December edition - The Police Association Victoria
December edition - The Police Association Victoria
December 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 12 <strong>December</strong> 2011<br />
Pay deal signed as policing<br />
in <strong>Victoria</strong> enters a new era<br />
ALSO THIS MONTH<br />
> Meet your new chief<br />
> Are you being paid<br />
correctly?<br />
> Holster injuries<br />
AND MORE...
www.tpav.org.au VOLUME 77 ISSUE 12 DECEMBER 2011<br />
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 Phil Pearson − President<br />
9469 2600 (wk) 0409 618 677 (mob)<br />
Mr John Laird − Snr Vice-President (Sth Melbourne CIU)<br />
9646 7475 (wk) 0419 104 383 (mob)<br />
Mr Paul O’Connell − Junior Vice-President (Moreland CIU)<br />
9355 6052 (wk) 0413 053 882 (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 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 />
12 Meet<br />
your new chief<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 />
JOURNAL<br />
THE POLICE ASSOCIATION VICTORIA UPHOLDING OUR RIGHTS SINCE 1917<br />
PAY DEAL SIGNED AS POLICING<br />
IN VICTORIA ENTERS A NEW ERA<br />
06<br />
<strong>The</strong> value of your<br />
TPA membership<br />
14 Brave baby Sharni<br />
Inside this <strong>edition</strong><br />
03 President’s Message<br />
05 Secretary’s Message<br />
06 Value of <strong>Association</strong><br />
membership comes to the<br />
fore during pay campaign<br />
08 IR News<br />
11 Legal News<br />
12 Ken Lay<br />
14 Baby Sharni<br />
18 New IR staff<br />
21 Holster injuries<br />
23 Mick Palmer<br />
25 War Stories<br />
27 Trivia<br />
28 National Round-up<br />
25<br />
Do you have<br />
a war story?<br />
30 Member Classifieds<br />
32 Your Say<br />
34 Minutes<br />
36 Your <strong>Association</strong> Delegates<br />
ALSO THIS MONTH<br />
> MEET YOUR NEW CHIEF<br />
> ARE YOU BEING PAID<br />
CORRECTLY?<br />
> HOLSTER INJURIES<br />
AND MORE...<br />
<strong>Association</strong> Secretary<br />
Greg Davies and new Chief<br />
Commissioner Ken Lay sign<br />
the <strong>Police</strong> EBA.<br />
Photo by Greg Noakes.<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Police</strong> <strong>Association</strong> <strong>Victoria</strong> Journal <strong>December</strong> 2011<br />
01
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TAXATION & ACCOUNTING<br />
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LOANS & DEBT<br />
MANAGEMENT<br />
APS MORTGAGE & FINANCE BROKING CAN HELP YOU<br />
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INSURANCES<br />
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APS BENEFITS CAN HELP YOU<br />
Home & Contents<br />
Motor Vehicle<br />
www.apsfinplan.com.au<br />
Professional Indemnity<br />
FINANCIAL PLANNING<br />
Income Protection<br />
Life, Disability, Trauma & more<br />
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Financial services provided by Australian Public Service Benevolent Society Ltd are provided under its AFSL No. 244115<br />
APS Financial Planning Pty Ltd is a Corporate Authorised Representative of Futuro Financial Services Pty Ltd (‘Futuro’)<br />
Financial services provided by APS Financial Planning Pty Ltd are provided under Futuro’s AFSL No. 238478<br />
NOT FOR PROFIT FINANCIAL SERVICES<br />
www.apsbs.com.au<br />
GENERAL INSURANCE BROKING<br />
MORTGAGE MANAGEMENT &<br />
FINANCE BROKING<br />
www.apstax.com.au<br />
1300 131 809<br />
(03) 9322 2000<br />
LOANS & DEBT<br />
www.apsbs.com.au<br />
MANAGEMENT<br />
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325U<br />
278U 130U<br />
PERSONAL LOANS<br />
REFLEX BLUE U<br />
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www.apsbs.com.au<br />
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Need finance for any occasion?<br />
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Superannuation<br />
Pre and Post Retirement Planning<br />
Managed Funds & Investments<br />
Trust a Certified Financial Planner (CFP)<br />
Australian Public Service Benevolent Society Ltd<br />
www.apsfinplan.com.au<br />
APS PERSONAL LOANS CAN HELP YOU<br />
TAXATION & ACCOUNTINGDon't pay credit card interest rates ever again<br />
Need an unsecured loan?<br />
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Need cash for a renovation, a car, or a holiday?<br />
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Financial Planning, Tax & Accounting, Funeral Cover, INSURANCES<br />
and unsecured loans. We offer a travel and<br />
mortgage broking service as well as our latest service to our members and clients in GENERAL<br />
give us a call & NOTICE THE NOT FOR PROFIT DIFFERENCE.<br />
1300 131 809<br />
Australian Public Service Benevolent Society Ltd<br />
Membership of APS Benefits automatically entitles you to a funeral benefit issued by APS Benefits. You should consider the Combined Product Disclosure Statement & Financial Services Guide<br />
(available from APS Benefits Financial or services our web provided site on www.apsbs.com.au) by Australian Public before Service making Benevolent a decision Society to become Ltd are a provided member of under APS Benefits AFSL No. or buy 244115 any products offered by APS Benefits. Financial<br />
services provided by Australian APS Financial Public Planning Service Benevolent Pty Ltd is a Corporate Society Ltd Authorised are provided Representative under its AFSL of No. Futuro 244115. Financial APS Services Financial Pty Planning Ltd (‘Futuro’) Pty Ltd is a Corporate Authorised Representative<br />
No. 305923 of Futuro Financial<br />
Financial<br />
Services<br />
services<br />
Pty Ltd<br />
provided<br />
(‘Futuro’).<br />
by<br />
Financial<br />
APS Financial<br />
services<br />
Planning<br />
provided<br />
Pty<br />
by<br />
Ltd<br />
APS<br />
are<br />
Financial<br />
provided<br />
Planning<br />
under Futuro’s<br />
Pty Ltd are<br />
AFSL<br />
provided<br />
No. 238478<br />
under Futuro’s AFSL No. 238478
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE<br />
Turning the corner<br />
on police numbers<br />
I<br />
recently visited the Fawkner <strong>Police</strong> Station<br />
where I was once the OIC.<br />
Not only did they have a van and a car<br />
on the road, there were also actually a<br />
number of members in the muster room<br />
doing correspondence − an almost unheard<br />
of phenomenon in the past few years!<br />
It was only a year ago that the station<br />
was struggling to put a van on the road<br />
let alone the luxury of a member being<br />
rostered on corro.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Government promise of recruiting an<br />
extra 1700 frontline police is starting to filter<br />
through to where they are really needed<br />
- on the street.<br />
Since the recruiting drive commenced last<br />
year, approximately 700 extra police have<br />
been delivered with another 1000 to come.<br />
<strong>The</strong>re is still a fair way to go before all<br />
stations and units are adequately staffed.<br />
According to the Gazette of 7 November,<br />
there are 29 Special Category Positions<br />
and a further 34 Expression of Interest to<br />
country positions advertised. In addition,<br />
numerous metropolitan divisions are still<br />
screaming out for staff.<br />
This increase in numbers will have a huge<br />
effect on how we are able to police this<br />
state. Once again, we might be able to<br />
return to proactive policing rather than just<br />
responding to calls for assistance.<br />
Maybe we will soon be able to do some of<br />
the things we’ve always wanted to do to like<br />
address crime and the activities of recidivist<br />
criminals within our areas of responsibility,<br />
rather than to merely discuss how to tackle<br />
these issues at sometimes meaningless<br />
tasking and co-ordination meetings<br />
because we haven’t had the staff to do the<br />
job properly.<br />
On 21November, I attended at the Academy<br />
where another 26 members commenced<br />
their training and 21 of the promised 940<br />
Protective Service Officers kicked off their<br />
training before being deployed to railway<br />
stations.<br />
Obviously, there are still some<br />
outstanding issues around staffing, shifts,<br />
accommodation and deployment of the<br />
PSOs, however the <strong>Association</strong> will continue<br />
to act to ensure the best possible outcome<br />
for our newest members.<br />
Our new Chief<br />
It has been nearly 20 years since a ‘homegrown’<br />
Chief Commissioner has been<br />
appointed to lead the <strong>Victoria</strong> <strong>Police</strong> Force.<br />
<strong>The</strong> appointment of Ken Lay to the position<br />
has been welcomed by many within the<br />
Force and the community. <strong>The</strong>re will be<br />
some detractors with the appointment,<br />
however no matter who got the job there<br />
would have been. I have worked with Ken<br />
in the past and have always found him to<br />
be a fair and reasonable leader who has the<br />
genuine welfare of his members at heart.<br />
I congratulate Ken on his appointment and<br />
look forward to a positive era of policing<br />
in this state and a harmonious working<br />
relationship.<br />
PHILLIP PEARSON > President<br />
<strong>The</strong> Festive Season<br />
As one gets older the years seem to fly<br />
by even quicker.<br />
I must be getting really old because this one<br />
just flew. Yes, it’s nearly Christmas time<br />
again. Christmas parties, social gatherings<br />
and holidays for some, and a time to gather<br />
with family and friends and celebrate.<br />
Unfortunately for some it will not be an<br />
enjoyable time of year. Each year many are<br />
affected by the tragic loss of life experienced<br />
on our roads. It may be be a family member,<br />
a friend, or work colleague that has to live<br />
with the grief of losing a loved one. It is with<br />
this in mind that I say, be safe out there,<br />
none of us enjoy having to deliver ‘that<br />
message’ and we certainly don’t want to<br />
receive it. Be safe on the roads so we can<br />
all go home to our loved ones.<br />
This year has been a great year for the<br />
<strong>Association</strong> with many achievements. I’m<br />
not sure how we will top it in 2012 but be<br />
assured we will continue to serve you, the<br />
membership, to the best of our ability. On<br />
behalf of the Executive of the <strong>Association</strong><br />
I wish you all the best over the festive<br />
season. Have a great Christmas and an<br />
even greater New Year.<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Police</strong> <strong>Association</strong> <strong>Victoria</strong> Journal <strong>December</strong> 2011<br />
03
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for over 105 years, the APS family has earned the trust of over 26,000 members offering the following financial<br />
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Alfred Mallia at APS Tax, Accounting and Business Services has 24 years’ experience. Whether it is setting up a<br />
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Financial planning<br />
APS Financial Planning, Timothy Foster provides access to advice and information on the important financial<br />
decisions we all face, whether it be superannuation, investments, pre and post retirement planning, life insurance,<br />
gearing, managed funds or savings plans.<br />
APS Mortgage Broking, Sam Athans treats every mortgage as if it were his own. He has access to 20 mortgage<br />
lenders and over 40 years’ experience in banking.<br />
APS Insurance (General Insurance Broking)<br />
Danielle Rowe heads up our insurance broking team and is a salaried employee of APS Benefits. With 15 years<br />
experience in the industry, you can be assured of receiving unbiased advice that meets your insurance needs. We<br />
have access to products that include Home and Contents, Motor Vehicle, Boat/Caravan, Landlord, Public Liability,<br />
Income Protection, Life, Disability & Trauma insurance. <strong>The</strong> next time you receive your insurance renewal notice<br />
from your current insurer or want insurance for the first time, call Danielle on 1300 131 809.<br />
APS Personal loans<br />
<strong>The</strong> APS Benefits’ personal loans team can assist members to obtain an unsecured loan, or they can apply online at<br />
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APS Funeral Cover<br />
APS Benefits’ Membership Coordinator Jesse Clarke can assist members to gain immediate funeral cover up to<br />
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Independence is important to APS. Our key advisors are employees of APS, and therefore have no personal bias<br />
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APS would also like to assist you and your family and friends in making available our wide range of not for profit<br />
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For further information on the APS family and its wide range of not for profit financial services,<br />
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SECRETARY’S MESSAGE<br />
Reflecting on a year<br />
of solid achievement<br />
While the month of January<br />
is named for Janus, the<br />
Roman god of beginnings<br />
and endings, it is <strong>December</strong><br />
that’s an appropriate time<br />
for all of us to consider the end of this year<br />
and the beginning of the next.<br />
Policing in <strong>Victoria</strong> has indeed taken massive<br />
strides in the last twelve months, with a<br />
range of achievements, announcements,<br />
appointments and, of course, the successful<br />
end of our Enterprise Bargaining.<br />
A quick scan of the last year reveals:<br />
> > A guarantee of 1,700 net additional<br />
police officers.<br />
> > A new (and <strong>Victoria</strong> <strong>Police</strong> Force,<br />
home grown) Chief Commissioner.<br />
> > Confirmation that the OPI will be shut<br />
down and replaced by an Independent<br />
Broad Based Anti-Corruption<br />
Commission, signalling official realisation<br />
that corruption in this State just might<br />
exist outside the <strong>Victoria</strong> <strong>Police</strong> Force.<br />
> > A 4.72% compounded annual pay-rise<br />
and a range of improved conditions for<br />
members, including a return to 9 weeks<br />
"leave" for every full-time member.<br />
You can’t pat yourself on the back, and<br />
no-one at your <strong>Association</strong> wants to or<br />
has done, but this quick-fire statement<br />
of facts is simply the <strong>Association</strong>’s<br />
year in microcosm. And it is a year that<br />
we’re particularly proud of, in terms of<br />
achievements for you, our members.<br />
You will find an article featuring Chief<br />
Commissioner Ken Lay APM inside this<br />
<strong>edition</strong> of the Journal. I won’t comment<br />
on him or his plans for the future, but will<br />
let him speak for himself.<br />
<strong>Police</strong> Integrity?<br />
We know the OPI will be shut by April next<br />
year. It’s fair to say that the OPI and the<br />
<strong>Association</strong> have never been natural allies<br />
and, in our firm view, they have treated our<br />
people appallingly, convicted almost no-one<br />
and cost the <strong>Victoria</strong>n tax-payer more than<br />
$100 million over their limited life.<br />
One might well ask, "Where are the dozens<br />
of corrupt police that a couple of chief<br />
commissioners and the OPI were going<br />
to sweep out of the Force?" <strong>The</strong> answer,<br />
obviously, can only be either, "Err, there<br />
are none" or "Err, we know they’re there<br />
somewhere, but we just can’t find any".<br />
<strong>The</strong>re is no third alternative.<br />
<strong>The</strong>y have managed to sully and even<br />
destroy reputations, and while their<br />
telephone interceptions have provided the<br />
public with titillating media grabs there has<br />
been a paucity of evidence accompanying<br />
the tid-bits. Day by day I have expected<br />
them to announce that a police officer’s<br />
fingerprints have been found on the<br />
steering wheel of the Titanic but, of course,<br />
that would have required some production<br />
of evidence.<br />
<strong>Victoria</strong> deserves a transparent and<br />
accountable Anti-corruption Commission,<br />
and will get one in 2012.<br />
Christmas celebrations can turn sour<br />
As we look towards 2012 we should all<br />
remind ourselves of what the clever people<br />
tell us each Christmas − have fun and enjoy<br />
the festive season but don’t over-do it.<br />
Anything you do at a function or venue, with<br />
your colleagues, will count as if you had done<br />
it at the office.<br />
At this time of year we regularly see<br />
members, mostly as a result of inadvertent<br />
actions, in difficulties over things they would<br />
rather not have said or done. While this is<br />
not an issue particular to police officers, it is<br />
an issue that usually causes more trouble<br />
for police officers than those in civilian life.<br />
GREG DAVIES > SECRETARY<br />
So, in trying to impersonate a clever<br />
person, I ask you all to "have fun but don’t<br />
over-do it".<br />
To the thousands of our members who will<br />
be working to ensure <strong>Victoria</strong> is as safe as<br />
possible so the rest of the community can<br />
have their fun over Christmas/New Year, our<br />
thoughts are with you. Please stay safe and<br />
enjoy as much time as possible with your<br />
own families.<br />
As we move into 2012, we do so with an<br />
optimism that has been absent for many<br />
years. We are getting back up towards<br />
acceptable numbers of police, we are<br />
re-discovering the wonders of traditional<br />
policing that were dispensed with for<br />
a decade and we are being better paid<br />
for the critical work that almost 13,000<br />
professional police officers provide the<br />
<strong>Victoria</strong>n community.<br />
It is both refreshing and a great relief to<br />
be so positioned. However, not all of the<br />
problems have been resolved − far from it.<br />
So we will continue to represent each and<br />
every one of you, wherever there is a need,<br />
and we will continue to expand the range of<br />
services we provide.<br />
It is proper to remember, at this time, the<br />
members who have passed away in 2011,<br />
and their families, for whom Christmas will<br />
be forever changed. You are all remembered<br />
by your friends and colleagues.<br />
I thank you for your support throughout<br />
what was a difficult trek but a great<br />
finish - 2011.<br />
Merry Christmas, Happy New Year and good<br />
luck to you all. See you in 2012.<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Police</strong> <strong>Association</strong> <strong>Victoria</strong> Journal <strong>December</strong> 2011<br />
05
EB Update<br />
<strong>Association</strong> members<br />
deliver on the big issues,<br />
but for some, it has been<br />
gain without pain<br />
A big win by the <strong>Association</strong> on pay with the active support of most<br />
members has re-ignited an age old bug-bear among members writes<br />
<strong>Association</strong> Secretary, Greg Davies.<br />
Your <strong>Association</strong> has scored two<br />
enormous victories for members<br />
in the past two years.<br />
First was the commitment for<br />
an extra 1700 additional police<br />
officers, regardless of who won last year’s<br />
State Election which came as a result of our<br />
long-running ‘Save our Streets’ campaign.<br />
<strong>The</strong>n came the recently-endorsed<br />
enterprise bargaining agreement which<br />
delivers annual average pay rises of 4.72%<br />
per year for four years plus a host of other<br />
improvements to conditions.<br />
Few employee bodies could claim such<br />
strategic and comprehensive victories for<br />
their members anywhere in the country in<br />
recent years.<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Police</strong> <strong>Association</strong> succeeds only<br />
because of its membership. When the<br />
State Government deals with <strong>The</strong> <strong>Police</strong><br />
<strong>Association</strong>, it knows we are speaking with<br />
the voice of almost every police officer in<br />
<strong>Victoria</strong>. Solidarity and determination is the<br />
key to our success, whether it is marshalling<br />
our forces to gather <strong>Victoria</strong>’s biggest ever<br />
petition or implementing action that sticks,<br />
in support of a fair and reasonable pay claim.<br />
When more than 12,500 police officers speak<br />
through the <strong>Association</strong>, Governments<br />
listen. A group of 50 or 100 do not have the<br />
same impact.<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Police</strong> <strong>Association</strong> boasts one of the<br />
highest rates of union membership - around<br />
98 per cent.<br />
06 Protect Represent Support. www.tpav.org.au<br />
This is remarkable given that union<br />
membership around the country is now<br />
closer to the 20 per cent mark.<br />
At times like this, in the aftermath of recent<br />
success, <strong>The</strong> <strong>Police</strong> <strong>Association</strong> is often<br />
asked by members about the fairness<br />
of hard-won benefits flowing to police<br />
officers who are not members, or who<br />
did not participate in action to support<br />
our resources campaign or our recent<br />
EBA 2011 campaign.<br />
<strong>The</strong> first point to be made is that it is<br />
unlawful to discriminate against non-union<br />
members. This means that<br />
they can’t be excluded from<br />
having an <strong>Association</strong>negotiated<br />
pay deal flowing<br />
on to them. As members will<br />
appreciate, this provision of<br />
the Fair Work Act rankles with<br />
us as with all professional<br />
associations and unions.<br />
It is also against the law<br />
to make union membership<br />
mandatory. Despite this<br />
nearly every police recruit<br />
chooses to join <strong>The</strong> <strong>Police</strong><br />
<strong>Association</strong> when they enter<br />
the Academy.<br />
Those unions that have<br />
maintained high levels<br />
of membership are those<br />
which have delivered for<br />
their members. <strong>The</strong> <strong>Police</strong><br />
<strong>Association</strong> is in that group<br />
and proudly so.<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Association</strong> is not interested in forcing<br />
police officers to join. That would be against<br />
the law.<br />
But perhaps now is a good time for nonmembers<br />
to reflect on the gain-withoutpain<br />
they are enjoying. Perhaps they should<br />
recognise that a tax deductable annual<br />
membership fee of around $750 is a small<br />
price for the mighty dividend they have<br />
received on the two main policing issues<br />
of the last twelve months alone.<br />
If you know someone who isn’t a member
If you know someone who isn’t<br />
a member of the <strong>Association</strong><br />
you could take the opportunity<br />
to remind them of the outcomes<br />
achieved through your actions.<br />
> Greg Davies<br />
of the <strong>Association</strong> you could take the<br />
opportunity to remind them of the outcomes<br />
achieved through your actions.<br />
Perhaps they should acknowledge that they<br />
owe it to their colleagues to share the cost.<br />
Perhaps they can think about it next time<br />
they look their <strong>Association</strong> colleagues in<br />
the eye. Perhaps they should examine the<br />
other tremendous benefits of membership<br />
such as legal assistance, welfare services,<br />
WorkCover representation, consumer<br />
discounts and sickness/death benefits.<br />
But it is their choice.<br />
Of course success is not just about<br />
membership. It is about active participation.<br />
Whether that is signing a petition or<br />
participating in industrial action.<br />
A gallery of active member<br />
participation toward a successful EB<br />
Above: <strong>The</strong> Water <strong>Police</strong> participate in the work bans. Photo courtesy of the Fairfax Community Network.<br />
It is disappointing that some members think<br />
paying their <strong>Association</strong> subs is all they have<br />
to do and that worthwhile outcomes will<br />
take care of themselves.<br />
Even worse, we saw in the recent pay<br />
dispute how some members went about<br />
actively undermining the efforts of other<br />
members by not participating in the recent<br />
industrial action and / or implementing<br />
systems to negate its desired impact.<br />
Above: A HWP vehicle enforces the speed camera industrial ban near Coldstream.<br />
Unions and professional representation<br />
bodies are only as good as their last<br />
campaign and <strong>The</strong> <strong>Police</strong> <strong>Association</strong><br />
is already gearing up to identify and meet<br />
the next challenges for police officers.<br />
That is all part of a successful strategy<br />
and developing a culture of winning the<br />
big ones. It requires resources, planning<br />
and the support of all members.<br />
And the more members we have, who<br />
actively participate with the <strong>Association</strong><br />
in shaping their own future, the stronger<br />
we become for the next campaign.<br />
Left to right: LSC Matthew McPartlan, LSC Sharon Wilson, S/C Geoffrey Shaw, Sgt Thomas Brown, S/C<br />
Leigh Woolfe, Sgt Darren Murphy, LSC Robyn Harrop, S/C Scott Garbutt and S/C Michael De Bruyckere.<br />
07
IR News<br />
Are you being paid correctly?<br />
Recently <strong>The</strong> <strong>Police</strong> <strong>Association</strong><br />
has assisted a spate of members<br />
who have been underpaid (some<br />
overpaid) because they were not<br />
on the correct pay increment.<br />
Now that the EBA has been finalised and the<br />
new pay rates have come in to effect, it is<br />
important that members check that they are<br />
being paid correctly.<br />
Members being paid at the wrong increment<br />
under the old agreement will almost<br />
certainly transition to the wrong increment<br />
in the new agreement and not get the full<br />
benefit of the negotiated salary increases.<br />
Three steps to checking your correct<br />
salary increment:<br />
1. <strong>The</strong> salary you are currently being paid is<br />
shown on your payslip<br />
2. <strong>The</strong> table below shows the new salary<br />
rates for each increment and the rate<br />
under the previous agreement<br />
3. If the salary rate on your payslip doesn’t<br />
match the salary rate for<br />
the increment you think you should<br />
be receiving under the new<br />
agreement then you may not be<br />
being paid correctly<br />
<strong>The</strong>re are a number of reasons why<br />
members may not be paid at the correct<br />
rate. <strong>The</strong>se include:<br />
> Delayed incremental progression, due to<br />
Performance Development Assessments<br />
(PDA) not being properly completed by<br />
them or their supervisor. If your annual<br />
assessment hasn’t been signed off then<br />
you will not have progressed to the next<br />
pay increment.<br />
> Some programming issues have<br />
been identified with HR Assist<br />
(Vic Pol payroll software) which has<br />
had the effect of denying members<br />
their increment despite their PDA<br />
being completed.<br />
> Errors may have resulted in the<br />
wrong increment date being recorded<br />
in HR Assist.<br />
Whatever the reason, you should take action<br />
now to ensure your salary is correct from the<br />
start of the new agreement.<br />
If you think you are being paid<br />
incorrectly please email the <strong>Association</strong><br />
at general@tpav.org.au. Your email should<br />
include your name, registered number,<br />
the increment you are currently being paid<br />
and the increment you believe you are<br />
entitled to.<br />
As a first step to help you determine your correct pay increment, the table below sets out all pay rates<br />
and increases during each stage of the 2011 EB Agreement.<br />
Additionally, you can track how your salary will increase throughout the life of the agreement by using<br />
our online 'pay calculator' at www.tpav.org.au.<br />
NEW AGREEMENT<br />
Increment Pre 1 Dec 2011 1 Dec 2011 1 Jul 2012 1 Dec 2012 1 Jul 2013 1 Dec 2013 1 Jul 2014 1 Dec 2014 1 Jul 2015<br />
Commander 1 $143,233 $147,530 $150,481 $153,490 $156,560 $159,691 $162,885 $166,143 $170,296<br />
Chief Superintendent 1 $138,327 $144,637 $147,530 $150,480 $153,490 $156,560 $159,691 $162,885 $166,957<br />
Superintendent 8 –- $144,637 $147,529 $150,480 $153,490 $156,559 $159,691 $162,884 $166,957<br />
7 –- $142,477 $145,326 $148,233 $151,198 $154,221 $157,306 $160,452 $164,463<br />
6 $135,757 $139,830 $142,626 $145,479 $148,388 $151,356 $154,383 $157,471 $161,408<br />
5 $132,992 $136,982 $139,721 $142,516 $145,366 $148,273 $151,239 $154,264 $158,120<br />
4 $130,383 $134,294 $136,980 $139,720 $142,514 $145,365 $148,272 $151,237 $155,018<br />
3 $127,588 $131,416 $134,044 $136,725 $139,459 $142,249 $145,093 $147,995 $151,695<br />
2 $122,096 $125,759 $128,274 $130,840 $133,456 $136,125 $138,848 $141,625 $145,166<br />
1 $119,700 $123,291 $125,757 $128,272 $130,837 $133,454 $136,123 $138,846 $142,317<br />
Chief Inspector 1 $119,700 $123,291 $125,757 $128,272 $130,837 $133,454 $136,123 $138,846 $142,317<br />
Inspector 6 $117,616 $121,144 $123,567 $126,039 $128,559 $131,131 $133,753 $136,428 $139,839<br />
5 $114,660 $118,100 $120,462 $122,871 $125,328 $127,835 $130,392 $133,000 $136,325<br />
4 $112,412 $115,784 $118,100 $120,462 $122,871 $125,329 $127,835 $130,392 $133,652<br />
3 $110,207 $113,513 $115,783 $118,099 $120,461 $122,870 $125,328 $127,834 $131,030<br />
2 $108,046 $111,287 $113,513 $115,783 $118,099 $120,461 $122,870 $125,328 $128,461<br />
1 $105,927 $109,105 $111,287 $113,513 $115,783 $118,099 $120,461 $122,870 $125,941<br />
08 Protect Represent Support. www.tpav.org.au
NEW AGREEMENT<br />
Increment Pre 1 Dec 2011 1 Dec 2011 1 Jul 2012 1 Dec 2012 1 Jul 2013 1 Dec 2013 1 Jul 2014 1 Dec 2014 1 Jul 2015<br />
Senior Sergeant 6 $95,240 $98,097 $100,059 $102,060 $104,102 $106,184 $108,307 $110,473 $113,235<br />
5 $94,300 $97,129 $99,072 $101,053 $103,074 $105,136 $107,238 $109,383 $112,118<br />
4 $93,090 $95,883 $97,800 $99,756 $101,751 $103,787 $105,862 $107,979 $110,679<br />
3 $91,880 $94,636 $96,529 $98,460 $100,429 $102,437 $104,486 $106,576 $109,240<br />
2 $90,670 $93,390 $95,258 $97,163 $99,106 $101,088 $103,110 $105,172 $107,802<br />
1 $89,460 $92,144 $93,987 $95,866 $97,784 $99,739 $101,734 $103,769 $106,363<br />
Sergeant 6 $87,011 $89,621 $91,414 $93,242 $95,107 $97,009 $98,949 $100,928 $103,451<br />
5 $84,872 $87,418 $89,167 $90,950 $92,769 $94,624 $96,517 $98,447 $100,908<br />
4 $83,616 $86,124 $87,847 $89,604 $91,396 $93,224 $95,088 $96,990 $99,415<br />
3 $82,358 $84,829 $86,525 $88,256 $90,021 $91,821 $93,658 $95,531 $97,919<br />
2 $81,101 $83,534 $85,205 $86,909 $88,647 $90,420 $92,228 $94,073 $96,425<br />
1 $79,843 $82,238 $83,883 $85,561 $87,272 $89,017 $90,798 $92,614 $94,929<br />
Lsc (2) 1 $80,253 $82,340 $83,657 $85,163 $86,525 $88,083 $89,492 $91,103 $92,998<br />
Leading Senior Constable<br />
(LSC)<br />
16 $78,217 $80,564 $82,175 $83,818 $85,495 $87,205 $88,949 $90,728 $92,996<br />
15 $76,826 $79,131 $80,713 $82,328 $83,974 $85,654 $87,367 $89,114 $91,342<br />
14 $75,320 $77,580 $79,131 $80,714 $82,328 $83,975 $85,654 $87,367 $89,551<br />
13 $74,574 $76,811 $78,347 $79,914 $81,513 $83,143 $84,806 $86,502 $88,664<br />
Senior Constable 12 $73,835 $76,050 $77,571 $79,122 $80,705 $82,319 $83,965 $85,645 $87,786<br />
11 $72,091 $74,254 $75,739 $77,254 $78,799 $80,375 $81,982 $83,622 $85,712<br />
10 $70,347 $72,457 $73,907 $75,385 $76,892 $78,430 $79,999 $81,599 $83,639<br />
9 $68,914 $70,981 $72,401 $73,849 $75,326 $76,833 $78,369 $79,937 $81,935<br />
8 $67,437 $69,460 $70,849 $72,266 $73,712 $75,186 $76,690 $78,223 $80,179<br />
7 $65,961 $67,940 $69,299 $70,685 $72,098 $73,540 $75,011 $76,511 $78,424<br />
6 $64,980 $66,929 $68,268 $69,633 $71,026 $72,447 $73,895 $75,373 $77,258<br />
5 $63,719 $65,631 $66,943 $68,282 $69,648 $71,041 $72,461 $73,911 $75,758<br />
1st Constable 4 $58,082 $59,824 $61,021 $62,241 $63,486 $64,756 $66,051 $67,372 $69,056<br />
3 $56,114 $57,797 $58,953 $60,132 $61,335 $62,562 $63,813 $65,089 $66,717<br />
Constable 2 $54,147 $55,771 $56,887 $58,025 $59,185 $60,369 $61,576 $62,808 $64,378<br />
1 $52,180 $53,745 $54,820 $55,917 $57,035 $58,176 $59,339 $60,526 $62,039<br />
Recruit 1 $37,982 $39,121 $39,904 $40,702 $41,516 $42,346 $43,193 $44,057 $45,159<br />
Reservist 1 $53,501 $55,106 $56,208 $57,332 $58,479 $59,649 $60,842 $62,058 $63,610<br />
Pso Senior Supervisor 2 $71,656 $73,806 $75,282 $76,787 $78,323 $79,890 $81,487 $83,117 $85,195<br />
1 $70,899 $73,026 $74,486 $75,976 $77,496 $79,046 $80,627 $82,239 $84,295<br />
Pso Supervisor 4 $67,926 $69,964 $71,363 $72,790 $74,246 $75,731 $77,246 $78,791 $80,760<br />
3 $67,384 $69,406 $70,794 $72,210 $73,654 $75,127 $76,629 $78,162 $80,116<br />
2 $66,843 $68,848 $70,225 $71,630 $73,062 $74,524 $76,014 $77,534 $79,473<br />
1 $65,532 $67,498 $68,848 $70,225 $71,629 $73,062 $74,523 $76,014 $77,914<br />
Pso Senior 4 $58,993 $60,763 $61,978 $63,218 $64,482 $65,772 $67,087 $68,429 $70,139<br />
3 $58,126 $59,870 $61,067 $62,289 $63,534 $64,805 $66,101 $67,423 $69,109<br />
2 $56,287 $57,976 $59,135 $60,318 $61,524 $62,755 $64,010 $65,290 $66,922<br />
1 $55,203 $56,859 $57,996 $59,156 $60,339 $61,546 $62,777 $64,033 $65,633<br />
Pso 1st 6 $53,432 $55,035 $56,136 $57,258 $58,404 $59,572 $60,763 $61,978 $63,528<br />
5 $51,957 $53,516 $54,586 $55,678 $56,791 $57,927 $59,086 $60,267 $61,774<br />
Pso 4 $51,378 $52,919 $53,978 $55,057 $56,158 $57,282 $58,427 $59,596 $61,086<br />
3 $50,369 $51,880 $52,918 $53,976 $55,056 $56,157 $57,280 $58,425 $59,886<br />
2 $49,382 $50,863 $51,881 $52,918 $53,977 $55,056 $56,157 $57,281 $58,713<br />
1 $48,113 $49,556 $50,548 $51,558 $52,590 $53,641 $54,714 $55,809 $57,204<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Police</strong> <strong>Association</strong> <strong>Victoria</strong> Journal <strong>December</strong> 2011<br />
09
Legal/IR News<br />
‘Swearing in’ of recruits at<br />
week 13 affords ‘member’ status<br />
A recent initiative requiring police recruits to<br />
undertake practical training at police stations<br />
after their first 12 weeks at the Academy confers<br />
a set of rights and responsibilities not previously<br />
applicable to recruits, explains <strong>Police</strong> <strong>Association</strong><br />
Legal Manager, Tony Walsh.<br />
In January 2011, the <strong>Victoria</strong> <strong>Police</strong><br />
Force introduced unique recruit training<br />
initiatives which in effect meant that<br />
recruit training, which prior to that date<br />
was a 20-week period, would be extended<br />
to 33 weeks.<br />
Ostensibly this initiative was designed<br />
to allow for recruits at weeks 13, 18 and<br />
26 to embark on practical workplace<br />
experience, known as the Designated<br />
Training Workplace (DTW) program, to better<br />
equip them for their transition to full-time<br />
frontline policing.<br />
A significant part of that initiative was<br />
the "swearing in" of recruits at the<br />
conclusion of week 12 of their training.<br />
Unlike those recruits before them who were<br />
not "sworn in" until successful completion of<br />
the 20-week training, recruits who are now<br />
"sworn in" at week 13 inherit the ‘member’<br />
status under the <strong>Police</strong> Regulation Act 1958<br />
(the Act).<br />
Section 13 of the Act provides the<br />
mechanism for those appointed to be<br />
members of the <strong>Victoria</strong> <strong>Police</strong> Force to<br />
be administered an oath of the office of<br />
Constable. From the date of taking that<br />
oath the appointee/recruit then assumes<br />
the responsibilities of Constable, and for<br />
the broader application of the Act, officially<br />
becomes a ‘member’ of the Force.<br />
Aside of the significant responsibilities<br />
that are associated with being a sworn<br />
member, recruits are at this stage of their<br />
career, benefited by a range of review rights<br />
available to them that exist within the<br />
Act. <strong>The</strong>se review rights are applicable to<br />
members who have been aggrieved by a<br />
decision of Force management which stem<br />
from breaches of discipline or, in the case<br />
of recruit members, outcomes of ‘Recruit<br />
Review Panels’.<br />
Previously these review rights were<br />
not available to recruits who participated<br />
in the 20-week recruit training program<br />
simply because they were not ‘members’,<br />
as defined under the Act, until their<br />
graduation.<br />
It is also important to note that with<br />
the perceived benefits associated<br />
with being a sworn member there are<br />
provisions of the Act that can expose<br />
the sworn recruit to discipline action<br />
in certain circumstances.<br />
This action is set out in Parts IV and IVA<br />
of the Act which relate to ‘Employment’,<br />
‘Discipline’ and ‘Other Matters’. It must<br />
be pointed out that irrespective of whether<br />
a recruit is sworn or not, Division 4A<br />
of Part IV of the Act (Testing for Alcohol<br />
and Drugs of Dependence) will apply to<br />
the recruit.<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Police</strong> <strong>Association</strong>’s Legal/Discipline<br />
section is acutely aware that in the past<br />
recruit members may not have been dealt<br />
with in the manner that has been in strict<br />
compliance with the Act.<br />
It is with this in mind, and particularly with<br />
People Department’s initiative under the<br />
DTW program, that we encourage all recruits,<br />
sworn or not, to contact the <strong>Association</strong>’s<br />
Legal/Discipline section should they<br />
be in any doubt as to their rights and<br />
responsibilities under the Act.<br />
Pay deal signed, sealed and delivered<br />
Our new pay deal − officially known as<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Victoria</strong> <strong>Police</strong> Force Enterprise<br />
Agreement 2011 - had no trouble<br />
clearing all the necessary legal hoops,<br />
ensuring that it would come into effect from<br />
1 <strong>December</strong> 2011.<br />
Once details of <strong>The</strong> <strong>Police</strong> <strong>Association</strong>negotiated<br />
pay offer were released on<br />
24 October, the deal was at that point far<br />
from official.<br />
It still needed to be endorsed by the<br />
membership and then approved by Fair<br />
Work Australia, our industrial umpire, upon<br />
being satisfied that the deal met all its<br />
various tests.<br />
In a ringing testament to the quality of pay<br />
deal and the many months of methodical<br />
work that went into it by the <strong>Association</strong>’s<br />
EB negotiating team, the deal received<br />
a thumping 96 per cent membership<br />
endorsement in a secret ballot (100 per<br />
cent endorsement for the Commanders’<br />
Agreement).<br />
Shortly after the ballot closed, the<br />
agreements were signed by <strong>Police</strong><br />
<strong>Association</strong> Secretary Greg Davies and Chief<br />
Commissioner Ken Lay APM (see page 13).<br />
<strong>The</strong> deal was finally sealed three days later<br />
when Fair Work Australia gave it their tick<br />
of approval, having been satisfied that it had<br />
fulfilled all its various criteria.<br />
Having passed all the legal tests with<br />
flying colours, the substantial pay rises and<br />
improvements to members’ conditions,<br />
contained in the deal, took effect on 1<br />
<strong>December</strong> 2011, as intended by the parties.<br />
Pay deal signed, sealed and delivered.<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Police</strong> <strong>Association</strong> <strong>Victoria</strong> Journal <strong>December</strong> 2011<br />
11
photos by gregnoakes.com<br />
New Chief ushers in new era of<br />
cooperation in <strong>Victoria</strong>n policing<br />
Daniel Ziffer caught up with new Chief Commissioner Ken Lay<br />
just days after his appointment to the top job to discuss what<br />
we can expect under his leadership.<br />
Leaders tend to be one of two types<br />
− shakers or soothers − and new<br />
<strong>Victoria</strong> <strong>Police</strong> Chief Commissioner<br />
Ken Lay knows clearly who he is.<br />
"I’m a soother," he said, laughing<br />
gently. "<strong>The</strong> organisation has been through<br />
a really difficult time over the last couple<br />
of years. Certainly what I’d be keen to do is<br />
actually focus back on the operational issues<br />
which are important to our people."<br />
Lauded by government and commentators<br />
as a safe pair of hands, the Korumburra-raised<br />
veteran recalled what he wrote to members<br />
upon his appointment to a five-year-term:<br />
we won’t see change for change’s sake.<br />
That doesn’t mean hubris. <strong>The</strong> 55-year-old<br />
has a brilliant Yarra River view from his<br />
office, but don’t expect him to get much<br />
of a chance to look out the window.<br />
When the Journal arrives, Lay is leaving<br />
to welcome the first intake of what<br />
will eventually be 940 Protective<br />
Services Officers (PSOs). <strong>The</strong> third Chief<br />
Commissioner in less than two and a<br />
half years arrives as the force recruits an<br />
additional 1700 police officers, before the<br />
release of the Rush inquiry into police<br />
command and during the establishment<br />
of an independent broad-based anticorruption<br />
commission (IBAC) to replace the<br />
Office of <strong>Police</strong> Integrity (OPI). And there’s a<br />
new uniform to roll out too.<br />
Lay has seen the top job before, as Chief<br />
of Staff to Christine Nixon and as Deputy<br />
Commissioner under Simon Overland.<br />
Although he’d been Acting Chief<br />
Commissioner since June, when Overland<br />
resigned from the role, Lay was initially<br />
reluctant to vie for the position. <strong>The</strong>re’s no<br />
hesitation now.<br />
"I need to put a leadership team around me<br />
that are loyal and supportive, so we don’t<br />
find ourselves in a position where the rest<br />
of the organisation is feeling under pressure<br />
12 Protect Represent Support. www.tpav.org.au<br />
Above: Ken Lay settles into his new Chief Commissioner's chair.<br />
because the command team can’t get it<br />
right," he said. "It’s about a consistency of<br />
leadership (and) support for our people that<br />
are doing the most difficult jobs."<br />
His initial focus is on assaults, combating<br />
community concerns about safety in<br />
Melbourne particularly around licensed<br />
premises and public transport.<br />
Another key concern − and growing problem<br />
− is family violence.<br />
"Family violence makes up 30% of our assault<br />
data figures, 30% of our abductions and 42%<br />
of murders," he said. "We need to get better<br />
at understanding this issue, addressing it<br />
and reducing the amount of paperwork that<br />
our members do."<br />
Other external priorities are organised crime,<br />
"particularly around cyber-crime and gangrelated<br />
issues", and emergency and disaster<br />
management.<br />
One management issue is sorted. A new<br />
agreement between police command and<br />
the <strong>Association</strong> secured close to a 19 per cent<br />
pay rise over four years, along with welfare<br />
improvements including a minimum 10-hour<br />
break and a recovery day after night shifts.
Above: Greg Davies and Ken Lay chat informally after signing off on the police EBA.<br />
Lay noted his gratitude to Secretary Greg<br />
Davies on the conduct of negotiations and<br />
outlined how the pair solves issues "on<br />
almost a daily basis" as they crop up.<br />
"I’m very confident that in the next three<br />
to five years we’ll see a very, very different<br />
relationship between the union and police<br />
command," he said. "Our members expect<br />
that <strong>Victoria</strong> <strong>Police</strong> and the union get on,<br />
that we solve problems together. So this is<br />
important for both Greg and myself that we<br />
do get it done."<br />
<strong>The</strong>re are even changes you’ll notice in<br />
the locker room, with a new grooming<br />
and appearance policy implemented from<br />
New Year’s Day that winds back previous<br />
relaxations.<br />
"This actually was a discussion that started<br />
at the bottom of the organisation and<br />
was forced up. <strong>The</strong>re seems to be a lot<br />
of discontent about the way that <strong>Victoria</strong><br />
<strong>Police</strong> members look," he said. "We’ll start<br />
seeing our new uniform roll out towards<br />
the back end of next year and that will start<br />
giving us a better look. <strong>The</strong>re’s 83 ways to<br />
currently wear our uniform, which is simply<br />
not acceptable. <strong>The</strong>re’s been overwhelming<br />
support for the proposed policy. People<br />
seem to feel pretty good about it".<br />
Lay stopped himself briefly.<br />
"<strong>The</strong>re are a few people who aren’t that<br />
happy," he added, soothingly. "But we’ll work<br />
our way through that".<br />
<strong>The</strong> Chief<br />
Commissioner On:<br />
Beards, tattoos and uniform<br />
"<strong>The</strong>re’s been a lot of feedback about beards, ponytails, people looking scruffy,<br />
people not looking professional and much of it’s come from the lower levels of the<br />
organisation. We’ve developed a policy which winds back some of these and various<br />
issues that will be rolled out on 1 January ... (and) there’s been overwhelming support<br />
for the proposed policy."<br />
EBA negotiations with<br />
the <strong>Police</strong> <strong>Association</strong><br />
"This was a long and protracted negotiation − at times quite robust − but I must<br />
say that I’ve never before experienced the goodwill, both from the <strong>Victoria</strong> <strong>Police</strong><br />
and the union, in the genuineness of these negotiations. Everyone performed very,<br />
very professionally with one thing in mind ... to get the best possible deal for our<br />
people and to ensure that our organisation had a workforce that could keep the<br />
community safe."<br />
Tasers for general<br />
duties officers<br />
"We’ve just finished a review now on Tasers in country <strong>Victoria</strong> ... we’re looking at the<br />
results now. I don’t want to pre-empt any findings but certainly in the New Year we’ll<br />
be making some announcements about Tasers and what our views are."<br />
Turmoil at the top<br />
"I’m confident that with the support of my people, a loyal and supportive<br />
senior executive and a supportive government that we won’t find ourselves<br />
in that position again."<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Police</strong> <strong>Association</strong> <strong>Victoria</strong> Journal <strong>December</strong> 2011<br />
13
Hats off to baby Sharni<br />
and her brave recovery<br />
By Elissa McCallum<br />
When this photo was taken, Sharni Hughes<br />
was two weeks old and the perfect baby her<br />
parents had wished for.<br />
Three weeks later her life hung in the<br />
balance.<br />
Her father, Constable Shane Hughes of<br />
Shepparton, has been overwhelmed by<br />
the support for his family from the police<br />
community.<br />
14 Protect Represent Support. www.tpav.org.au<br />
Constable Shane Hughes’ life<br />
was turned upside down in an<br />
instant when a doctor told him<br />
his newborn baby had a massive<br />
tumour growing from her kidney.<br />
Five-week old Sharni was to be airlifted<br />
immediately from Wangaratta to the Royal<br />
Children’s Hospital.<br />
She was taken from the arms of Shane and<br />
his wife, Renae, and when the emergency<br />
flight took off the distraught parents rushed<br />
home to Benalla, snatched some clothes and<br />
began driving to Melbourne.<br />
Where could they stay? How would they pay?<br />
What did they need? Who could they turn to?<br />
Such thoughts swam vaguely through<br />
the backs of their minds, but all they
could concentrate on was getting to their<br />
daughter’s side.<br />
<strong>The</strong>y arrived at the RCH at 10pm. <strong>The</strong>re was<br />
no accommodation at Ronald McDonald<br />
House. <strong>The</strong> Hughes made arrangements to<br />
stay that night with a relative, who lives in<br />
Boronia, far from the hospital.<br />
Shane rang his sergeant at Shepparton to<br />
let him know what had happened with his<br />
family and that’s when the support network<br />
kicked in.<br />
"We really do appreciate what’s been done<br />
for us," says Shane.<br />
"We never felt alone," adds Renae.<br />
At 7.15 the next morning, Leading Senior<br />
Constable Kevin Oakley from <strong>Victoria</strong><br />
<strong>Police</strong> Welfare Services took a call from<br />
Shepparton police.<br />
Kevin then contacted Shane and also<br />
consulted <strong>Police</strong> <strong>Association</strong> welfare officer<br />
Kaye Murphy.<br />
Within hours Shane received another call from<br />
Kevin. "He said we had three nights at the<br />
Rydges Hotel, which was pretty much right<br />
across the road from the hospital. We had<br />
Renae’s mum with us, so he got a room with<br />
two double beds. We didn’t pay for a thing.<br />
A temporary transfer to Benalla police<br />
station was also discussed should Shane<br />
need to be closer to home once Sharni<br />
left hospital.<br />
"<strong>Police</strong> really look after their own," says<br />
Shane. "We really felt we were part of<br />
something.<br />
"It took us two years to have Sharni. All<br />
we wanted was that perfect baby and it<br />
didn’t work out like that at the time. I can’t<br />
describe what it was like."<br />
Left: Baby Sharni Hughes at two weeks.<br />
Above: Shane and Sharni at the Royal Children’s Hospital.<br />
requires hospitalisation. <strong>The</strong> fund can also<br />
assist with medical expenses and make<br />
loans in cases of extreme financial hardship.<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Association</strong> also pays emergency<br />
accommodation expenses in certain<br />
circumstances.<br />
In the Hughes case, Shane says the<br />
<strong>Association</strong>’s Kaye Murphy gave valuable<br />
assistance to ensure they received the<br />
government rebate for their Ronald<br />
McDonald House stay. "We knew we could<br />
"He was unbelievable. He rang me every<br />
day. He said he could organise counselling, a<br />
chaplain, a whole range of stuff. At that time<br />
we were just concentrating on Sharni and<br />
appreciative of the accommodation."<br />
<strong>The</strong> Hughes were told that the tumour had<br />
to be removed. It was a life-threatening<br />
operation. <strong>The</strong> baby had only a 50 per cent<br />
chance of surviving.<br />
<strong>The</strong>re were 26 medical staff assigned to<br />
the surgery. Doctors couldn’t estimate how<br />
long it would take. Shane and Renae were<br />
advised to leave the hospital.<br />
<strong>The</strong>ir agony lasted four hours. <strong>The</strong> phone rang<br />
with news that the operation was a success.<br />
<strong>The</strong>ir anxiety wasn’t over though. Sharni<br />
remained sedated for a week. For all of that<br />
time, the Hughes waited on the results of<br />
the biopsy.<br />
Within that period, they were able to move<br />
to Ronald McDonald House and <strong>The</strong> <strong>Police</strong><br />
<strong>Association</strong> initiated contingency arrangements<br />
to further ease the strain on Shane. In situations<br />
such as this, member transfers can occur.<br />
Plans were made through the <strong>Association</strong><br />
to allow Shane to work at Melbourne North<br />
station so he could remain close to the<br />
hospital, thus preserving his sick leave.<br />
"We kept going in there (at the hospital) and<br />
apologising to her," says Renae.<br />
Now, months down the track, there are no<br />
more apologies as the Hughes’ put their<br />
energy into raising a happy child, whose<br />
tumour turned out to be benign. Sharni has<br />
lost a kidney and has regular checkups but<br />
the future looks as rosy as her cheeks.<br />
On the offers of support, Renae says, "We<br />
were bewildered by it. We didn’t realise it<br />
would be like that, especially since Shane<br />
hadn’t been a policeman for long."<br />
Shane was a butcher for years before he<br />
joined the force in April 2010. "What butcher<br />
shop, or boss, would be able to offer that<br />
sort of comfort? <strong>The</strong> police were amazing,"<br />
says Renae.<br />
Together, the <strong>Police</strong> <strong>Association</strong> and<br />
<strong>Victoria</strong> <strong>Police</strong>’s welfare services work to<br />
relieve the burden for members in times<br />
of trouble.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Hughes’ hotel expenses were paid<br />
from the <strong>Police</strong> Provident Fund, a trust<br />
fund set up in the 1930s from the estate<br />
of a police widow. It pays for emergency<br />
accommodation when a member, a<br />
member’s partner or a dependent child<br />
ring Kaye and she would know what was<br />
available to us."<br />
Part of Kaye’s role is to inform members<br />
who aren’t aware of available entitlements.<br />
For instance, the <strong>Association</strong> will<br />
reimburse members for long term<br />
hospital car parking and recently paid<br />
a bill of $1,651. It can also pay a $500 a<br />
week sickness benefit up to six months<br />
when a member’s annual and sick leave<br />
is exhausted.<br />
After his experience, Shane finds a<br />
greater passion to assist the many<br />
needy children he confronts as part of<br />
his job. "I went to a house (a domestic)<br />
where there were three kids under<br />
the age of five. One kid was asleep in<br />
a capsule while another kid was lying<br />
on the floor with a doona over her.<br />
<strong>The</strong> mother was 19. I was thinking that<br />
these kids are perfectly healthy and she<br />
was treating them like this. I went over<br />
and above to try to get this girl and her<br />
kids somewhere safe for the night and<br />
make sure they got there safely.<br />
"I get pretty upset when I see kids with<br />
no health problems, but the parents are<br />
not giving them the best chance at life."<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Police</strong> <strong>Association</strong> <strong>Victoria</strong> Journal <strong>December</strong> 2011<br />
15
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!
THE POLICE ASSOCIATION<br />
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from all <strong>The</strong> <strong>Police</strong> <strong>Association</strong> staff, Executive and delegates.<br />
Members please note that the <strong>Association</strong> offices will be closed for a short time over the Christmas and New Year period.<br />
We will be closed from midday on Friday 23 <strong>December</strong> 2011 and will reopen at 8.30am on Tuesday 3 January 2012.<br />
We know that the holiday season is a demanding time for some members and many of you will be working through this<br />
period − please stay safe and enjoy as much time as you can with your families.<br />
We will provide after-hours contact for any members with urgent matters on the following numbers:<br />
Industrial: Chris Kennedy 0418 500 857<br />
Legal/Welfare: Tony Walsh 0417 313 383<br />
General: Sylvia Loveless 0418 555 704<br />
We wish all our members and their families a very Merry Christmas and a safe New Year.<br />
Our Christmas savings<br />
are as unreal as Santa!<br />
At no cost to you, we help you save<br />
time and money at Christmas on:<br />
• electrical and white goods<br />
• gifts<br />
• groceries<br />
• holiday costs<br />
• and much more…<br />
VIC T O RIA<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Police</strong> <strong>Association</strong> <strong>Victoria</strong> Journal <strong>December</strong> 2011<br />
17
New staff photo by gregnoakes.com<br />
Meet your new<br />
<strong>Association</strong> industrial<br />
relations officers<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Police</strong> <strong>Association</strong>’s<br />
highly-regarded industrial<br />
relations section has just<br />
got a whole lot stronger<br />
following the addition of<br />
two new well-credentialed<br />
industrial officers.<br />
Communications Officer,<br />
Caitlin Walsh, recently<br />
caught up with them to talk<br />
about their new role and life<br />
outside the <strong>Association</strong>.<br />
Since commencing with the <strong>Association</strong><br />
in September, the two new additions<br />
to our industrial relations team,<br />
Laura Miller and Peter Gioulekas, have<br />
been learning the ‘ins and outs’ of life<br />
at the <strong>Association</strong> and getting a feel for<br />
many of the unique issues affecting police.<br />
<strong>The</strong>y now feel they’re ready to sink their<br />
teeth into these issues and assist members<br />
in the process.<br />
Laura came to the <strong>Association</strong> from the<br />
Finance Sector Union (FSU) where she was<br />
working as an IR officer. Much of her work<br />
involved advocating for members across<br />
all facets of workplace relations including<br />
bullying, discrimination and harassment.<br />
But her speciality is workers’ compensation,<br />
having spent two years working for a law<br />
firm where she focused on WorkCover<br />
matters after completing a law degree at<br />
Australia National University in Canberra.<br />
Always supportive of workers’ rights, Laura<br />
decided to move away from practising law<br />
to get more "hands on" with the workplace<br />
issues which interested her.<br />
18 Protect Represent Support. www.tpav.org.au<br />
"Working in industrial relations, you have<br />
a lot more contact with the people you’re<br />
helping, it’s quite personal and I really like<br />
that," said Laura.<br />
As well as her general IR role, Laura will also<br />
be taking on specific women’s issues involving<br />
the <strong>Association</strong> and will be our representative<br />
on the Women’s Council at Trades Hall.<br />
"I’ve really enjoyed a bit of everything so<br />
far, there is so much to take in and I’m still<br />
learning the ‘police speak’ but that’ll come<br />
with time," she said.<br />
Laura, a country girl from Albury, is also<br />
a keen netballer and Carlton supporter.<br />
And with that competitive edge she’s<br />
eager to get stuck in to her new role at the<br />
<strong>Association</strong> and assist our members in need.<br />
"It’s nice to be part of such a strong effective<br />
body, it gives me confidence that we can<br />
take on anything and get the right results<br />
for members."<br />
Peter Gioulekas agrees. <strong>The</strong> born and bred<br />
Melburnian couldn’t be happier to be part<br />
of the <strong>Association</strong>’s industrial team.<br />
"<strong>The</strong> <strong>Association</strong> is such a strong union,<br />
it seems to have defied the trend of<br />
other unions around the country because<br />
membership is still growing and growing<br />
strong," said Peter.<br />
As with Laura, Peter has also been thrown<br />
into the deep-end, but he is bringing<br />
with him a wealth of knowledge and<br />
experience quite different to that of his<br />
new colleagues.<br />
After completing a science degree at RMIT,<br />
Peter went on to work as a biomedical<br />
scientist for over a decade, working at some<br />
of the largest hospitals in the state.<br />
While he was quite familiar with unions,<br />
having previously been a health and safety<br />
representative for the Hospital Employees<br />
Federation, it wasn’t until he was working<br />
at Western Health that he decided to try his<br />
hand at something different.<br />
Peter was heavily involved with the Health<br />
Services Union (HSU) and volunteered as a<br />
delegate with the Medical Scientists <strong>Association</strong><br />
(HSU branch 4) when he was asked by the<br />
Secretary to join them full-time. He took<br />
a 12-month career break and participated<br />
in an ACTU traineeship in 2005, which just<br />
happened to coincide with the introduction<br />
of the contentious Work Choices laws.<br />
"I was so involved with the industrial issues<br />
at that time and I decided that’s what I<br />
wanted to do," said Peter.<br />
So he became an IR officer, working mainly<br />
with pharmacists, psychologists and medical<br />
scientists. It was at the HSU where Peter<br />
attained the bulk of his IR experience. This<br />
mainly involved working on EEO matters,<br />
enterprise bargaining negotiations and<br />
industrial campaigns, advocacy at Fair Work<br />
and dealing with many member grievances.<br />
"I hope to bring the knowledge base that<br />
I have from years of working in a different<br />
industry to my new colleagues and<br />
members," said Peter.<br />
And while he admits that the terminology<br />
and technical details will take some getting<br />
use to, he doesn’t feel he’ll have too much<br />
trouble adjusting.<br />
"<strong>The</strong> work we do (as industrial bodies) is very<br />
unique but it’s universal, we all just want to<br />
help our members obtain and sustain the<br />
best working conditions possible."<br />
Peter also hopes to finish off his postgraduate<br />
law degree in the near future,<br />
which he has been doing part-time since<br />
2003. But when asked if there are any plans<br />
to don the white lab coat any time soon,<br />
Peter assures us he is here to stay.<br />
"My career path has taken some turns but I do<br />
this now because I love it and I believe in it."
Above: New industrial officers Laura Miller and Peter<br />
Gioulekas collaborate in their new workplace<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Police</strong> <strong>Association</strong> <strong>Victoria</strong> Journal <strong>December</strong> 2011<br />
19
Advertorial<br />
DID YOU WORK FOR<br />
THE POLICE IN THE UK?<br />
THE UK POLICE PENSION FUND PROVIDES<br />
EXCELLENT BENEFITS, BUT THERE ARE<br />
SIGNIFICANT ADVANTAGES AVAILABLE<br />
BY TRANSFERRING YOUR PENSION TO<br />
AUSTRALIA.<br />
Michael Bennett<br />
Director – Chief Executive<br />
UHY Haines Norton<br />
Chartered Accountants<br />
If you worked for the <strong>Police</strong> in the<br />
UK you have probably subscribed to<br />
the <strong>Police</strong> Pension Fund. This is one<br />
of the better pension plans in the UK<br />
and provides excellent benefits to<br />
its members. You can transfer your<br />
<strong>Police</strong> pension into the Australian<br />
superannuation system; the systems<br />
are regulated differently and there are<br />
a number of factors to be considered<br />
before transferring your fund to<br />
Australia.<br />
Your <strong>Police</strong> Pension currently provides<br />
a guaranteed pension on retirement. In<br />
the event of your death it also provides<br />
for a reduced rate of pension to be<br />
paid to your surviving spouse and<br />
dependent children. <strong>The</strong> promise of a<br />
guaranteed income in retirement offers<br />
a real feeling of security and is definitely<br />
not something that should be given up<br />
easily. However, there are number of<br />
advantages available should you decide<br />
to transfer, for example:-<br />
• If you leave your pension fund in the<br />
UK, you will be entitled to a lump sum<br />
on retirement which is completely tax<br />
free in the UK but part of which will<br />
be taxable in Australia. Lump sums<br />
paid on retirement from Australian<br />
superannuation funds are not taxed.<br />
• Any pension you receive from your<br />
UK fund will be classed as income<br />
in Australia and will be taxable<br />
regardless of whether you actually<br />
bring it into Australia or not.<br />
• If your UK pension is used to provide<br />
you an income in Australia, it will be<br />
subject to exchange rate fluctuations.<br />
People living in Australia who rely<br />
on UK pension payments have seen<br />
their ‘living income’ fall by 24% during<br />
the last 3 years. If you transfer your<br />
fund to Australia, you will receive<br />
a consistent tax free income in<br />
retirement.<br />
• Once transferred, you can continue<br />
to grow your superannuation fund<br />
during your retirement. In the UK your<br />
pension will be a fixed amount with<br />
inflationary increases.<br />
• On your death the entire unused<br />
balance of your superannuation fund<br />
can be passed to your nominated<br />
beneficiaries. This is a significant<br />
benefit when compared with the<br />
reduced benefits paid from the UK<br />
pension scheme.<br />
You are required to pay tax on the<br />
growth within the fund from the date you<br />
became tax resident in Australia to the<br />
date of the transfer. This tax can be paid<br />
by your superfund at a rate of only 15%<br />
rather than your personal tax rate. <strong>The</strong><br />
payment of this tax is generally a small<br />
price to pay for the future tax benefits<br />
gained by making the transfer.<br />
Your visa status is also relevant when<br />
considering whether or not to transfer.<br />
Whilst there are tax benefits to be<br />
gained by doing so within 6 months<br />
of your arrival in Australia, there are<br />
‘pitfalls’ that are often overlooked.<br />
If you are attracted by the advantages<br />
of transferring we would recommend<br />
you seek financial advice. We can help<br />
you with the decision making process<br />
through our free consultation service<br />
and the production of a free transfer<br />
report which includes a tax analysis.<br />
Having obtained your report you are<br />
under no obligation to use our transfer<br />
service. We want you to be absolutely<br />
sure that you are doing the right thing<br />
for yourself and your family before you<br />
decide to proceed.<br />
If you do decide to proceed to<br />
transfer, our specialist team would be<br />
delighted to assist. You will be advised<br />
of the cost of the service before<br />
proceeding.<br />
If you would like to know more please<br />
contact us.<br />
CONTACT DETAILS<br />
pensions@uhyperth.com.au<br />
16 Lakeside Corporate<br />
24 Parkland Road<br />
OSBORNE PARK WA 6017<br />
Telephone:+ 61 (8) 9444 3400<br />
Facsimile: + 61 (8) 9242 3762<br />
www.uhyperth.com.au<br />
AN ASSOCIATION OF INDEPENDENT FIRMS IN AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND AND A MEMBER OF UHY,<br />
AN INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTING AND CONSULTING FIRMS
Holster injuries<br />
− there is no need to go at it alone<br />
After 17 years of service, Leading Senior Constable Karen Nottingham was earlier<br />
this year ill-health retired as a result of a back injury sustained at work. Karen’s case<br />
contains lessons for all members, says Slater & Gordon.<br />
Her debilitating back pains have<br />
been attributed to the wearing<br />
of her police equipment belt, and<br />
she was recently awarded a sixfigure<br />
compensation entitlement.<br />
Karen joined <strong>Victoria</strong> <strong>Police</strong> as a police<br />
officer in 1994, later obtaining the rank<br />
of Leading Senior Constable. Over more than<br />
a decade she wore the police-issued leather<br />
equipment belt while on duty.<br />
Her back problems became apparent in early<br />
2006, becoming increasingly painful when<br />
she wore the belt, and by the end of a shift<br />
she would be in considerable discomfort.<br />
<strong>The</strong> distribution of weight around the belt<br />
was uneven and placed additional strain<br />
on her lower back when she was seated<br />
during patrols.<br />
After lodging her WorkCover claim Karen<br />
underwent a series of injections and<br />
ultimately three major back operations,<br />
culminating in spinal fusion surgery. During<br />
this process Karen required lengthy periods<br />
off work for recovery and rehabilitation. After<br />
her first two operations Karen managed to<br />
return to work in various non-operational<br />
positions, however after the spinal fusion,<br />
a return to work became impossible.<br />
She was thankful for the support she<br />
received first from <strong>The</strong> <strong>Police</strong> <strong>Association</strong><br />
and then from Slater & Gordon. "While I<br />
was going through this process <strong>The</strong> <strong>Police</strong><br />
<strong>Association</strong> was there to help me through<br />
the ordeal. If it wasn’t for their support,<br />
I probably would have been ill-health retired<br />
a long time ago," Karen said.<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Association</strong> referred her to a Workers<br />
Compensation lawyer at Slater & Gordon,<br />
who evaluated her situation and advised<br />
her on how best to go about pursuing<br />
compensation for her injuries.<br />
"Slater & Gordon was great in the way they<br />
handled the case," Karen said. "<strong>The</strong>y guided<br />
me through the whole process and kept in<br />
regular contact."<br />
"I put my faith in their expert advice and I am<br />
satisfied with the result. At the end of the<br />
day all decisions were mine, but I wouldn’t<br />
have had the result I did without them.<br />
"<strong>The</strong> compensation doesn’t fix my back but<br />
it gives me financial security and allows<br />
me to concentrate on being as healthy as<br />
I possibly can."<br />
"This injury is lifelong and something that<br />
I have to manage on a daily basis. I will need<br />
medication and physiotherapy for the rest<br />
of my life," she said. "I’m not in a situation<br />
where I am able to work, so being able to<br />
resolve my WorkCover claim and access<br />
the ESSS pension is a big relief."<br />
"While Karen may have lost her career,<br />
the settlement of her case means she<br />
hasn’t lost her independence," says<br />
Workers Compensation lawyer Craig<br />
Sidebottom, who handled the case.<br />
"Sadly, Karen’s situation is not unique.<br />
<strong>The</strong> physical impact of carrying standard<br />
issue equipment has been a major<br />
occupational health and safety issue for<br />
<strong>Victoria</strong> <strong>Police</strong> and led to hip and back<br />
injuries for many officers. While <strong>Victoria</strong><br />
<strong>Police</strong> has recently sought to rectify this<br />
issue by making available load bearing vests<br />
and thigh holsters, this is too little too late<br />
for officers such as Karen who continue to<br />
endure lifelong pain and suffering as a result<br />
of these injuries," Sidebottom added.<br />
"<strong>The</strong>re are police officers out there who<br />
don’t realise that there is a way to claim<br />
compensation for these injuries," said Karen.<br />
"I encourage people to seek advice and not<br />
think that they have to go at it alone. <strong>The</strong>re<br />
are support services out there."<br />
If you are suffering from a back injury<br />
attributable to the equipment belt, and<br />
would like to explore your prospects<br />
of claiming compensation, please<br />
contact Les Beslis or Paul Mangan at<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Police</strong> <strong>Association</strong> on (03) 9468 2600<br />
to arrange an appointment in order to<br />
obtain further advice.<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Police</strong> <strong>Association</strong> <strong>Victoria</strong> Journal <strong>December</strong> 2011<br />
21
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Delegate Profile<br />
Delegate Mick Palmer talks policing<br />
and tackling the summer crowds down<br />
<strong>Victoria</strong>’s Surf Coast<br />
Why and when did you join the job?<br />
I joined and graduated in 1991. I’d always<br />
wanted to join but after I left school I<br />
started an apprenticeship and wanted<br />
to finish that first.<br />
What did you do before joining the job?<br />
I was a qualified gardener.<br />
Why did you become a delegate?<br />
I was an assistant delegate first then I<br />
became a delegate to fill a newly created<br />
position after the Surf Coast PSA was<br />
formed after boundary changes commenced<br />
in 2010. I became a delegate to represent<br />
the members and so they could have a voice<br />
within TPA.<br />
What do you hope to achieve<br />
as a delegate?<br />
I hope to achieve the respect of the<br />
members in my area by representing them<br />
impartially and to the best of my ability.<br />
How can your members best help you?<br />
Members can help me by contacting me as<br />
soon as they have an issue. I certainly don’t<br />
have all the answers but will be able to put<br />
them in contact with the appropriate people<br />
at the <strong>Association</strong>. I don’t need to know the<br />
ins and outs of the issue just the basics so<br />
they can get the best advice.<br />
What do you like most about working<br />
in your area?<br />
I like the fact that my area includes some<br />
of the most picturesque places in <strong>Victoria</strong><br />
like Apollo Bay, Lorne, Torquay, Otway<br />
Ranges and the Great Ocean Road. This<br />
also means we deal with a lot of tourists<br />
and at summer time there is a significant<br />
increase in population in some coastal<br />
towns which puts a strain on our resources.<br />
Places like Lorne and Torquay also have to<br />
deal with schoolies.<br />
What is your favourite war story?<br />
I was working at the FRU and performing<br />
duties out at Frankston. I was living in<br />
St Kilda and my car was stolen. A few days<br />
later we got a job to recover a stolen vehicle<br />
from a block of flats in Frankston. It was my<br />
car. When we got to the flats, the guys I was<br />
working with went and had a look around and<br />
came back and said that they had overheard<br />
people talking in one of flats about a stolen<br />
car. A member sat off the flats while we went<br />
back to the station and got a warrant and<br />
more troops. Some of the property from<br />
my car was inside the flat and this guy was<br />
trying to tell me the property was his mate’s,<br />
Mick Palmer. Finally I said to him, look<br />
mate I know it’s stolen it’s my property and<br />
showed him the name on the property and<br />
my name tag. He made full admissions.<br />
What has been your career highlight?<br />
Passing Detective Training School and<br />
also being commended for the rescue of a<br />
wounded member, other police members<br />
and a civilian after a shooting incident in<br />
Kangaroo Flat near Bendigo in 1999.<br />
What do you do outside the job that<br />
would be of interest to members?<br />
I spend as much time as I can with my son.<br />
He stays with me about 3 nights a week.<br />
I believe that family is very important and<br />
sometimes as police we spend too much<br />
time helping others with family matters<br />
instead of looking after our own.<br />
How would you like to be remembered?<br />
While I’m not as dashingly handsome as<br />
some of my fellow delegates, I would like<br />
to be remembered as taking each day as<br />
it comes and enjoying life.<br />
TPAV MEMBER BENEFITS >><br />
Are you taking unpaid leave?<br />
Did you know you can defer your <strong>Police</strong> <strong>Association</strong> membership? If you are going on<br />
unpaid maternity leave, leave without pay or are on an ESSS pension, your <strong>Association</strong><br />
membership can be deferred.<br />
Please call Tracey Morgan or Sue Thorley on 1800 800 537 from the Membership team<br />
to discuss your options.<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Police</strong> <strong>Association</strong> <strong>Victoria</strong> Journal <strong>December</strong> 2011<br />
23
TM 6 May 11.pdf 1 6/05/11 10:52 AM<br />
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War stories of the month<br />
We all know most police members have a warped and dark sense<br />
of humour. It helps maintain their equilibrium given the trauma they<br />
deal with on a daily basis.<br />
<strong>The</strong>se war stories from some of our delegates here in <strong>Victoria</strong> are indicative<br />
of the unique sense of humour shared by police officers the world over.<br />
We hope you enjoy them.<br />
Saying ‘I did’ to the<br />
stolen wedding dress<br />
Years ago when working at a<br />
northern suburban police station<br />
we were being pretty hard hit with<br />
burgs on businesses where a<br />
variety of clothing was being stolen,<br />
including a wedding dress from the<br />
local dry cleaners.<br />
Sure enough, while patrolling<br />
during my night shift we caught<br />
a male offender on the hop<br />
committing a burg.<br />
During the old typed record<br />
of interview we were putting<br />
everything to him from all the CO<br />
and MOs we had. He was denying<br />
everything until about question<br />
100 or so when I asked if he looked<br />
pretty in the wedding dress. He<br />
proudly smiled and said ‘yes’ and<br />
then signed up for all of our burgs (we also<br />
got the wedding dress back and returned it<br />
to the bride).<br />
Bloody Mary ... Bloody idiot!<br />
We had a recent after-hours XPCA where a<br />
thirsty patron had numerous drinks at the<br />
local pub, paused consumption briefly to<br />
drive her four kids home before returning a<br />
short time later to continue drinking.<br />
She then began abusing and challenging<br />
several males at the bar to a fight, then<br />
assaulted one of them before shaping up<br />
to the female publican who promptly threw<br />
her out.<br />
Feeling victimised and emotional, she drove<br />
directly to my (one-member) station and<br />
parked up the driveway, knocked on my front<br />
door and, after waking up the household,<br />
commenced to explain in fluent, slobbering<br />
gibberish that she’d been assaulted at the<br />
pub. Needless to say, 30 months on foot and<br />
a hefty fine might just help her to improve<br />
her questionable social and parenting skills,<br />
not to mention responsible driving!<br />
Just one goat!<br />
One shift I responded to a request to deal<br />
with an errant Mountain Goat on the loose<br />
in South Yarra.<br />
Surprisingly, I had little trouble locating it in<br />
its path whilst south bound on Chapel Street<br />
given the look on the faces of all the children<br />
and other fragile souls it left in its wake.<br />
Following a lengthy foot pursuit I challenged<br />
the hungry animal in the now-deserted food<br />
court at 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 />
Speedos, a fluoro pink<br />
buoyancy vest, and a handful<br />
of penalty notices<br />
On New Year’s Eve a few years ago a young<br />
male on a jetski decided not to provide his<br />
correct details to me as he was required to<br />
do in the circumstances.<br />
Sometime later, a couple of minutes before<br />
midnight, I advised him to wait for his<br />
friends inside the police station.<br />
Speedos, a fluoro pink buoyancy vest and<br />
a handful of penalty notices may get him<br />
the wrong type of attention on the streets<br />
of Footscray. His parting comment was<br />
"and a Happy New Year to you too."<br />
Do you have a good war<br />
story you’d like to share?<br />
Send in the stories of your<br />
dumbest crooks or most<br />
unusual arrests.<br />
Simply email:<br />
journal@tpav.org.au<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Police</strong> <strong>Association</strong> <strong>Victoria</strong> Journal <strong>December</strong> 2011<br />
25
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THINKING OF MAKING<br />
A CAREER TRANSITION?<br />
Slade People Solutions is a specialist provider<br />
to <strong>Victoria</strong> <strong>Police</strong> in Career Transition Services.<br />
If you need assistance in developing:<br />
a new Career Path<br />
a review and refresh of your Resumé<br />
a Job Search Strategy<br />
Interview training<br />
Contact us on (03) 9235-5100 or email<br />
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in crime control and public safety, Helping keep the community safe.
Trivia Quiz<br />
Test Your Brain and win a copy of<br />
the Andy McDermott's international<br />
bestseller Temple of the Gods<br />
How is your general knowledge? Try and answer the 20 questions and test the knowledge of<br />
your colleagues around the mess room table without peaking at the answers printed at the<br />
bottom of the page. And if you think you know the answer to the ‘Who Am I?’ question, send<br />
your answer to the <strong>Association</strong> and go into the draw to win a copy of Temple of the Gods by<br />
Andy McDermott.<br />
Archaeologist Nina Wilde’s life has fallen apart. Her husband, ex-SAS solider Eddie Chase is<br />
on the run, falsely accused of murder, and her only distraction has been investigating the<br />
origin of three strange statues stolen from her just before Eddie’s disappearance. When Nina<br />
discovers they may be relics from the lost civilization of Atlantis, it’s clear that she has to get<br />
her head back in the game, and fast.<br />
Meanwhile, Eddie tries to remain free as he hunts the man responsible for his fugitive status.<br />
A mysterious benefactor offers the information he needs − but the price will put him in direct<br />
conflict with his wife.<br />
1 During our summer months what time<br />
of day would it be in <strong>Victoria</strong> when it’s<br />
6pm in Western Australia?<br />
2 How many people have held the<br />
position of Chief Commissioner of the<br />
<strong>Victoria</strong> <strong>Police</strong> Force since 1990?<br />
12 A combined total of approximately how<br />
many Australians lives have been lost<br />
in all wars fought?<br />
a) 20,000 b) 50,000 or c) 100,000<br />
13 <strong>The</strong> first casino in Australia was<br />
established in which state?<br />
Correctly Answer Who<br />
Am I? for a chance to win<br />
Who am I?<br />
3 Where will the 2018 Commonwealth<br />
Games be held?<br />
4 <strong>The</strong> ANF is a union representing<br />
workers in what occupation?<br />
5 Who is <strong>Victoria</strong>’s minister for planning?<br />
6 In what year is the next Australian<br />
federal election due?<br />
7 Which <strong>Victoria</strong>n golf course hosted the<br />
recent Presidents Cup event?<br />
8 My Sharona was an international<br />
number one hit in 1979 for which<br />
Los Angeles-based rock quartet?<br />
9 Valarie Taylor is best known for her<br />
association with what type of fish?<br />
10 Which African nation is the world’s<br />
newest country, having formally come<br />
into existence on 11 July 2011?<br />
11 Which car maker currently produces<br />
an i range of vehicle models?<br />
14 Deoxyribonucleic acid is better known<br />
by what abbreviation?<br />
15 Grocery giants Coles and Woolworths<br />
are respectively aligned with which fuel<br />
retailers?<br />
16 <strong>The</strong> 60-year military alliance between<br />
Australia, New Zealand and the United<br />
States is commonly identified by what<br />
acronym?<br />
17 <strong>The</strong> tune of the late 19 th Century song<br />
Lily of Laguna is adopted by which AFL<br />
club as the tune of its theme song?<br />
18 Which capital city is located closest<br />
to the Equator?<br />
19 <strong>The</strong> governments of which two fiscallychallenged<br />
European nations recently<br />
made way for unelected technocrats to<br />
guide their country through economic<br />
turbulence?<br />
20 Which former Australian Prime<br />
Minister is credited with the phrase,<br />
‘Life wasn’t meant to be easy’?<br />
Quiz Answers> 1. 9pm 2. Five − Kel Glare, Neil Comrie, Christine Nixon, Simon Overland and Ken Lay 3. Gold Coast 4.<br />
Nursing (Australian Nursing Federation) 5. Matthew Guy 6. 2013 7. Royal Melbourne 8. <strong>The</strong> Knack 9. Sharks 10. South<br />
Sudan 11. Hyundai 12. c) 100,000 13. Tasmania 14. DNA 15. Shell and Caltex 16. ANZUS alliance 17. Carlton 18. Quito,<br />
Ecuador 19. Greece and Italy 20. Malcolm Fraser<br />
1. I was born in Honolulu, Hawaii<br />
in August 1961<br />
2. My father was a Kenyan<br />
economist<br />
3. In 2005 I was elected as a US<br />
Senate representative for the<br />
state of Illinois<br />
4. I was the successful<br />
candidate in the United States<br />
Presidential election in 2008<br />
5. My middle name is Hussein<br />
Last month’s Who Am I?<br />
Answer − I am 1995<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>, PO<br />
Box 76, Carlton South 3053. <strong>The</strong> completed<br />
‘Who Am I?’ must arrive by Friday 23<br />
<strong>December</strong> to be eligible for the prize draw.<br />
<strong>The</strong> first neatest correct entries will be the<br />
winners. <strong>The</strong> judge’s decision is final and no<br />
correspondence will be entered into.<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Police</strong> <strong>Association</strong> <strong>Victoria</strong> Journal <strong>December</strong> 2011<br />
27
P O L I C E A S S O C I A T I O N<br />
> 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 />
Country housing<br />
O F S O U T H<br />
A U S T R A L I A<br />
<strong>The</strong> South Australian government has over<br />
many years provided rental concessions as<br />
an incentive to attract and retain police in<br />
rural locations.<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Police</strong> <strong>Association</strong> has long represented<br />
its members’ interests, in terms of the<br />
provision of quality housing and significant<br />
concessions, through its position on the Public<br />
Employee Housing Advisory Committee and<br />
direct communication with government.<br />
To serve in country locations, some police<br />
officers make significant sacrifices involving<br />
personal development and promotion, while<br />
their families lose out on many fronts as well.<br />
When planning medium- to long-term<br />
commitments to rural postings, officers<br />
consider their entitlements, including rental<br />
assistance, as a basis on which to make<br />
their decisions about country service.<br />
On <strong>December</strong> 19, 2008, the government<br />
announced an asset sales programme<br />
of excess government employee housing.<br />
At a PEHAC meeting on March 17, 2009,<br />
officials from the Department of Treasury<br />
and Finance advised that it was "not<br />
intended that employees be disadvantaged<br />
by the new arrangements".<br />
Concerns arose after the emergence of a<br />
proposal that housing would no longer be<br />
provided within 100km of Adelaide. But also<br />
announced was that exemptions to this<br />
proposed concept could apply.<br />
Several members have now been advised<br />
that they will no longer receive concessions<br />
as of <strong>December</strong> 2012. <strong>The</strong> <strong>Police</strong><br />
<strong>Association</strong>’s position is that members<br />
currently receiving rental concessions should<br />
continue to receive them until they transfer<br />
from their posts.<br />
28 Protect Represent Support. www.tpav.org.au<br />
Indeed, after several meetings with<br />
government officials, the association<br />
has now notified the employer, SAPOL,<br />
of a dispute as per clause 7 of the South<br />
Australia <strong>Police</strong> enterprise agreement.<br />
NT<br />
<strong>The</strong> NTPA is currently negotiating with the<br />
NT Government to conduct an audit of police<br />
resources.<br />
<strong>The</strong> project is aimed at assisting the NT<br />
<strong>Police</strong> in better use of resources to provide<br />
better policing services to the community.<br />
It is hoped that this project will allow an<br />
open look at options to utilise resources<br />
to their optimum.<br />
<strong>The</strong> NTPA is also in negotiations with the NT<br />
<strong>Police</strong> Force in relation to the interpretation<br />
of clauses from the 2011 Consent<br />
Agreement; specifically in respect of the<br />
payment of the on call allowance.<br />
"We are trying to avoid a dispute in the<br />
<strong>Police</strong> Arbitral Tribunal however the<br />
intransigent view of some of managers<br />
within the <strong>Police</strong> Force may ultimately lead<br />
us there," NTPA president Vince Kelly said.<br />
NSW<br />
Reforms to police oversight urgently<br />
needed<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Police</strong> <strong>Association</strong> of NSW is calling for a<br />
complete overhaul of police oversight bodies,<br />
after scathing criticism of the existing<br />
<strong>Police</strong> Integrity Commission, by its own<br />
independent inspector.<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Police</strong> Integrity Commission (PIC)<br />
was established 15 years ago on the<br />
recommendation of the Wood Royal<br />
Commission to oversee integrity issues<br />
within the NSW <strong>Police</strong> Force.<br />
However there have been at least 11 reports<br />
by the Inspector of PIC, including his last<br />
annual report, which have criticised the<br />
actions of the PIC.<br />
"<strong>The</strong>re is something badly wrong with<br />
the system when the body established<br />
to ensure integrity is itself under a cloud,"<br />
<strong>Association</strong> President Scott Weber said.<br />
Mr Weber said the latest annual report<br />
confirmed the <strong>Association</strong>’s views, citing<br />
that the PIC was biased, ruined careers and<br />
reputations for no reason, and routinely denied<br />
procedural fairness to police witnesses.<br />
"Good police officers are being persecuted<br />
by a commission whose extraordinary<br />
powers are not balanced by proper<br />
accountability. <strong>The</strong> inspector upheld<br />
numerous complaints and yet the PIC<br />
has denied any wrongdoing. It’s time for<br />
the inspector’s recommendations to be<br />
taken seriously and for the PIC to admit<br />
its mistakes."<br />
<strong>The</strong> botched handling of a PIC investigation<br />
that has damaged the careers of two of<br />
NSW’s most highly respected detectives<br />
was the last straw and has led to a vote of<br />
no confidence by the commissioned officers’<br />
branch of the <strong>Police</strong> <strong>Association</strong>.<br />
Detective Inspector Paul Jacob is one NSW’s<br />
most respected detectives. However a report<br />
by the PIC, the Rani Report, recommended<br />
DI Jacob and his colleague Detective<br />
Sergeant Ritchie Sim be dismissed for their<br />
investigation into the disappearance of a<br />
Bathurst woman, Janine Vaughan.<br />
"This investigation by the PIC into the way<br />
police handled the Janine Vaughan case has<br />
been unprofessional and highly damaging to<br />
the police involved," Mr Weber said.<br />
"All it has done is waste time and money,<br />
and cast a shadow over two of Australia’s<br />
finest, most respected detectives. DI Jacob
and DS Sim have more than 56 years’<br />
experience between them and have worked<br />
on some of Australia’s most high profile<br />
homicide investigations."<br />
A special report by the Inspector of the<br />
PIC later found that none of the adverse<br />
findings made in the Rani Report against<br />
either DI Jacob or DS Sim were justified.<br />
Mr Weber said, "<strong>The</strong> inspector has found the<br />
Rani Report significantly misrepresented<br />
evidence, contained unjustified findings and<br />
severely damaged the reputations of both<br />
DI Jacob and DS Sim.<br />
"If the PIC can get it so wrong, what faith can<br />
the public have in them to properly investigate<br />
matters of actual police misconduct?"<br />
<strong>The</strong> crisis over PIC has caused the<br />
<strong>Association</strong> to renew calls for one oversight<br />
body for police, currently both the PIC and<br />
the Ombudsman play this role.<br />
"Our current system of oversight is<br />
cumbersome and complex when you take<br />
into account the Ombudsman’s interference<br />
in police matters as well," Mr Weber said.<br />
"<strong>The</strong> <strong>Association</strong> would like to see a<br />
reformed PIC as the single oversight body<br />
for the NSW <strong>Police</strong> Force.<br />
"Having said that, it is critical that the<br />
principles of procedural fairness are<br />
enshrined in the investigative processes of<br />
the oversight body. <strong>The</strong> current situation<br />
is unsustainable and totally unfair to hard<br />
working police officers in this state."<br />
QLD<br />
QPS puts off 300+ civilians<br />
Hot on the heals of the decision of<br />
Queensland Industrial Relations<br />
Commission’s Full Bench to increase the<br />
Queensland Government’s offer of 2.5% to<br />
3.8% for all the State’s <strong>Police</strong> Officers, the QPS<br />
have been told by the Bligh State Government<br />
that they will not be funding the increase<br />
leaving the QPS to fund it internally.<br />
To fund the pay increase all operational<br />
budgets are being cut and the number of<br />
civilian staff slashed by 300+. All policing<br />
operations will now be effected as officers<br />
are drawn away from traditional roles<br />
to attend to the ever increasing call for<br />
paperwork and bureaucracy.<br />
V8 cars are not being replaced and officers<br />
are no longer working weekends in regional<br />
areas where penalty payments would<br />
ordinarily be paid.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Queensland <strong>Police</strong> Union has commenced<br />
a public State-Wide campaign including<br />
television commercials, billboards and bumper<br />
stickers to put more feet on the beat. 2012 will<br />
be an interesting year as both Government<br />
and <strong>Police</strong> Commissioner face renewal.<br />
PFA<br />
<strong>Police</strong> Federation appears before fly-in<br />
fly-out, drive-in drive-out (FIFO/DIDO)<br />
federal parliamentary inquiry<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Police</strong> Federation of Australia (PFA) has<br />
been invited to appear before the Federal<br />
Parliament’s Standing Committee on<br />
Regional Australia’s Inquiry into the use of<br />
FIFO/DIDO workforce practices in regional<br />
Australia on its first day of Hearings in<br />
Parliament House Canberra. <strong>The</strong> Inquiry<br />
has drawn in excess of 100 submissions<br />
from across Australia. <strong>The</strong> PFA was the only<br />
‘police’ submission to the Inquiry.<br />
Within the Inquiry’s Terms of Reference, we<br />
pointed out that there were a number that<br />
had direct impact on policing. <strong>The</strong>se included:<br />
> > the effect of a non-resident FIFO/DIDO<br />
workforce on established communities,<br />
including community wellbeing, services<br />
and infrastructure;<br />
> > the impact on communities (of) sending<br />
large numbers of FIFO/DIDO workers to<br />
mine sites;<br />
> > provision of services, infrastructure<br />
and housing availability for FIFO/DIDO<br />
workforce employees;<br />
> > strategies to optimise FIFO/DIDO<br />
experience for employees and their<br />
families, communities and industry; and<br />
> > current initiatives and responses of the<br />
Commonwealth, State and Territory<br />
Governments.<br />
In our submission and in oral evidence to the<br />
Inquiry we pointed out that police officers do<br />
not have the luxury of being part of a FIFO/<br />
DIDO workforce. Current policing strategies are<br />
predicated on ‘community policing initiatives’<br />
and as such, <strong>Police</strong> officers are expected<br />
to be domiciled in, and become part of, the<br />
community in which they serve. <strong>The</strong> role of<br />
the local police officer in a rural, regional or<br />
remote community is far more than simply a<br />
‘law enforcer’. <strong>The</strong>re are numerous examples<br />
of where police officers use their expertise<br />
to work on establishing strong community<br />
interaction through local community<br />
policing initiatives. This includes assisting to<br />
resolve local conflicts and engaging in crime<br />
prevention activities with local youth.<br />
In many FIFO/DIDO locations, the cost of<br />
housing, family essentials (groceries and other<br />
services) and other infrastructure is extremely<br />
expensive. This places a great financial<br />
burden on police officers and their families,<br />
as well as their respective state/territory police<br />
departments/governments. For example, the<br />
extra competition for housing, owned or rented,<br />
pushes up the price of housing for police officers<br />
and other service providers in the community.<br />
Another area of concern is that police officers<br />
cannot earn any-where near the amount<br />
of income that mine employees receive.<br />
It therefore becomes difficult for police<br />
departments/governments to retain these<br />
members as many seek higher incomes by<br />
resigning from the police and taking up mine<br />
employment. Research has already been<br />
undertaken by some jurisdictions indicating<br />
that this will be a big issue over coming<br />
years as the mining boom continues.<br />
If there was a major change in the current<br />
FIFO/DIDO practices in remote mining<br />
towns to a more permanent population,<br />
it would require additional infrastructure<br />
and community services in those towns as<br />
the "permanent" population expands − this<br />
would a mean bigger police presence in<br />
those towns over time as the towns become<br />
a larger meeting point for social purposes −<br />
entertainment, medical services, domestic<br />
interaction, etc.<br />
If that was the case, then governments<br />
would need to be mindful that if incentives<br />
are going to be introduced to encourage<br />
population migration to regional centres<br />
over the medium to long term, the<br />
expansion of local communities over<br />
time must also include a built-in capacity,<br />
based on "scientific" or evidenced based<br />
methodology, to increase in community<br />
support infrastructure − including an<br />
appropriate increase in the police presence<br />
in those towns − over time.<br />
For a full copy of all submission and the<br />
transcripts of evidence go to − http://www.<br />
aph.gov.au/house/committee/ra/fifodido/<br />
index.htm<br />
TAS<br />
<strong>The</strong> year that was<br />
This year has shown us a glimpse of the<br />
challenging times ahead for both the<br />
Department and the <strong>Police</strong> <strong>Association</strong>.<br />
<strong>The</strong> doom and gloom of the state’s budget<br />
implications on their employees is yet to<br />
really impact, but it’s coming like a train that<br />
cannot stop. Frontline services across the<br />
policing, health and education sectors have<br />
been hit hardest. Those who are in need and<br />
who are most vulnerable, our children who<br />
are the next generation of leaders and the<br />
community who want to feel safe and rightly<br />
deserve a prompt policing response in times<br />
of crisis are going to suffer. And of course<br />
our members will likely face increased<br />
risk to their safety and bear the brunt of a<br />
frustrated and dysfunctional community<br />
who lack the supportive services they need<br />
from their Government. It is a disgrace.<br />
<strong>The</strong> next state Government election (must<br />
be held before March 2014) will be an<br />
interesting one. We sincerely hope the<br />
parties are doing their homework!<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Police</strong> <strong>Association</strong> <strong>Victoria</strong> Journal <strong>December</strong> 2011<br />
29
Classifieds<br />
MEMBER<br />
CLASSIFIEDS ><br />
As a full financial <strong>Association</strong> member you can<br />
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BEACH HOUSE − ROSEBUD WEST<br />
Holiday house directly opposite a great beach.<br />
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Discounted rates to TPA members: $550 week<br />
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holidays. Contact via email for photos.<br />
Contact ><br />
Chris or Sharon<br />
ckcoster@iprimus.com.au<br />
DAYLESFORD − Midweek Special<br />
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Contact ><br />
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Echuca/Moama<br />
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Situated on the picturesque Murray River,<br />
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TO POLICE MEMBERS.<br />
Contact ><br />
Robyn<br />
0404 836 463<br />
robyn.dalton@live.com<br />
HIGH COUNTRY ACCOMMODATION<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Victoria</strong> <strong>Police</strong> Alpine Club lodge is<br />
available for rent by all emergency services<br />
members, friends and family, PSOs, retired<br />
members and Legacy widows. Located in<br />
Buttercup Road, Merrijig, the lodge is 15<br />
kilometres east of Mansfield and 20 minutes<br />
from Mt Buller. Sleeps up to 34 people with<br />
costs from $12 a night. Local activities<br />
include boating, skiing, swimming, fishing,<br />
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trail rides and wineries. Also available for<br />
conferences. For more information visit our<br />
website at www.vpski.com.<br />
Contact ><br />
VPAC president<br />
(03) 5968 9604<br />
0421 634 335<br />
FULLY FURNISHED BEACH HOUSE<br />
− holiday let/permanent:<br />
Golden Beach, Sale, within 250 metres<br />
of beautiful 90 Mile Beach. No neighbours<br />
within 100 metres of the property. House<br />
is new, fully furnished, 3 bedrooms with<br />
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kids room which also contains tv/dvd.<br />
Blow up mattresses available if needed.<br />
Includes: treadmill, games for kids, DVDs/<br />
movies/books/Playstation 2, washing<br />
machine. Discounted rates for TPA members/<br />
family/friends. Rates $400 pw all year round.<br />
Daily or shorter periods available. Pets<br />
welcome.<br />
Contact ><br />
Anj<br />
0402 483 032<br />
flangio_esq@optusnet.com.au<br />
Noosa Heads − great value<br />
holiday accommodation<br />
Three bedroom house available in the Noosa<br />
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Double bed in each bedroom. Prefer BYO linen<br />
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<strong>The</strong> beach is close by (1 min car/10 min<br />
walk) and Noosa Heads/Noosaville are easily<br />
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Looking for responsible tenants who will look<br />
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with price - $400 per week.<br />
Contact ><br />
Darren<br />
0400 121 124<br />
sunrise.beach.noosa@gmail.com<br />
FULLY FURNISHED GOLD COAST<br />
APARTMENT − SURF PARADE RESORT<br />
Ocean facing 1 bedroom unit on the 7th<br />
floor of a boutique 9 floor professionally<br />
managed building. Superbly appointed<br />
and furnished with kitchen, dining, laundry<br />
facilities and bathroom with large spa, widescreen<br />
television with Foxtel, balcony and<br />
air-conditioning. Facilities include - secured<br />
underground car park, large swimming pool,<br />
gym, sauna and BBQ. Close to the beach,<br />
Jupiter’s Casino, restaurants, shops, beach<br />
and all Gold Coast attractions.<br />
Contact ><br />
Kevin Halsted<br />
0417 004 711<br />
kevinhalsted@bigpond.com<br />
Order great memorabilia gifts<br />
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Contact ><br />
Andrew Drinkwater<br />
0416 221 335<br />
elitemedals@bigpond.com<br />
Port Douglas holiday<br />
accommodation<br />
Privately owned executive suites in the<br />
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Offering lagoon pool, swim-up bar, cocktail<br />
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30 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 />
or email journal@tpav.org.au. For more information contact the Assistant Secretary - 9495 6899.<br />
Classifieds > Only 100 words > Classifieds need to arrive by the 1st of the month prior to month it is to appear<br />
> Each classified will only appear in one issue of <strong>The</strong> <strong>Police</strong> <strong>Association</strong> Journal.<br />
Inter-connecting rooms are also available for<br />
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Discounts to police members and their<br />
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com.au<br />
Contact ><br />
Chris<br />
0438 640 214<br />
House for Rent - Ripponlea/<br />
Elsternwick<br />
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0403 550 060<br />
tours to reef, rainforest and local attractions.<br />
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0437 103 823<br />
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<strong>The</strong> <strong>Police</strong> <strong>Association</strong> <strong>Victoria</strong> Journal <strong>December</strong> 2011<br />
31
YOUR 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 />
On the 19 October 2011 I lost my wife<br />
Samantha in a motorbike accident. This<br />
single tragic event took away my life as<br />
I knew it. <strong>The</strong> following days and weeks<br />
were close to unbearable. Samantha, as a<br />
member’s partner, was a supporter of our<br />
cause, of our job. She was always proud<br />
that I served not only the community but<br />
the members. It would be in her wishes I<br />
continue to do this. I am writing to thank you<br />
all for the support I have received. <strong>The</strong> way<br />
members have locked arms and supported<br />
my family and I has made me very proud to<br />
be police. Thank you.<br />
Kind Regards<br />
Jason Kisielis<br />
Leading Senior Constable 32803<br />
On Behalf of my members, I would like to<br />
express how humbled and grateful we are<br />
for the continued contribution from your<br />
colleagues to our Canterbury Earthquake<br />
Fund. I refer to the cheque presented to<br />
our delegate at your recent conference in<br />
addition to the large contingent of <strong>Victoria</strong><br />
officers that assisted at the time and the not<br />
inconsiderable financial contribution those<br />
members made.<br />
At a time when journalists blow up incidents<br />
between our sporting fans to fill papers we<br />
just need to remind ourselves how close we<br />
all are. Thank you again and I look forward<br />
to the opportunity to reciprocate should the<br />
need ever arise.<br />
Yours sincerely<br />
Greg O’Connor<br />
President − New Zealand <strong>Police</strong> <strong>Association</strong><br />
My wife and I would like to sincerely thank<br />
each and every one of you that were<br />
responsible for undertaking the Retired and<br />
Life Members’ Dinner. What a sensational<br />
evening and finally some gratitude for all<br />
our years of service. <strong>The</strong> atmosphere in the<br />
room that evening was electric, which will<br />
take a lot to be surpassed. From the bottom<br />
of our hearts, thank you all so very much<br />
for your past and continued efforts and<br />
recognition in giving respect to us all.<br />
Yours sincerely<br />
Charlie Bezzina<br />
Senior Sergeant 17886<br />
I wish to thank you and <strong>The</strong> <strong>Police</strong><br />
<strong>Association</strong> for the Retired and Life<br />
Members’ Dinner on the 14 October 2011.<br />
My wife and I had a wonderful time catching<br />
up with friends and past colleagues. It was a<br />
great night and typical of a very professional<br />
and generous organisation. For me also<br />
the night meant some closure in leaving<br />
<strong>Victoria</strong> <strong>Police</strong> after 37 years. I never really<br />
appreciated the importance of belonging to<br />
the organisation until I was gone.<br />
Once again, thank you to <strong>The</strong> <strong>Police</strong><br />
<strong>Association</strong> for all the support over the years<br />
and thank you for a great night.<br />
Kind regards<br />
Paul Evans APM<br />
Assistant Commissioner 18146<br />
I would like to take this opportunity to<br />
express my thanks to the <strong>Association</strong> and<br />
especially to Kaye Murphy for the assistance<br />
she provided to me last year after my heart<br />
surgery. After some 3 months in hospital<br />
Kaye assisted me in applying for 3 months<br />
extraordinary leave. At the time I was in no<br />
condition to even contemplate applying for<br />
anything, without her assistance I would<br />
not have applied. I would also like to thank<br />
David Billiet and the management and<br />
staff of the Covert Support Unit for their<br />
assistance during the time I was in hospital<br />
and the following year during my recovery.<br />
I am slowly recovering back to where I was<br />
prior to my operation, the assistance of<br />
the <strong>Association</strong> and the staff of the Covert<br />
Support Unit has truly assisted me in this.<br />
Phillip Kerridge<br />
Detective Sergeant 20176<br />
I’m writing to express my sincere thanks<br />
to the <strong>Association</strong> and to Kaye Murphy in<br />
particular, for the assistance and support<br />
provided by the <strong>Association</strong> to me and my<br />
family after the floods of January 2011 that<br />
devastated western <strong>Victoria</strong>. As one of three<br />
members at a small country station, all of<br />
whom had flood waters pass through their<br />
houses, it was comforting to know that the<br />
<strong>Association</strong> did not need a request from any<br />
of us for help but put a substantial amount<br />
of money into our bank accounts so that<br />
we did not have to worry about paying for<br />
necessities at a time when we did not even<br />
know if we would have a place to live.<br />
Kaye’s continued contact over the weeks<br />
that followed was a comfort and her<br />
understanding of the stresses we were<br />
under trying to look after not only our<br />
families and ourselves but the communities<br />
we live in as well, was and is still greatly<br />
appreciated. I can safely say on behalf of<br />
other members and myself that having an<br />
organisation such as <strong>The</strong> <strong>Police</strong> <strong>Association</strong><br />
looking out for our welfare certainly makes<br />
the difficult job of policing that little bit<br />
easier. Thank you.<br />
Mick Jablonka<br />
Leading Senior Constable 31087<br />
I want to convey my sincere thanks and<br />
appreciation to <strong>The</strong> <strong>Police</strong> <strong>Association</strong> for the<br />
wonderful night my wife Cheryl and I enjoyed<br />
ate the Retired and Life Members’ Dinner<br />
on 14 October. As a life member of TPA I<br />
have been very fortunate to attend these<br />
dinners previously but this year was special<br />
as it was my retirement as well. <strong>The</strong> whole<br />
evening was truly memorable and the very<br />
kind words that the <strong>Association</strong> expressed<br />
about me during the presentations made<br />
me realise how privileged we are to belong<br />
to such an organisation. On a closing note<br />
you have achieved an excellent and well<br />
deserved result with EB 2011, so well done<br />
with that and it’s just another reason why<br />
TPA plays such an important and vital<br />
support role for all members.<br />
Kind regards,<br />
Graeme Larkin<br />
Senior Sergeant 16174<br />
32 Protect Represent Support. www.tpav.org.au
This is just a quick note of thanks to the<br />
<strong>Association</strong> in relation to the recent Retired<br />
and Life Members’ Dinner held at the Hilton<br />
on the Park. It was a terrific night and it<br />
was good to catch up with some people<br />
that I had not seen in a long time. I really<br />
appreciated the invitation, the night itself<br />
and the retirement gift. Good luck to you<br />
all and keep up with your very necessary<br />
work. Oh that note, I think the <strong>Association</strong><br />
deserves a big pat on the back for the recent<br />
wage claim outcome.<br />
Yours faithfully<br />
Ken Mahon<br />
Detective Senior Sergeant 19133<br />
Thanks to the <strong>Association</strong> for the invitation<br />
for my wife and I to attend the Retired and<br />
Life Members’ Dinner held on 14 October<br />
2011. <strong>The</strong> function was most enjoyable and<br />
the organisation, venue and company of<br />
other guests were excellent. It was great<br />
to catch up with many people I had not<br />
seen for a few years. Thanks again to all<br />
involved at the <strong>Association</strong> and also for the<br />
retirement gift.<br />
Peter Gibbons APM<br />
Senior Sergeant 15804<br />
Retirements<br />
It is with a great deal of reluctance that<br />
I advise you of my resignation from <strong>The</strong><br />
<strong>Police</strong> <strong>Association</strong>, effective from 29<br />
October when I retire from <strong>Victoria</strong> <strong>Police</strong>.<br />
My membership with the <strong>Association</strong> has<br />
included the honour of some active service<br />
in my earlier years as a delegate, member<br />
of the Executive and other committees.<br />
<strong>The</strong> experience of working arena with such<br />
august executive members undoubtedly<br />
contributed to my continued career.<br />
In return I received great personal support<br />
and saw invaluable assistance given to<br />
my personnel who needed any of the<br />
many services which have evolved to<br />
benefit members of the organisation. <strong>The</strong><br />
<strong>Police</strong> <strong>Association</strong> remains one of the few<br />
industrial organisations which have not<br />
succumbed to those recent pressures<br />
imposed upon other unions in a effort to<br />
decrease their effectiveness. I will continue<br />
to support and take an interest in the<br />
progress of the <strong>Association</strong> from the bench.<br />
Yours faithfully<br />
Eric Duffy<br />
Senior Sergeant 16931<br />
I retired, ill-health, from <strong>Victoria</strong> <strong>Police</strong> on 7<br />
October 2011 after almost 33 years service.<br />
I was assaulted on duty in 1987 and those<br />
injuries continue to impact on my quality of<br />
life. Over the course of my career I have had<br />
to call on TPAV several times to assist me to<br />
receive my entitlements through WorkCover.<br />
I take many great memories of a great<br />
job, and great friends, in to the next phase<br />
of my life. I was thrilled to have Bruce<br />
McKenzie attend my send-off and make a<br />
presentation on behalf of TPAV. I was also<br />
pleased that Les Beslis and Kaye Murphy<br />
were able to attend and would like to<br />
acknowledge the services that they have<br />
provided me over the years.<br />
Yours sincerely<br />
Lindy Kerr<br />
Inspector 21333<br />
I retired from the <strong>Victoria</strong> <strong>Police</strong> Force on<br />
7 October 2011 after 40 years service. I<br />
have been a <strong>Police</strong> <strong>Association</strong> member<br />
since 1971 and I would like to thank all the<br />
<strong>Association</strong> Executive members, delegates<br />
and staff who, over those years, have done<br />
a great job in representing a supporting<br />
members. I have been fortunate enough not<br />
to require the assistance of the <strong>Association</strong>’s<br />
legal or welfare support. It has been a great<br />
moral support to know that these services<br />
are available if needed. I have known or<br />
worked with members who have required<br />
assistance and the <strong>Association</strong> can be proud<br />
that the feedback has always been very<br />
positive. Please keep up the good work.<br />
Kind regards<br />
Paul Cassidy<br />
Detective Senior Sergeant 16847<br />
We welcome your letters to the Journal.<br />
In all cases the writer’s name must be supplied.<br />
Names will be published unless there is<br />
a good reason for anonymity. <strong>The</strong> editor<br />
reserves the right to edit, abridge, or decline<br />
letters without explanation. Letters under<br />
400 words are preferred. Send your letters to<br />
journal@tpav.org.au<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Police</strong> <strong>Association</strong> <strong>Victoria</strong> Journal <strong>December</strong> 2011<br />
33
Executive Minutes<br />
Your <strong>Police</strong> <strong>Association</strong> Executive: Left to Right: Dermot Avon, Dean Anderson, Dean Thomas, Diane Wilson, Brigette De Chirico, Phillip Pearson, Karl David APM, Colin Birch,<br />
Paul O'Connell and John Laird. (Absent: Mark Rose and Maurie Banks.)<br />
Minutes for the VICTORIA<br />
POLICE BRANCH OF THE POLICE<br />
FEDERATION OF AUSTRALIA<br />
Date: TUESDAY 4 OCTOBER 2011<br />
Location: POLICE ASSOCIATION<br />
BOARDROOM, 1 CLARENDON<br />
STREET, EAST MELBOURNE<br />
Time: 8.12am<br />
Present:<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 />
M Banks<br />
CW Birch<br />
B De Chirico<br />
P O’Connell<br />
M Rose<br />
DJ Thomas<br />
D Wilson<br />
GJ Davies Chief Executive Officer<br />
BI McKenzie Executive Officer<br />
Apologies:<br />
1. CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES<br />
"that the minutes of 6<br />
SEPTEMBER 2011 be confirmed."<br />
2. ADOPTION OF ORDER<br />
OF BUSINESS<br />
"THAT THE ORDER OF BUSINESS<br />
BE ADOPTED."<br />
Election of Branch Officers<br />
(20051)<br />
Circulated - Memo from Secretary, dd<br />
28/9/11<br />
Jeff Webb and Shane Lanning from the<br />
Australian Electoral Commission (AEC)<br />
34 Protect Represent Support. www.tpav.org.au<br />
attended the meeting to conduct the<br />
election for the position of President to fill<br />
the vacancy created by the retirement of<br />
Brian Rix.<br />
As a result of these elections, the positions<br />
of Junior Vice President and Delegate to<br />
Federal Council became vacant and a ballot<br />
was conducted to fill the positions.<br />
Executive members elected to office bearer<br />
positions were as follows: -<br />
President Phillip Pearson<br />
Senior Vice-President John Laird (existing<br />
incumbent)<br />
Junior Vice-President Paul O’Connell<br />
Treasurer Karl David APM (existing<br />
incumbent)<br />
Assistant Treasurer Dermot Avon (existing<br />
incumbent)<br />
Delegate to Federal Council Diane Wilson<br />
3. MAINTENANCE<br />
3.1<br />
<strong>The</strong> meeting adjourned at 9:00am and<br />
resumed at 12:36pm.<br />
<strong>The</strong> meeting adjourned at 1:30pm and<br />
resumed at 1:58pm.<br />
<strong>The</strong> meeting closed at 3:06pm.<br />
minutes FOR THE<br />
EXECUTIVE Meeting<br />
Date: TUESDAY 4 october 2011<br />
Location: POLICE ASSOCIATION<br />
BOARDROOM, 1 CLARENDON<br />
STREET, EAST MELBOURNE<br />
Time: 9.03am<br />
Present:<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 />
M Banks<br />
CW Birch<br />
B De Chirico<br />
P O’Connell<br />
M Rose<br />
DJ Thomas<br />
D Wilson<br />
GJ Davies Secretary<br />
BI McKenzie Assistant Secretary<br />
Apologies:<br />
1. CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES<br />
"THAT THE MINUTES OF 6<br />
september 2011 BE CONFIRMED."<br />
2. ADOPTION OF ORDER<br />
OF BUSINESS<br />
"THAT THE ORDER OF BUSINESS<br />
BE ADOPTED."<br />
3. STRATEGIC<br />
3.1.1.1.1 Concerns Regarding Use, Safety<br />
and Equipment Incompatibility<br />
of IOEV - Ballistic Vests<br />
Mr David provided the Executive with<br />
a demonstration of the ballistic vest<br />
highlighting the overall deficiencies in its<br />
design. He emphasised the importance<br />
of the vest being compatible with the<br />
equipment belt, as currently the two do not<br />
sit well together. <strong>The</strong> vest poses serious<br />
occupational health and safety issues for<br />
our members.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Secretary advised that the new police<br />
uniform will be coming out in January which<br />
will hopefully see improvements to the<br />
current uniform, including the ballistic vest.
"THAT THE LETTER OF MEMBERS<br />
CONCERNS REGARDING THE<br />
USE, SAFETY AND EQUIPMENT<br />
INCOMPATIBILITY OF IOEV -<br />
BALLISTIC VESTS FROM KARL DAVID<br />
BE RECEIVED".<br />
<strong>The</strong> meeting adjourned at 10:00am and<br />
resumed at 10:17am.<br />
<strong>The</strong> meeting adjourned at 11:12am and<br />
resumed at 11:14am.<br />
<strong>The</strong> meeting adjourned at 11:24am and<br />
resumed at 1:32pm.<br />
3.1.2 Administration<br />
3.1.2.1 Recommendations from<br />
Delegates’ Conference Held on<br />
Thursday 8 September 2011<br />
"THAT THE RECOMMENDATIONS<br />
FROM THE DELEGATES’<br />
CONFERENCE OF 8 SEPTEMBER<br />
2011, AS LISTED ABOVE, BE<br />
ENDORSED."<br />
<strong>The</strong> meeting adjourned at 1:57pm and<br />
resumed at 3:06pm.<br />
4. OPERATIONAL<br />
4.1 SECRETARY’S REPORT<br />
"THAT THE SECRETARY’S REPORT<br />
BE RECEIVED."<br />
4.2 FINANCE REPORTS<br />
4.2.1 Financial Management Report<br />
"THAT THE FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT<br />
REPORT BE RECEIVED."<br />
4.3 MEMBERSHIP OF THE POLICE<br />
ASSOCIATION<br />
"THAT THE 103 APPLICATIONS LISTED<br />
BE ACCEPTED FOR MEMBERSHIP OF<br />
THE POLICE ASSOCIATION."<br />
5. MAINTENANCE<br />
5.1 ITEMS FOR INFORMATION ONLY<br />
5.1.1 <strong>Police</strong> Graves Restoration<br />
and Maintenance<br />
<strong>The</strong> Secretary provided background advising<br />
that there has been recent publicity around<br />
the state of disrepair of the graves of police<br />
officers killed in the line of duty. As a result<br />
the <strong>Association</strong>, the Blue Ribbon Foundation<br />
and the <strong>Police</strong> Historical Society have<br />
come together to work towards rectifying<br />
the issue. A letter has been sent to <strong>The</strong><br />
Hon. Peter Ryan, Minister for <strong>Police</strong> and<br />
Emergency Services to explore funding and<br />
Government support necessary to restore<br />
the graves to their former glory.<br />
5.1.2 Correspondence<br />
"THAT THE CORRESPONDENCE<br />
BE RECEIVED."<br />
<strong>The</strong> President thanked the Executive<br />
members for their attendance and declared<br />
the meeting closed at 4:02pm.<br />
Minutes for the VICTORIA<br />
POLICE BRANCH OF THE POLICE<br />
FEDERATION OF AUSTRALIA<br />
Date: MONDAY 24 OCTOBER 2011<br />
Location: POLICE ASSOCIATION<br />
BOARDROOM, 1 CLARENDON<br />
STREET, EAST MELBOURNE<br />
Time: 11.55am<br />
Present:<br />
PJ Pearson (President)<br />
JC Laird (Senior Vice President)<br />
P O’Connell (Junior Vice President)<br />
KM David, APM (Treasurer)<br />
D Avon (Assistant Treasurer)<br />
DB Anderson<br />
CW Birch<br />
B De Chirico<br />
M Rose<br />
DJ Thomas<br />
D Wilson<br />
GJ Davies Chief Executive Officer<br />
BI McKenzie Executive Officer<br />
Apologies:<br />
M Banks<br />
1. ADOPTION OF ORDER<br />
OF BUSINESS<br />
"THAT THE ORDER OF BUSINESS<br />
BE ADOPTED."<br />
2. STRATEGIC<br />
2.1 REVIEW OF STRATEGIC AND KEY<br />
FOCUS AREAS<br />
2.1.1 EB 2011 PLANNING<br />
Circulated - Memorandum from PFA<br />
Branch Chief Executive Officer with<br />
attachments<br />
Moved Mr O’Connell, Seconded Ms de Chirico<br />
1. "That the BRANCH Executive<br />
receives the memorandum of<br />
the Branch Chief Executive<br />
Officer on the OFFER FROM<br />
GOVERNMENT ON 2011 ENTERPRISE<br />
BARGAINING."<br />
CARRIED<br />
Moved Ms Wilson, Seconded Mr Avon<br />
2. "That the BRANCH Executive<br />
recommends acceptance of<br />
the offer and the calling of a<br />
specially convened delegates<br />
meeting and a Special General<br />
Meeting of the membership."<br />
CARRIED<br />
Moved Mr Laird, Seconded Mr Thomas<br />
3. "That the BRANCH Executive<br />
directs the Administration<br />
to convene a special GENERAL<br />
meEting of members for<br />
Thursday 3 November 2011<br />
TO CONSIDER THE OFFER OF<br />
GOVERNMENT ON 2011 ENTERPRISE<br />
BARGAINING."<br />
CARRIED<br />
Moved Mr Birch, Seconded Mr David<br />
4. "THAT THE BRANCH EXECUTIVE<br />
AUTHORISE THE IMMEDIATE LIFTING<br />
OF PROTECTED INDUSTRIAL<br />
ACTIONS AS A DISPLAY OF GOOD<br />
FAITH."<br />
CARRIED<br />
<strong>The</strong> meeting closed at 11.59 am.<br />
TPAV MEMBER BENEFITS >><br />
Is safety an issue in your workplace?<br />
Tell your Health and Safety Representative today.<br />
HSRs help to ensure your safety and well being in the work place.<br />
When OH&S issues arise, HSRs can make a real difference in ensuring<br />
the Force keeps your safe at work.<br />
To find your local HSR, jump on to the TPAV website www.tpav.org.au.<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Police</strong> <strong>Association</strong> <strong>Victoria</strong> Journal <strong>December</strong> 2011<br />
35
association 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) Sergeant Terence MacManus Transport Support Unit 9380 7254<br />
Crime Department 1 Sergeant Michael Gunn Armed Crime Taskforce 9865 2368<br />
Crime Department 2 Sen Con Matthew Merrigan Fraud Extortion Squad 9611 8512<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 7151<br />
Eastern, (Boroondarra, Monash) Sen Con Mark Smith UNI-Clayton 9543 3888<br />
Eastern, (East Gippsland) Sergeant Andrew Bills UNI-Bairnsdale 5150 2600<br />
Eastern, (Greater Shepparton) Sen Con Paul Shortis CIU-Shepparton 5820 5800<br />
Eastern, (Knox, Maroondah) Sen Con Robyn Waite CIU-Maroondah 9871 3052<br />
Eastern, (Mitchell, Benalla) Sergeant Darren Murphy UNI-Kilmore 5782 1211<br />
Eastern, (Wangaratta, Wodonga, Moira) Sergeant Henry Clarke UNI-Wodonga 02 6049 2600<br />
Eastern, (Wellington) Sen Con Keith Patterson UNI-Sale 5143 5015<br />
Eastern, (Whitehorse, Manningham) Sen Con Elizabeth Sidiropoulos Multicultural Liaison Eastern Region 9871 4104<br />
Eastern, (Yarra Ranges) Sen Con Ben Aulich UNI-Yarra Junction 5967 1104<br />
Ethical Standards Department Sergeant Brad Curtin Conduct & Prof Standards Div 9247 3644<br />
Forensic Services Sergeant Thomas Brady Fingerprints Management Unit 9865 2890<br />
Intelligence and Covert Support Sen Con Luke Woods Surveillance Services Division 9804 3599<br />
Legal Services Sergeant Adam McCormack Melbourne Prosecutions 8628 3200<br />
North West Metro, (Banyule, Nillumbik) Sen Sgt Damian Oehme UNI-Greensborough 9435 7001<br />
North West Metro, (Brimbank, Melton) Sen Con Jason Kisielis UNI-Caroline Springs 9361 4700<br />
North West Metro, (Hume) Sen Sgt Andrew Foot Risk & Audit Unit 9744 8111<br />
North West Metro, (Maribyrnong, Hobsons Bay & Wyndham) Sergeant Terence West UNI-Altona North 9392 3111<br />
North West Metro, (Moonee Valley, Moreland) Sen Con Craig Zeehar UNI-Fawkner 9484 4645<br />
North West Metro, (Whittlesea, Darebin) Sergeant Jason Gaffee UNI-Epping 9409 8100<br />
North West Metro, (Yarra) Sen Con Steven Boskovski CIU-Yarra 8420 3600<br />
North West Metro, Melb .2, (Melb. West, VPC, Melb. TMU) Sen Con Steven Cox UNI-Melbourne West 9247 5362<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 Planning & Special Projects 9247 3058<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) Sen Con Matthew Carson Crime Desk-Narre Warren 9705 3110<br />
Southern Metro, (Frankston) Sergeant John Carter UNI-Carrum Downs 8770 4100<br />
Southern Metro, (Greater Dandenong) Sergeant Phillip Hulley UNI-Dandenong 9767 7444<br />
Southern Metro, (Kingston, Bayside, Glen Eira) Sen Con Timothy Barratt UNI-Mordialloc 9588 2988<br />
Southern Metro, (Mornington Peninsula) Sergeant Jamie Stuart UNI-Hastings 5970 8600<br />
Southern Metro, (Port Phillip) Sergeant Douglas Bowles UNI-South Melbourne 9690 3088<br />
Southern Metro, (Stonnington) Sergeant John Pattison UNI-Malvern 9822 2487<br />
SSD - Emergency Response 1 (Air Wing, Dog Squad, Mounted Branch) Sergeant Wayne Gatt Mounted Branch 9682 4733<br />
SSD - Emergency Response 2 (SAR, Water <strong>Police</strong>) Sen Con Matthew Blythe Water <strong>Police</strong> 9399 7500<br />
SSD - FRU/SOG Sen Con Damien Peppler 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 9603 6215<br />
TTSD - Traffic Support Division Sen Con Trevor Collins Major Collision Brunswick 9380 7299<br />
TTSD - Transit Safety Division Sen Con Richard Field Transit Safety Division 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-Wedderburn 5494 3300<br />
Western, (Greater Geelong) Sen Con Thomas Dempsey UNI-Geelong 5225 3100<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-St Arnaud 5495 1000<br />
Western, (Southern Grampians, Glenelg) Constable Jack Fletcher UNI-Portland 5523 1999<br />
Western, (Swan Hill, Gannawarra, Buloke) Sen Con Shane Hardinge UNI-Koondrook 5438 7333<br />
Western, (Warrnambool, Moyne) Sergeant Christopher Brown UNI-Warrnambool 5560 1333<br />
36 Protect Represent Support. www.tpav.org.au
Above & beyond<br />
the call of duty<br />
<strong>The</strong> men and women of the force<br />
protect us all by bravely putting<br />
themselves in harm’s way.<br />
All our team would like to extend<br />
their grateful, ongoing and<br />
heartfelt thanks.<br />
We wish you a happy and safe<br />
Christmas.