October edition - The Police Association Victoria
October edition - The Police Association Victoria
October edition - The Police Association Victoria
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Journal<br />
THE POLICE ASSOCIATION VICTORIA upholding OUR rights sincE 1917<br />
www.tpav.org.au VOLUME 77 ISSUE 10 OCTOber 2011<br />
ALSO THIS MONTH<br />
> EBA 2011 update<br />
> national police medal<br />
finallY here<br />
> delegates' conference/<br />
agm wrap<br />
AND MORE...
THE POLICE ASSOCIATION<br />
No. 1 Clarendon Street, East Melbourne 3002<br />
Telephone: 03 9468 2600 Fax: 03 9495 6933<br />
Freecall 1800 800 537 (outside metro area only)<br />
Email: general@tpav.org.au<br />
Website: www.tpav.org.au<br />
EXECUTIVE MEMBERS<br />
Mr John Laird − Snr Vice-President (Sth Melbourne CIU)<br />
9646 7475 (wk) 0419 104 383 (mob)<br />
Mr Phil Pearson − Junior Vice-President<br />
(Region 3 H/Q, Broadmeadows)<br />
9759 6680 (wk) 0439 301 741 (mob)<br />
Mr Karl David APM − Treasurer<br />
(Frankston <strong>Police</strong> Station)<br />
9784 5555 (wk) 0419 822 000 (mob)<br />
Mr Dermot Avon − Assistant Treasurer<br />
(Properties Branch, Business Management)<br />
9247 3058 (wk) 0418 582 861 (mob)<br />
Mr Dean Anderson (Transit Safety Division)<br />
9247 3300 (wk) 0438 877 220 (mob)<br />
Mr Colin Birch (Corio <strong>Police</strong> Station)<br />
5273 9555 (wk) 0439 326 511 (mob)<br />
Mr Paul O’Connell (Moreland CIU)<br />
9355 6052 (wk) 0413 053 882 (mob)<br />
Mr Mark Rose (Melbourne HWP)<br />
8379 0862 (wk) 0419 899 847 (mob)<br />
Mr Dean Thomas (Latrobe CIU)<br />
5131 5040 (wk) 0407 536 322 (mob)<br />
Ms Diane Wilson (Box Hill SOCAU)<br />
9890 4977 (wk) 0425 804 761 (mob)<br />
Mr Maurie Banks (Geelong HWP)<br />
5273 9555 (wk) 0429 402 233 (mob)<br />
Ms Brigette De Chirico (Yarra Ranges CIU)<br />
9739 2300 (wk) 0425 757 538 (mob)<br />
19<br />
National<br />
<strong>Police</strong> Service Medal<br />
a reality at last<br />
Executive members’ home phone numbers are<br />
available after hours in strictly urgent cases only.<br />
<strong>The</strong>ir numbers may be obtained from the on-line<br />
supervisor at D24 on 9247 3222.<br />
ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF<br />
Secretary: Greg Davies<br />
Assistant Secretary: Bruce McKenzie<br />
Legal Manager: Tony Walsh<br />
Industrial Relations Manager: Chris Kennedy<br />
Administration Manager: Sylvia Loveless<br />
Communications Manager: Sandro Lofaro<br />
MEMBER ASSISTANCE PROGRAM<br />
PPC Worldwide<br />
24-hour, professional counselling<br />
1300 361 008<br />
RETIRED POLICE ASSOCIATION<br />
President: Philip Parson 9759 6680 0417 565 462<br />
Email paparson@acemail.com.au<br />
Secretary: Arthur Roberts 9704 2358<br />
THE POLICE ASSOCIATION (VICTORIA) JOURNAL<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Police</strong> <strong>Association</strong> (<strong>Victoria</strong>) Journal is published<br />
twelve times a year.<br />
Published by <strong>The</strong> <strong>Police</strong> <strong>Association</strong><br />
No. 1 Clarendon Street, East Melbourne 3002.<br />
ABN 004 251 325<br />
<strong>The</strong> statements and/or opinions expressed in<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Police</strong> <strong>Association</strong> Journal are not necessarily<br />
those of <strong>The</strong> <strong>Police</strong> <strong>Association</strong> or of its officers. <strong>The</strong><br />
<strong>Association</strong> publishes all material herein from various<br />
sources on the understanding that it is both authentic<br />
and correct and cannot accept any responsibilities<br />
for inaccuracies.<br />
ADVERTISING<br />
Advertisements in this journal are solicited from<br />
organisations and businesses on the understanding<br />
that no special considerations other than those<br />
normally accepted in respect of commercial dealings,<br />
will be given to any advertiser. Countrywide Austral<br />
adheres to stringent ethical advertising practices and<br />
any advertising inquiries should be directed to:<br />
Countrywide Austral<br />
Level 2, 673 Bourke St, Melbourne VIC 3001<br />
GPO Box 2466, Melbourne VIC 3001<br />
Ph: 03 9937 0200 Fax: 03 9937 0201<br />
Email: admin@cwaustral.com.au<br />
Web: www.cwaustral.com.au<br />
13<br />
Annual General<br />
Meeting<br />
21 Wall to Wall Ride<br />
Inside this edITION<br />
03 President’s Message<br />
05 Secretary’s Message<br />
06 EB Update<br />
08 Legal News<br />
09 IR news<br />
10 Delegates' Conference Wrap<br />
12 Bruce Watt joins <strong>Police</strong><br />
<strong>Association</strong>'s top shelf<br />
13 EB dominates full<br />
AGM agenda<br />
14 ESSSuper<br />
17 Rush Inquiry: TPAV submission<br />
19 National <strong>Police</strong> Service Medal<br />
21 Wall to Wall Ride<br />
22 <strong>Police</strong> Sports Awards<br />
24 Events Gallery<br />
25 Finance<br />
27 Delegate Profile<br />
− Matt Merrigan<br />
22<br />
<strong>Police</strong> Sports<br />
Awards<br />
29 Slater & Gordon<br />
30 Book giveaway<br />
31 Trivia<br />
32 National Round-up<br />
35 Your Say<br />
36 Member Classifieds<br />
38 Executive Minutes<br />
40 Your <strong>Association</strong> Delegates<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Police</strong> <strong>Association</strong> <strong>Victoria</strong> Journal <strong>October</strong> 2011<br />
01
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE<br />
President’s 2011 Annual Report<br />
<strong>The</strong> following is an edited extract of<br />
the President’s Report, as delivered by<br />
outgoing president Brian Rix, to <strong>The</strong> <strong>Police</strong><br />
<strong>Association</strong>’s Annual General Meeting on<br />
Friday 9 September 2011.<br />
Remembering absent members<br />
Before delivering my annual report, I ask that<br />
you stand and pause with me to remember<br />
those of our members who have passed<br />
away since the last Annual General Meeting<br />
this time last year;<br />
Jason Bond, Anthony Burleigh, Rodney<br />
Hiam, Paul Leighton, Adrian Pidutti,<br />
William Ross, John Rowley, Gary<br />
Tompsett and Sara Tumay<br />
I remind all members that the National<br />
Remembrance Day for police who have<br />
died in the performance of their duty is 29<br />
September 2011.<br />
EBA 2011<br />
At the Executive Strategic Planning day held<br />
on 21 February this year, we determined that<br />
the priority issue for this year was EBA 2011.<br />
It is fortunate that the <strong>Association</strong>’s<br />
Administration and Executive have worked<br />
hard to ensure that <strong>The</strong> <strong>Police</strong> <strong>Association</strong><br />
continues to enjoy a strong financial position<br />
enabling us to launch and to continue<br />
an effective EB 2011 negotiation and<br />
campaign focus.<br />
Success on numbers campaign<br />
In the lead up to the 2010 state election,<br />
the <strong>Association</strong> played a key role in<br />
obtaining undertakings from both major<br />
parties regarding police numbers. We were<br />
pleased that our long campaign resulted<br />
in an undertaking to provide 1,700 net<br />
additional police in this term of government,<br />
regardless of which political party would be<br />
in government. Our challenge now is to hold<br />
the government to account with regard to<br />
the delivery of additional police numbers<br />
as we will those commitments given by<br />
Premier Baillieu with regard to pay and<br />
conditions for our members.<br />
New anti-corruption body<br />
We were pleased that the new government<br />
has stood by its pre-election promise to<br />
abolish the discredited and ineffective Office<br />
of <strong>Police</strong> Integrity, to continue to provide<br />
the necessary funding for the full roll-out of<br />
stun guns and to create a new broad-based<br />
anti corruption body that applies to the<br />
entire public sector and does not just single<br />
out police.<br />
Floods<br />
In January this year, much of northern and<br />
eastern <strong>Victoria</strong> suffered from devastating<br />
and unprecedented flooding. As in all<br />
emergency situations, our members were<br />
again at the forefront of dealing with<br />
this critical issue, often leaving their own<br />
homes and families to look after their<br />
communities. Many of our members and<br />
their families were also personally affected<br />
by these floods.<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Police</strong> <strong>Association</strong> established a fund to<br />
enable our members to make donations not<br />
only to their affected <strong>Victoria</strong>n colleagues<br />
but also to their fellow Queensland police<br />
officers who were also devastated by floods<br />
in their state.<br />
Thank You<br />
As you will be aware, I retire today from my<br />
position within the <strong>Victoria</strong> <strong>Police</strong> Force<br />
after 35 years of service. I’m also retiring<br />
today from my position as President of<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Police</strong> <strong>Association</strong> after a period of<br />
five years. I sincerely thank the Executive,<br />
the Administration, our Delegates and our<br />
members for their loyalty and support as<br />
<strong>Association</strong> President. I leave this position<br />
with mixed feelings. Whilst I am very much<br />
looking forward to the next phase of my<br />
life with my lovely wife Shirley, I will also<br />
look back on my police career and my<br />
involvement as an <strong>Association</strong> Executive<br />
member for the past 12 years with<br />
great pride.<br />
I look forward to hearing of future positive<br />
outcomes that <strong>The</strong> <strong>Police</strong> <strong>Association</strong><br />
will continue to achieve on behalf of its<br />
members.<br />
Thank you.<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Police</strong> <strong>Association</strong> <strong>Victoria</strong> Journal <strong>October</strong> 2011<br />
03
SECRETARY’S MESSAGE<br />
Government game-playing<br />
on pay won’t silence us<br />
We continue to try and drag<br />
this Government to the<br />
negotiating table. It has<br />
been, and continues to be,<br />
an unnecessarily difficult<br />
and frustrating task. We also understand<br />
that it is, at times, difficult for members to<br />
continually enforce some of the industrial<br />
actions; however, it is more difficult for<br />
Government to live with the results of<br />
those Actions.<br />
<strong>The</strong>re has clearly been a game of indefinite<br />
postponement played by the Government,<br />
but if they believe that if ignoring us for long<br />
enough will make us go away then they will<br />
be shown to be sadly mistaken.<br />
Interestingly, there was no such<br />
prevarication when it came to our<br />
politicians awarding themselves a pay rise,<br />
and the hypocrisy shown by the coalition<br />
parties that promised to treat us "fairly<br />
and reasonably" has been breath-taking.<br />
Members obviously realise what the<br />
Government is up to, because over 7,500<br />
votes were cast in the voluntary, secret<br />
ballot for additional action. More than 99%<br />
of those votes were "Yes" votes. That is a<br />
resounding response, in anyone’s terms.<br />
<strong>The</strong> escalated industrial actions, run<br />
in conjunction with all original Actions<br />
except the e-mail ban, will continue to<br />
deliver the message. That message, if<br />
necessary, will become the gift that keeps<br />
on giving − if need be, all the way to the<br />
next election.<br />
National <strong>Police</strong> Service Medal a reality<br />
at last<br />
Members will find mention of the<br />
commencement of the awarding of the<br />
National <strong>Police</strong> Service Medal in this <strong>edition</strong><br />
of the Journal. This is a long awaited<br />
development and had its genesis some<br />
six years ago, when the PFA commenced<br />
serious lobbying and written submissions<br />
to the Federal Government.<br />
We continue to lobby for Protective Service<br />
Officers to be awarded the National<br />
Medal, in recognition of their service to<br />
the community, particularly in light of the<br />
Government's intended expanded role<br />
for psos.<br />
<strong>The</strong> npsm was designed by serving<br />
police officers, specifically for police, and it<br />
recognises the on-going efforts of members<br />
to deliver for their communities.<br />
Our State Government would do<br />
well to recognise that, while official<br />
acknowledgment of the work of police at<br />
a Federal level is welcome, it does not pay<br />
the mortgage or the rising costs of living.<br />
Only a reasonable EB outcome will do that.<br />
GREG DAVIES > SECRETARY<br />
Interestingly,<br />
there was no such<br />
prevarication when it<br />
came to our politicians<br />
awarding themselves<br />
a pay rise, and the<br />
hypocrisy shown by<br />
the coalition parties<br />
that promised to<br />
treat us ‘fairly and<br />
reasonably’ has been<br />
breath‐taking.<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Police</strong> <strong>Association</strong> <strong>Victoria</strong> Journal <strong>October</strong> 2011<br />
05
ev up industrial<br />
You voted<br />
aCtion now<br />
Yes<br />
for better paY and Conditions.<br />
now it’s time to rev up our aCtion with more bans!<br />
A resounding 99 per cent of members who returned a ballot voted to escalate our<br />
protected industrial action in support of fair and reasonable pay.<br />
What you<br />
need to<br />
know about<br />
the bans!<br />
1 Ban on all forms<br />
of penalty notices,<br />
including those<br />
generated by the traffic<br />
camera office<br />
What this means<br />
Do not issue penalty notices<br />
for any matter at all. For minor<br />
infringements, you are entitled and<br />
should use your discretion to warn<br />
offenders about their conduct.<br />
In matters where you believe a<br />
warning is inappropriate and that<br />
public safety has been put at risk,<br />
you should proceed by summons.<br />
Scope of this ban<br />
Ban includes all traffic<br />
infringement notices and notices<br />
on infringements relating to<br />
transit, liquor, water, EPA, traffic,<br />
toll roads, and ‘on the spot’ fines<br />
for behavioural offences. In line<br />
with Phase-One bans, members<br />
are not to forward speed camera<br />
and red light camera film for<br />
processing. Ban to apply to all<br />
infringement notices processed<br />
by the Traffic Camera Office.<br />
2 Ban on performing<br />
duties alone, other than<br />
in circumstances where<br />
duties are customarily<br />
performed one up<br />
What this means<br />
Members to ban performing any<br />
operational work alone or ‘one-up’<br />
except:<br />
a. One-member stations<br />
b. Special solos/motorcycle<br />
traffic work<br />
c. Dog Squad members<br />
Scope of this ban<br />
Ban applies to all members<br />
performing operational duties,<br />
including 251 and 265 patrols,<br />
members working at watchhouses,<br />
enquiry counters, traffic<br />
management units, criminal<br />
investigations units, sexual offences<br />
and child abuse investigations<br />
teams, and protective services<br />
officers. Remember, all general<br />
duties patrols are customarily<br />
performed two-up, and this<br />
practice should be strictly<br />
enforced as part of this ban.<br />
3 Ban on unpaid overtime<br />
What this means<br />
Members to ban the performance of<br />
any unauthorised overtime.<br />
You have every right to refuse<br />
to work unpaid overtime.<br />
Remember, members have a legal<br />
right to claim payment for any<br />
authorised overtime worked. In the<br />
spirit of this ban, you must exercise<br />
this right.<br />
4 Ban on the execution<br />
of money warrants,<br />
unless other<br />
operational<br />
considerations<br />
are present<br />
What this means<br />
<strong>The</strong> execution of all warrants for<br />
the recovery of monies owed is<br />
banned. Members shall not assist<br />
the Sherriff’s Office in executing<br />
warrants.<br />
This ban includes all warrants that<br />
generate revenue for Government,<br />
Local Government and their<br />
agencies.<br />
<strong>The</strong> execution of warrants of<br />
possession is not banned.<br />
5 <strong>Police</strong> march to<br />
Parliament House<br />
Members will receive further details<br />
and advice at the appropriate time.<br />
PluS: the existing Phase-One<br />
bans are to remain in force<br />
except for the recently-lifted<br />
email ban.<br />
remember, as with<br />
the existing bans, no<br />
member should fear anY<br />
adverse ConsequenCes<br />
for partiCipating in<br />
phase-two bans, as theY<br />
are legallY proteCted<br />
industrial aCtions.<br />
06 Protect Represent Support. www.tpav.org.au
Members in<br />
(industrial) action<br />
As this picture gallery shows, <strong>Police</strong><br />
<strong>Association</strong> members have clearly taken<br />
to industrial action, in support of decent<br />
pay, like ducks to water.<br />
Despite working in an under-resourced<br />
environment members are taking time<br />
from their busy schedules when they<br />
can to support the industrial bans by<br />
parking their vehicle with lights flashing to<br />
warn motorists as they approach fixed and<br />
mobile speed cameras.<br />
<strong>The</strong>y have also heeded the call to share their<br />
pictures with other members by posting<br />
them on our EBA campaign’s Facebook page.<br />
You too can keep up with campaign by<br />
through our Facebook campaign site.<br />
To find it simply type ‘Vicpol Eba’ in the<br />
Facebook search bar.<br />
Despite now being out of policing,<br />
Murray King is still supporting his former<br />
colleagues in their push for fair pay. Murray<br />
has generously donated the use of some<br />
equipment from his road management<br />
services business to call on the Premier<br />
to pay our members fairly (see below).<br />
Murray’s business is called Trafficking<br />
Road Management Services and can be<br />
contacted at ww.trafficking.com.au or<br />
on 1300 76237.<br />
Voluntary duty ban bites hardest during racing carnival<br />
As members begin phase-two industrial<br />
bans, its worth remembering that this month<br />
represents the best opportunity to make the<br />
one of phase-one bans bite harder than ever<br />
before, particularly the ban on voluntary duties.<br />
Spring Racing Carnival events usually<br />
generate the biggest call on members who<br />
volunteer for duty on their rest days.<br />
This means that now is the time to stand up<br />
and make this action impact on Government.<br />
Members must now support this ban and<br />
look at the long term.<br />
Anyone thinking about ignoring this ban<br />
should consider how it will impact on your<br />
fellow members who are upholding the ban<br />
to achieve a fair pay rise for all members.<br />
Members unanimously voted to introduce<br />
this ban and understand that voluntary<br />
duties encourages ‘policing on the cheap’<br />
and is designed to hide under-staffing.<br />
If the Force can’t find people to do voluntary<br />
duties it forces them into a position where<br />
members are rostered on overtime which<br />
is a win for members and has an impact<br />
on the Force/Government coffers.<br />
While this ban may cause short-term pain<br />
for members, we mustn’t forget that it’s for<br />
every member’s long term benefit.<br />
Members who adhere to this ban help us<br />
all to achieve a fair EB outcome.<br />
Those who do not are selling out their<br />
colleagues for a short-term and small<br />
financial gain.<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Police</strong> <strong>Association</strong> <strong>Victoria</strong> Journal <strong>October</strong> 2011<br />
07
Legal LEGAL News NEWS<br />
Members DUI<br />
could risk dismissal<br />
Tony Walsh > LEGAL MANAGER<br />
Under the current police drug and<br />
alcohol testing regime members<br />
are warned that driving under the<br />
influence could put their career<br />
at risk.<br />
None of us need reminding that driving<br />
under the influence of drugs or alcohol is<br />
both unlawful and socially unacceptable<br />
behaviour carrying grave consequences.<br />
However, what seem to be widely unknown<br />
among members are the ramifications<br />
that befall members as police officers<br />
should they be found to be driving under<br />
the influence.<br />
Members should be aware that if you are<br />
involved in a motor vehicle incident while on<br />
duty, you will automatically be subjected to<br />
a drug and alcohol test under <strong>Victoria</strong> <strong>Police</strong><br />
Force’s testing regime.<br />
Put simply, if you are tested and found to<br />
have traces of alcohol or an illicit substance,<br />
your policing career could be at risk.<br />
In instances where members are found<br />
to be driving under the influence while off<br />
duty, you will not only face penalties under<br />
the Road Safety Act, including potential loss<br />
of licence, but you may also be subject to<br />
internal disciplinary action by the Force.<br />
<strong>The</strong> level of disciplinary action taken will<br />
depend on the prescribed concentration of<br />
alcohol in your system.<br />
Recently the Force produced a grading<br />
system know as a ‘table of tolerances’<br />
that prescribes the nature and severity of<br />
discipline action taken against members<br />
detected driving while under the influence<br />
of drugs or alcohol, depending on the<br />
seriousness of the breach(es).<br />
In addition to the ‘table of tolerances’, there<br />
are other considerations under the Force's<br />
testing regime that can have the effect of<br />
upgrading the seriousness of the offences<br />
committed. Such considerations are known<br />
as ‘aggravating circumstances’.<br />
Such ‘aggravating circumstances’ exist where:<br />
> > Other offences are alleged in addition to<br />
exceeding prescribed concentration of<br />
alcohol<br />
> > You were involved in a collision at the<br />
time you were driving under the influence<br />
> > Your behavior was deemed to be<br />
inappropriate<br />
> > You have a criminal or disciplinary history<br />
of these offences<br />
> > You concealed your employment status<br />
at the time you were found to be DUI<br />
> > You used or attempted to use your<br />
employment status to influence the<br />
outcome of the incident<br />
> > Your were driving a police vehicle<br />
> > You were on duty or on availability at the<br />
time you were found to be DUI<br />
> > Your were of the rank of Senior Sergeant<br />
or above<br />
> > Any other aggravating circumstance<br />
Clearly police are held to higher expectations<br />
on the roads not just by the general<br />
motoring public, but by the <strong>Victoria</strong> <strong>Police</strong><br />
Force as your employer.<br />
Whether you are on or off duty the ramifications<br />
of driving under the influence are far more<br />
stringent for police members, particularly<br />
where ‘aggravating circumstances’ exist.<br />
Members have even more reason to think<br />
twice about getting behind the wheel of a<br />
motor vehicle after having a drink or using<br />
an illicit substance.<br />
Protecting the privacy of<br />
your medical records<br />
When it comes to protecting personal<br />
documents, such as medical records, bank<br />
statements and legal information, we<br />
generally have trust that the custodians<br />
of those documents will keep them highly<br />
confidential unless we expressly direct them<br />
to do otherwise.<br />
Personal privacy, in this regard, is further<br />
protected by various legislation including<br />
the Information Privacy Act 2000 as well<br />
as the Health Records Act. So in order for<br />
your personal documents to be accessed<br />
by anyone you will need to sign a written<br />
"Authority to Release" that permits them to<br />
access your private information.<br />
Recently the <strong>Association</strong>’s legal team has<br />
been notified that some members have<br />
been requested by their department to sign<br />
an "Authority to Release" document in order<br />
to access their medical records.<br />
We have also noted that some of these<br />
requests are being made of members who,<br />
at the time of the request, are seeing a<br />
medical practitioner or are in a vulnerable<br />
position and sign the release due to<br />
ignorance or misunderstanding.<br />
We urge all members to contact the<br />
<strong>Association</strong>’s Legal Section and seek advice<br />
prior to signing any document regarding<br />
your private information, should you be<br />
the subject of such a request.<br />
08 Protect Represent Support. www.tpav.org.au
IR News NEWS<br />
<strong>Association</strong> weighs in to support<br />
members injured in police gyms<br />
Chris Kennedy ><br />
INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS<br />
MANAGER<br />
A<br />
recent spike in the rejection of<br />
WorkCover claims, from injuries<br />
sustained in police gyms, has<br />
required the <strong>Association</strong> to<br />
intervene on behalf of the<br />
members involved.<br />
As members would be aware, many<br />
police complexes are fitted with exercise gyms<br />
for the benefit of members to exercise before,<br />
during and/or after work to keep up an<br />
adequate level of fitness for the job. <strong>The</strong><br />
<strong>Victoria</strong> <strong>Police</strong> Fitness and Lifestyle Unit<br />
maintains these gyms expressly for the use<br />
of members and even requires an updated<br />
health and fitness assessment certificate from<br />
those members who choose to use them.<br />
However, these precautions cannot prevent<br />
all injuries when it comes to strenuous<br />
physical activity. <strong>The</strong>re have been a number<br />
of incidents in police gyms where members<br />
have sustained an injury, filed a WorkCover<br />
claim and received adequate compensation<br />
for their injury.<br />
Unfortunately not all claims have run<br />
smoothly and there have recently been<br />
several instances where members’<br />
claims have been rejected, with the<br />
insurer rejecting the claim on the grounds<br />
that the member was officially ‘off-duty’ or<br />
the injury was not sustained ‘in or out of the<br />
course of employment’. But for police these<br />
terms are not simply black and white.<br />
Policing is a physically demanding job that<br />
requires all members to keep an adequate<br />
level of fitness and recently members have<br />
been encouraged to improve their level of<br />
fitness to keep in line with the new standards<br />
being set by <strong>Victoria</strong> <strong>Police</strong>. Furthermore,<br />
even when they are not officially rostered on,<br />
police officers can be called on at anytime<br />
to discharge their sworn duty to serve and<br />
protect the community.<br />
<strong>The</strong> following case study is an example<br />
of an ‘off-duty’ member who had their<br />
WorkCover claim, for an injury sustained<br />
in a police gym, unfairly rejected.<br />
Arnold*, a frontline member, was working<br />
out in a police gym immediately prior to his<br />
shift when he broke his wrist going through<br />
some self-defence drills with a standard<br />
police mannequin. John put in a WorkCover<br />
claim for the time he was off work due to his<br />
injury, but was later informed that his claim<br />
was rejected.<br />
<strong>The</strong> rejection was on the basis that Arnold’s<br />
injury did not ‘arise out of or in the course<br />
of his employment’, as at the time that he<br />
sustained his injury he had not officially<br />
commenced his shift and his official position<br />
within <strong>Victoria</strong> <strong>Police</strong> was not one that<br />
required exceptional levels of fitness.<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Association</strong> intervened on Arnold’s behalf<br />
taking the matter to conciliation where the<br />
rejection was overturned. <strong>The</strong> <strong>Association</strong><br />
successfully argued that at the time of his<br />
injury, Arnold was on police premises and he<br />
was exercising to improve his fitness, which<br />
is of direct benefit to his employer in his<br />
current position. <strong>The</strong> insurer was directed<br />
to compensate Arnold for his injury.<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Association</strong> is also aware of memos<br />
being circulated by some managers<br />
incorrectly informing members that<br />
they are not covered for injuries<br />
sustained while using the police gym.<br />
This is misguided and as you can see<br />
in Arnold’s case, compensation for<br />
these injuries depend on a number of<br />
contributing factors.<br />
Firstly, <strong>Victoria</strong> <strong>Police</strong> does not determine<br />
liability. And secondly, liability is<br />
determined in accordance with the Accident<br />
Compensation Act based on the factors<br />
of each case. It is wrong for anyone in<br />
<strong>Victoria</strong> <strong>Police</strong> to claim an injury will not<br />
be compensable.<br />
Including the above case, the <strong>Association</strong><br />
has recently run and successfully overturned<br />
WorkCover rejections for two other<br />
members. While members must be aware<br />
that they have a duty of care to themselves<br />
when using police gyms, if they sustain<br />
an injury as a result of exercise performed<br />
either on or off duty, they still may be eligible<br />
to workers compensation.<br />
Members who feel they have a claim that<br />
may be pursued are encouraged to call the<br />
<strong>Association</strong>. We can guide you through the<br />
WorkCover process. Likewise, any members<br />
are unsure of their rights in regard to any<br />
workers compensation matter should<br />
contact the <strong>Association</strong> on (03) 9468 2600<br />
for assistance.<br />
*Arnold is not the real name of the member<br />
involved in this case study<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Police</strong> <strong>Association</strong> <strong>Victoria</strong> Journal <strong>October</strong> 2011<br />
09
delegates' confERENCE<br />
Resolute delegates vow to stand united<br />
and tough-out pay campaign<br />
Above: Delegates pose for a group photo outside Dallas Brooks Centre, East Melbourne.<br />
Last month’s delegates’ conference presented another opportunity for our coal-face<br />
representatives to confirm their commitment to our EBA 2011 campaign for as long<br />
as it takes until our members get a well-deserved pay rise.<br />
In another EB-dominated conference, our<br />
delegates grabbed the opportunity with<br />
both hands, vowing as a group to continue<br />
campaigning hard as they prepared to<br />
escalate work bans.<br />
Held on the penultimate day of Brian Rix’s<br />
35-year career, the <strong>Association</strong> president<br />
went out fighting.<br />
"I am very bloody angry that we haven’t settled<br />
an EB. <strong>The</strong>re is still no offer on the table<br />
other than the minuscule 2.5 per cent and<br />
you should be bloody angry about it," he said.<br />
<strong>Association</strong> Secretary Greg Davies assured<br />
delegates that the <strong>Association</strong> will continue<br />
its relentless campaign until a suitable pay<br />
outcome was reached before updating them<br />
on the campaign’s progress to date.<br />
Above: Guest speaker, MP Jane Garrett, addresses delegates.<br />
He told delegates it’s time to strengthen the<br />
industrial campaign. "Your job is to make<br />
sure people get involved in the process. Your<br />
job is to ensure members enforce the bans."<br />
10 Protect Represent Support. www.tpav.org.au
photos by gregnoakes.com<br />
Above: <strong>Police</strong> <strong>Association</strong> President directs questions at his final delegates’ conference.<br />
Left: IR Manager, Chris Kennedy, provides delegates with important EB updates.<br />
BeLow LEFT: Secretary, Greg Davies addresses the delegates.<br />
Delegates also heard that <strong>Victoria</strong>’s approaching<br />
spring events are the critical time for bans on<br />
voluntary duties to have maximum impact.<br />
Critical of the Baillieu Government’s<br />
performance on police pay, conference keynote<br />
speaker, Opposition MP Jane Garrett, said<br />
the dispute was entering "an unprecedented,<br />
unnecessary level of hostility". Describing the<br />
government’s attitude as cavalier, she said, "the<br />
law and order agenda has gone off the rails".<br />
Ms Garrett addressed delegates in her<br />
capacity as the Deputy Chair of the <strong>Victoria</strong>n<br />
Parliamentary Law Reform Committee.<br />
Some of the key EB-related questions asked<br />
by delegates at the conference and their<br />
responses are summarised as follows;<br />
Why are our pay negotiations taking<br />
so long?<br />
<strong>The</strong> Secretary responded that the<br />
duration of the negotiation process has so<br />
far taken 11 months, with four months of<br />
protected industrial action. While frustrating,<br />
this is not a comparatively long time for a pay<br />
campaign. Ambulance workers undertook 18<br />
months of industrial action before they were<br />
able to achieve a satisfactory wage rise, while it<br />
took our firefighter colleagues close to two years<br />
to reach a pay deal they considered satisfactory.<br />
At what point does the <strong>Association</strong> take<br />
the dispute to arbitration?<br />
Both the Secretary and President advised<br />
delegates that a negotiated pay outcome<br />
is always preferred to one that is brought<br />
about by arbitration because negotiated<br />
deals are agreed outcomes that both parties<br />
can ‘live with’.<br />
Will back-pay be included in the<br />
eventual outcome?<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Association</strong> will rigorously pursue backpay<br />
as a key element of a negotiated outcome.<br />
And finally ...<br />
A standing ovation for the retiring<br />
president was a highlight of the<br />
Delegates’ Conference Dinner, accepted<br />
by Brian, who said that there could be no<br />
better accolade than to be honoured by<br />
one’s peers.<br />
Paying tribute, delegate Darren Murphy<br />
said Brian had always made himself<br />
available.<br />
"Your professionalism and your integrity<br />
can never be questioned," said Darren.<br />
<strong>The</strong> director of the New Zealand <strong>Police</strong><br />
<strong>Association</strong>, Wayne Aberhart, was<br />
present to receive a cheque from <strong>The</strong><br />
<strong>Police</strong> <strong>Association</strong> for the Christchurch<br />
Earthquake relief. <strong>Association</strong> members<br />
had donated $16,000. One New Zealand<br />
police employee died in the quake and<br />
100 Christchurch police officers lost<br />
their homes.<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Police</strong> <strong>Association</strong> <strong>Victoria</strong> Journal <strong>October</strong> 2011<br />
11
Bruce Watt joins <strong>Police</strong><br />
<strong>Association</strong>’s top shelf<br />
Above: Bruce Watt with wife Helen and <strong>Association</strong> President, Brian Rix, after being nominated for life membership.<br />
<strong>Police</strong> <strong>Association</strong> stalwart, Bruce Watt,<br />
received the highest possible accolade<br />
from the organisation he loves at last<br />
month’s Annual General Meeting where he<br />
was officially awarded Life Membership.<br />
Bruce’s policing career spanned 24 years between 1970 and 1994,<br />
having retired from the job at the rank of Detective Senior Sergeant<br />
when in charge of the Arson Squad.<br />
After a four-year hiatus, Bruce joined <strong>The</strong> <strong>Police</strong> <strong>Association</strong> as a staff<br />
member in January 1998 and has served in management roles in both<br />
the legal/discipline and administration sections for over 13 years.<br />
Congratulations Bruce!<br />
Bruce’s outstanding contribution and service to <strong>The</strong> <strong>Police</strong><br />
<strong>Association</strong> and its members over many years sees him join an<br />
elite club. He becomes the 122nd <strong>Police</strong> <strong>Association</strong> Life Member.<br />
History brings perspective to the rarity and significance of this<br />
achievement with close to 40,000 former and current serving<br />
<strong>Victoria</strong>n police officers having been members of the <strong>Police</strong><br />
<strong>Association</strong> throughout its 94-year history.<br />
Apart from the formal positions he’s held as an <strong>Association</strong> staff<br />
member, Bruce has done a tremendous amount of work in his own<br />
time, often traveling the state to the various <strong>Police</strong> <strong>Association</strong><br />
holiday homes with his wife, Helen, to undertake repair work and<br />
general maintenance without requesting payment or other reward -<br />
dedication above and beyond the regular call of duty.<br />
Bruce’s trademark energy and drive came to the fore when changing<br />
the structure of the <strong>Association</strong>’s welfare arm, the VPA Friendly<br />
Society. <strong>The</strong>se changes saw the removal of stifling ‘red tape’<br />
associated with the administration of the Friendly Society resulting<br />
in substantial and sustained cost savings for the <strong>Association</strong>.<br />
<strong>Police</strong> <strong>Association</strong> Secretary Greg Davies was effusive in his praise<br />
of his <strong>Association</strong> colleague.<br />
"I can think of no one more worthy of Life Membership of <strong>The</strong> <strong>Police</strong><br />
<strong>Association</strong> than Bruce Watt. His integrity, his work ethic and his<br />
loyalty to the cause of our members is unparalleled," said Greg.<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Association</strong>’s newest Life Member is typically humble.<br />
Academic and Teaching Vacancies in Policing and Law Enforcement<br />
(1) Academic Vacancies<br />
• Full or part time<br />
• Academic levels A-C $60,070 - $130,105 (including<br />
superannuation)<br />
(2) Teaching Fellow Vacancies<br />
• Fixed Term 12 months<br />
• Salary range $60,070 - $130,105 (including superannuation)<br />
(3) Industry Fellow vacancies<br />
If you have recently retired from a police or law enforcement agency<br />
or are seeking a career break please consider applying<br />
• Fixed Term 1-3 years<br />
• Salary range $60,070 - $130,105 (including superannuation)<br />
Charles Sturt University has established the School of Policing Studies under<br />
a collaborative arrangement with the New South Wales <strong>Police</strong> Force to provide<br />
recruit and continuing police education. <strong>The</strong> School is the largest provider of<br />
tertiary police education in Australia and is located at the NSW <strong>Police</strong> Force<br />
Academy.<br />
<strong>The</strong> School of Policing Studies is seeking applications from suitably qualifi ed<br />
and experienced individuals in various areas of specialisation of policing and<br />
law enforcement including; operational policing, investigation (investigative<br />
interviewing and practices); criminal law and procedure; road safety; drug<br />
enforcement and harm minimisation; policing and society; community policing,<br />
professional ethics; communications; leadership and management.<br />
For information about the School please visit our website:<br />
www.csu.edu.au/faculty/arts/policing<br />
or email Amanda Davies: adavies@csu.edu.au<br />
Applications Close: 21 November 2011<br />
"While it was totally unexpected it is an absolute honour to be<br />
admitted to Life Membership of the <strong>Association</strong>. I loved my time<br />
in the Force and similarly have loved my time at the <strong>Association</strong>,"<br />
said Bruce.<br />
12 Protect Represent Support. www.tpav.org.au
photos by gregnoakes.com<br />
> AGM<br />
EB dominates full AGM agenda<br />
Above: Head table applauds life membership of long serving member and <strong>Association</strong> staffer, Bruce Watt.<br />
In line with its key priority of the past 12 months, the <strong>Police</strong> <strong>Association</strong>’s ongoing<br />
campaign for a fair pay rise dominated the report-back to members at last month’s<br />
Annual General Meeting (AGM).<br />
<strong>The</strong> AGM was told in no uncertain<br />
terms that this crucially<br />
important issue will continue<br />
to remain at the top of the<br />
<strong>Association</strong>’s agenda until a fair<br />
deal is achieved.<br />
Outgoing President, Brian Rix, presiding in<br />
his last AGM confirmed this message.<br />
"<strong>The</strong> key to success is to ensure that the<br />
administration, the Executive, our delegates<br />
and our members remain a cohesive and<br />
tight-knit group," he said.<br />
Secretary, Greg Davies, promised the<br />
<strong>Association</strong> will continue to hold the<br />
government to account in relation to<br />
guarantees made by them while in opposition.<br />
<strong>The</strong> AGM also heard that the <strong>Police</strong> <strong>Association</strong><br />
remains in an extremely healthy financial<br />
position, with a net worth at $35 million.<br />
Furthermore, Greg Davies reported that the<br />
Legal Representation Cost Fund’s value is at<br />
an all-time high of almost $20 million.<br />
A steady increase in <strong>Association</strong> membership<br />
numbers has also been recorded.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Secretary’s report to the AGM put on<br />
the record the <strong>Association</strong>’s expectations<br />
regarding the upcoming appointment of a<br />
new Chief Commissioner.<br />
"It is unthinkable that the new Chief<br />
Commissioner will come from anywhere<br />
other than <strong>Victoria</strong>," said Greg.<br />
"We expect (the new CCP) will have an<br />
intimate understanding of our people, our<br />
history and our culture."<br />
"We also hope the appointment will create<br />
an opportunity for current and future<br />
governments to never again politicise this<br />
most important of public offices."<br />
He expressed the <strong>Association</strong>’s concern<br />
that, given that <strong>Victoria</strong>n constables are the<br />
lowest paid in Australia, the government<br />
won’t be able to attract the net additional<br />
1700 police that it has promised unless pay<br />
rates increase sufficiently.<br />
<strong>The</strong> AGM also ratified a rule change to the<br />
<strong>Association</strong>’s constitution that now allows<br />
members involved in a civil case to make an<br />
application to the <strong>Association</strong>’s Legal Cost<br />
Fund without having to first go through the<br />
cumbersome and costly process of officially<br />
becoming a ‘legal party’ in a case.<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Association</strong>’s holiday homes were on the<br />
AGM agenda, with a motion carried to buy<br />
additional properties, up to a total value of<br />
$1.8 million. This follows the sale earlier this<br />
year of a property at Coldstream for a similar<br />
value.<br />
<strong>The</strong> AGM also honoured <strong>Association</strong> stalwart<br />
Bruce Watt by awarding him life membership<br />
of the <strong>Association</strong> (see opposite).<br />
<strong>The</strong> AGM represented the last formal duty<br />
of President Brian Rix, whose retirement day<br />
from 35 years in policing coincided with the<br />
day of the AGM.<br />
He was an <strong>Association</strong> Executive member for<br />
12 years and President for five. Special thanks<br />
were also offered to Shirley Hardy-Rix as she<br />
retires from 15 years as editor of this Journal.<br />
"Brian has been instrumental in bringing<br />
about a period of stability on his Executive,<br />
whilst still encouraging robust debate<br />
around the Executive table," said Greg.<br />
"Brian and Shirley have been stalwarts of<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Police</strong> <strong>Association</strong> for a long time. We<br />
acknowledge their hard work and dedication<br />
to the rights and entitlements of police<br />
officers in <strong>Victoria</strong>."<br />
<strong>The</strong> AGM paid its respects to the nine<br />
<strong>Association</strong> members who had passed away<br />
since the 2010 meeting with a minute’s silence.<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Police</strong> <strong>Association</strong> <strong>Victoria</strong> Journal <strong>October</strong> 2011<br />
13
Finance FINANCE<br />
How are you affected by this<br />
volatile market?<br />
Whilst it’s hard to ignore the recent weakness in global and local share<br />
markets, the good news is that all operational members in the ESSS<br />
Defined Benefit (DB) Fund will not be impacted by this turn of events.<br />
For members not in the ESSS DB Fund<br />
(that is non-operational members)<br />
and those members who also have an<br />
Accumulation Plan account it’s important<br />
to remember that super is a long term<br />
investment and periods of volatility can be<br />
expected to occur from time to time. History<br />
shows that it generally pays to stay focused<br />
on your long-term goals, even in retirement.<br />
Whilst the recent volatility means that all<br />
investment options that hold shares have<br />
been negatively impacted, it is important for<br />
you to know that ESSSuper is thinking about<br />
the risks and proactively managing your<br />
super. Importantly, the Fund has a strategy<br />
to diversify portfolios by investing in other<br />
types of assets (not just shares), and to<br />
some extent this will help protect your<br />
investments with us.<br />
Who manages my investment?<br />
For members of the ESSS DB Fund, your<br />
benefits are determined by a set formula<br />
and not dependent upon the sharemarket.<br />
<strong>The</strong> contributions you, other members<br />
and your employer make to the Fund<br />
are pooled together and invested in a<br />
number of carefully selected specialist<br />
investment managers.<br />
ESSSuper’s Board is responsible for setting<br />
the investment objectives for the ESSS<br />
DB Fund assets. <strong>The</strong> Board has appointed<br />
<strong>Victoria</strong>n Funds Management Corporation<br />
(VFMC) to manage the investments and<br />
report back to our internal investment team<br />
on a regular basis.<br />
For the Accumulation Plan, the contributions<br />
you make to the Plan are invested in<br />
a number of investment options. <strong>The</strong><br />
Board has appointed Towers Watson,<br />
a global investment consulting firm to<br />
provide strategic investment advice and<br />
recommendations to the Board in regard to<br />
the investment of the Accumulation Plan’s<br />
assets. <strong>The</strong> Board’s decisions are then<br />
implemented and monitor by our internal<br />
investment team.<br />
Should I change my investment option?<br />
When investment markets are volatile, some<br />
members may be tempted to move their<br />
investments to a less risky option. However,<br />
there are lots of things to consider before<br />
you make a decision.<br />
You should keep in mind that super is<br />
generally considered to be a long-term<br />
investment. Think carefully about making<br />
changes in response to short-term<br />
fluctuations in the value of your investment<br />
because you may end up with a lower<br />
investment return over the long term.<br />
Who can I speak to about my<br />
investments?<br />
Before making any changes to your<br />
investment options, we recommend<br />
you speak with one of our Member<br />
Education Consultants. <strong>The</strong>y can talk you<br />
through the current situation and any other<br />
super queries you may have.<br />
Call 1300 650 161 if you wish to make an<br />
appointment or simply have a chat with<br />
one of our Member Education Consultants.<br />
Alternatively, visit our website at<br />
www.esssuper.com.au for more information<br />
on our investment principles and short and<br />
longer term performance<br />
This document is issued by Emergency Services<br />
Superannuation Board ABN 28 161 296 741 the<br />
Trustee of the Emergency Services Superannuation<br />
Scheme ABN 89 894 637 037 (ESSSuper). <strong>The</strong><br />
information contained in this document is of a<br />
general nature only. It should not be considered<br />
as a substitute for reading the relevant ESSSuper<br />
Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) or handbook<br />
that contains detailed information about the<br />
product, services and features - available at<br />
www.esssuper.com.au or by calling our Member<br />
Contact Centre on 1300 650 161. Before making a<br />
decision about an ESSSuper product, you should<br />
consider the appropriateness of the product to your<br />
personal objectives, financial situation and needs.<br />
It may also be beneficial to seek professional advice<br />
from a licensed financial planner or adviser.<br />
14 Protect Represent Support. www.tpav.org.au
<strong>Police</strong> rep gives members the good<br />
oil on super<br />
<strong>The</strong>re are things some police members don’t know about<br />
superannuation that could save them money and maximise<br />
their payouts.<br />
Luckily, Senior Sergeant Phil Wilson, OIC<br />
at Corio, has made it his responsibility<br />
to be a "super cop" on behalf of<br />
the membership.<br />
He is the police members’ representative<br />
on the board of ESSSuper, which covers all<br />
emergency services workers including all<br />
police, firefighters and ambulance officers.<br />
<strong>The</strong>re are several issues he believes not all<br />
members are fully informed about.<br />
One relates to contributions. Members can<br />
choose to pay up to seven per cent of their<br />
after-tax salary.<br />
Phil understands how younger members<br />
may consider super a low priority and<br />
choose a lower payment plan, but the<br />
amount invested relates directly to what<br />
their final payout will be upon retirement<br />
or resignation and could also impact<br />
upon a member’s death and disability<br />
insurance cover.<br />
Phil says that quite often members are<br />
unaware of the insurance options available<br />
as part of their Defined Benefit.<br />
"We see members purchasing income<br />
protection policies, not realising they have<br />
death and disability insurance as part of<br />
their Defined Benefit scheme," he says.<br />
"Salary sacrificing" is another issue<br />
about which Phil has noticed a level of<br />
misunderstanding. This is where your<br />
regular superannuation contributions are<br />
deducted from your salary before tax is<br />
taken out.<br />
Members may be able to save tax by<br />
salary sacrificing.<br />
Phil recommends<br />
members visit the<br />
ESSSuper salary sacrifice<br />
calculator at<br />
www.esssuper.com.au/<br />
calculators to see how<br />
much they could save.<br />
Each of the three<br />
emergency services has a<br />
member on the 12-person<br />
ESSSuper board. <strong>The</strong><br />
fund has more than<br />
$16 billion in assets. At<br />
monthly board meetings<br />
Phil has the opportunity<br />
to explain what the<br />
police membership’s<br />
expectations are and relay<br />
their queries.<br />
Phil already has a busy job at Corio,<br />
a town with high unemployment and<br />
the highest concentration of public<br />
housing in the greater Geelong area.<br />
Corio police station is staffed by two<br />
senior sergeants, eight sergeants and<br />
40 other ranks.<br />
Phil came onto the ESSSuper board<br />
in February and sees it as a chance<br />
to expand his role. He is already<br />
serving the community of Corio; his<br />
superannuation role serves his colleagues.<br />
He replaces his former Corio colleague<br />
Graeme Larkin in this role following his<br />
retirement last year.<br />
"I’ve been in the force a long time. You see<br />
people whose lives have taken a wrong turn.<br />
(<strong>The</strong> superannuation role) might mean I can<br />
offer some level of comfort and tell people<br />
Above: Senior Sergeant Phil Wilson.<br />
We see members<br />
purchasing income<br />
protection policies, not<br />
realising they have<br />
death and disability<br />
insurance as part of<br />
their Defined Benefit<br />
scheme. − Phil Wilson<br />
in difficulty that there is something that can<br />
be done to help them out. You try to look<br />
after your mates."<br />
Further information about police<br />
superannuation is available by contacting<br />
ESSSuper on the web www.esssuper.com.au<br />
or on 1300 650 161.<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Police</strong> <strong>Association</strong> <strong>Victoria</strong> Journal <strong>October</strong> 2011<br />
15
ush inqUIRY<br />
Time to ‘rush back to basics’<br />
<strong>Police</strong> <strong>Association</strong> urges high-level police review to streamline "top-heavy"<br />
command structure<br />
10-year experiment has failed.<br />
It’s time to go back to fundamental<br />
‘<strong>The</strong><br />
policing principles that work and<br />
have stood the test of time.’<br />
That was the central message of <strong>The</strong><br />
<strong>Police</strong> <strong>Association</strong>’s verbal and written<br />
submissions that were last month<br />
tended to Mr Jack Rush QC, who is heading<br />
a special inquiry into the structure<br />
and administration of <strong>Victoria</strong> <strong>Police</strong><br />
Force command.<br />
<strong>The</strong> inquiry was established by the State<br />
Government on 9 May 2011 to ‘identify<br />
shortcomings in that [senior command]<br />
structure and position <strong>Victoria</strong> <strong>Police</strong><br />
appropriately for the future.’<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Association</strong>’s detailed 30-page<br />
submission addresses the inquiry’s key<br />
terms of reference which include the<br />
effectiveness and functions of the senior<br />
<strong>Victoria</strong> <strong>Police</strong> command structure and the<br />
extent to which it is capable of delivering<br />
‘best-practice’ policing as well as major IT<br />
and administrative functions.<br />
<strong>The</strong> submission emphasises the need to<br />
replace the <strong>Victoria</strong> <strong>Police</strong> Force’s "top‐heavy"<br />
and cumbersome management structure<br />
with one that’s leaner, more streamlined and<br />
in line with other comparable police forces<br />
around the world.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Rush Inquiry is expected to conclude<br />
its work and make recommendations to<br />
Government based on its findings by the<br />
end of the year.<br />
Members can view the executive summary<br />
of <strong>The</strong> <strong>Police</strong> <strong>Association</strong>’s ‘Rush’ submission<br />
by going to the 'Publications' section of<br />
our website and following the prompts −<br />
www.tpav.org.au<br />
You get more with<br />
HCF health insurance.<br />
Save $$$ with your 12% discount.<br />
<strong>Victoria</strong>n police officers and their dependant families receive a<br />
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0414 559 770 lsquires@hcf.com.au<br />
HF1715 - 09/11<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Police</strong> <strong>Association</strong> <strong>Victoria</strong> Journal <strong>October</strong> 2011<br />
17
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<strong>The</strong>y cover topics such as:<br />
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How much do you need for retirement?<br />
Tips on boosting your super.<br />
Tax on super benefits.<br />
Your options at retirement.<br />
Date Time Location<br />
5 <strong>October</strong> 2011 10am Level 16, 140 William Street, Melbourne<br />
11 <strong>October</strong> 2011 10am Horsham<br />
13 <strong>October</strong> 2011 10am Geelong<br />
19 <strong>October</strong> 2011 10am Level 16, 140 William Street, Melbourne<br />
20 <strong>October</strong> 2011 10am Frankston<br />
25 <strong>October</strong> 2011 10am Wonthaggi<br />
15 November 2011 10am Level 16, 140 William Street, Melbourne<br />
Talk to the people who run your fund. Bookings are essential as places are limited.<br />
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Proudly serving our members
National POLICE<br />
SERVICE MEDAL<br />
National <strong>Police</strong> Service<br />
Medal finally here<br />
Above: <strong>Association</strong> Secretary Greg Davies and Senior Vice President John Laird with Acting Chief Commissioner<br />
Ken Lay APM with the medal recipients, Inspector Michael Beattie and A/C Wendy Steendam (on behalf of<br />
Inspector Kerryn Hynam) at Parliament House.<br />
rIGHT: <strong>The</strong> National <strong>Police</strong> Service Medal.<br />
After more than 10 years of political lobbying by the <strong>Police</strong><br />
Federation of Australia the National <strong>Police</strong> Service Medal is<br />
finally a reality. <strong>The</strong> first medals were presented by Prime<br />
Minister Julia Gillard at Parliament House last month.<br />
Two police from each jurisdiction<br />
were selected to attend the<br />
medal presentation ceremony<br />
in the Mural Hall at Parliament<br />
House. <strong>The</strong> first two <strong>Victoria</strong>n<br />
recipients were Inspector Michael Beattie<br />
and Inspector Kerryn Hynam. Unfortunately<br />
Kerryn was unwell and her medal was<br />
accepted by Assistant Commissioner Wendy<br />
Steendam on her behalf.<br />
President of the <strong>Police</strong> Federation of<br />
Australia Vince Kelly said he was proud to<br />
be representing Australia’s 56,000 police on<br />
what can only be described as an historic<br />
day for policing in this country.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Prime Minister welcomed the recipients,<br />
their friends and family, commissioners and<br />
police association and union representatives<br />
from every state and territory saying she<br />
is the proud daughter of parents who were<br />
both police officers.<br />
"This is our opportunity to pay the highest<br />
respect for who you are and what you do for<br />
our nation’s safety and security. Everyone<br />
who wears the uniform of any of our military,<br />
police or emergency services does so because<br />
they are honoured to serve. <strong>The</strong>y do not<br />
seek recognition but a grateful nation must<br />
be always ready to provide recognition."<br />
<strong>The</strong> National <strong>Police</strong> Service Medal is a medal<br />
designed by police for police. James Cheshire<br />
from the AFP assisted with the design of<br />
the medal. Chief Inspector Rick Steinborn<br />
from NSW <strong>Police</strong>, unsolicited, one day sent<br />
a medal design to the PFA. This ultimately<br />
became the design that was presented at<br />
Parliament House and will be presented in<br />
to the future. Rick and James worked closely<br />
with the PFA to ensure the final medal and<br />
ribbon design were befitting of the award.<br />
Before presenting the National <strong>Police</strong> Service<br />
Medal to the 16 recipients the Prime Minister<br />
said, "I know our nation will never be short of<br />
worthy recipients. And our police will always<br />
have our gratitude and our respect."<br />
<strong>The</strong> Canberra presentations will now be<br />
followed by medal presentations for eligible<br />
members around the country with 15<br />
or more years of service. This is a proud<br />
achievement for all those involved in the<br />
years of persuasion and lobbying.<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Police</strong> <strong>Association</strong> <strong>Victoria</strong> Journal <strong>October</strong> 2011<br />
19
A BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY<br />
WITH ONE BIG DIFFERENCE –<br />
INTEGRITY<br />
Here are some great benefits in owning your own<br />
Lifetime Franchise:<br />
• Make way-above the average weekly income<br />
• Work for yourself from your home based office<br />
• Be your own boss<br />
• Spend more quality time with your family<br />
• Be part of a proven system (21 years)<br />
• National Company with International backing<br />
• Suits husband and wife team<br />
Exclusive territories available:<br />
• Melbourne CBD<br />
• Berwick/Hallam/Cranbourne<br />
• Mornington Peninsula<br />
• Sunshine/Western suburbs<br />
• Mildura<br />
• Horsham<br />
• Yarra Ranges/Upper Ferntree Gully<br />
• Melton/Bacchus March/Derrimut<br />
• Knox/Rowville/Dandenong<br />
• Ballarat SOLD<br />
• Carlton/Brunswick SOLD<br />
• Doncaster/Greensborough SOLD<br />
• Rowville/Dandenong SOLD<br />
• Bendigo SOLD<br />
• Benalla/Wodonga SOLD<br />
• Shepparton SOLD<br />
• Warrnambool SOLD<br />
• Seymour SOLD<br />
Interested?<br />
Log on our website: www.lifetimedistributors.com<br />
Contact: Keram on 03 9796 3433 or email: keram@lifetimevic.com<br />
Lifetime is unique in its approach.<br />
Marketing is provided at a national level by the Franchisor and at a local level by the Master Franchise who regularly<br />
provides training sessions. Excellent contemporary livery on our vans clearly spells out who we are and what we do.<br />
Secret shared<br />
Franchisee Michael Mifsud’s positive approach<br />
is his secret to success with Lifetime Distributors.<br />
Lifetime Distributors<br />
proudly supports<br />
What made you turn to franchising?<br />
<strong>The</strong> ability to increase my income in a<br />
business that guaranteed I would make more<br />
money than I ever did as regular employee<br />
and the ability to control my own destiny<br />
and secure my family’s financial future.<br />
Franchising with Lifetime allows me to run<br />
my own business and in the knowledge I am<br />
receiving the backing of a major company<br />
and that motivates me even more.<br />
How do you benchmark your performance?<br />
<strong>The</strong> founder of this business has an<br />
enthusiasm unlike ay other person I have<br />
met, he set the standard for this business and<br />
if I can emulate 50 per cent of what he has<br />
achieved then I know I am doing it right.<br />
Our local master franchise regularly provides<br />
training sessions to keep us fresh and to think<br />
outside of the square. At the end of the day<br />
we have to realise that whatever it was that got<br />
us to where we are today may not be sufficient<br />
enough to keep us there. Lifetime is unique in<br />
its approach and we simply benchmark against<br />
past performances, and through training<br />
and performance evaluation we strive to<br />
exceed our personal and business goals.<br />
How do you market your business?<br />
We have very good contemporary livery on<br />
our vans that clearly spells out who we are<br />
and what we do and we have a website to<br />
complement our core business activities.<br />
Marketing is provided at a local level<br />
by the master franchise and at a<br />
national level by the franchisor. But<br />
what gives us the best marketing is to<br />
directly approach our target clients<br />
using cold calling which in our<br />
industry has a 70 per cent plus<br />
success rate. After that, and<br />
once the consumer can see the<br />
benefits of shopping with<br />
us, the customer actually<br />
provides marketing for us<br />
in the way of referral, by far<br />
the best way to market Lifetime.<br />
What has been the secret to<br />
your success?<br />
Trying to remain as positive as possible<br />
in all situations. Trying to invest as much<br />
as possible in myself and my personal<br />
growth, Biting of more than I can chew<br />
and chewing like crazy!
WALL TO WALL<br />
Wall to Wall Ride: remembering our mates<br />
<strong>The</strong>y rode from every state and<br />
territory to take part in this year’s<br />
Wall to Wall Ride for Remembrance.<br />
<strong>The</strong>y took a week to ride from<br />
Perth and Darwin. Tassie’s riders<br />
came to Melbourne and joined their <strong>Victoria</strong>n<br />
colleagues for a two-day ride to the national<br />
capital. <strong>The</strong>y rode from South Australia and<br />
Queensland with many riders joining the<br />
NSW ride from Goulburn to Canberra.<br />
In Melbourne more than 120 riders took part<br />
in an emotional ceremony at the <strong>Victoria</strong><br />
<strong>Police</strong> Memorial on St Kilda Road. <strong>Police</strong><br />
Chaplain Paul Worsnop, a keen motorcyclist<br />
who took part in the ride, blessed the<br />
riders. Roger Schranz, the Chairman of<br />
<strong>Police</strong> Legacy thanked the riders for their<br />
commitment to helping the police families<br />
left behind when a member dies.<br />
<strong>The</strong> commemorative baton struck to carry<br />
the names of the fallen from each state to<br />
the National <strong>Police</strong> Memorial was passed<br />
to Acting Superintendent Martin Bormann<br />
by Deputy Commissioner Kieran Walshe.<br />
Martin was given the duty of presenting the<br />
baton in Canberra at the national ceremony.<br />
On Saturday, September 17, when all the<br />
riders hooked up on the outskirts of Canberra<br />
there were more than 1,200 motorcycles.<br />
It made for an impressive sight! Headed<br />
by solos from most jurisdictions including<br />
<strong>Victoria</strong>, the commissioners who ride<br />
followed behind. <strong>The</strong> AFP’s Tony Negus, John<br />
McRoberts from the Territory, Karl O’Callaghan<br />
from WA, Darren Hines from Tasmania and<br />
Andrew Scipione from NSW all rode to the<br />
National <strong>Police</strong> Memorial leading literally<br />
hundreds of serving and retired police all with<br />
one purpose − to remember their mates.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Wall to Wall Ride for Remembrance<br />
was established last year by recently retired<br />
<strong>Victoria</strong>n <strong>Police</strong> <strong>Association</strong> President Brian<br />
Rix and Assistant Commissioner Mick<br />
Corboy from NSW. Both keen motorcyclists,<br />
Brian and Mick created the ride so police<br />
could pay their respects to colleagues who<br />
have been killed on duty and raise money<br />
for police legacies around the country. <strong>The</strong>y<br />
were overwhelmed by the initial support and<br />
both were amazed by the 1,200 plus riders<br />
who took part in this year’s ride.<br />
In a moving ceremony each commemorative<br />
baton was placed on the memorial. It was a<br />
poignant moment when Constable Nathan<br />
Kohutek placed NSW’s baton. His father’s<br />
name is on the National <strong>Police</strong> Memorial.<br />
Above: Outgoing <strong>Association</strong> President Brian Rix at the ceremony in Canberra.<br />
bELOW LEFT: : Marked bikes for the 2011 Canberra Ceremony.<br />
bELOW rIGHT: Onlookers at the commemorative ceremony in Canberra.<br />
bOTTOM rIGHT: <strong>Victoria</strong>’s commemorative baton at the memorial in Canberra.<br />
Constable First Class Mark Joseph Kohutek<br />
was killed on duty in 1982.<br />
For Queensland there are two new names<br />
to be included on the Memorial on National<br />
<strong>Police</strong> Remembrance Day this year.<br />
Queensland’s Commissioner Bob Atkinson<br />
spoke with great passion about his two young<br />
officers − Sergeant Dan Stiller and Detective<br />
Senior Constable Damien Leeding. Everyone<br />
present was moved when he described their<br />
lives and untimely deaths. He spoke of their<br />
wives, both police officers, and the children<br />
they left behind − the children who will not<br />
know their fathers. Many in the crowd couldn’t<br />
hold back the tears − tears for these two<br />
young men who will never grow old and tears<br />
for friends and loved ones they have lost. Men<br />
and women were joined together in their grief.<br />
"Like all the other officers named here, Dan and<br />
Damien were brave, courageous and dedicated<br />
to the roles and responsibilities of police<br />
officers in securing the communities they<br />
served. We all wish that in the years to come<br />
no new names are added to this wall. But we<br />
know the realities of policing and we know the<br />
police cannot protect the communities they<br />
serve without putting their own security at risk.<br />
We know also that no matter how experienced<br />
and skilled that an officer may be that the dark<br />
forces of fate can combine at a given time and<br />
place with the result that our worst moment<br />
is upon us with the death of a colleague."<br />
Commissioner Atkinson spoke of those<br />
remembered on the memorial. He said if they<br />
could speak to us they would ask two things of<br />
us − ‘Look after my family’ and ‘don’t forget me’.<br />
<strong>The</strong> police family, through police legacy, does<br />
look after those left behind and the police<br />
family will never forget their colleagues<br />
who have made the ultimate sacrifice while<br />
protecting others.<br />
That is what the Wall to Wall Ride for<br />
Remembrance is all about − raising money<br />
for police legacy and remembering mates.<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Police</strong> <strong>Association</strong> <strong>Victoria</strong> Journal <strong>October</strong> 2011<br />
21
SPORTS AWARDS<br />
Above: <strong>Police</strong> <strong>Association</strong> Senior Vice-President John Laird makes the presentation to Leading Senior Constable Chris Dixon, president of the police basketball club.<br />
Good sports cop<br />
well‐earned recognition<br />
Basketball was the star of the show at last month’s<br />
Sports Awards night for the <strong>Victoria</strong> <strong>Police</strong> Amateur<br />
Sports and Welfare Society.<br />
Above: Melbourne Renegades coach Simon Helmot.<br />
22 Protect Represent Support. www.tpav.org.au<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Police</strong> Amateur Basketball<br />
<strong>Association</strong> won the award for most<br />
outstanding team or club of the<br />
past year. <strong>The</strong> award is sponsored<br />
by <strong>The</strong> <strong>Police</strong> <strong>Association</strong>.<br />
<strong>The</strong> club’s Detective Sergeant, Cherie Arnell, won<br />
the prize for the most outstanding individual<br />
police sporting or welfare achievement.<br />
She was also nominated as sports or welfare<br />
administrator of the year, an award won by<br />
Steve Rainey of the <strong>Victoria</strong> <strong>Police</strong> Cricket Club.<br />
<strong>The</strong> basketball club was congratulated for its<br />
support of the Blue Ribbon Foundation. It has<br />
the ribbon logo embroidered on its uniforms and<br />
the idea was taken up this year for the uniforms<br />
of all participants from each of the sporting<br />
codes at the World <strong>Police</strong> and Fire Games.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Sports and Welfare Society supports<br />
35 clubs covering a range of sports from<br />
fishing to rugby, with the aim of encouraging<br />
police involvement in sport and recreation<br />
and enhancing the image of <strong>Victoria</strong> <strong>Police</strong>.<br />
As a shining example, look no further than<br />
Sergeant Adam Vohmann. When he’s not at<br />
the Heidelberg Crime Desk, he’s competing<br />
in ironman triathlons. He trains every day,<br />
often starting at 5am and returning to his<br />
rigorous workout when he finishes work.<br />
He was presented with the $1000 Athlete<br />
Scholarship Award.<br />
He has qualified for the ironman world<br />
championships in Hawaii following his<br />
completion of the Korean ironman event<br />
earlier this year in nine hours and 38 minutes.<br />
Fifty-one years after he died, Jack Evans was<br />
named the 2011 inductee into the <strong>Victoria</strong>
photos by gregnoakes.com<br />
Above: Jan McGowan, daughter of Hall of Fame inductee Jack Evans (pictured below).<br />
RIGHT: Ironman and policeman, Sergeant Adam Vohmann.<br />
bELOW: Netball champion Bianca Chatfield.<br />
<strong>Police</strong> Sporting Hall of Fame. In its decision,<br />
the Sports and Welfare Society has restored<br />
the memory of the Geelong and Warrnambool<br />
policeman, and 1931 and 1937 Geelong<br />
Premiership player, to its rightful place.<br />
A fellow police officer, the late Joe Sellwood,<br />
was a ’37 Grand Final team mate and he was<br />
inducted into the Sporting Hall of Fame in<br />
1996. Recent research by the Society brought<br />
the story of Jack Evans’ achievements to<br />
light (he played 149 games and kicked 146<br />
goals, including six in the ’37 Grand Final)<br />
and now, Jack will be justly remembered.<br />
His daughter, Jan McGowan, said the honour<br />
was "a bolt out of the blue and I am absolutely<br />
delighted to accept this on behalf of my father".<br />
On a night which recognised police<br />
achievement, sports stars of the public<br />
stage were present to further the cause<br />
of participation.<br />
Guests were entertained by stories from the<br />
Vixens netball team captain Bianca Chatfield,<br />
former Collingwood great Peter Daicos<br />
(who admitted his son barracks for Carlton)<br />
and Simon Helmot, coach of Melbourne’s<br />
Renegades cricket team. His message: get<br />
with 20/20 cricket; popularity is surging and<br />
it’s the way of the future.<br />
Above: Most Outstanding Individual Achievement<br />
winner, Detective Sergeant Cherie Arnell.<br />
ABOVE: award winner Steve Rainey, <strong>Victoria</strong> <strong>Police</strong><br />
Cricket Club.<br />
Above: Former Collingwood star Peter Daicos<br />
confesses to MC Ian Cover that he grew up a South<br />
Melbourne fan and would rush from playing for the<br />
Magpies to catch a Swans match.<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Police</strong> <strong>Association</strong> <strong>Victoria</strong> Journal <strong>October</strong> 2011<br />
23
Events gallery<br />
photos by gregnoakes.com<br />
Brian Rix's farewell<br />
Above left: <strong>Association</strong> presidents from all state or territory police unions.<br />
Above rIGHT: Brian accepting retirement gift from NZ <strong>Police</strong> <strong>Association</strong>’s Greg O’Connor.<br />
bELOW LEFT: Acting Chief Commissioner, Ken Lay, farewells Brian.<br />
bELOW middle: Neil Soullier presents Brian with award for outstanding contribution<br />
to Blue Ribbon Foundation.<br />
bELOW rIGHT: Former Detective Sergeant John Morrish says a few words.<br />
Wall to Wall Ride<br />
Above middle: <strong>Victoria</strong>n riders taking off for 2011 Wall to Wall ride.<br />
Above rIGHT: Riders at the <strong>Victoria</strong>n <strong>Police</strong> Memorial on St Kilda Rd.<br />
Above: <strong>Police</strong> Chaplain Paul Worsnop at the <strong>Victoria</strong>n ceremony.<br />
Left: Chairman of <strong>Police</strong> Legacy Roger Schranz.<br />
24 Protect Represent Support. www.tpav.org.au
FINANCE<br />
Take a fresh look at PC home loans<br />
Before you start<br />
your new season’s<br />
shopping, have a think<br />
about where you<br />
could save money this<br />
spring. A good place<br />
to start is with your<br />
home loan.<br />
<strong>The</strong>se days it’s definitely worth looking<br />
beyond the four big banks to a<br />
member-focused credit union and<br />
comparing your current home loan with<br />
what <strong>Police</strong> Credit has on offer.<br />
PC’s home loan rates and features are<br />
extremely competitive, and they are available<br />
for both new home loans and refinances.<br />
It’s well worth checking them out.<br />
> > Fixed rates for up to 3 years @ 6.59%pa<br />
(comparison rate 7.09%pa)<br />
> > Discounted 2-year honeymoon rate of<br />
0.70%pa off our standard variable rate<br />
(currently at 7.29%pa comparison rate<br />
7.34%pa), giving you a low variable rate of<br />
6.59%pa (comparison rate 7.15%pa)<br />
> > No establishment fee<br />
> > Free redraw on honeymoon variable rate<br />
(min $50)<br />
> > No monthly account fees and flexible<br />
repayment options<br />
> > Minimum loan amount $120,000<br />
> > Offer for a limited time only.<br />
If you already have a PC home loan, then why<br />
not tell your family and friends how they can<br />
save on these great home loan rates?<br />
You can introduce family and friends<br />
to <strong>Police</strong> Credit if you have been a PC<br />
member for 12 months. <strong>The</strong>y are eligible<br />
to join straight away if they are a member<br />
of the police force, involved in emergency<br />
services, health services or public services,<br />
or if they are working within 5 km of a<br />
PC branch.<br />
<strong>Police</strong> Credit’s friendly home loan centre<br />
would be happy to provide you with a<br />
free and confidential home loan quote.<br />
Call 13 63 73 and choose option 4.<br />
Interest rates are current as at 09/09/2011 and subject to change. Home Loan Offer: Honeymoon 2 Year Discount Variable. Minimum loan amount of $120,000. This is a<br />
limited time offer. Comparison Rate: WArning: This comparison rate is true only for the examples given and may not include all fees and charges. Different terms, fees or other<br />
loan amounts might result in a different comparison rate. Comparison Rates have been calculated on the following: Home loan amount of $150,000 over a term of 25 years.<br />
Comparison Rates are based on a new loan for a property purchase secured by a freehold property located within the metropolitan area and associated costs. This advice is<br />
general, it is not based on any consideration of your objectives, financial situation or needs. <strong>Police</strong> <strong>Association</strong> Credit Co-operative Limited (<strong>Police</strong> Credit) ABN 33 087 651 661<br />
Australian Credit Licence 240293 121 Cardigan Street Carlton VIC 3053 T 13 63 73 E carlton@policecredit.com.au www.policecredit.com.au 09.11 2600pcc<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Police</strong> <strong>Association</strong> <strong>Victoria</strong> Journal <strong>October</strong> 2011<br />
25
Delegate DELEGATE Profile<br />
Getting to know your delegate<br />
Second-generation police officer and Crime Department delegate, Detective<br />
Senior Constable Matt Merrigan, caught up with the Journal to discuss the<br />
job and what being a delegate means to him<br />
Above: Detective Senior Constable Matt Merrigan.<br />
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Contact Tony on 0401 989 547 or<br />
tony@jamaicablue.com.au<br />
WHY AND WHEN DID YOU JOIN THE JOB?<br />
I had a link to the job as my father served for<br />
in excess of 40 years. I spent a considerable<br />
part of my childhood living at a police<br />
residence and I entered the academy in the<br />
middle of 1992.<br />
WHAT DID YOU DO BEFORE JOINING<br />
THE JOB?<br />
I worked in the public service for a short<br />
time, travelled and returned working in the<br />
hospitality industry prior to joining.<br />
WHY DID YOU BECOME A DELEGATE?<br />
I was an assistant delegate up until the<br />
incumbent delegate had reason to hand over<br />
the reigns in a hurry, so to speak. Having<br />
experience as an assistant, it made the<br />
transition relatively seamless.<br />
WHAT IS<br />
YOUR MOST<br />
SIGNIFICANT<br />
ACHIEVEMENT AS<br />
A DELEGATE?<br />
Putting all other<br />
things to one<br />
side, for a large<br />
percentage of<br />
members the<br />
only exposure,<br />
consultation or need<br />
to deal with the<br />
<strong>Association</strong> comes<br />
around a fresh EB.<br />
This is an exciting<br />
time as it dictates<br />
our future working<br />
conditions and more<br />
importantly, what<br />
we take home each<br />
fortnight. Delegates<br />
are lucky enough<br />
to be involved in<br />
the process from<br />
a very early stage<br />
and I for one are<br />
amazed at all the<br />
hard toil involved.<br />
We are fortunate to have a dedicated and<br />
skilful Executive and Administration.<br />
HOW CAN YOUR MEMBERS BEST<br />
HELP YOU?<br />
Make contact early in the process before<br />
matters grow legs and become a bigger<br />
issue than what they need to be.<br />
WHAT DO YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT<br />
WORKING IN YOUR AREA?<br />
Working in my area I represent a number<br />
of workgroups among those are members<br />
from the Fraud Squad some of whom<br />
are very fiscally responsible and who<br />
also happen to know their way around<br />
a calculator! It keeps me on my toes.<br />
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE WAR STORY?<br />
One shift I responded to a request to deal<br />
with an errant Mountain Goat on the loose in<br />
South Yarra. Surprisingly, I had little trouble<br />
locating it having witnessed the carnage it<br />
left in its path whilst south bound on Chapel<br />
Street. This included women, children and<br />
other fragile souls. Following a lengthy foot<br />
pursuit I challenged a hungry bovine in the<br />
now deserted food court in Prahran Central.<br />
I resolved the situation and brought it to a<br />
successful conclusion using a combination<br />
of both the eight-step and traditional Mick<br />
Dundee method of animal negotiation.<br />
WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR<br />
CAREER HIGHLIGHT?<br />
Being appointed as a detective and<br />
completing Detective Training School.<br />
WHAT DO YOU OUTSIDE THE JOB THAT<br />
WOULD BE OF INTEREST TO MEMBERS?<br />
I really value my health and fitness and<br />
enjoy competing in physical endurance<br />
competitions. Aside from that, I enjoy being<br />
a family man first and foremost.<br />
HOW WOULD YOU LIKE TO<br />
BE REMEMBERED?<br />
Dashingly handsome with an off-beat sense<br />
of humour and overall lust for life. That’s all.<br />
CCA11811-1<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Police</strong> <strong>Association</strong> <strong>Victoria</strong> Journal <strong>October</strong> 2011<br />
27
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With fixed fees you know<br />
exactly where you stand<br />
<strong>The</strong> breakdown of a relationship or marriage can be stressful and traumatic. Often family<br />
law matters take some time to resolve and can be costly for both parties. <strong>The</strong>re is a start and<br />
end, but the direction in which the process can take along the way can be many and varied.<br />
In family law matters one of the difficulties for<br />
clients is being able to assess their capacity to<br />
meet their obligations or weigh up outcomes<br />
against costs. As is often the case with family<br />
law, the legal fees you end up paying may<br />
be greater than the dollar difference you are<br />
arguing over. It may come down to whether<br />
you would rather give the money to a lawyer<br />
or share it with your former partner.<br />
Mid-last month Slater & Gordon launched<br />
its new Family Law Fixed Fee model in<br />
<strong>Victoria</strong>, which promises to alleviate much<br />
of the uncertainty so you can make a more<br />
informed decision of whether you would like<br />
us to advance your matter.<br />
Most lawyers who work in Family Law charge<br />
on an hourly rate, according to the amount of<br />
time they spend on your matter. <strong>The</strong>y typically<br />
charge in six-minute blocks for anything<br />
necessary to your case such as telephone calls,<br />
emails, meetings and preparing letters and<br />
documents. Not surprisingly, it doesn’t take<br />
long for these costs to add up.<br />
With Slater & Gordon’s Family Law Fixed<br />
Fee model we aim to reach the best results<br />
for our clients quickly and economically. <strong>The</strong><br />
big difference between fixed fees and hourly<br />
rates is certainty. With hourly rates you<br />
don’t know what the cost will be until the<br />
matter is resolved. With fixed fees you know<br />
exactly where you stand from the outset,<br />
irrespective of how much time the lawyer<br />
spends on your case.<br />
How does the Fixed Fee model work?<br />
Our Fixed Fee model works much like a quote.<br />
You and your lawyer discuss your matter<br />
and develop a plan of how it is to be handled.<br />
You’ll be given a fixed fee proposal that sets<br />
out the work to be included, and what may be<br />
excluded, and how the fee is to be paid. This is<br />
called a Legal Costs Agreement. If we all agree<br />
to its terms, you sign the contract and our<br />
lawyer gets to work on resolving your matter.<br />
Fees are charged in incremental stages<br />
rather than based on the time or resources<br />
involved, as is usually the case. If at stage<br />
two you still haven’t settled, we scope what<br />
is required to reach stage three and we<br />
quote you a fee for proceeding.<br />
<strong>The</strong> fixed fee proposal may cover multiple<br />
stages of a matter but in most cases it is not<br />
possible to quote a fixed fee for a later stage<br />
until the earlier stages have been completed.<br />
For instance, it is not possible to quote a price<br />
for preparing a matter for trial before the<br />
issues to be argued at the trial are known.<br />
Through the fixed fee arrangement we<br />
give you the opportunity of assessing<br />
what value you place on the work we are<br />
going to do to achieve a certain outcome.<br />
You may choose not to proceed. That’s<br />
perfectly understandable. It is no different<br />
to negotiating over or piece of artwork; what<br />
has a certain value to one person may not<br />
have that value to someone else.<br />
Fixed fees may not be suitable in every<br />
situation. For instance, it is unlikely that fixed<br />
fees would be quoted if you have a complicated<br />
case with complex and uncertain legal issues,<br />
or if you and your ex-partner are involved in a<br />
dispute with high levels of conflict.<br />
What is included in the Fixed Fee quote?<br />
We set out the precise scope of the work<br />
to be undertaken in the Legal Costs<br />
Agreement. Typically it involves all legal and<br />
administrative work necessary to complete<br />
the specified stages including preparing<br />
documents, dealing with correspondence,<br />
and communicating with the other party<br />
and the courts. Our operating costs are also<br />
covered, so you won’t be charged separately<br />
for photocopying, telephone calls or faxes.<br />
Exclusions and variations<br />
In special circumstances, there may also<br />
be specific exclusions. We always discuss<br />
these with you and detail them in the Legal<br />
Cost Agreement.<br />
In addition, unforeseen events may<br />
unfold that could change the course of<br />
your case such as if the other party files a<br />
new application or a third party joins the<br />
proceedings. We let you know in writing if we<br />
wish to propose a cost amendment due to a<br />
substantial increase in the work involved.<br />
You then have the option of accepting or<br />
rejecting the revised fee. If we agree on the<br />
variation, we proceed. If not, you can either<br />
cancel your instructions or you can exercise<br />
your rights under the Legal Costs Agreement.<br />
At Slater & Gordon, our team of experienced<br />
family lawyers can give you comprehensive<br />
advice about your legal rights, entitlements<br />
and obligations, and the different options<br />
available to settle any matters in which you<br />
and your partner may disagree.<br />
Our approach to family law is to encourage<br />
settlements, not arguments. By applying<br />
a Fixed Fee model to family law we aim to<br />
provide value for our clients and our focus is<br />
on achieving the best results promptly and<br />
cost-effectively.<br />
For more information about Slater &<br />
Gordon’s Family Law Fixed Fee model, visit<br />
www.familylawfixedfees.com.au or contact<br />
us at 1800 555 777. To learn more about the<br />
full suite of services we offer, you can go on<br />
our website at www.slatergordon.com.au<br />
Step-by-step guide<br />
demystifies the<br />
complexities of family law<br />
Ian Shann is the Family Law National<br />
Practice Group Leader at Slater &<br />
Gordon, and has been instrumental in<br />
developing the Family Law Fixed Fee<br />
model. To coincide with the introduction<br />
of the new model, Slater & Gordon has<br />
launched Ian’s guide to family law.<br />
In Know Where You Stand, Ian has put<br />
20 years of experience into a unique<br />
and accessible guide to separation for<br />
married and de facto couples.<br />
<strong>The</strong> book gives a step-by-step guide to<br />
family law including separation, divorce,<br />
de facto relationships, children’s and<br />
financial issues and the court systems.<br />
It is a practical guide for users of the<br />
family law system, written in plain<br />
language, and provides pointers on<br />
how to find and deal with lawyers.<br />
For more information about Ian<br />
Shann’s guide to family law, visit<br />
www.familylawfixedfees.com.au<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Police</strong> <strong>Association</strong> <strong>Victoria</strong> Journal <strong>October</strong> 2011<br />
29
ook Giveaway<br />
An investigator’s account of a never‐ending toll<br />
Road Kill<br />
"It has been 11 years since I investigated a fatal accident and dealt with grieving relatives. It has taken me 11 years to<br />
have the strength to write about it, to put pen to paper and record what has caused me so much grief and anguish."<br />
So writes Craig Hodge, one of <strong>Victoria</strong> <strong>Police</strong>’s leading investigators of fatal road accidents. A police officer for 20 years,<br />
seven of which he spent with the Accident Investigation Section (now the Major Collision Investigation Unit), Hodge<br />
attended the horrific scenes of more than 350 accidents that resulted in deaths and serious injuries.<br />
In Road Kill, Hodge recounts harrowing investigations and details the processes involved in finding out the causes of such<br />
tragedies, which often led to prosecutions. His story is a cautionary tale in which responsible driving messages loom large.<br />
Above: Author and ex-member Craig Hodge.<br />
Q&A with the author<br />
After 20 years in the job did you always<br />
plan to write a book about your experiences<br />
as a road accident investigator?<br />
No, not at all. I loved the job and enjoyed<br />
what I did immensely. I was always of the<br />
thought "who would want to read about<br />
a copper who loved his job?"<br />
What sort of impact do you think the title<br />
will have on readers?<br />
I hope it hits them right between the<br />
eyes to be honest. I didn’t set out to write a<br />
book about road safety but as it progressed<br />
it was obvious that the book contained a very<br />
strong message. I’ve always thought that<br />
people seem to tune out when you mention<br />
road safety or road trauma, so the title of the<br />
book had to make it really stand out.<br />
You recount some pretty horrible tales for<br />
not just the victims who lost their lives in<br />
road accidents but the victims that were<br />
left behind, what was it like reliving those<br />
experiences for this book?<br />
At times, very difficult. When I first started it<br />
about 10 years ago, I couldn’t do it. It was just<br />
too hard reliving the events I had seen. Five<br />
30 Protect Represent Support. www.tpav.org.au<br />
years ago, same thing. But then late last year<br />
and into 2011 I felt strong enough to write a few<br />
chapters, I had people read it who told me that is<br />
was good and that spurred me on to keep going.<br />
Why did you feel it was important to get<br />
these stories out there?<br />
<strong>The</strong>se events have had such a lasting impact<br />
on me. I thought by sharing them (instead<br />
of keeping them bottled up inside) I could<br />
educate others on the dangers on the road,<br />
make them see what I had seen, in the hope<br />
that this would cause them to make smarter<br />
choices when driving. If by reading my book,<br />
one person slows down or doesn’t get drunk<br />
and decide to drive his kids home, then I will<br />
have made a difference.<br />
You are quite critical of the welfare support<br />
that was offered to you as an investigator<br />
by <strong>Victoria</strong> <strong>Police</strong>, what did you do to help<br />
you get through the rough days?<br />
Like most police, I just got on with it.<br />
Personally I would confide in my dog, which<br />
I share in the book. I’d spend a day or two in<br />
the garden and just talk to the dog. I didn’t<br />
dare show weakness to my workmates,<br />
that wasn’t the "done" thing. In the end<br />
though it caught up with me so I guess I didn’t<br />
handle it as well as I should have.<br />
In the book you are very honest about<br />
dealing with the stress and depression that<br />
was triggered by the work you faced on a<br />
daily basis. What advice would you give to<br />
other members are facing similar stresses<br />
in the job now?<br />
<strong>The</strong>re are 2 issues with stress like mine<br />
in the job. First is admitting to yourself<br />
there is a problem, second is admitting<br />
to someone else. Both are difficult. By all<br />
means talk to friends and family but for the<br />
most part, none of them can understand the<br />
complexities of the job let alone the stresses<br />
surrounding it. My advice for members is<br />
to go and see the force psychologist on<br />
a regular basis. Once or twice a year and<br />
make it a habit.<br />
You said that in the early years you were very<br />
critical of weaknesses in the legal system<br />
regarding penalties for culpable driving.<br />
How do you feel about the changes that have<br />
been implemented over the past decade?<br />
We complained for a long time and now<br />
the maximum penalty is 20 years for<br />
culpable and there is the stop gap offence<br />
of Dangerous Driving Causing Death, so I<br />
shouldn’t complain. But the courts don’t<br />
seem to reflect public opinion on sentencing<br />
and although sentences in some instances<br />
have been more severe, they hardly reflect<br />
the increase in the maximum. So in one<br />
regard I’m pleased, in the other I’m not.<br />
TAC and road safety campaigns have had a<br />
huge presence in the media over recent years,<br />
what impact do you think that are having?<br />
<strong>The</strong> TAC put an enormous effort into these<br />
commercials. <strong>The</strong>y have certainly become<br />
more graphic over time. But it’s the same<br />
message and I think the public are becoming<br />
a little bit hardened so to that their<br />
effectiveness has dropped a little.<br />
What is the most important road safety<br />
message that you personally want to get<br />
out to other members and the wider public?<br />
<strong>The</strong>re are so many things every driver can learn<br />
and do that will help them survive on the road.<br />
I tell people to never expect that other drivers<br />
will do the right thing, always drive defensively.<br />
Road Kill will be released in stores<br />
<strong>October</strong> 1 and <strong>The</strong> <strong>Police</strong> <strong>Association</strong><br />
has copies to give away. Simply write<br />
down the title and author of the book,<br />
your name and registered number<br />
and send it to <strong>The</strong> <strong>Police</strong> <strong>Association</strong><br />
‘<strong>October</strong> Book Giveaway’, PO Box 76,<br />
Carlton South 3053. <strong>The</strong> first, neatest<br />
and correct entries will be the winners.<br />
<strong>The</strong> judge’s decision is final and no<br />
correspondence will be entered in to.
Trivia Quiz<br />
Test your brain and win in-season passes<br />
to see Brad Pitt's new movie Moneyball<br />
How is your general knowledge? Try and answer the 20 questions and test the knowledge of your<br />
colleagues around the mess room table without peeking at the answers printed at the bottom of the page.<br />
And if you think you know the answer to the ‘Who Am I?’ question, send your answer to the <strong>Association</strong><br />
and go into the draw to win in-season passes to Brad Pitt’s new movie Moneyball.<br />
Based on a true story and from the producers of "<strong>The</strong> Social Network", Moneyball is the movie for anybody<br />
who has ever dreamed of taking on the system. Brad Pitt stars as Billy Beane, the general manager of the<br />
Oakland A’s, who is forced to reinvent his baseball team on a very tight budget. He teams with a young<br />
recent graduate Peter Brand (Jonah Hill) in an unlikely partnership, recruiting bargain players and trying to<br />
outsmart the richer club. At the movies November 10.<br />
1 Clint Eastwood’s final on-screen role<br />
was in which 2008 movie?<br />
2 What is the most lucrative horserace<br />
run at Moonee Valley racecourse<br />
every year?<br />
3 Who is Australia’s ‘first bloke’?<br />
4 Harry Kewell has signed to play for<br />
which A-League club this season?<br />
5 Newly appointed AFL coaches Brendan<br />
McCartney and Mark Neeld have<br />
previously coached which Bellarine<br />
Peninsula-based football club?<br />
6 Who is the federal Opposition’s<br />
spokesperson on immigration matters?<br />
7 Sarah-Jane Clarke and Heidi<br />
Middleton are the founders of which<br />
internationally-renowned Australian<br />
fashion label?<br />
8 Which of the three coloured traffic<br />
lights is positioned on the top?<br />
9 Which Bon Jovi hit had Tommy work<br />
‘on the docks’ and Gina ‘work the diner<br />
all day’?<br />
11 <strong>The</strong> ABC’s Four Corners program is this<br />
year celebrating what milestone?<br />
12 What Christian name was given to<br />
the first-born child of Crown Prince<br />
Frederick and Crown Princess Mary of<br />
Denmark?<br />
13 Australian journalist Stephen Mayne<br />
founded which controversial online<br />
news service?<br />
14 Which Australian brewing giant was<br />
last month sold to UK brewer SABMiller<br />
for $10 billion?<br />
15 As at the commencement of this<br />
year’s spring racing carnival, what<br />
is the undefeated winning streak of<br />
champion sprinter Black Caviar?<br />
16 According to the Zodiac people born<br />
in <strong>October</strong> belong to one of which two<br />
star signs?<br />
17 Which Japanese city beginning with ‘O’<br />
is one of Melbourne’s sister cities?<br />
18 In which year of last century was a<br />
referendum held on the question of<br />
Australia becoming a republic?<br />
Correctly Answer Who<br />
Am I? for a chance to win<br />
Who am I?<br />
1. I am an iconic Australian<br />
police television drama<br />
2. I was made by Crawford<br />
Productions<br />
3. 510 episodes were made and<br />
shown between 1964 and 1977<br />
4. Each episode dealt with an<br />
investigation by <strong>Victoria</strong> <strong>Police</strong><br />
Force detectives.<br />
5. I was also famous for the<br />
‘four-door slam’ shown during<br />
each episode at the end of the<br />
opening theme.<br />
Last month’s Who Am I?<br />
Answer − Barcelona<br />
10 Which is the older iconic structure,<br />
Paris’ Eiffel Tower or New York City’s<br />
Empire State building?<br />
19 What is Australia’s longest-running TV<br />
soap opera?<br />
20 Which AFL team finished fifth in 2011?<br />
Quiz answers: 1. Gran Torino 2. <strong>The</strong> Cox Plate 3. Tim Mathieson 4. Melbourne Victory 5. <strong>The</strong> Ocean Grove Football Club 6. Scott<br />
Morrison 7. Sass & Bide 8. Red 9. Livin’ on a Prayer 10. <strong>The</strong> Eiffel Tower (1889). ESB built in 1931 11. It’s 50 th year 12. Christian<br />
13. Crikey 14. Foster’s 15. 13 16. Libra or Scorpio 17. Osaka 18. 1999 19. Neighbours 20. Carlton<br />
To enter the prize draw all you have to do<br />
is answer the ‘Who Am I?’ question send<br />
your entry along with your contact details<br />
to ‘Who Am I?’, <strong>The</strong> <strong>Police</strong> <strong>Association</strong>,<br />
PO Box 76, Carlton South 3053.<br />
<strong>The</strong> completed ‘Who Am I?’ must arrive<br />
by Friday, 28 <strong>October</strong> to be eligible for the<br />
prize draw. <strong>The</strong> first neatest correct entry<br />
will be the winner. <strong>The</strong> judge’s decision<br />
is final and no correspondence will<br />
be entered into.<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Police</strong> <strong>Association</strong> <strong>Victoria</strong> Journal <strong>October</strong> 2011<br />
31
Around AROUND the COUNTRY<br />
NATIONAL<br />
Round-up<br />
What’s happening to POLICE AROUND the<br />
COUNTRY? Read on to find out about the ISSUES<br />
AND ChALLENGES fACING POLICE in the other<br />
STATES AND TERRITORIES.<br />
SA<br />
PO L I C E A S S O C I A T I O N<br />
O F S O U T H<br />
A U S T R A L I A<br />
Limited statutory defence for<br />
police driving<br />
South Australian police now have a limited<br />
statutory defence from prosecution when<br />
undertaking high-risk or urgent-response<br />
driving, with the commencement of the<br />
Statutes Amendment (Driving Offences)<br />
Act 2010.<br />
<strong>The</strong> act, which came into effect on August 21,<br />
2011, is the result of lobbying by the <strong>Police</strong><br />
<strong>Association</strong> to clarify the law in relation to<br />
high-risk or urgent-response driving.<br />
<strong>The</strong> issue came to light in 2008 during a case<br />
in which it became evident that there was<br />
nothing in the law that distinguished police<br />
driving as different from that of the general<br />
public.<br />
Speaking at the <strong>Police</strong> <strong>Association</strong>’s annual<br />
conference in 2009, Premier Mike Rann said<br />
he understood the concerns police officers<br />
had in the wake of the case, and that his<br />
government would work closely with the<br />
association to implement change.<br />
That collaboration came to fruition in June<br />
last year, when then Road Safety Minister<br />
Jack Snelling introduced the legislative<br />
amendments to parliament.<br />
Mr Snelling said that the changes had been<br />
introduced in order to clarify any ambiguities<br />
which might have existed when police<br />
officers and other emergency workers were<br />
engaged in driving in emergency situations,<br />
by providing them with a defence in<br />
particular circumstances.<br />
While this is an important outcome, the<br />
statutory defence is limited in nature<br />
and, for it to come into effect, police must<br />
32 Protect Represent Support. www.tpav.org.au<br />
be carrying out their duties, acting in<br />
accordance with general orders and acting<br />
reasonably in the circumstances.<br />
TAS<br />
Budget Cuts being felt by <strong>Police</strong><br />
<strong>The</strong> budget cuts are creating nothing but<br />
grief in Tasmania. <strong>The</strong> <strong>Police</strong> budget was<br />
slashed with a loss of 50 members in this<br />
financial year alone. 15 police officers chose<br />
to take up an offer called the "Workplace<br />
Renewal Incentive Program" which is a<br />
‘hurry-up out the door’ program or some<br />
such thing that hasn’t been really described<br />
in any way that makes sense to the majority<br />
of workers. Quite a number who availed<br />
themselves of the offer were retiring in any<br />
event and all received an additional $20k for<br />
being on their way.<br />
In any event, the numbers are dwindling<br />
and as such services are being reduced.<br />
On-call has been reviewed and cut in places,<br />
meaning slower response times, lack of local<br />
coverage in areas and in some cases lack of<br />
local knowledge may result in an inadequate<br />
response. Having Prosecutors on duty after<br />
business hours will cease in Hobart and a<br />
Uniform Watch Sergeant will be burdened<br />
with that role on top of their usual busy<br />
duties supervising a shift in the Hobart area.<br />
While we are feeling the pinch now, the<br />
real impact will hit in 1-2 years time, when<br />
money is so tight, torch batteries will be<br />
scarce, the light bulbs in stations will be<br />
"thinned out", mums will be darning socks<br />
again and the blue line will stretched so thin<br />
that members will jump for joy when they<br />
get to work two-up!<br />
It’s not funny − I’m serious.<br />
NSW<br />
Asbestos in <strong>Police</strong> Buildings<br />
Thousands of NSW police officers have<br />
been exposed to asbestos contamination<br />
at a Sydney weapons training facility, which<br />
was concealed from officers until a <strong>Police</strong><br />
<strong>Association</strong> member raised concerns about a<br />
cracked wall in May this year. Management<br />
admitted they had known about it since 2008.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Wetherill Park Weapons Training Facility is<br />
just one of approximately 460 police properties,<br />
including residences and police stations that are<br />
contaminated with asbestos and lead paint.<br />
Asbestos fibres cause respiratory disease and<br />
cancer, including asbestosis and mesothelioma,<br />
but these can take decades to develop.<br />
Angry that the force has known about the<br />
presence of potentially deadly substances at<br />
properties for at least three years, the <strong>Police</strong><br />
<strong>Association</strong> of NSW (PANSW) has demanded<br />
a full investigation.<br />
It has also requested that WorkCover<br />
launch an investigation with a view to laying<br />
charges against the force for breaches of the<br />
Occupational Health & Safety Act.<br />
"<strong>Police</strong> housing is rotten to the core and<br />
the cover-up of the report into hazardous<br />
materials is the final nail in the coffin for police<br />
families," PANSW president Scott Weber said.<br />
"My message to <strong>Police</strong> Minister Mike<br />
Gallacher is this: protect your police and find<br />
out who caused this cover-up and why."<br />
"<strong>The</strong>n commit $100 million to fix police<br />
housing immediately and clean up this mess<br />
or your officers will take action."<br />
Lithgow <strong>Police</strong> Station was closed on 10<br />
August while asbestos was removed from
heating ducts. However, the <strong>Association</strong> said<br />
the asbestos risk in the Lithgow station’s<br />
plant room and heating duct were so serious<br />
they were given an A1 rating in 2009, which<br />
should have led to the immediate removal of<br />
the asbestos.<br />
"<strong>Police</strong> officers in Lithgow and across NSW<br />
are extremely angry at the way this has all<br />
been covered up," Mr Weber said.<br />
"This shows that the force is prepared to put<br />
officers’ lives and their families’ lives at risk<br />
just to save a few dollars."<br />
In August the NSW <strong>Police</strong> Force announced<br />
it has been undertaking a program of<br />
identification, prioritisation and remediation<br />
of police residential accommodation and<br />
facilities which may contain hazardous<br />
building materials. A working party was<br />
established to oversee the program.<br />
Meanwhile the NSW Government has also set<br />
up a new task force, the Heads of Asbestos<br />
Coordination Authorities (HACA) group, which<br />
is charged with developing a state-wide<br />
Asbestos Plan and improving how government<br />
monitors and responds to asbestos.<br />
NSW <strong>Police</strong> wages case<br />
From drug busts to simulated weapons<br />
training, NSW <strong>Police</strong> began showcasing their<br />
work before an independent umpire on 22<br />
August. Hearings before the Full Bench of<br />
the Industrial Relations Commission began<br />
in Sydney and later moved to Newcastle<br />
and Wollongong.<br />
Under recent legislation, all NSW public<br />
servants, including police officers will no<br />
longer have the right to take their wage<br />
claims to the independent umpire. However<br />
police were granted a limited exemption and<br />
this wages case could well be the last of its<br />
kind in NSW. <strong>The</strong> <strong>Association</strong> is seeking a<br />
five per cent pay rise for police and increases<br />
for specialist groups.<br />
QLD<br />
Major win in QIRC for Queensland <strong>Police</strong><br />
<strong>The</strong> Decision by the Full Bench of the<br />
Queensland Industrial Relations Commission<br />
(QIRC) in "Queensland <strong>Police</strong> Service AND<br />
Queensland <strong>Police</strong> Union of Employees<br />
and <strong>The</strong> Queensland <strong>Police</strong> Commissioned<br />
Officers’ Union of Employees (CA/2010/12)"<br />
provided Queensland <strong>Police</strong> with a pay<br />
deal that was significantly better than<br />
the pay rise on offer from the Queensland<br />
state government.<br />
<strong>The</strong> negotiations for Enterprise bargaining<br />
Agreement 6 had broken down in 2010 with the<br />
State Government refusing to move from an<br />
offer of 2.5% per annum over three years. <strong>The</strong><br />
dispute proceeded to Conciliation in late 2010,<br />
followed by a Full Bench Wage Case earlier this<br />
year. <strong>The</strong> Full bench determined that pay rates<br />
should increase by 3.8% in the first year, 3.8%<br />
in the second year and 3.5% in the final year.<br />
It is estimated that this decision will cost the<br />
State government an additional $87m.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Full Bench also increased the applicable<br />
"On Call" Allowances and endorsed a Review<br />
of Officer In Charge Allowances. <strong>The</strong> Full<br />
Bench also determined that all <strong>Police</strong> Liaison<br />
Officers receive a major restructuring of the<br />
classifications which will mean that they<br />
move up one pay band.<br />
Of particular note in the decision were the<br />
comments that the Full Bench made about<br />
the State Government’s current wages policy.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Full Bench questioned the "one size fits<br />
all" approach of the Government, specifically<br />
stating that "A continuing matter for concern<br />
in this Decision relates to the "one size fits<br />
all" Government offer to its employees within<br />
the public sector". <strong>The</strong> Full Bench went on<br />
to say that "We are curious as to how a fixed<br />
offer can be made by the Government to its<br />
workforce without any apparent or obvious<br />
consideration being given to the type of<br />
industry under consideration".<br />
NT<br />
One of the major resource issues confronting<br />
the Northern Territory in the immediate future<br />
is the ongoing commitment of the Australian<br />
Government to the intervention or NT<br />
Emergency Response. <strong>The</strong> <strong>Association</strong> says<br />
it is simply unacceptable for the Australian<br />
Government to walk away from funding police<br />
positions that were created at the behest of a<br />
federal coalition government and subsequently<br />
the federal labour administration.<br />
"We believe there are at least 74 positions<br />
that the Australian government has a<br />
moral obligation to continue to fund," says<br />
<strong>Association</strong> President Vince Kelly. "It is also<br />
incumbent upon the Australian government<br />
to listen more carefully to Territorians,<br />
particularly our members, in relation to the<br />
location of very expensive police stations."<br />
<strong>The</strong> NTPA is mystified that the Federal<br />
Minister for Indigenous Affairs, Jenny<br />
Macklin and her staff appear to have<br />
avoided all attempts to arrange meetings<br />
with her both directly and through the CEO<br />
of the <strong>Police</strong> Federation of Australia.<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Association</strong> is concerned that the<br />
Australian government will only hear from<br />
people with a limited Canberra view of<br />
the Territory.<br />
"Our challenge will be to ensure that<br />
government at all levels do not start looking<br />
for a cheap option, that is, outsourcing<br />
or dumbing down the service that is and<br />
should be provided by sworn <strong>Police</strong> Officers."<br />
PFA<br />
Occupational Health and Safety a key<br />
issue for the PFA<br />
<strong>The</strong> past 12 months have been very busy<br />
in respect to the push to harmonise OH&S<br />
legislation across the country.<br />
<strong>The</strong> initial discussion papers and the<br />
proposal for the Model Bill contained<br />
a recommendation that referred to a<br />
‘jurisdictional note’ that appeared in the<br />
Commonwealth Occupational Health and<br />
Safety Act 1991. This note specifically applied<br />
to the AFP, however there was concern that<br />
under harmonized legislation, this could flow<br />
on to all other police jurisdictions.<br />
As a result, in the lead up to the 2010 Federal<br />
Election the PFA sought a commitment to<br />
discussion about whether such a provision<br />
should be included in any model legislation.<br />
In a written response the Government stated −<br />
"A re-elected Gillard Government will<br />
ask the Commissioner of the AFP to<br />
review the jurisdictional note that<br />
provides an exemption from health and<br />
safety obligations in relation to National<br />
Security, in consultation with the PFA and<br />
the APFA and to advise the Government<br />
on possible changes.<br />
Federal Labor’s firm commitment is that<br />
the PFA and <strong>Police</strong> Unions will have a<br />
seat at the table on OH&S changes that<br />
affect police".<br />
As a result, Senior Counsel Mr Bruce<br />
Hodgkinson was engaged by the AFP to<br />
conduct an independent review.<br />
<strong>The</strong> PFA made two submissions to the Review<br />
and met with Hodgkinson. He ultimately came<br />
to the following conclusions in his report −<br />
1. <strong>The</strong> provisions contained within s.8 of the<br />
1991 OHS Act are too broad to properly<br />
reflect the area of concern advanced by<br />
the AFP in respect of the conducting of<br />
its operations<br />
continued on page 36<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Police</strong> <strong>Association</strong> <strong>Victoria</strong> Journal <strong>October</strong> 2011<br />
33
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Your YOUR Say SAY<br />
Your say ><br />
Email journal@tpav.org.au or write to us at<br />
PO Box 76, Carlton South 3053<br />
Thanks<br />
I would like to take this time to pass on my<br />
gratitude to the <strong>Association</strong>, especially Kaye<br />
Murphy, for the assistance the <strong>Association</strong> has<br />
provided to me and my family at a time when<br />
my wife had a serious accident involving a race<br />
horse that required she be flown to Melbourne<br />
for treatment. <strong>The</strong> <strong>Association</strong> showed<br />
compassion and timely assistance in securing<br />
accommodation for the time we were in<br />
Melbourne. This may sound like a simple thing<br />
but it was at a time when decision-making on<br />
my behalf was little stressed. My wife Debbie<br />
and our unborn child are doing extremely well<br />
and although the rehab process will take time<br />
a full recovery is expected. Again, a big thank<br />
you from my family for your assistance. Keep<br />
up the good work; it is a privilege to belong to<br />
such a member-focused organisation.<br />
Regards,<br />
Mark Paynter<br />
Constable 3606<br />
I write to express my thanks to the<br />
<strong>Association</strong> for the help and support given to<br />
me during a protracted ESD enquiry. I know<br />
of no other organisation that assists its<br />
members so effectively and professionally.<br />
I wish to draw your attention to the efforts<br />
of Bernie Elliott and Kaye Murphy who both<br />
provided great assistance, counsel and help<br />
to myself and my wife during this difficult<br />
time. In particular I wish to praise Bernie<br />
Elliott, for without his skilled, professional<br />
and tireless efforts, I may well not still be a<br />
member of <strong>Victoria</strong> <strong>Police</strong> or at the very least<br />
no longer a Sergeant.<br />
Both Bernie and Kaye took the time to drive to<br />
our home to support and advise my wife and I.<br />
We both appreciated their efforts greatly.<br />
Sincerely<br />
Name, rank and reg. number supplied<br />
On Behalf of all the members of the <strong>Victoria</strong><br />
<strong>Police</strong> Football Club we would like to thank<br />
you for your contribution towards our<br />
grant. Each year it costs around $25,000 to<br />
attend the annual National <strong>Police</strong> Football<br />
Championship. This grant will go towards<br />
paying our trainers accommodation and<br />
attending the annual sports awards at<br />
Moonee Valley Racecourse.<br />
Thank you.<br />
Kind regards<br />
Kemal Brkic<br />
Senior Constable 32410<br />
<strong>Police</strong> Scouters <strong>Victoria</strong> wish to thank <strong>The</strong><br />
<strong>Police</strong> <strong>Association</strong> for their ongoing support<br />
of our organisation through the <strong>Victoria</strong><br />
<strong>Police</strong> Amateur Sports and Welfare Society<br />
Inc. <strong>The</strong> support of <strong>The</strong> <strong>Police</strong> <strong>Association</strong><br />
has contributed greatly to the success of our<br />
group and the service that it provides to the<br />
scouting community as well.<br />
Stefan Rea<br />
Secretary, <strong>Police</strong> Scouters <strong>Victoria</strong><br />
Earlier this month I was involved in a<br />
critical incident in the Carlton North area<br />
while working the divisional van. I received<br />
information for a self-harming male and<br />
attended this job. I was then confronted was a<br />
male in possession of a knife who stabbed me<br />
twice in the arm causing me to loose a large<br />
amount of blood and be admitted to hospital.<br />
My mother and sister came from the country<br />
to visit me and the <strong>Association</strong> took care of<br />
their accommodation for the night ensuring<br />
their comfort during this time. I am writing to<br />
thank the <strong>Police</strong> <strong>Association</strong> on behalf of my<br />
mother and sister. It is great to know that<br />
this support is available in such hectic times.<br />
Daniel Leach<br />
Constable 38188<br />
Brain and Shirley<br />
Thank you for your company, sincere words<br />
and gifts at my retirement/send-off at<br />
Box Hill RSL on 14 August 2011. It was<br />
a pleasure having your company and a<br />
pleasure to know you.<br />
All the best for your imminent retirement.<br />
May your wheels keep on turning.<br />
Rod ‘Rocket’ Phillips<br />
Sergeant 19485<br />
Retirements<br />
I am writing to advise you that I will be<br />
retiring from <strong>Victoria</strong> <strong>Police</strong> as of 27 August<br />
2011 and therefore will be concluding my<br />
membership with the <strong>Police</strong> <strong>Association</strong> from<br />
that date. Having served with <strong>Victoria</strong> <strong>Police</strong><br />
for in excess of 37 years I would like to thank<br />
the <strong>Association</strong> for their continued support of<br />
the membership and wish all of the staff the<br />
very best for the future. In particular I would<br />
like to thank Bruce McKenzie for all his help<br />
and advice he has given me over many years.<br />
Kind regards<br />
Ron Ritchie APM<br />
Senior Sergeant 18348<br />
It is with sadness and a great deal of<br />
disappointment that I write to the <strong>Police</strong><br />
<strong>Association</strong> to inform you of my forced illhealth<br />
retirement from Vic Pol after 18 years.<br />
I have undergone two bouts of major surgery<br />
to my lower back including a fusion of three<br />
vertebrae, but unfortunately, both surgeries<br />
have been unsuccessful and the dept says its<br />
time to go. I would like to express my thanks<br />
to the <strong>Association</strong>, particularly Les BEslis<br />
and Kaye murphY for their support in recent<br />
times, especially when my own workplace<br />
and the department consistently let me<br />
down. To the members who still keep in touch<br />
and haven’t ‘wiped’ me I am eternally grateful<br />
and I wish them a safe journey as their careers<br />
progress. Lastly I wish the <strong>Association</strong> good<br />
luck with the continuing EB negotiations and<br />
congratulate you on your commitment to,<br />
and support of your members.<br />
Regards<br />
Kellie Fraser<br />
Leading Senior Constable 29776<br />
I am writing to let you know that as of Friday<br />
26 August I am being retired ill-health after<br />
35 years service. Of course, that means I will<br />
have to resign from the <strong>Association</strong> as well.<br />
I have thoroughly enjoyed my time in blue<br />
especially the two years I served as a District<br />
Delegate representing Knox. I have used the<br />
<strong>Association</strong>’s services on a couple of occasions<br />
and have always found the staff to be friendly<br />
and courteous, a pity some other organisations<br />
don’t send their people to you for training!<br />
Anyway thank you for always being there to<br />
represent our interests. I am sure "the job"<br />
would be a lot worse if you weren’t looking<br />
over the collective shoulders of Command<br />
and politicians.<br />
Regards<br />
Noel Brown<br />
Sergeant 19518<br />
We welcome your letters to the Journal. In all cases the writer’s name must be supplied. Names will be published unless there is a good reason for<br />
anonymity. <strong>The</strong> editor reserves the right to edit, abridge, or decline letters without explanation. Letters under 400 words are preferred. Send your<br />
letters to journal@tpav.org.au<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Police</strong> <strong>Association</strong> <strong>Victoria</strong> Journal <strong>October</strong> 2011<br />
35
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continued from page 33<br />
2. <strong>The</strong> definition of "dangerous<br />
operations" found in s.8 of the 1991<br />
OHS Act is so broad and uncertain as<br />
to not be appropriate to be repeated<br />
in the mwhs Bill.<br />
3. <strong>The</strong>re is a legitimate area of operations<br />
undertaken by the AFP that could<br />
be compromised if no provisions is<br />
included in the mwhs Bill<br />
4. <strong>The</strong> AFP’s commitment to the<br />
maintenance of occupational health<br />
and safety standards in respect of all<br />
its operations forms an appropriate<br />
basis for the determination of the<br />
scope and operation of the provision<br />
to be included in the mwhs Bill<br />
5. <strong>The</strong> AFP should have included in the<br />
mwhs Bill a more limited provision<br />
than that found in the 1991 OHS Act<br />
6. That provision should be in similar<br />
terms to the definition of "covert<br />
operation" in s.8 of the 1991 OHS Act<br />
7. <strong>The</strong> inclusion of such a provision in the<br />
mwhsA Bill should not excuse the AFP<br />
from ensuring health and safety so<br />
far as reasonably practicable in all its<br />
areas of operation even in respect of<br />
the aspects of covert operations which<br />
the AFP are able to plan and control<br />
8. <strong>The</strong> practice developed by the<br />
AFP of reporting matters properly<br />
encompassed by s.8 of the 1991<br />
OHS Act to Comcare at a time when<br />
doing so could not prejudice or<br />
adversely affect the AFP operation<br />
is commendable and should be<br />
formalised and continued after the<br />
mwhs Bill has been enacted.<br />
Our concerns had been vindicated in<br />
Hodgkinson’s report. As a result the<br />
Bill that is proposed to be introduced<br />
into the Federal Parliament contains<br />
a jurisdictional note that meets the<br />
concerns expressed by the PFA. Likewise,<br />
no such provision has found its way into<br />
any of the Bills to be introduced into state<br />
or territory parliaments.<br />
This was a good result and the Federal<br />
Government and the AFP are thanked for<br />
their cooperation in this important matter.<br />
36 Protect Represent Support. www.tpav.org.au
Send your Member Classified advertisement to <strong>The</strong> <strong>Police</strong> <strong>Association</strong>, PO Box 76, Carlton South 3053<br />
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Fantastic discounts for emergency service<br />
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Contact ><br />
Matt<br />
0401135633 Hawaiian<br />
Accommodation in Tropical<br />
Port Douglas<br />
Port Douglas accommodation at fourstar<br />
PortSea Resort situated in Davidson<br />
Street, close to Four Mile Beach, shops and<br />
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Facilities include three swimming pools,<br />
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One bedroom studio features private balcony<br />
overlooking lagoon pool, king size bed, spa bath,<br />
kitchenette, cable TV, in-house movies, DVD,<br />
internet and room safe.<br />
Up to 50% discount for TPA members.<br />
Contact><br />
Rod<br />
0419 154 628<br />
portsea.resort@gmail.com<br />
A PERFECT FAMILY HOLIDAY −<br />
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Contact><br />
Kerryn<br />
0423 020 495<br />
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TPAV MEMBER BENEFITS >><br />
In need of a holiday?<br />
Did you know your <strong>Association</strong> has a number of holiday homes throughout<br />
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and click on the Holiday Homes tabs or call the Holiday Home co-ordinator on 1800 800 537.<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Police</strong> <strong>Association</strong> <strong>Victoria</strong> Journal <strong>October</strong> 2011<br />
37
Executive executive MINUTES<br />
Left to right: Paul O'Connell, John Laird, Colin Birch, Mark Rose, Brian Rix, Glenn Holland, John Carter, Karl David, Dean Anderson, Dean Thomas, Dermot Avon, Phil Pearson.<br />
VICTORIA POLICE BRANCH<br />
OF THE POLICE FEDERATION<br />
OF AUSTRALIA<br />
MINUTES FOR MEETING HELD ON<br />
TUESDAY 2 AUGUST 2011 AT THE<br />
POLICE ASSOCIATION BOARDROOM,<br />
1 CLARENDON STREET, EAST<br />
MELBOURNE, COMMENCING<br />
AT 8.10 AM<br />
Present:<br />
BK Rix (President)<br />
JC Laird (Senior Vice President)<br />
PJ Pearson (Junior Vice President)<br />
KM David, APM (Treasurer)<br />
D Avon (Assistant Treasurer)<br />
DB Anderson<br />
JR Carter<br />
GB Holland<br />
M Rose<br />
DJ Thomas<br />
GJ Davies Chief Executive Officer<br />
BI McKenzie Executive Officer<br />
Apologies:<br />
CW Birch<br />
P O’Connell<br />
1. CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES<br />
"that the minutes of 5 july 2011<br />
be confirmed."<br />
2. ADOPTION OF ORDER<br />
OF BUSINESS<br />
"THAT THE ORDER OF BusinESS BE<br />
AdoptED."<br />
3. STRATEGIC<br />
3.1 REVIEW OF STRATEGIC AND KEY<br />
FOCUS AREAS<br />
3.1.1 EB 2011 PLANNING<br />
3.1.1.1 DELEGATES/ASSISTANT DELEGATES<br />
MEETING − 26 July 2011<br />
<strong>The</strong> Secretary stated that the<br />
meeting went well on 26 August<br />
and provided the delegates with a<br />
chance to raise any issues they had<br />
in relation to the current EB.<br />
<strong>The</strong> meeting concluded at 8:56am.<br />
minutes FOR THE EXECUTIVE<br />
MEETING HELD ON TUESDAY<br />
2 AUGUST 2011 AT THE POLICE<br />
ASSOCIATION BOARDROOM,<br />
1 CLARENDON STREET, EAST<br />
MELBOURNE, COMMENCING<br />
AT 8.57 AM<br />
Present:<br />
BK Rix (President)<br />
JC Laird (Senior Vice President)<br />
PJ Pearson (Junior Vice President)<br />
KM David, APM (Treasurer)<br />
D Avon (Assistant Treasurer)<br />
DB Anderson<br />
JR Carter<br />
GB Holland<br />
M Rose<br />
DJ Thomas<br />
GJ Davies<br />
BI McKenzie<br />
Apologies:<br />
CW Birch<br />
P O’Connell<br />
Secretary<br />
Assistant Secretary<br />
1. CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES<br />
"THAT THE minutES OF 5 JULY 2011<br />
BE confirmED."<br />
2. ADOPTION OF ORDER OF<br />
BUSINESS<br />
"THAT THE ORDER OF BusinESS as<br />
amended BE AdoptED."<br />
3. STRATEGIC<br />
3.1 POLICY MATTERS FOR<br />
CONSIDERATION<br />
3.1.1 ExECUTIVE<br />
3.1.1.1 <strong>The</strong> POLICE ASSOCIATION FINANCIAL<br />
REPORT for the FINANCIAL Year<br />
ENDED 30 June 2011<br />
Mr Mark Stretton and Mr Michael Le<br />
Burge from Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu<br />
addressed the Executive at 9:00am<br />
on the results of the Audit for the<br />
Financial Year ending 30 June 2011.<br />
"THAT THE AuditED FINANCIAL<br />
STATEMENTS OF THE policE<br />
AssociAtion FOR THE YEAR ENDED<br />
30 JUNE 2011, BE ACCEPTED AND,<br />
furthER, THAT such Accounts BE<br />
signED ON BEHALF OF THE EXEcutiVE<br />
BY THE PRESIDENT AND TREASURER."<br />
<strong>The</strong> meeting adjourned at 9:09am and<br />
resumed at 9:48am.<br />
38 Protect Represent Support. www.tpav.org.au
4. OPERATIONAL<br />
4.1 SECRETARY’S REPORT<br />
"THAT THE SECRETARY’S REport BE<br />
RECEIVED."<br />
4.2 MEMBERSHIP OF THE POLICE<br />
ASSOCIATION<br />
"THAT THE 75 ApplicAtions listED<br />
BE ACCEPTED FOR MEMBErship OF<br />
THE policE AssociAtion."<br />
4.3 APPLICATIONS TO RE-JOIN THE<br />
POLICE ASSOCIATION<br />
"THAT THE 1 ApplicAtion TO<br />
REJOIN THE policE AssociAtion BE<br />
ACCEPTED."<br />
5. MAINTENANCE<br />
5.1 ITEMS FOR<br />
INFORMATION ONLY<br />
5.1.1 CORRESPONDENCE<br />
"THAT THE<br />
corrEspondENCE<br />
BE RECEIVED."<br />
Muffin Break franchise<br />
business opportunities:<br />
• Hervey Bay • Ballina<br />
• Phillip Island<br />
• Newmarket Plaza,<br />
Flemington, VIC<br />
• Eastlands, TAS<br />
• Bank accreditation<br />
• Professional training,<br />
marketing and operational support<br />
Minimum of $150K in fixed net<br />
assets required.<br />
<strong>The</strong> President thanked the<br />
Executive members for their<br />
attendance and declared the<br />
meeting closed at 10:46am.<br />
CCA11811-2<br />
Contact Tony on 0401 989 547 or<br />
tony@muffinbreak.com.au<br />
www.muffinbreak.com.au<br />
McCormack<br />
Property Services<br />
312-314 Hoddle St., Abbotsford<br />
Phone: (03) 9417 1095<br />
mccormackproperty.com.au<br />
Proud supporter of the <strong>Police</strong> <strong>Association</strong> <strong>Victoria</strong><br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Police</strong> <strong>Association</strong> <strong>Victoria</strong> Journal <strong>October</strong> 2011<br />
39
association Delegates DELEGATES<br />
<strong>Police</strong> <strong>Association</strong> Delegates<br />
workgroup rank delegate work location phone<br />
Corporate Services 1 (Education Department) Sergeant Glenn Whyte Centre For Foundation Training 9566 9566<br />
Corporate Services 2 (BMD, BITS, HRD, & CSPD)<br />
Vacant<br />
Crime Department 1 Sergeant Michael Gunn Tasking & Co-Ord Support 9865 2456<br />
Crime Department 2 Sen Con Matthew Merrigan Fraud Extortion Squad 9611 8534<br />
Eastern, (Bass Coast, South Gippsland) Sen Con Sydney Hadley CIU-Bass Coast 5672 2761<br />
Eastern, (Baw Baw, Latrobe) Sen Con Graeme Carter CIU-Baw Baw 5622 7111<br />
Eastern, (Boroondarra, Monash) Sen Con Mark Smith UNI-Oakleigh 9567 8900<br />
Eastern, (East Gippsland) Sergeant Craig Peel UNI-Bairnsdale 5150 2600<br />
Eastern, (Greater Shepparton) Sergeant Leslie Oroszvary Prosecutions-Shepparton 5820 5777<br />
Eastern, (Knox, Maroondah) Sen Con Robyn Waite Socau-Knox 9881 7931<br />
Eastern, (Mitchell, Benalla) Sergeant Darren Murphy UNI-Kilmore 5782 1211<br />
Eastern, (Wangaratta, Wodonga, Moira) Sen Con Mark Deegan UNI-Wodonga 02 6049 2600<br />
Eastern, (Wellington) Sen Con Keith Patterson UNI-Sale 5143 5000<br />
Eastern, (Whitehorse, Manningham) Sen Con Elizabeth Sidiropoulos Multicultural Liaison Eastern Region 8841 3942<br />
Eastern, (Yarra Ranges)<br />
Vacant<br />
Ethical Standards Department Sergeant Brad Curtin Conduct & Prof Standards Div 9247 6763<br />
Forensic Services Sergeant Thomas Brady Fingerprints Management UNIt 9865 2900<br />
Intelligence and Covert Support Sen Con Luke Woods Surveillance Services Division 9804 3599<br />
Legal Services Sen Con Angela Coulson Prosecutions-Sunshine 9313 3334<br />
North West Metro, (Banyule, Nillumbik) Sen Sgt Damian Oehme UNI-Greensborough 9435 1044<br />
North West Metro, (Brimbank, Melton) Sen Con Jason Kisielis UNI-Keilor Downs 9365 3333<br />
North West Metro, (Hume) Sen Con Haydn Beale CIU-Hume 9302 8211<br />
North West Metro, (Maribyrnong, Hobsons Bay & Wyndham) Sen Sgt Leigh Wisbey Reliever Div 2 Nw Metro Region 9392 3111<br />
North West Metro, (Moonee Valley, Moreland) Sen Sgt Eriks Krauklis Reliever Div 4 Nw Metro Region 9376 2866<br />
North West Metro, (Whittlesea, Darebin) Sergeant Jason Gaffee UNI-Epping 9409 8100<br />
North West Metro, (Yarra)<br />
Vacant<br />
North West Metro, Melb .2, (Melb. West, VPC, Melb. TMU) Sen Con Steven Cox UNI-Melbourne North 8379 0800<br />
North West Metro, Melb.1, (Melb East. Nth Melb/Carlton, St Kilda Rd UNI) Sergeant Maxwell Jackson UNI-Melbourne North 8379 0800<br />
Operations Co-ordination Sergeant David Short Properties Management 9247 6224<br />
Operations Response UNIt Sergeant Alex Stewart Operations Response UNIt 9247 5482<br />
<strong>Police</strong> Bands Constable Brett Staley Bands 9489 2257<br />
Southern Metro, (Casey, Cardinia) Sergeant Anthony Nestor UNI-Cranbourne 5991 0600<br />
Southern Metro, (Frankston)<br />
Vacant<br />
Southern Metro, (Greater Dandenong) Sergeant Phillip Hulley UNI-Dandenong 9767 7444<br />
Southern Metro, (Kingston, Bayside, Glen Eira) Sergeant Alan Wroblewski Rto-Moorabbin 9556 6194<br />
Southern Metro, (Mornington Peninsula) Sergeant David Stuart UNI-Hastings 5970 7800<br />
Southern Metro, (Port Phillip) Sergeant Douglas Bowles UNI-South Melbourne 9690 3088<br />
Southern Metro, (Stonnington) Sergeant John Pattison CIU-Stonnington 9520 5216<br />
SSD - Emergency Response 1 (Air Wing, Dog Squad, Mounted Branch) Sen Con Paul Hunter Air Wing 9289 3500<br />
SSD - Emergency Response 2 (SAR, Water <strong>Police</strong>) Sen Con Matthew Blythe Water <strong>Police</strong> 9399 7500<br />
SSD - FRU/SOG Sergeant Stuart Oliver Special Operations Group 9247 5578<br />
SSD - <strong>Police</strong> CommUNIcations Division Sergeant Adrian Hurring <strong>Police</strong> Operations Centre (D24) 9247 3222<br />
SSD - Protective Services UNIt PSO Peter Marsden Protective Services UNIt 9247 3893<br />
TTSD - Traffic Support Division Sen Con Trevor Collins Major Collision Brunswick 9380 7299<br />
TTSD - Transit Safety Division Sergeant Mark Spackman UNI-TRANSIT 9247 3300<br />
Western, (Ballarat, Moorabool) Sen Con Ivan Blomeley Ballarat Prosecutions 5336 6074<br />
Western, (Campaspe) Sen Con Rodney Pell UNI-Echuca 5482 2255<br />
Western, (Colac - Otway/Surf Coast) Sen Con Michael Palmer CIU-Colac 5231 2613<br />
Western, (Greater Bendigo, Macedon Ranges,Central Goldfields) Sen Con Sean Dickson UNI-Bendigo 5448 1300<br />
Western, (Greater Geelong) Sen Con Maurice Banks Highway Patrol-Geelong 5225 3150<br />
Western, (Horsham, West Wimmera, Hindmarsh) Sen Con James Richardson UNI-Goroke 5386 1004<br />
Western, (Mildura) Sen Con Michael Baldock UNI-Mildura 5018 5300<br />
Western, (Northern Grampians) Sen Con Darren Brown UNI-Stawell 5358 8222<br />
Western, (Southern Grampians, Glenelg) Sen Con David Tognon UNI-Heywood 5527 1614<br />
Western, (Swan Hill, Gannawarra, Buloke) Sergeant David Mark UNI-Lake Boga 5037 2201<br />
Western, (Warrnambool, Moyne)<br />
Vacant<br />
40 Protect Represent Support. www.tpav.org.au
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