she realised she would never get back to frontline policing and her career was over.

“I was on a WA Police Force return-to-work program but unable to sit for long periods because my pain was constant and lying down, something I couldn’t do on the job, was the only way to relieve it,” she said.

“I took redundancy and left the WA Police Force. It was a tough time, having to face the fact my career was all over due to one silly mistake with my Taser and seatbelt. I’d never wear the uniform again. I no longer carried authority. I was no longer needed or wanted. I was broken.”

According to Dee, aside from her injury, the bullying she experienced was the tipping point for her to walk away from the WA Police Force.

“It’s very discouraging when you’re an WA Police Force officer suffering with a mental illness or physical injury if you’ve no s upport from your supervisors. To try and perform at your best is difficult,” she said.

“Officers are leaving the WA Police Force today for the same reasons I left in 2018. The bullying. The hierarchy. The lack of care.

“It was really good to see the WA Police Union come out so strong about the results of its recent survey. The union spoke the truth. Everything from the WA Police Force bosses and police minister was an enadequate excuse and lies.

“It’s the troops on the ground who are out there every day putting their lives on the line. They need to be heard because, if you’re not going to listen to them, you’re going to lose them. And that’s what’s happening.”

“Saying no issues exist when clearly there do. Saying people are going to the mines when clearly they aren’t. I’ve spoken to a lot of people who’ve left the WA Police Force recently. Some are being forced out medically. Some have had enough of the bullying and the lack of care.

“The WA Police Force needs to step back, have a look at itself and think about what it can do to change the way its leaders lead. The agency’s officers signed up to be more than just a number. Treat them like humans who put on uniforms every day to serve their communities.

“There are different kinds of leaders. There are leaders who listen to feedback from their troops on the ground and take it on board, and there are leaders who ignore what they hear from their subordinates.

“It’s the troops on the ground who are out there every day putting their lives on the line. They need to be heard because, if you’re not going to listen to them, you’re going to lose them. And that’s what’s happening.”

For Dee, the highlights of her lengthy WA Police Force career were the rewarding tasks in which she helped people and the comradery.

“When the job was good, it was really good. But when it was bad, it was gun-to-the-head bad. Unfortunately, the WA Police Force’s lack of care tarnished what could’ve been a long career for me,” she said.

Several officers who shared their stories with Dee for the purposes of her book opened up to her about the taboo subject of suicide.

Jack shared his story of a heinous shift during which he and his partner attended a domestic violence job. Once Jack and his partner entered the house, a man confronted them, standing in the doorway with one of his arms around a woman and his other arm holding a knife to her throat. The woman, who was cradling a baby, shouted, “he’s going to kill me, and he’ll kill you too.” Jack said the scene was like an abattoir setting. There was blood everywhere as the man had sliced open his wrists.

Jack remembers his hand hovering over his holster and thinking of the repercussions using his gun. “No police officer ever wants to have to discharge their firearm. It means explaining your actions in minute detail to internal investigators. Some police have been arrested and treated like criminals for using their firearms before they’ve even had a chance to explain themselves. These are, unfortunately, the thoughts racing through the minds of officers during these critical times.”

Jack and his partner managed to deescalate the situation and the man was taken into custody but not before he told police he just wanted to kill a cop. Regrettably, this job and many others like it took a toll on Jack’s partner. The horrors led to alcohol dependency and a suicide attempt. Jack’s partner called his sergeant and told him of his intentions. Luckily, officers found Jack’s partners in time and saved his life. Jack’s partner quit policing and sought treatment to help him with his demons.

Sadly, harmful and premeditated attacks on our members occur far too often. Recently, for example, an offender deliberately accelerated the car he was driving and ploughed into two stationary officers who’d attended the scene to assist

with a domestic violence task. The car struck both officers, one thrown towards a fence and the other pinned between the vehicle and a garage door. Both officers were lucky not to be killed.

Another officer spoke to Dee about post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and the mental harm many of Constable Damien Murphy’s WA Police Force colleagues suffered following his death in the line of duty.

Harry suffered gruelling PTSD after being exposed to countless deaths, horrific accidents and family tragedies. Dee was unable to talk about the bullying Harry was exposed to, to protect his privacy. Harry’s worst day story was more an accumulation of bad days that led to his debilitating case of PTSD than any one single incident. Diagnosed as mentally unfit to continue as an operational officer, Harry resigned six months later.

Among the horrors, though, Dee’s book features tales of saving lives, finding persons and changing people’s circumstances for the better. Dee says the book’s title truly summed up her WA Police Force career. You could go from having the best shift to the worst shift in an instant. ■

FOR MORE DETAILS ON DEE’S BOOK

Visit deesimpsonauthor.com or email Dee to purchase a copy of her book deezasimp@gmail.com

02 Dee said her books truly sums up the realities of policing.

“It wasn’t until after I’d quit the WA Police Force and saw all the criticism that I thought, hang on, these people have no idea what’s it’s like being in the uniform …”

Acknowledging medical retirements

Medically retiring officers were acknowledged and thanked at an inaugural event in August hosted by the Police Separation and Transition (PST) team.

Presentations were made to the officers who served a combined 136 years of service, making a significant contribution to protecting the community.

Health, Welfare & Safety Division Superintendent Kim Travers opened the event and acknowledged the officers for their service saying that each one departs with dignity and pride.

The officers were presented with a summary of their individual service, a certificate of service and a Jarrah presentation box for their service medals and accoutrements.

WA Police Union President Mick Kelly said the event was a great opportunity to acknowledge the careers of the officers and their service to the community.

“Medically retired officers will remain in the police family and the WAPU family long after their careers. Events like these are so important to recognise their service and contributions,” he said.

“More needs to be done to acknowledge these officers but events like this and the career transition program which is being developed is certainly a step in the right direction.”

The WA Police Union will continue to support our medically retired officers as they remain members of our union with access to support, services and member benefits.

The medical retirement presentation and morning tea will be an ongoing event as part of the continued care and support for departing officers by the police family. ■

01

01 The medically retired officers were given a presentation box and certificate of service.

02 The medically retired officers.

03 WAPU President Mick Kelly attended the morning tea and presentation.

Lawyer Tindall Gask Bentley

Police Shootings

HAS THE GAME CHANGED AND should we be concerned?

There is no denying that police shootings attract intense media, public and legal attention.

In the wake of the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody and the Black Lives Matter movement, the scrutiny of police officers has attracted heightened attention, especially in situations where deaths in custody have resulted from the discharge of a firearm.

The legal barriers to conviction for a killing by a police officer in the course of their duty, were compounded in the twentieth century by the legal defence that the application of force, be it lethal or otherwise, must be authorised, justified or excused by law.

Against this backdrop, more than 100 years had passed since an Australian police officer was charged with murder in the course of their duties. In 2019, less than two months apart, two fatal police shootings resulted in two officers being charged with murder, one in WA and one in the NT. The prosecution against these two police officers suggest that something has changed. And yet, the acquittal of both of these officers seems to confirm the history of Australian policing in that a conviction of a serving police officer remains extremely rare.

How recently an officer has been trained or refreshed, how they performed in that training or refresher, and their ability to recall and understand their training, is critical in determining whether the use of force was reasonable in a legal sense. This highlights the importance of police officers being proactive in staying up to date with training requirements.

Lastly, it is prudent to note that a criminal trial alone, with all its protections, does not exhaust the potential actions against an officer.

In 2019, less than two months apart, two fatal police shootings resulted in two officers being charged with murder, one in WA and one in the NT. The prosecution against these two police officers suggest that something has changed.

The question therefore remains, what can we take from the ever-changing public and political landscape posttrials, and should we be concerned? Firstly, there will always be political and public interest surrounding the conduct of police officers in critical incidents, especially where it results in a death in custody. Secondly, what has become evident from the murder trials and ultimate acquittals, is the utmost importance of officers' use of force training.

A key element of assessing whether an officer has acted reasonably during a shooting involves consideration of the person's use of force training and their understanding of it, as well as how they applied that training during the situation. The situational use of force model gives an officer the options available to them during a critical incident, but relies upon their own judgement and assessment of the situation, as well as their previous experience, in selecting the force option.

Civil law actions, Coronial inquiries and possible disciplinary proceedings are likely to be expected and the legal protections afforded to an officer in a criminal charge are not necessarily transferrable to these actions. It is therefore critical that a police officers maintain good record keeping and should any critical incident of this nature arise, they should obtain legal advice at the earliest opportunity to ensure that their legal rights are protected at all times.

LEGAL

JOANNE GRAHAM

MARGARET LITTLE

CONTENT WARNING:

Margaret’s account of her physical injuries from service may be upsetting for some readers.

“As an older female recruit, and at a time when there weren’t a lot of women in the service, it was incredible to find myself in a situation early in my career that called for my maternal instincts. My male partner wasn’t game enough to come into the birth room. Being a mother myself, I just tried to keep her calm. I got to hold this beautiful baby girl and even guessed the weight.

“They certainly don’t teach you how to deliver a baby at the academy.”

Police Health are an extension of my blue family. To have Police Health put my foster son as a dependent on our policy and to be recognised as a member of the family is the best way to describe the level of personal support.

“Out in the community, there’s no rhyme or reason. This is both exhilarating and exhausting but being able to come home to the support and safety of my family makes it possible. I met my husband while I served in the army reserves for 12 years. We have three wonderful daughters, all who encouraged my dream to transition into the police service.”

“When I became a police officer, I welcomed a second family into my life. If anything happened, my blue family was there for me – a death in the family, multiple knee surgeries, and supporting my foster son who has complex needs. They’re the scaffolding behind everything that makes me a good police officer.”

“Police Health are an extension of my blue family. To have Police Health put my foster son as a dependent on our policy and to be recognised as a member of the family is the best way to describe the level of personal support. He’s already had two operations in his life, both of which were covered by Police Health, no questions asked.”

“Due to wear and tear, years of physical work and getting older, my knees have suffered. I’ve had 17 operations across both of my knees. My body rejected the first implant in my left knee. My right-side has a crater in it, so I’m mentally preparing for the operation and recovery.”

THE LITTLE FAMILY HAVE RECEIVED MORE THAN $235K IN BENEFITS FROM THEIR POLICE HEALTH POLICY.

“There are a lot of opportunities to stay in the service, which I’m thankful for. I’ve been moved from the frontline to Radio Dispatch Services.”

“Because it’s a state-wide service, we never know what calls we’re going to take. Much like any other policing role, it’s about forging a community connection. It’s not just sending a car, but more, making someone feel like they’re not alone. Sometimes, I’m the only person they talk to all week. The role has taught me the value of compassion, patience, and the power of listening.”

“I’m able to open my heart and time to these people, because my blue family and Police Health have got my back. When I joined Police Health, I never expect to have issues with my knees. You never know what’s around the corner. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve been in hospital. Police Health have always been there for me.

“As officers, we’re exposed to situations the general public isn’t. It’s comforting to have Police Health as a support that’s always there, in what’s a very unpredictable field.”

To join more than 65,000 other members of Australia’s police community already enjoying peace-of-mind from Police Health’s gold-tier insurance, call 1800 603 603 or visit policehealth.com.au.

“The most memorable moment I’ve had in my 17 years of service is delivering a baby. I had no idea what I was doing but it was 2.10am so I just put my gloves on and told her to push. Not many people can say they’ve done that.”

Simon Bowen WA Police and WA Police Union

Simon Bowen, Detective Sergeant at WA Police and member of the WA Police Union, first heard about Fleet Network through a colleague who knew Managing Director Frank Agostino. His colleague gave him a run down on how the process worked, which gave Simon an accurate indication of the novated leasing process. His interest piqued, Simon decided to chase it up with Fleet Network.

“I reached out to Frank and I didn’t realise at the time he was the head honcho there! Frank was great and didn’t palm me off to anyone else. He took the time to come out to meet me and answered all my questions and queries which put my mind at ease.” Having done some initial research, Simon soon decided that Fleet Network was the best option for him and his needs.

“I tested the waters with competitors but Fleet came back with the best financial option for our family. Being WA-based, I got to deal with a person rather than a call center over East. I could have a dozen questions answered and clarified in a 10-minute face-to-face meeting, rather than phone calls and emails back and forth during times that didn’t suit.”

Simon is now on his second car lease with Fleet Network and says the changeover from his first lease was an equally seamless process that didn’t leave him and his family without a car. The admin side of the changeover was smooth and flexible, with many options for Simon and his family to choose from for their second vehicle.

“We had access to a wide range of vehicles. The team sent us quotes for 4 to 5 different cars before we settled on the Kia.”

Simon’s current car is a Kia Sorrento, with 7-seater capacity that is perfect for his growing family. Their Kia arrived just before Christmas 2021, and Simon was relieved that everything lined up before there was a delay on cars, noting that Fleet helped them get the car they wanted easily.

“The team at Fleet Network were able to secure a really good price for our first car, so we actually received a substantial sum back, which was a nice little Christmas present – and then we had a brand new car in the driveway after!”

Now very familiar with the novated leasing process, Simon would certainly recommend it to others, particularly because of the streamlined repayment process.

“It obviously depends on your financial circumstances but for my family, it’s perfect. Having running costs, servicing, and insurance done in one fell swoop is just so easy. Our lives with young kids are so busy that this suits us to a tee.”

“It obviously depends on your financial circumstances but for my family, it’s perfect. done one fell is so easy. Our lives are so this us tee.”

Talk to to kaneb@fleetnetwork.com

Kane Bowra today to learn more 0401 522 626 kaneb@fleetnetwork.com.au

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Fleet Network don’t just set you up with a car and that’s the end of it. They work with you to transition from leases when you need your next vehicle.

Simon Bowen

Fleet Network dk do wi with a and that ’s the d yo lea yo next Simon p y , g eet get the car they wanted easily. car, sum

NEW CONSTABLES JOIN THE FORCE

More than 100 new constables graduated from the WA Police Academy in June and August starting their new careers on the frontline.

Congratulations to Red, White, Gold and Blue Squads on beginning their new career policing careers.

Among the 55 new constables who graduated last month was Matt Bowen, the sixth member of his family to join the Western Australia Police Force. The 35-year-old is the son of Detective Sergeant Geoff Bowen, who was murdered in the National Crime Authority bombing in Adelaide in 1994. The killer was finally brought to justice only a few months ago.

He is not only following in his father’s footsteps, but joining his stepfather, uncle, brother, and sister-in-law into the ranks.

The August ceremony, officiated by new Police Commissioner Col Blanch also included a march off for former Deputy Commissioner Gary Dreibergs, who retired last month after 40 years of service.

We wish the new constables well as they embark on their policing journeys.

RETIREMENTS

RETIRING MEMBERS

4870 Carl FISHER

5611 Robert BELLIS

5715 Christopher DAWSON 5768 Graeme BOND

5994 Wayne SILVER 6025 Steven BAKER

6189 George McINTOSH 6244 David McNAUGHT 6261 Marcel WALSH 6267 Michael O'MALLEY 6293 Peter SAWYER 6304 David BYRNE 6330 Peter SHELLAM 6450 Mark REGEL 6479 David MALLOWS

6484 Jack LEE 6514 Peter McLEAN 6554 Steven PAVLOVICH 6649 David HOOPER

6670 Russell CHAMBERLAIN

6818 Steven DROWN 6833 George MIOCEVICH 6865 Gary DREIBERGS 6923 Craig REYNOLDS

7014 Graham FINLAYSON 7064 Trevor TROY 7111 Ari REPO 7115 Steven MARTYN 7139 James McKEE 7410 Michael COOPER 8402 David MURPHY

8533 Robert LOCK 8854 Alexander WELLS 9024 Robert SHEARN 9202 Richard McCLYMONT 9581 Paul WORLD 9589 Mark RYAN 10021 Trazelle WILKINSON 10402 Paul BURNS 10641 Daniel COLEMAN 11105 Liane HORNE 11258 Christine BEARD 11972 Diana BALCH 12059 Sally HALLIDAY 12580 Beverley HALL 12624 Peter GUY 12677 Krystyan BARRETT 13315 Nicola DEMPSEY 15764 Georgia PAYNE 99508 Louise ATKINSON

RESIGNING MEMBERS

9194 Travis WALSH 9295 Gareth CORNISH 9302 Shaun SYMINGTON 9738 Michael LUPLAU 9981 Damian ELLSON 10004 Carl FJASTAD 10222 Paul PARKS 10784 Nigel RIMMER 10785 Heidi MELIA 10926 Emma Kate MOLTRAN 10998 Saskia YATES 11067 Dean ALLISON 11134 Jodie SHUTTLEWORTH 11445 Nicole SMITH 11554 David PUERTOLLANO 11813 Lindsey AMESBURY 11926 Graham HENDERSON 11941 Toby VIALLS 11946 Shane FITZGERALD 12236 David FAGAN 12279 Daryl KELL 12537 Elizabeth MASON 12597 Sarah SCOTT-MOMBERNARD 12617 Dee JESUS 12665 Stuart MOSSCROP 12689 David HODGE 12730 Margaret THOMASON 12752 Adrian SMITH 13066 Ashley LYNN 13157 Frances LANG 13211 Luke SHEPHERD 13240 Chantal UREN 13409 Jamie BONE 13709 Teneille QUIN 13796 Sean COSTER 13905 Mark WINTER 14098 Brendan MACCIONE 14112 Jasmine GRAHAM 14189 Kelly RANSON 14191 Meagan GREENMOUNT 14245 Matthew STROTHER 14257 Luke WEHRMANN 14364 Malin SVEDBERG

14398 Nathan BELL 14612 Emma MATTHEWS 14759 Tony HOEFS 14772 Scott STENSON 14780 Barry McDONALD 14927 Ryan PETRIE 14993 Ethan BAKER 15015 Nicholas McINNES 15033 Brendan RETTER 15068 Michael TAYLOR 15247 Joshua BILLING 15249 Emily SELF 15272 Daniel OSBORNE 15299 Thomas LINGWOOD 15397 Matthew POL 15462 Ryan O'DRISCOLL 15566 Matthew QUINN 15693 Elizabeth CORNFORTH 15694 Nikky EATHER 15736 Clayton MORPHEW 15834 Brett BARRELL 15871 Joshua SMITH 15927 Collette GARDINER 16054 Emma CLAYTON

16076 Luke HEADY 16124 Sas WINIKEREI 16235 Jamie ENGLISH 16272 Cameron TOGHER 16281 Sarah CULLIMORE 16291 Karen SPINELLI 16387 Ahmedin COLIC 16404 Joseph LAWLEY 16420 Cameron DREW 16471 Megan ANDERSON 16643 Robert DOUGLAS 16675 Dionne ALBERTI 16699 Jessica SMITH 16760 Daniel McCOMB 16803 Katelin CARY 16912 Sian GLAZIER 16913 Rachel HEY 16923 Victoria WESTLING 17152 Connor BRAHIM

17187 Jessica HURD

17216 Clare THOMPSON

17268 William PREISIG

17339 Nikolay KOVALSKIY

17355 Zulma RODRIGUEZ BUENO

17478 Andrew THOMSON

17832 Ian CARLAW

17846 Awet MULUGHETA MESFEN

17854 Brigette LOVE

17905 Priscila DOS REIS ARANDA

17948 Gurpreet SINGH 18030 Cassandra DUXBURY 18091 Ava MUIR

18150 Scott KAVANAGH

50005 Samantha CARRAGHER

50127 Melinda SCHWEHR 51134 Ami CLARKE 52165 Kaci FIRBY 53354 Douglas NELSON 99848 Stephen MORRIS

SERVING 11641

CHRISTOPHER GLEN MAHER

Senior Constable Aged 46 2/9/22 9246

PAUL FRANK BECCARELLI Sergeant Aged 51 29/8/22 8392

JAMES RIDDELL LITTLE

Senior Constable Aged 56 19/6/22

RETIRED 4018

PETER ANTHONY SMITH Detective Senior Sergeant Aged 78 5/9/22 3717

ROBERT HUGH HUNT Sergeant Aged 78 3/9/22 4276

DALE JOHN MITTEN Sergeant Aged 74 17/8/22 3302

ERIC WALTER COUZENS Assistant Commissioner Aged 83 5/8/22 2251

ATHOL STAFFORD BAKER Superintendent Aged 96 24/7/22 4855

GEOFFREY RONALD LITTLE Senior Sergeant Aged 74 20/7/22 5050

ROBERT WALLACE WALTON Sergeant Aged 78 18/7/22

VALE

RETIRED cont. 3197

WALTER CLIFFORD BARRETT

1/C Sergeant Aged 84 8/7/22 3388

WILLIAM HENRY DUNLOP Superintendent Aged 89 1/7/22 4846

FREDERICK GEORGE PHEASANT

Senior Constable Aged 91 11/6/22 3099

THEOPHILES FRANK BUSHE-JONES Sergeant Aged 92 10/6/22 2653

MAXWELL JOHN MARSHALL Assistant Commissioner Aged 90 29/5/22 3565

ALAN CHARLES JOHNSTONE Sergeant Aged 85 29/5/22

Vale Eric Couzens

We were saddened to hear of the recent passing of one of our life members, former WA Police Force assistant commissioner and ex-union president Eric Couzens, who departed on Friday 5 August aged 83.

Eric was dedicated to not only his 34-year WA Police Force career but also the WA Police Union of which he was president from 1982 to 1986. Eric received life membership of our union, an accolade we bestow on only those members whose exceptional, loyal and outstanding service contributes to the provision of significant benefits to our organisation.

We spoke with the family of our late life member, who leaves an honourable WA Police Force and WA Police Union legacy, one his grandson, WA Police Academy recruit Jake Platt, hopes to continue.

RETIRED ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER ERIC WALTER COUZENS

Born 4 August 1939; died 5 August 2022.

When our life member, former WA Police Force assistant commissioner and ex-union president Eric Couzens, passed away, it was a loss felt heavily among his family, friends and former policing colleagues.

In his 83 years, Eric had a profound impact on those people whom he knew personally and those people whom he met in his various jobs. Eric’s daughter, Kylie Platt, told Police News her father was a strong, kind, loyal man who’d do anything he could to help others in need.

“Dad was always ready to help anyone who needed help and he was decisive. He told Mum he was going to marry her a week after they met. He was a man among men, and he taught me how to speak out when needed, be enthusiastic and believe I could achieve anything,” she said.

“People often described Dad as a great boss, loyal friend, terrific officer and man who lived life to the fullest. He was a true inspiration and always looked after his troops.”

Kylie said her father’s main passions in life were his family, policing, fishing and all things food.

“Dad absolutely loved fishing. He didn’t care if he was casting a line from a tinny on the water or from the shore – he just loved it,” she said.

“Dad was also passionate about cooking and eating. He was a fabulous cook. His beer-battered fish was the best and he loved angel cake to a ridiculous level, especially Mum’s. We renamed angel cake to Dad’s cake.”

Eric was a teenager when he met his future wife and the love of his life, Jenny. They married in 1962 and raised two children, Kylie and Matthew.

“Mum and Dad were always holding hands. They were so in love,” Kylie said.

“Sixty years later, they loved each other as much as they did in the beginning. Dad loved Mum more than anything and he told me many times about how he wasn’t afraid to die but he didn’t want to leave her.”

Eric’s WA Police Force career began in 1960. Eric started as a young constable working in the metropolitan area and later did country service in Wickepin, Narrogin and Carnarvon before returning to Perth, where he was subsequently promoted to the rank of a commissioned officer.

Former WA Police Force officer Mark Platt told Police News his father-in-law’s heart beat for the blue family, especially the WA Police Union.

“Eric’s union journey began when he became president of the Narrogin Branch in 1970. Of course, many years later, he served as president of the union from 1982 to 1986,” he said.

“Eric and his council challenged draft legislation by the then Labor government and presented an alternative to the offensive original Complaints against Police Bill.

“Also, Eric was behind the change of the union president being a serving member instead of a general secretary. He was the face of the union and had considerable influence over decision-making processes at council.

“Eric fought for and achieved the 38-hour working week, an early retirement option and changed the face of policing. He’d a way with words and many politicians and police bosses experienced it.”

Mark said his father-in-law would’ve served another term as union president if he hadn’t transferred to be Carnarvon’s officer in charge, saying all he ever wanted was the best for the troops.

In 1993, the WA Police Force promoted Eric to the rank of assistant commissioner, one of his proudest achievements. In 1994, Eric retired from the WA Police Force after 34 years of service to the agency.

Kylie said her father’s inspiration for joining the WA Police Force as a 21-year-old recruit was to serve the community and assist people in need.

“Dad was extremely proud of his time in the police force. The number of officers over the years who’ve told me they knew Dad and he’d helped shaped them is incredible,” she said.

“Dad’s legacy is the 34 years of service he gave to the police force and the better conditions he secured through his time in the police union.”

Eric’s grandson, Jake, is in training at the WA Police Academy. Kylie told Police News Jake was the apple of her father’s eye and his greatest wish in his dying days was to live long enough to attend his graduation.

“Dad used to say it was the trifecta – him, Mark and Jake – as police officers. He was so proud,” she said.

Kylie told Police News people got to see the courage and resilience of her father – Captain Invincible – in the last couple of years of his life.

“Dad kept getting knocked down, but he was like a phoenix and kept coming back,” she said.

“Dad surrounded himself with love and decided we were going to take on the challenge together. Dad fought to stay with us, and we fought beside him.”

Kylie told Police News knowing her father had inspired so many people and was so widely respected has helped Eric’s family cope with his passing.

“We don’t need to let him go because a part of him lives on in our hearts. I see him in my children, and I realise how blessed I was to have this man as my father. He was a wonderful grandfather and loving husband,” she said.

“I love you, Dad. Rest peacefully.”

VALE

“Eric fought for and achieved the 38-hour working week, an early retirement option and changed the face of policing. He’d a way with words and many politicians and police bosses experienced it.”