Need a good honest - Queensland Police Union

OCTOBER 2012
OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE QUEENSLAND POLICE UNION
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Contents
COVER STORY Page 31
NATIONAL POLICE REMEMBRANCE DAY
National Police Remembrance Day is an annual commemorative
occasion that unites police officers across the country.
It must be distinctly understood that any expressions of opinion
by correspondents in our columns must not be considered the
opinion of the Editor, and no responsibility arising from there can
be accepted.
The Editor of the Police Journal reserves the right to grant
permission to reproduce articles from this magazine. Such
permission is hereby granted to any Police Association or Police
Union in Australia and to the Police Association of New Zealand.
Permission is also granted to any Police Association, Police Union
or organisation representing police employees in any other
country.
Acknowledgement of the source must be contained in any reprint.
Where an article indicates that copyright is claimed by the author,
then permission to reproduce is withdrawn unless permission
from the author is granted.
also in this issue...
Contents
Page
General President & CEO 2
General Secretary 5
Assistant General Secretary 7
Metro North Region Roundup 8
Southern Region Roundup 10
Far Northern Region Roundup 13
Northern Region Roundup 15
Central Region Roundup 17
North Coast Region Roundup 19
Metro South Region Roundup 20
South East Region Roundup 22
Election Notice 27
National Police Remembrance Day 31
A Police Legacy - The Johnson Family 42
Wall to Wall Ride for Remembrance 46
Ian Francis ‘Tuffy’ Tuffield 50
Police Recipes 54
Book Review - Of Mice And Men 55
From the Archives 56
Police Living 58
Day in the Life of Sergeant Anna Dwyer 60
Out and About 65
Ronald McDonald House Charity Concert 66
Workplace Health & Safety Thank You 68
Workstation Assessments 70
Open Your Mind - World Mental Health Day 74
Being Sun Safe: Slip, Slop, Slap, Seek, & Slide 76
Paid Parental Leave and Dad and Partner Pay 78
Letters to the Editor 80
Police Health 82
QRPA 84
Journal Contact
Queensland Police Union Journal
PO Box 13008 George Street Brisbane QLD 4003
TEL: (07) 3259 1900 FAX: (07) 3259 1950
journal@qpu.asn.au www.qpu.asn.au
MEDIA ENQUIRIES: TEL: 0459 241 291 media@qpu.asn.au
ADVERTISING: TEL: (07) 3259 1989
SUBMISSIONS: The Journal accepts letters and articles to be
considered for inclusion.
UNION STAFF
Field Officer (North Qld)
MEMBERSHIP SERVICES
Membership
Reception
Mick Gerrard
Kaye Ellis
Carly Beutel
Melissa Lindner
INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS SERVICES
Senior Industrial Officer Stephen Mahoney
Industrial Officer
Chris Stephens
Industrial Officer P/T Aasha Venning
Workplace Health
Rosemary
& Safety
Featherstone
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEES
Finance, Audit &
Risk Management
Legal
Membership Services
I. Leavers (Chair)
S. Maxwell
D. Lees
S. Maxwell (Chair)
P. Thomas
M. Bristow
B. Smithson
D. Lees (Chair)
B. Smithson
S. Maxwell
P. Mullen
General President & CEO
General Secretary
Asst General Secretary
Vice President
Treasurer
EXECUTIVE MEMBERS
Far North Region
Northern Region
Central Region
North Coast Region
Metro North Region
Metro South Region
HQ & SCOC Region
Southern Region
South Eastern Region
Ian Leavers
Mick Barnes
Denis Sycz
Shayne Maxwell
Darren Lees
Marty Bristow
Peter Thomas
Bill Feldman
Grant Wilcox
Shayne Maxwell
Tony Collins
Paul Mullen
Darren Lees
Bob Smithson
EXECUTIVE SERVICES
Corporate Affairs &
Journal Coordinator
Journal & Media
Systems Specialist
& Journal Sub Editor
Finance Officer
Executive Secretary
LEGAL SERVICES
Legal Support Officer
A/Legal Support Officer
Simon Tutt
Andrea Appleton
James Johnston
Kelly Harris
Janice Gaden
Larissa Krasnoff
Simona Vladimirova
Queensland Police Union Legal Group
Principal Solicitor
Calvin Gnech
Senior Associate
Wendy MacDonald
Barrister (retained)
Troy Schmidt
Rules
Workplace Health
& Safety
Women’s Consultative
Committee
T. Collins (Chair)
P. Mullen
B. Smithson
B. Feldman
P. Thomas (Chair)
M. Bristow
B. Feldman
T. Collins
B. Smithson (Chair)
A/Snr Sgt Virginia
Miller
General President, General Secretary and
Assistant General Secretary are ex-officio
members of all committees.
Queensland Police Union Journal October 2012
1

General President & CEO
IAN LEAVERS
OUR NEW REGIONAL REPRESENTATIVE FOR NORTH COAST REGION
I welcome our new North Coast Regional Representative, Grant Wilcox, to the QPU Executive. Grant has a long
history of involvement with the Union, and he has already been very vocal in support of our members.
Grant has hit the ground running
with many ideas and areas he hopes
to tackle during his tenure, and we
on the Executive look forward to his
input and welcome him to the team.
I know he’ll be a strong voice of the
Union in the North Coast Region. I’d
also like to thank Andy Bauer, Andrew
King, Glen Peatling, and Matthew
Roots for their nominations and
interest in the Union.
It is obvious that our Union has good
support in the North Coast Region,
and we know this will continue with
Grant as the new Regional Rep. I
know he’ll try and live up to the
formidable presence of Des Hansson
who served the NCR well in his time
as Regional Rep.
in lively debates and voting processes
in relation to Union activities and
direction, and to also hear from a
wide variety of invited guests who
present on pertinent topics. Of
course, it is also an opportunity to
network with other officers from all
around the state, and to catch up with
old mates.
The Nomination Form can be found in
this Journal following the Roundups,
and we encourage you to nominate.
Nominations close 22 November.
NATIONAL POLICE REMEMBRANCE
DAY
This year, I was honoured to
represent the Union by laying
wreaths at both the candlelight vigil
at the Queensland Police Memorial in
Remembrance Day is a time to
pay tribute to our colleagues who
have lost their lives serving their
community, and it is also a time
to reflect on the hardships and
responsibilities involved in the work
that we do.
I thank all those officers who took
the time to pay their respects this
year, and who head out onto the
streets day in, day out, to protect our
communities.
THINKING ABOUT A WORKCOVER
CLAIM? CALL US FIRST!
With the increasing numbers of our
members suffering psychological
injuries, it is important to remember
that WorkCover benefits are
available if those injuries arose in the
workplace.
“Remembrance Day is a time to pay tribute
to our colleagues who have lost their lives
serving their community, and it is also a time
to reflect on the hardships and responsibilities
involved in the work that we do.”
Once the WorkCover claim is
accepted, WorkCover is required to
make payment of any lost wages and
for any medical treatment that may
be required.
However, the process to have a
WorkCover claim accepted for
a psychological injury can, on
occasions, prove difficult.
NOMINATIONS FOR ANNUAL
CONFERENCE
We are now calling for nominations
from members who would like to
attend our annual QPU Conference
on 1 and 2 May next year at the Royal
Pines Resort on the Gold Coast.
As Conference delegates, members
have the opportunity to get involved
George Street, and at the memorial
service at the Albert Street Uniting
Church in Brisbane.
I also attended the march from
Headquarters to the church, and as
I stood in the morning sun of a clear
spring day, I gave thanks that the QPS
was spared the loss of any officers on
duty this year.
WorkCover will reject an application
for a psychological injury if it
determines that it arose from
‘reasonable management action’.
All too often we have seen legitimate
claims rejected when a member
completes their WorkCover
application and makes a passing
reference to management action,
even in circumstances where the
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Queensland Police Union Journal October 2012

General President & CEO
involvement of management had no
bearing on the injury suffered.
Some of our members have even
been encouraged by WorkCover case
managers to list multiple factors
which may have contributed to the
medical condition.
In essence, the more factors listed
by the member, the more scope the
WorkCover case manager has to find
aspects of management action to
reject the claim.
I would encourage all members to
use the services of the Union and its
WorkCover, compensation and family
law legal advisors, Sciaccas Lawyers,
to obtain advice at the earliest
opportunity when considering
lodging a WorkCover claim for a
psychological injury and certainly
prior to lodging the claim. Calling
them after you’ve already lodged it
may prove to be too late!
We will leave no stone unturned and
we will do whatever it takes to ensure
we get a fair and reasonable wage
offer. I encourage you to be a part of
the process by completing the survey
when you get a copy.
POLICE DISCIPLINARY SYSTEM
Speaking of the new Commissioner,
and further to comments in last
month’s Journal, the issue that
NEVER gets addressed is a new,
faster and fair disciplinary system. I
will continue to keep the pressure on
the new Commissioner to streamline
our system.
For a system that is unique to the
Queensland Police Service and one
that no other public servant has to deal
with, we need to swing the balance
back in favour of getting results, not
having long, drawnout, and often
needlessly time consuming processes
that produce no winners at all.
withdrew their ‘appeal of the appeal’
that the matter was finalised.
So this real world example took two
and a half years from start to finish. It
was neither complex nor involved and
still it took two and a half years!
This is the type of disciplinary system
we are trying to fix and that is why
reforming the discipline system
remains at the top of our agenda.
“We will leave no stone unturned and we will
do whatever it takes to ensure we get a fair
and reasonable wage offer.”
EB7 SURVEY… THE FIRST STEP.
It seems like just yesterday we were
completing surveys for EB6. Well,
the QPS world has certainly changed
since then. New government,
new Commissioner and new EB
challenges.
We are now commencing our
processes for EB7. The first step is
our members’ survey.
This survey will form the basis of our
log of claims and how we structure
our EB strategy. I encourage you to
complete it when it is mailed to you.
We will commence our formal
negotiations in the first quarter of
next year, however to be prepared for
that, we always start an additional six
months earlier.
We all know what happened with
the SERT boys. They did the right
thing to have their matter dealt with
summarily and for some reason their
matter only ended in April this year!
So, let’s look at the dates in this
‘real world’ example. The incident
occurred on 20 September 2009.
The subject officers and the Union
attempted to have the matter
resolved as soon as possible and
took all reasonable steps, however a
disciplinary decision was not handed
down until 7 September 2010, almost
a year later.
When some of the subject officers
and the Union appealed the sanctions
in QCAT and were successful, the
QPS ‘appealed the appeal’. It was
not until 19 April 2012 when the QPS
UNPAID OVERTIME? WHY DO IT TO
OURSELVES!
Recently I saw that another Union, the
BLF, has a poster that has a slogan,
‘Say NO to working on your RDO!’,
and has photos of their members
with their families and friends, out
fishing and enjoying themselves. It
got me thinking about just how much
time we as police spend doing unpaid
overtime or coming in to do unpaid
work on our own rest days. We give
the reason, ‘just so we can keep up
with the workload.’
As we enter EB negotiations, I think
we need to give serious thought, each
and every one of us, about how much
unpaid and unappreciated work we
do for the Queensland Police Service
that we neither get any recognition
or ‘pats on the back’ for. Generally,
people think it’s expected!
So, next time you get the urge to
work unpaid overtime, or you get the
Queensland Police Union Journal October 2012 3

General President & CEO
urge to come in on your days off to
do unpaid work to just, ‘try and keep
up,’ maybe we need to take a leaf
out of the BLF’s book and ‘Say NO
to working on your RDO’ in any and
every unpaid capacity.
“Our families and our
career/life balance
(for those who can
remember it), are too
important to spend
extra unpaid time
at work.”
As we lead into Christmas, and those
lucky enough not to have ‘leave
embargoes’ are spending time with
their families, remember what’s
important: our families and friends,
not working unpaid at the QPS!
Stay Safe.
Ian Leavers
General President & CEO
0419 786 381
Our families and our career/life
balance (for those who can remember
it), are too important to spend extra
unpaid time at work. To paraphrase
the BLF’s poster: ‘Say NO! not YES to
working UNPAID at the QPS!’.
4
Queensland Police Union Journal October 2012

General Secretary
MICK BARNES
WELCOME GRANT
It’s been a very busy month and I would like to welcome the newest QPU Regional Representative, Grant Wilcox,
who has taken over the reins in the North Coast Region. The job will not be an easy one, but the Executive and
staff of the QPU will provide you with all the assistance you need. I would also like to thank Andy Bauer, Andrew
King, Glen Pelting, and Matthew Roots for nominating for this position. I hope that you can assist Grant wherever
possible to help the North Coast members.
WALL TO WALL RIDE
I was proud to ride in the National
Police Memorial Wall to Wall Ride
in September. Queensland police
officers rode from the Academy at
Oxley to Tamworth, via Warwick, and
then onwards to Sydney.
“I have to admit that
there were some cold
times on my bike, but
the camaraderie of the
riders truly warmed my
soul.”
Many joined the ride at the NSW
Police Academy in Goulburn, and
then we all rode to Canberra for a
ceremony at the National Police
Memorial.
I have to admit that there were
some cold times on my bike, but
the camaraderie of the riders truly
warmed my soul.
Along the way, the official
Queensland contingent joined a
function in Tamworth in honour of
Senior Constable Rixon, lunch at the
NSW Police Academy, and an official
function at the Canberra Convention
Centre.
Congratulations to Senior Sergeant
Bradyn Murphy of the Gold Coast
Traffic Branch for the coordination
Mick sets off from the Academy with other Queensland riders.
“Please complete the EB survey and provide
feedback about what the Union needs to work
on for this round of negotiations.”
of the Queensland riders. Senior
Sergeant Murphy has been chosen
as the National Coordinator for next
year’s Wall to Wall Ride.
EB SURVEY
As the end of year approaches, the
Industrial team is busy preparing for
the start of negotiations of the next
Enterprise Bargaining Agreement.
They are currently working on the
EB survey, with assistance from the
QPU Executive. It is expected that this
survey will be sent to all members
sometime later in the year.
Queensland Police Union Journal October 2012 5

General Secretary
I ask each and every one of you to
complete the survey and provide
comment and feedback about what
the Union needs to work on for this
round of negotiations.
THANKS TO POLICE PIPES AND
DRUMS
Lastly, I would like to thank the
Queensland Police Pipes and Drums for
raising $1,000 to assist the QPU’s chosen
charity, Ronald McDonald House.
So, can I ask everyone to do their
bit to help; bank account details for
donations can be found in the article
about the Pipes and Drum’s concert in
this Journal.
Be Safe.
Mick BARNES
General Secretary
0411 453 335
It was a pleasure to accept the cheque
from them because I know the funds
will go a long way in helping the
families of ill children.
A gentle reminder to all members that
the QPU is still fundraising for Ronald
McDonald House. We are hoping to
refurbish a room, and we are halfway
to meeting our goal.
6
Queensland Police Union Journal October 2012

Assistant General Secretary
DENIS SYCZ
ADMINISTRATIVE AND CONSENSUAL DISCIPLINE PROCESS
As you may or may not be aware, there has recently been a temporary suspension of the Administrative and
Consensual Discipline Process (ACDP) after concerns were raised by this Union. These concerns related to
the process breaching natural justice and procedural fairness. The process was not one that was fair and
reasonable for those of you who unfortunately faced discipline.
Our concerns related to a number
of issues, not least of which was the
prescribed officer receiving all of the
material (the full brief), and you as the
subject officer only receiving the
Form A (QP9).
As a result, the decision maker would
have information and material that you
were not privy to, and therefore you
‘CONSENSUAL DISCIPLINE PROCESS’
Another point to remember about
the ‘Consensual Discipline Process’
is that the name of the process is
misleading. One would take it to result
in final consent orders, but that is not
completely correct.
In any other jurisdiction, consent
orders are not reviewable or
A review to QCAT is conducted on
the material that was given in the
discipline hearing process, and if you
do not file the relevant material during
ACDP, it is not assured you will get
leave to file fresh evidence.
The problem I see with ACDP is not
so much with the idea. The idea is a
good one, but the problems arise from
others who may have a vested interest
in the outcome.
“The problem I see with the Administrative
and Consensual Discipline Process is not so
much with the idea. The idea is a good one,
but the problems arise from others who may
have a vested interest in the outcome.”
One possible solution, as I see it,
would be for the CMC to relinquish any
right of appeal on ACDP matters. This
would go a long way in alleviating the
Union’s concern when members have
decided that the ACDP seems like a
suitable option.
did not know what your submissions
should address.
We already have examples of material
ending up in the final decision of a
prescribed officer in circumstances
where the subject officer and lawyer
were not aware such material existed,
and were therefore not given any
opportunity to be heard. This is clearly
an unfair process for police officers
facing discipline proceedings.
We are pleased the QPS has decided
to consult with the QPU, and as a
result, the proposed changes they
have put forward will address these
concerns and make for a far fairer
process. We wait to see the final policy
changes!
appealable, but in ACDP, this is not
so. In ACDP, the prescribed officer
consents, and the subject officer
consents, but the CMC still has
the legislative power to review the
decision to QCAT.
For that reason, the Form A should
never be submitted as a tick and
flick form. The Form A should
always be accompanied with formal
submissions, even if you agree with
everything that is being offered.
Submissions must be filed which
include reference material and
personal mitigating circumstances,
because if the CMC review the matter
to QCAT, it is in your best interest to
have that material filed.
I heard the government talk a lot about
the changes it intends to make in
relation to the QPS and in particular
discipline. Now would be a good time
to do something about it.
Denis SYCZ
Assistant General Secretary
0417 724 883
Queensland Police Union Journal October 2012 7

Metro North Region Roundup
SHAYNE MAXWELL
MOBILE DATA
In a recent media interview, I was asked for my view on mobile data in police vehicles. I believe this is the most
important aspect in the future of policing. As I stated in the interview, the Queensland Police Service has been
researching mobile data for the last five years.
Yes, mobile data is constantly evolving,
and we do want to implement a system
that won’t be immediately redundant
because of new technologies. Still,
a line has to be drawn in the sand to
get something happening, but we
don’t want to implement substandard
8
Queensland Police Union Journal October 2012
LCAD
The QCAD project is currently working
on a program known as LCAD (or
LIGHT CAD). Although the idea of
LCAD is fundamentally sound, it falls
short of a complete mobile solution. It
does fulfil the requirements of a police
“A line has to be drawn in the sand to get
mobile data happening, but we don’t want to
implement substandard systems that end up
being inefficient and time consuming for our
officers.”
systems that end up being inefficient
and time consuming for our officers.
At the moment, the QPS is well behind
the rest of Australia in the use of
mobile technology, and our frontline
policing are hamstrung with extensive
administration time because officers
have to return to stations to complete
most tasks.
The QPS needs to take these frontline
officers into consideration, because
they will be the main users of mobile
data. Thus our mobile data system has
to be user-friendly, compatible with the
current QPS computer systems, and
ultimately efficient for our time-starved
officers.
Despite much talk about future
technologies and mobile capacities,
the QPS has not formulated business
requirements for its mobile data
solution. This has caused a fragmented
approach to the introduction of a
mobile office for Queensland police
officers.
communications centre, but does not
assist in reducing the ever-increasing
burden on frontline police.
There are two versions of LCAD: one
is planned to be installed in some PCs
in stations, and the other is a mobile
version to be used if and when mobile
terminals or tablets are introduced to
operational police.
POSITIVES
A positive aspect of LCAD mobile would
be its ability to interface with QPRIME
(although in a limited capacity). It would
allow users to perform person checks,
yet it would not have fully functioning
QPRIME available.
This means that any further information
required about the person (outstanding
occurrences and the like) would still
require transporting the suspect
to the station, or attempting to get
through on an inquiry channel. (This
sounds like the prehistoric MAVERICK/
MINDA system already in use in some
vehicles.)
Another positive for LCAD is the ability
to look at outstanding jobs and book on
and off those jobs and meal breaks.
NO ROSTERING OR RESOURCE
INFORMATION
However, LCAD contains no rostering
or resource information from any
station, nor does it have the capacity
for these resources.
When implemented to free up both
radio air time and communications
centre staff, operational officers such
as shift supervisors will be expected to
open LCAD and yet another system to
manually start all their crews’ shifts.
“The QPS is well
behind the rest of
Australia in the use
of mobile technology,
and our frontline
policing are hamstrung
with extensive
administration time
because officers have
to return to stations to
complete most tasks.”
To do this, every member of every crew
would have to be manually entered
using their payroll numbers, full name,
shift details, call sign details, and any
skills they possess such as negotiator,
breath operator, and the like.
Imagine you are the morning shift
supervisor at a large station like

Metro North Region Roundup
Fortitude Valley. If anyone reading
this is to open ITAS, you can go to the
resource sheet module and look at
Fortitude Valley. You will see around
40 officers commencing work on a
morning shift.
This could be 20 two-person crews or a
combination of beat crews, van crews,
etc. LCAD will require these crews to
be ‘booked on’ using the LCAD-enabled
PC in the station. How long will it take
this Sergeant to commence 40 officers’
shifts?
Multiply this by three shifts per day,
by 365 days per year, then by all the
stations whose communications
centres are accessing QCAD.
What’s more, this information must be
entered every time, so when the same
crews start work again the next day,
all the same information has to be reentered.
NO LOG OR OCCURENCE SHEETS
Also in LCAD, there is no activity log
or occurrence sheet generated for
the officer to submit. This means
that officers will still be required to
use multiple systems for their local
reporting requirements.
Currently, some Districts require only
ITAS logs to be completed. Others
require ITAS and handwritten activity
logs to be completed. In Central
Region, officers have to complete both
the ITAS log for all traffic activities
plus the locally created Central Region
Occurrence System.
NOT STATE-WIDE
Further, LCAD does not cover all of
the state because most of Southern,
Central, and Far Northern Regions will
not be using QCAD in the foreseeable
future (excluding Toowoomba District,
Rockhampton District, and Cairns
District).
OTHER PROBLEMS
There are a host of other shortcomings
of LCAD. There is no ability to perform
intelligence checks, nor generate any
station taskings based on calls for
service history. In its current form,
LCAD only allows recording of one job
code by the user against each job. Plus
if LCAD is deployed, the QPS will be
restricted to a Windows device.
Any changes made to reference data
in LCAD mean that the update has to
be deployed to every device, because
information is stored on the device
instead of being stored centrally.
This means changes made to job
codes, changes to police boundaries,
and additions of suburbs and towns
and the like require a redeployment of
the ‘client’ to every LCAD device every
time one small change is made.
solely by the QPS and has multiple
purposes.
Furthermore, it is already deployed
to every PC, and is currently in use
state-wide. It prints tasking sheets, and
allows officers to complete an officer
log. Officers can generate numerous
reports, print their roster or 28 day
action plan, or see who is working in
another Region at the click of a button.
This system also links to all CAD
systems currently in use in the QPS,
and does not require QCAD. I’m not
necessarily saying ITAS is the answer,
“Our mobile data solution should be a one-stop
shop for Queensland policing needs.”
Also, in order for LCAD to work, yet
another mapping program called
‘THINKGEO’ is required to be installed
on the PC running LCAD, otherwise
it will not work. This is a third party
vendor, not the same as the vendor
providing LCAD.
Although this will eventually change
to ESRI, why is money being spent on
yet another mapping solution when
the QPS corporate mapping strategy is
based on ESRI products?
So basically, a completely new platform
(at great expense) needs to be built to
support LCAD.
These are just a few of the issues with
LCAD. Although there are many more,
the important issue is the massive
impact on frontline officer time.
Frontline police are forever burdened
with more and more administrative
tasks, and this will just be one more
burden.
ITAS
ITAS is the system that is currently in
use within the QPS. It records officer
details attached to an actual roster,
shift details, calls signs when entered,
and the officers’ individual skill sets.
Although the ITAS system is not
perfect, it has plenty of scope for
enhancement because it is owned
but it does already provide many
solutions.
LET’S GET IT RIGHT
Though it is imperative that mobile data
capabilities be in our police vehicles as
soon as possible, the QPS has already
spent years languishing behind by 21st
century standards, so why now race
to implement something that does
not fulfil the QPS and government
requirement of better customer service
to the people of Queensland?
Our mobile data solution should be a
one-stop shop for Queensland policing
needs, where everything required of
a general duties police officer on a
day-to-day basis is catered for in an
effective and efficient system.
Is it too much to ask that such a system
be implemented before the 22nd
century?
Play safe, and go home to
your loved ones.
Shayne Maxwell
(Chook)
Regional Representative
Metro North Region
QPU Vice President
0438 112 741
Queensland Police Union Journal October 2012 9

Southern Region Roundup
DARREN LEES
REMEMBERING OUR FALLEN COLLEAGUES
Friday 28 September saw the official commemoration of Police Remembrance Day right around the country. A
number of Remembrance Day ceremonies and candlelight vigils were held around our Region and state to pay
tribute to our colleagues who have paid the ultimate sacrifice in protecting their communities. We also pay our
respects and remember those whom we have lost in the last twelve months.
I want to take some time this month
to outline a dedication ceremony I
attended with our General President
just prior to Remembrance Day, and
also to pay respects to some of those
people we have recently lost.
TAROOM
On Friday 7 September, I was privileged
to attend Taroom police station, which
is part of the Roma police District. An
official memorial plaque was dedicated
to one of the first slain police officers in
the state of Queensland.
“The one thing that
stands out to me is the
support that each of
the dedicated men and
women who wear the
suit of blue show
one another.”
The officer was Constable William
O’Dwyer, registered number 138, who
was killed following the attempted
arrest of an offender known as Wild
Toby on 26 January 1883. The slain
officer was in the company of another
police officer and a tracker, and the
three had been searching rural areas
for Wild Toby, who was wanted on
warrant for the attempted murder of
another person.
They came across the suspect at a
camp site on Juandah Station near
Taroom, and a struggle ensued when
Constable O’Dwyer attempted to
arrest the suspect. During the struggle,
10
Queensland Police Union Journal October 2012
AC Wilson, Sgt Bill Hickey, Darren, Sgt Bill Brennan, and QPU General President Ian Leavers at the memorial.
Constable O’Dwyer lost his pistol, and
Wild Toby hit him on the head with a
tomahawk.
Wild Toby was subsequently shot dead
by the other officer, who then lent
immediate assistance to his partner.
However, the injuries to Constable
O’Dwyer were so severe that he did
not survive the fatal blow.
As a result of research conducted by
our previous General Secretary Phil
Hocken some years ago, Sergeant

Southern Region Roundup
Darren with General President Ian Leavers at Constable O’Dwyer’s gravesite.
Bill Brennan (previous OIC of Taroom
station) decided it would be pertinent
to dedicate a memorial at Taroom
station to our fallen colleague.
“It is very evident
to me that policing
has long been a risky
business.”
Bill put a lot of time and effort into
sourcing a very nice sandstone rock
which he placed at the front of the
station at Taroom. I was pleased to
be able to assist Bill on behalf of the
QPU, and our Executive kindly agreed
to donate the funds to dedicate the
plaque for the memorial.
On 7 September, a formal ceremony
was held at Taroom station and was
attended by many of the community
members of Taroom and the local
area. The Master of Ceremonies for the
day was Inspector Roger Whyte, DO of
Roma District, and was also attended
by our Assistant Commissioner Paul
Wilson.
There was also a significant
attendance by many of our current
serving officers from the Roma District
and other Districts.
Unfortunately, a great, great,
granddaughter of Constable O’Dwyer
was unable to attend at the last
minute, but I am sure she would have
been very proud of the dedication and
the respect paid to her ancestor by all
present.
Leading up to Remembrance Day
this year, I started thinking about the
memorial dedication that day. It was
very evident to me that policing has
long been a risky business. Even as far
back as 1883, we lost colleagues in the
job to acts of violence, accidents, and
natural causes.
The one thing that stands out to me is
the support that each of the dedicated
men and women who wear the suit of
blue show towards one another.
The respect, care, and devotion that
we all show each other in this job is
the one thing that keeps me—and I am
sure all of you—dedicated to my role.
I will always sing the praises of the
police culture and what it is designed
to achieve: the sense of camaraderie
and support that few others would
understand, unless they have
experienced it themselves.
I personally want to thank Bill Brennan
(Bill is now the DO at Roma District)
for the dedication he showed in
having this memorial put in place. It
is a magnificent tribute to one of our
own, and something I am sure the
community of Taroom and surrounds
will long cherish as part of their history.
If you are passing through Taroom,
I encourage all of you to stop in at
the police station to check out the
memorial. You can also view the
infamous tomahawk, which is displayed
in the front foyer of the station.
Queensland Police Union Journal October 2012 11

Southern Region Roundup
I would also like to sincerely thank
the current OIC of Taroom, Bill Hickey,
Inspector Roger Whyte, and our AC
Paul Wilson for their support of the
official dedication.
VALE PAT RING
It was with a great deal of sadness that
I received the news on 9 September
that Senior Constable Pat Ring, an old
mate, had peacefully passed away in
his sleep at home. Pat was a Sergeant
at Gatton Station as a shift supervisor
for years, and then he made a decision
to take a reduction in rank to go to
Horn Island.
He spent some time there before
joining the Federal police contingent
at the Coolangatta Airport police. He
then returned to the QPS as a Senior
Constable at Indooroopilly Station
prior to his passing.
Pat was farewelled on Monday
17 September in Gatton, with a fitting
tribute by his workmates from across
the Southern, Metro North, and other
Regions.
Pat will always be remembered as
a fun-loving police officer who had
a great sense of humour. He will
be sorely missed by his workmates
across the state, yet he now rests in
peace. His job here is now done.
FAREWELL TO OUR OLD MATE TUFFY
Ian ‘Tuffy’ Tuffield was a Detective
Senior Sergeant at State Crime Ops
Command when he left the Service
some years ago. For those of us who
knew Tuffy well, I am sure we all agree
that he was one of a kind.
I don’t think I have ever worked with
a copper who had the ability to talk
to crooks like Tuffy did. He was out
of this world in being able to illicit
information from some of the worst
crooks our state has ever known.
“I don’t think I have
ever worked with a
copper who had the
ability to talk to crooks
like Tuffy did.”
I first met Tuffy when I was a young
Constable seconded to the Upper
Mount Gravatt property crime squad
as part of regular three to six month
operations the Region used to run
targeting property and drug-related
crime.
I had the fortune of experiencing Tuffy
in action alongside Steve Hollahan and
Gary Pettiford in the early ‘90s during
a murder and robbery investigation.
A Brambles security guard was shot
dead and a large quantity of cash was
taken from a delivery to Sunnybank
Shopping Centre.
Tuffy was attached to the Armed
Robbery Squad at the time, and he
and his associates had the name of the
suspect within the first 24 hours of the
investigation. Then the entire team set
about tracing this person down and
charging him with the murder of the
security guard.
Watching Tuffy and his colleagues in
action was the main reason I wanted
to follow a career in plain clothes.
His abilities as an investigator were
second to none.
I also had many cold ales and a day on
the punt with Tuffy in Rockhampton,
Brisbane, and Toowoomba. I could
never keep up with the complicated
trifectas and quadrellas he always
tried and get us to contribute to, but I
had faith in his punting ability, so I just
forked out.
Most times we didn’t win a lot, but I
can assure you the good times we had,
and the laughs at all our misfortunes,
are the times I will always remember.
Tuffy’s passing was a tragedy I think
most of us will struggle to come to
terms with for some time.
In saying that, I would encourage all
of us to watch out for one another.
Ensure we are there for each other as
best we can be.
To my old ‘moyt’ Tuffy, I bid you
farewell. The pain is no longer there,
my good friend, and I pray you are
resting peacefully now. God bless,
mate.
Keep up the good fight, and
stay safe.
Darren LEES (Beefa)
Regional Representative
Southern Region
QPU Treasurer
0417 776 184
12
Queensland Police Union Journal October 2012

Far Northern Region Roundup
MARTY BRISTOW
The past few months have been filled with controversial announcements and talk of major transformations.
Fourteen thousand (and maybe more) public servants to lose their jobs, the first LNP budget we have seen for a
significant amount of time, a new Commissioner, and whispers of massive changes in the wind. I think many of
us are waiting for the announcement of exactly what change is going to be thrust upon us. I have no issue with
change or progress. My issue is when it is not for the good of members, the public, or the Service.
Congratulations to Ian Stewart on
being selected to take the reins
from Bob Atkinson. I would think
that all eyes are upon him because
there is expected to be significant
restructures taking place: there is talk
of Regions combining, of having no
Regions, of redundancies, and more.
“I hope Mr Stewart
does not have the
opinion that all police
are guilty until they
can prove their
innocence.”
Though I am concerned, at this stage
all I have heard from him in the media
is talk of disciplinary action against
police.
I hope Mr Stewart does not have
the opinion that all police are guilty
until they can prove their innocence,
or that just because an officer is the
subject of a number of complaints,
they must have done something
wrong.
DISCIPLINE SYSTEM
I do agree with Mr Stewart that our
discipline system needs an overhaul.
I believe one of the first requirements
is that complaints against police
need to be validated before being
investigated.
Over the past 20 years or so, it has
been ingrained into the public that if
they are not happy with how they are
dealt with by police, then they will
make a complaint.
It is common knowledge among
offenders that if they make a
complaint against the officer who
arrested them, then that officer will
be put through the ringer.
It would be interesting to have the
time and resources to sit down and
calculate how much operational
policing time is lost due to false and
vexatious complaints.
Such complaints not only waste the
subject officer’s time, but also the
investigator’s time, and the ripple
effect on the Service is significant.
Over the years, I have been made
aware of complaints against officers
that are blatantly fictitious, yet still
investigated. For example:
(1) An FYC had their confirmation
held up for six months due to a
pedophile alleging that they were
spoken to rudely, despite the
whole incident being recorded on
camera and clearly portraying the
offender as the rude party.
(2) A mental health patient made
bizarre allegations against an
officer that were obviously
impossible, because the officer
was not even at the alleged
location.
(3) An officer was investigated due
to a complaint which was not
even a police matter, but related
to the officer’s personal time. It
was obvious the allegation was
an unsubstantiated personal
vendetta.
No wonder the public are frustrated
at our disgraceful response times.
Police are so busy investigating
one other to be seen as ‘open and
transparent’ that we have forgotten
how to protect the public, preserve
the peace, and attend to our other
primary responsibilities.
Personally, I think it is time for senior
management to stop playing into the
hands of the habitual complainer, and
firmly say, ‘No, your story is blatantly
fabricated, so either retract it or be
charged with false complaint’.
“It is common
knowledge among
offenders that if they
make a complaint
against the officer
who arrested them,
then that officer will
be put through the
ringer.”
LEAKS TO MEDIA
Another issue that has caused some
concern here in the north is a number
of recent articles in the media in
relation to police.
While I understand the media has
a job to do, it would appear there
are a few reporters who are a little
Queensland Police Union Journal October 2012 13

Far Northern Region Roundup
overzealous in putting a story to print
without checking the facts first.
I must point out that not all
journalists are carrying on like this,
but like police, the whole industry is
tarnished when one or two behave in
an unethical manner.
Perhaps there is a rush to get stories
out, because the introduction of
digital media has led newspapers to
slash staff numbers. A controversial
story might mean the difference
between a job and the unemployment
line.
It seems that someone within the QPS
is feeding the media information, and
even more disappointing is that the
information is incorrect.
Interestingly, when information
is leaked that embarrasses
management, all hell breaks loose
and we see denial, damage control,
and daggers for those who are
suspected of the leak. But when it’s
the other way around, it appears we
just have to put up with it.
I am off now for five weeks leave; it
will be interesting to see who and
what is remaining when I return.
My suggestion is to hold on tight,
because we are in for an interesting
ride …
Marty BRISTOW
Regional Representative
Far Northern Region
0438 767 839
I find it disgraceful that some
individual would find it necessary to
pass such information on, when all it
does it bring a cloud over all police in
the Region.
14
Queensland Police Union Journal October 2012

Northern Region Roundup
PETER THOMAS
THE GOOD
September’s announcement of Deputy Commissioner Ian Stewart as our Commissioner brings with it an
expectation of change within the QPS. This is an organisation that has been hamstrung for far too long under
the previous Labor government, and with a new political will and a change of leadership in the QPS, now is the
time for real change to be made.
It is hoped that Ian will also bring
a change to the currently broken
discipline system, a change from
the previous deafening quiet when
it comes to publicly supporting our
officers, and also a change in senior
management’s attitude that our
officers are continually walking a
thin line between corrupt and barely
acceptable behaviour.
I also thank our branch officials at
branches and sub branches who
conducted meetings to advise their
members of the outcome.
The past month has been a demanding
time, and I sincerely thank the branch
officials throughout the Northern
Region for their availability at all
hours of the day and night, and their
“It is hoped that Ian Stewart will bring a
change in senior management’s attitude that
our officers are continually walking a thin
line between corrupt and barely acceptable
behaviour.”
positions, and know that the Mount Isa
branch is in very capable hands.
September also saw the
announcement of the retirement of
Commissioner Bob Atkinson from a
job that he proudly says he loves.
At times, I have written articles that
have not been favourable towards him,
and at times Commissioner Atkinson
and I have had lively debate on various
topics, but I must say he is a man
whom I will always respect.
I sincerely thank you, Commissioner
Atkinson, for your dedication to this
fine organisation, the compassion you
have shown for our officers, and the
genuine care that you demonstrated to
our members’ families.
It is inevitable that in an organisation
with an excess of 11,000 sworn staff,
there are going to be members who
allegedly don’t meet the expectations
set by the Service, and allegedly do not
meet the standards set by their peers.
It was no surprise to me when 118
members attended a branch meeting
held in Townsville in the first week
of September. They expressed these
exact sentiments by sending a clear
message with a vote of hands.
It was heartening to see this turn-up,
because it also sent a clear message
that interest and involvement in our
Union is alive and well. I thank those
members who expressed their views
and took the time out of their busy
schedules to attend.
professionalism in assisting our
members in their time of need.
During September, I travelled to Mount
Isa for the election of branch officials
for the Mount Isa branch. Branch
President Neil Laidlaw successfully
attained a position at the Oxley
Academy and so did not re-nominate
for his position.
I sincerely thank Neil for his years of
tireless service and assistance to me,
the QPU, and also his members. He is
a great loss to the Mount Isa branch,
and a huge bonus for the Brisbane
Watchhouse branch.
I congratulate Topher Mc Loughlin,
Trevor Mills, Anthony Moynihan,
and Susie Tead on their election into
I personally believe that under our
current government, you may have
been able to affect real change for this
organisation. I sincerely wish you well
in retirement, however I do not think
it will be too long before we see your
name on some review panel.
THE BAD
Commissioner Stewart: you must
do something about this discipline
system, and do something quickly.
I have members in this Region, as
do my Executive colleagues in their
Regions, who are being held up on
their detective appointments because
of delays within the CMC, who are
being held up on promotion and
transfer due to delays by the CMC,
and who are waiting for investigation
Queensland Police Union Journal October 2012 15

Northern Region Roundup
outcomes for months on end ... again
due to the CMC.
The common factor in all of these
matters is the CMC. It is farcical that
these delays can happen, impede
members’ careers, and be thought of
as acceptable within the eyes of the
Service.
THE UGLY
A number of disappointing events
have occurred during the previous
month, and while not commenting
specifically on any individual matter,
if you intentionally and deliberately
participate in criminal or corrupt
behaviour, I can guarantee that you
I will always provide all support
possible to any member who may
be subject to criminal proceedings
if they have acted in good faith and
in the execution of their duty, and I
am sure this has been demonstrated
by the long nights I have worked
straight through to support officers in
interviews. I will do everything I can to
assist.
“It is farcical that these delays in the CMC can
happen, impede members’ careers, and be
thought of as acceptable within the eyes of
the Service.”
Until next month, please stay safe,
look after yourself and each other, and
attend and take an active role in your
next branch meeting.
REMEMBER:
One has to wonder how long these
next rounds of talk fests about what
should, or could, happen to improve
the discipline system will go on
without a single thing happening.
Hopefully an announcement will
happen before Christmas: and that is
Christmas 2012.
will never get my support or the
support of the overwhelming majority
of your peers.
As far as I am concerned, I hope police
who engage in this type of behaviour
enjoy their next career choice, because
they do not belong in the QPS.
NO UNION REP = NO
INTERVIEW
Peter THOMAS
(Thommo)
Regional Representative
Northern Region
0409 591 270
16
Queensland Police Union Journal October 2012

Central Region Roundup
BILL FELDMAN
HAVEN’T WE HEARD THIS ALL BEFORE?
In 2006 I can remember sitting and listening to what was going to be the wonder of QPrime. The Niche Company
from Canada was bringing the ninth wonder of the world to poor old Queensland. We were promised a one-stop
shop and storehouse for all of the communication and information that the QPS would ever gather, use, or have
from 2006 into the future.
The promise was no more paperwork:
this QPrime system was going to
do it all electronically. It was to
take out all the old police systems,
including Foxpro QPS, QIX, Polaris,
Prosecutions, Traffic Incident
Recording System (TIRS), the drug
index, the custody index, CAD,
“I have witnessed mobile data hype and
promises on TV from the LNP government, with
a new, smiling Commissioner promising that
it will all happen.”
TRAILS, the correspondence system,
and lost and found property.
QPrime was going to be all electronic
input for the officer, from the time
the first call was received on shift
until that officer went home to bed at
night. It was that good that it looked
like QPrime might even tuck the
officer into bed.
We were promised personal palm
pods (instead of notebooks),
computers in the police car, and a
personal computer on every desk.
I have not witnessed one of these
mind blowing techno phenomena.
We now have more information
input systems than we ever had
before: we have an Occurrence
Sheet System, TINMS (traffic ticket
management system), Objective
(a new correspondence system),
a weapons licencing system, ITAS
(a traffic enforcement and tracking
system), and QPrime.
Plus, of course, none of them talk and
interact with each other. I have seen
rebuild after rebuild, and an everincreasing
storage drive.
We were probably better off under
the old systems: at least you couldn’t
get lost in them.
We were promised that video
recorded interviews would be loaded
straight into the Occurrence on
QPrime, and that photographs could
be downloaded straight into QPrime
for future reference for court.
But ... these vital pieces of evidence
take up too much space in the
massive storehouse of memory for
this machine called QPrime.
I have recently witnessed similar
mobile data hype and promises on TV
from the LNP government, with a new,
smiling Commissioner promising that
it will all happen. I saw iPods being
flashed about instead of palm pods –
they looked impressive.
I have decided to save this article to
reprint in my final Journal article in
2017 when I retire ... because I still
don’t think any of these things will
have happened.
QPrime has undergone massive
changes since we purchased the
original product, and several other
jurisdictions—Victoria and South
Australia—who have since purchased
the Niche Product were sold QPrime 5,
a fifth edition rebuild from Queensland.
I was at the South Australian Police
Conference last year and I saw the
same presentation from Niche that I
saw in 2006.
I once gave a learned female
prosecutor (who shall remain
nameless) some name brand hand
cream because of the number
of rough briefs of evidence she
managed to polish into a conviction
to save the integrity and honour
of some of our less-than-learned,
struggling, frontline officers. I thought
at the time that the gesture may save
those roughened hands from all that
polishing.
I think I will have to order bulk
supplies of hand cream and ship
them into QPS HQ and the Executive
building if they intend to give QPrime
that same polish ...
... but at least in another six years
I will already be one year into my
retirement.
DISCIPLINE SYSTEM
On a more important note, I hope
the new Commissioner takes the
complaints system and gives it a
good cleanout.
The good citizens of my community
find it abhorrent that an internal
complaints management section
Queensland Police Union Journal October 2012 17

Central Region Roundup
Remembrance Day march in Mackay.
“I hope to see real reforms and a Commissioner
with a bit of starch in his spine to stand up for
his men and women.”
in the QPS has the second highest
budget next to the Traffic branch.
starch in his spine to stand up for his
men and women.
They look on in disgust as two
Inspectors fly from Brisbane to
attend to an arrested offender who
complained that his handcuffs were
too tight, when the burglary of a
local hotel where the offenders were
pursued by police vehicle (and called
off the chase) does not even get a
detective driving 30k from Mackay to
the scene.
Where have we gone so wrong that
our QPS hierarchy find that clearing
up minor complaints against police
takes precedence over solving real
crimes perpetrated against the good,
honest taxpaying public who we were
once sworn to protect?
When is the public going to say
enough is enough? Only time will tell.
I look forward to seeing what reforms
will take place in the QPS under
the new direction of Commissioner
Stewart. I hope to see real reforms
and a Commissioner with a bit of
18
Queensland Police Union Journal October 2012
However, I don’t think talk of denying
those same men and women natural
justice by pursuing them while on
sick leave for minor breaches of
discipline is a good start, or a way to
engender trust or increase the morale
of those same officers. We are all
entitled to a first up gaff, though.
My special thanks go out to all those
dedicated officers who turned out
to support their colleagues and
remember those who have paid the
ultimate price to protect and serve
our communities on Remembrance
Day. Let us remember them.
Work smart, work safe –
make it home.
Bill FELDMAN
Regional Representative
Central Region
0419 659 105

Northern Region Roundup
GRANT WILCOX
MY FIRST COLUMN IN THE QPU JOURNAL
After several months of the Queensland Police Union North Coast Region executive representative’s spot being
vacant (since Des Hansson moved on to McKinlay), I am proud to say I have the honour of being elected by the
police Union members of the North Coast Region to fill the spot and to be their strong voice at the Union.
Firstly, thank you for electing me
as your Regional Representative.
I promise to give you value as the
elected member.
To the other North Coast Region
nominees who gave the members a
great selection of individuals, all with
great qualities, thank you for your
commitment to the members and to
offering to uphold our Union values.
“Thank you for electing
me as your Regional
Representative. I
promise to give you
value as the elected
member.”
I, like many members in the North
Coast Region, wish to thank outgoing
NCR Union Rep Des Hansson for his
support, colourful repartee in the
Journals, and his service to us as the
outgoing Executive member. I hope
that his new posting in the Mt Isa
District brings him the happiness and
fulfilment he so richly deserves.
I also wish to thank those District
branch and sub branch Presidents and
Secretaries who have faith in me and
who were invaluable in providing me
with the solid support basis which has
elevated me to the NCR Rep job.
My stepping up from my branch
President role on the Sunshine Coast
will eventually leave the Presidential
role vacant. Sunshine Coast branch
Vice President, Senior Constable Dave
Caffrey of Beerwah station, will step in
until a new President is elected.
Dave was and is integral in supporting
me for the Regional Rep position, and
he has always had my full support as a
delegate whom has the membership’s
interests at heart. Dave has the
commitment to support staff, he has
undertaken his branch official training,
and I will assist him in all matters for
the Sunshine Coast until we settle new
postings in the near future.
2012, what a year! I started simply
with a view to help fellow officers in
the Sunshine Coast as their branch
President.
It became clear that I might step up
to play a greater role in the Union
when, at the 2012 QPU Conference,
Des Hansson advised he was stepping
down as the NCR Rep.
I considered putting my hand up for
the job, and I knew I had big shoes to
fill because Des had provided such
excellent service to members here over
many years.
Luckily, Des acted as both a mentor and
guidance officer to steer me in the right
direction! Anyone who’s been ‘steered
in the right direction’ by Des will know
he provides both direct and helpful
advice. Thank you, Des.
In stepping up for the Union, I have
found my background in general duties
policing, and also in legal policy and
research, being invigorated.
With regards to all areas of the Union,
I thank those who have helped me and
continue to make me a better advocate
for our members.
I also thank Ian Leavers, Shayne
Maxwell, and Denis Sycz, who as
Grant with Union Vice President Shayne Maxwell at
Maroochydore station.
“Anyone who’s been
‘steered in the right
direction’ by Des will
know he provides both
direct and
helpful advice.”
President, Vice-President, and Assistant
General Secretary of the Union have
supported and endorsed me from the
beginning, and who have welcomed
me onto the police Union Executive so
willingly.
Thank you also to all other fulltime
Union officials and Executive members
who have made me welcome. My
hope for the future is that I continue
to provide a valued service to the
membership, and competent support
when it is required.
Grant WILCOX
Regional Representative
North Coast Region
0411 359 555
Queensland Police Union Journal October 2012 19

Metro South Region Roundup
TONY COLLINS
STOP THE MADNESS
Times are tough, and they are only going to get tougher. If my predictions are correct, by the time this is printed,
our budgets will have been cut and the QPS will have had to divest itself of more administration officers. So it is
time to put this in perspective.
When I talk to our officers, they don’t
want much: they just want to be able to
do their job. But to be able to do their
job properly, now—more than ever—
it takes time. Over the years, I have
written a number of articles about how
we have become less efficient due to
new processes and computer systems.
“Time is increasingly
becoming a
commodity that is
worth its weight in
gold, because this job
is increasingly being
run on the rest days
and unpaid overtime
of its workers.”
And in our modern world, time is
increasingly becoming a commodity
that is worth its weight in gold, because
this job is increasingly being run on the
rest days and unpaid overtime of its
workers.
To the Senior Sergeants and Sergeants:
I want you to think back to the ‘good
old days’ and ask yourself how many
times you came in on your days off
to complete a full brief of evidence,
or stayed back late on a shift with the
excuse of ‘I just want to finish off this
bit of paperwork’. It wasn’t right back
then, and it isn’t right now.
The age-old adage of ‘but that is the
way we have always done it’ has got
to stop being used as an excuse. You
are now in a real position of influence
and power to ensure that the next
generation of QPS officers don’t have
to work under the same conditions we
did in the ‘good old days’.
You people are now the Officers in
Charge, DDOs, and shift supervisors.
You have the ability to stop the
madness.
Because yes, it is insanity. The
definition of insanity is ‘doing the
same thing over and over again and
expecting different results’ (Benjamin
Franklin). We, the workers, are doing
the same thing over and over again in
each generation of police officers, yet
we expect better working conditions.
The insanity is that the more you do the
unpaid overtime, the more you work on
your days off, the more you use your
own mobile phone to do name checks...
Then the more you grease the wheels
of this broken bureaucratic mess with
your own personal time. Your working
conditions are going to remain the
same, or deteriorate.
You have the ability to influence the
next generation, to get them to say, ‘It
is not OK to give my own time to keep
this organisation running. My time is
important to me, and the QPS needs to
respect that’. The ball is in your court.
DISCIPLINE PROCESS
Anyone who has had any involvement
with the disciplinary system knows
that: 1) it is convoluted, 2) it is
time consuming, and 3) it is a very
subjective decision-making process
based on the opinion of the prescribed
officer.
I don’t know anyone who doesn’t want
it fixed. There are a number of faults
with our disciplinary system, and I was
hoping that it would be fixed under the
new Commissioner, Mr Stewart.
But when I watched him on You
Tube (yes, all of Gen Y can stop
laughing at me, I do know how to
work a computer), I was nothing but
dismayed.
“We are doing the same thing over and over
again in each generation of police officers, yet
we expect better working conditions.”
The QPS has suffered organisational
insanity that has originated from
goodness knows where, and it is now
being passed like a mantle to be worn
from one generation of police officers
to the next.
So to the Officers in Charge, DDOs,
and shift supervisors, I challenge you
to be advocates of change. Stop the
madness.
The Commissioner designate (as
he was at the time) was in a press
conference, and he basically stated
that ‘often’ it is the officer’s fault that
disciplinary matters take as long as
they do.
The definition of ‘often’ is ‘frequently
or many times’. Mr Stewart then went
on to explain that officers are ‘often’
stressed, and that this prolonged the
20
Queensland Police Union Journal October 2012

Metro South Region Roundup
disciplinary process because they could
not be interviewed while on sick leave.
So Mr Stewart was examining ways to
‘motivate’ officers to come forward to
speed the process up.
He then went on, because he was on
a roll, and said that in many cases,
officers who were charged by the QPS
would go to extraordinary lengths to
conduct their defence in relation to the
charges that would be preferred by the
QPS.
Well, Mr Stewart, allow me to retort
by pointing out a couple of salient
points. How do you intend to ‘motivate’
an officer to come forward if they are
“Mr Stewart, while your opinions for the next
three years matter, please make them more
considered and in line with what is actually
reasonable and considered fair by community
expectations.”
medically declared as mad as a March
hare?
What sort of answers do you honestly
expect from these officers?
Yes, you were the prescribed officer,
and highly trained and skilled SERT
operatives were busy sitting behind
a desk waiting for a hearing date and
your decision. Please don’t blame the
court process, because it too was well
and truly finalised.
And then, Mr Stewart, you have the
temerity to assert that officers go to
extraordinary lengths to defend the
charges brought against them.
I would suggest that police officers’
rights are few and far between, and as
such it is the officers’ right to defend
themselves as vigorously as they can,
considering it effects their pay, their
family, and sometimes their job.
It is probably a lucky thing that this is
only your opinion, Mr Stewart, because
from my information, your opinion has
been reversed five out of six times at
QCAT.
actually reasonable and considered fair
by community expectations.
COPS VS FIRIES
On 9 September, I attended the
Wynnum Manly Leagues club to watch
the annual remembrance game of
rugby league between the QPS and
QFRS.
It is a game played to commemorate
the loss of lives in both police and fire
departments in the 911 attacks in New
York City.
This is a grand tradition, and there was
a sea of red in support of the firies, with
a few pockets of blue around the field.
We put on a good show and took the
game out 26 to 20.
The support for the firies around the
field was incredible, but when the
QPS scored, you could hardly hear our
supporting cheers. Next year, folks, we
need to do better.
We can’t be shown up like this,
especially when all monies raised go
to both the Police and Fire Legacies. It
is for a very good cause, so next year
when it comes around, I will be giving
you a timely reminder.
Furthermore, I was investigated and
I took no sick leave. I made myself
available for the number of interviews
required, yet still my matter took
two years to be finalised. And it was
finalised at Superintendent level ... but
that was some time ago.
So while your opinion for the next three
years matters, when faced with being
wrong 83% of the time, and when your
decisions are regularly appealed to
QCAT, please make your opinions more
considered and in line with what is
Tony COLLINS
Regional Representative
Metropolitan South Region
0414 804 472
Let me move to a more recent example:
the infamous SERT incident. By
all accounts, this matter had been
fully investigated, with interviews
conducted, within a week of it
occurring.
None of those officers went on sick
leave, and they all made themselves
available immediately. Yet that matter
took over 12 months to complete.
Neither of these two matters were the
fault of the officers, and the sad thing
was that you, Mr Stewart, took your
sweet time to complete the disciplinary
hearing.
Queensland Police Union Journal October 2012 21

South East Region Roundup
BOB SMITHSON
POLICE REMEMBRANCE DAY SERVICES
I was fortunate to be able to attend the three Police Remembrance Day services held in the South Eastern Region.
On Thursday evening, 27 September, the Coomera District held their Twilight Vigil on the lawn outside the District
Headquarters building. At 10am the following morning, the Logan District service was held at St Patrick’s Church
in Beenleigh, and the Gold Coast service was held at Coolangatta/Tweed Heads that afternoon.
The Police Commissioner and Minister
attended the Gold Coast service,
which was a combined event with
Queensland, New South Wales, and
Australian Federal Police taking part
in a march through the streets of
Coolangatta and Tweed Heads prior
to the service itself at the Twin Towns
Services Club.
Each of the services was relatively
well attended by our members, with
good support also coming from the
general public. One of the highlights
“If you get pulled on
by your supervisors
for wearing trousers
with the backside out
of them ... you can now
lay blame with this
government’s regime
of mass sackings in the
public service.”
of the Friday services was the talents
displayed by our Police Chaplain, Father
Columba.
Not only does he deliver enlightening
sermons, but he took on the job of
playing the bagpipes for the Logan
service. And might I say, he did a pretty
fine job on the pipes, as well.
UNIFORM SUPPLY DELAYS
I’ve received some information from a
couple of sources now in relation to the
delay in supply of uniform items.
Remembrance Day march through Coolangatta.
By way of example, one member
reports that they applied for some
shirts and after two and a half weeks
rang the West End Supply Centre to
see when they could expect to receive
them.
They were told that the processing time
for orders is now about three weeks,
with another seven to eight weeks in
dispatch time. Our reliable source tells
us that the new lengthy timeframes are
a direct result of the new government’s
purge on public service employees.
I don’t want to discredit the staff at the
WESC. They are doing the best they
can with the resources they have.
But if you get pulled on by your
supervisors for wearing trousers with
the backside out of them, or a baseball
cap that looks like it’s been run over
by a bus a few times, you can now lay
blame with this government’s regime of
mass sackings in the public service.
The best course of action I would
suggest is to put your orders in well
in advance so we can continue to
maintain our professional image.
MULTI SKILLING APPLICATIONS
Some of our members are becoming
frustrated as they try to get relieving
duties in alternative work areas to their
current station or section. There is a
policy in place within the South Eastern
Region, which dates back a couple of
years now, but it is still current.
It is called the ‘Multi Skilling’ Policy, and
the details can be found on the Bulletin
Board. Members wishing to apply
for multi skilling duties are invited to
submit a report in a standard format
and send that application direct to their
relevant District Officer.
22
Queensland Police Union Journal October 2012

South East Region Roundup
A copy of the application is to be
forwarded through their usual chain of
command starting at station level.
This gives the OIC and overviewing
commissioned officer an opportunity
to support (or not) the application, and
make a recommendation to the Multi
Skilling Committee.
“I wonder if an OIC will forward a
recommendation to the District Officer not
supporting a multi skilling application due to
their own poor management practices in
the past?”
The problem our members have faced
is that they have not been sending the
original application direct to the District
Officer, but have been putting them
through their OIC.
Some OICs are then telling our
applicants that they will not be sending
the reports through ‘because they
haven’t got the staff’ to let them go.
The applications are simply ‘filed’ at
station level on the officer’s personal
file (that’s assuming they’re not put
through a shredder).
Come PPA time, we are all pressured
to come up with a plan for our
future development. So here we
have members trying to improve
themselves, only to have their efforts
stifled because the management have
already let too many people go off into
the wilderness.
I encourage members to keep applying
for multi skilling duties, but do it as
per the policy. I wonder if an OIC
will forward a recommendation to
the District Officer not supporting
an application due to their own poor
management practices in the past?
Somehow I think they will come up with
something a little more creative than
that.
Work smart, work safe –
make it home.
Bob SMITHSON
Regional Representative
South East Region
0408 120 110
Queensland Police Union Journal October 2012 23

Don’t break
the safety
chain
Report all health
and safety hazards
If you identify a work-related hazard – report it in the
on-line Health and Safety Hazard Management System
Safety & Wellbeing
Safety & Wellbeing
Workplace Health and Safety Representative
Name
Safety & Wellbeing
Alcohol & Drug Awareness Unit
QUEENSLAND POLICE UNION OF EMPLOYEES
Phone number
Safety & Wellbeing
Alcohol & Drug Awareness Unit

CHANGE OF ADDRESS OR STATION
Please complete this form and return it to the union office.
REGISTERED NUMBER:
TITLE: Mr/Mrs/Ms/Miss:
FULL NAME:
HOME ADDRESS:
POSTCODE:
POSTAL ADDRESS:
POSTCODE:
PHONE NUMBERS: [H]
[MB]
[W]
[F]
WORK EMAIL:
HOME EMAIL:
RANK:
STATION:
STATION ADDRESS:
Queensland Police Union of Employees, PO Box 13008, George Street, Brisbane, Queensland 4003
Phone (07) 3259 1900 Fax (07) 3259 1950 Email police@qpu.asn.au

QUEENSLAND POLICE LEGACY SCHEME
Suite 75, Level 11, Northpoint
231 North Quay, Brisbane, 4000
Telephone: (07) 3236 2276
Fax: (07) 3236 4219
Email: qplegacy@bigpond.com
Manager
Payroll Services
Partner One – QPS Payroll
Level 6, GPO Box 1395
BRISBANE 4001
AUTHORITY TO DEDUCT
I hereby authorise and direct you to deduct from my fortnightly pay,
the sum of $ :
This authority replaces all previous authorities and shall remain valid until cancelled
by me in writing to the Queensland Police Legacy Scheme.
FULL NAME:
RANK:
REG NO.
REGION:
STATION:
SIGNATURE:
Please forward this authority directly to the following address:
The Secretary/Manager
Queensland Police Legacy Scheme
P O Box 13003
GEORGE STREET Qld 4003

The Queensland Police tHE Union of Employees
Election Notice - List of Positions
Office
No. of Positions
Conference Delegates ................ One (1) from each Group within each Region listed below
Please refer to the following pages of this notice for further information for candidates and a suitable nomination form.
Far Northern Region:
Group (a): Aurukun, Bamaga, Cairns, Coen,
Cooktown, Edmonton, Horn Island,
Gordonvale, Kowanyama, Laura, Lockhart
River, Mossman, Pormpuraaw, Port Douglas,
Smithfield, Thursday Island, Weipa,
Yarrabah,Far Northern Regional H.Q.
Group (b): Babinda, Cardwell, El Arish,
Innisfail, Mission Beach, Mourilyan,
Silkwood, South Johnstone, Tully.
Group (c): Atherton, Chillagoe, Croydon,
Dimbulah, Einasleigh, Forsayth,
Georgetown, Herberton, Kuranda, Malanda,
Mareeba, Millaa Millaa, Mount Garnet, Mount
Molloy, Mount Surprise, Ravenshoe,
Yungaburra.
Northern Region:
Group (a): Bedourie, Birdsville, Boulia,
Burketown, Camooweal, Cloncurry, Dajarra,
Doomadgee, Julie Creek, Karumba, Kynuna,
McKinlay, Mornington Island, Mount Isa,
Normanton.
Group (b): Magnetic Island, Townsville,
North Queensland Police Academy.
Group (c): Deeragun, Kirwan,
Mundingburra, Stuart.
Group (d): Ayr, Bowen, Charters Towers,
Clare, Collinsville, Greenvale, Giru, Halifax,
Home Hill, Hughenden, Ingham, Palm Island,
Pentland, Prairie, Ravenswood, Richmond,
Rollingstone.
Central Region:
Group (a): Agnes Waters, Baralaba,
Biloela, Calliope, Gladstone, Goovigen, Many
Peaks, Miriam Vale, Mount Larcom, Moura,
Rosedale, Tannum Sands, Theodore,
Wowan.
Group (b): Alpha, Aramac, Barcaldine,
Blackall, Capella, Emerald, Ilfracombe,
Isisford, Jericho, Jundah, Longreach,
Muttaburra, Windorah, Winton, Yaraka.
Group (c): Calen, Carmila, Clermont, Dysart,
Eton, Farleigh, Finch Hatton, Glenden,
Mackay, Mackay Northern Beaches, Marian,
Middlemount, Mirani, Moranbah, Nebo,
Proserpine, Sarina, St Lawrence,
Walkerston, Whitsunday.
Group (d): Anakie, Blackwater, Duaringa, Emu
Park, Gracemere, Lakes Creek, Marlborough,
Marmor, Mount Morgan, North Rockhampton,
Rockhampton, Rolleston, Springsure, Tieri,
Westwood, Woorabinda, Yeppoon, Central
Regional H.Q.
North Coast Region:
Group (a): Bargara, Bundaberg, Childers, Gin
Gin, South Kolan.
Group (b): Blackbutt, Cherbourg, Eidsvold,
Gayndah, Kingaroy, Kumbia, Monto, Mt Perry,
Mundubbera Murgon, Nanango, Proston,
Wondai.
Group (c): Goomeri, Gympie, Imbil, Kilkivan,
Tin Can Bay.
Group (d): Biggenden, Fraser Island, Hervey
Bay, Howard, Maryborough, Tiaro.
Group (e): Bribie Island, Caboolture,
Deception Bay, Kilcoy, Moore, Redcliffe,
Woodford.
Group (f): Caloundra, Coolum, Cooroy,
Eumundi, Kawana Waters, Landsborough,
Maleny, Maroochydore, Nambour, Noosa
Heads, Palmwoods, Pomona, North Coast
Regional Headquarters.
Southern Region:
Group (a): Adavale, Augathella, Charleville,
Cunnamulla, Eromanga, Eulo, Hungerford,
Morven, Quilpie, Tambo, Thargomindah,
Wyandra.
Group (b): Bell, Cecil Plains, Chinchilla, Cooyar,
Dalby, Jandowae, Meandarra, Millmerran,
Peranga, Tara, Yarraman.
Group (c): Boonah, Booval, Esk, Goodna,
Harrisville, Ipswich, Kalbar, Karana Downs,
Lowood, Marburg, Rosewood, Springfield,
Toogoolawah, Yamanto.
Group (d): Bollon, Dirranbandi, Dulacca,
Injune, Miles, Mitchell, Mungallala, Mungindi,
Roma, St George, Surat, Taroom, Thallon,
Wallumbilla, Wandoan, Yuleba.
Group (e): Cambooya, Crows Nest, Drayton,
Forest Hill, Gatton, Goombungee, Helidon,
Jondaryan, Laidley, Oakey, Pittsworth,
Toowoomba, Southern Regional H.Q.
Group (f): Allora, Clifton, Goondiwindi,
Inglewood, Killarney, Leyburn, Stanthorpe,
Talwood, Texas, Wallangarra, Warwick,
Yangan, Yelarbon.
South East Region:
Group (a): Broadbeach, Burleigh Heads,
Coolangatta, Palm Beach, Robina.
Group (b): Southport, Runaway Bay, Water
Police.
Group (c): Surfers Paradise, SER HQ.
Group (d): Beaudesert, Canungra, Coomera,
Mudgeeraba, Nerang, North Tamborine,
Rathdowney, .
Group (e): Browns Plains, Crestmead, District
HQ, Jimboomba, Logan Central.
Group (f): Beenleigh, Loganholme,
Springwood.
Metropolitan North Region:
Group (a): Ferny Grove, Indooroopilly, The
Gap.
Group (b): Boondall, Clayfield, Hendra, State
Traffic (Boondall).
Group (c): Brisbane Watchhouse.
Group (d): Albany Creek, Petrie, Sandgate,
Dayboro.
Group (e): Brisbane City, Metropolitan North
Regional H.Q.
Group (f): Fortitude Valley, Stafford.
Metropolitan South Region:
Group (a): Academy, Driver Training.
Group (b): Acacia Ridge, Calamvale, Inala,
Moorooka, Mt Ommaney, Oxley, Sherwood.
Group (c): Carina, Coorparoo, Holland Park,
Upper Mt Gravatt, Metropolitan South Regional
H.Q.
Group (d): Annerley, Dutton Park, Morningside,
Southbank, West End.
Group (e): Capalaba, Cleveland, Dunwich,
Macleay Island, Redland Bay, Russell Island,
Wynnum, Water Police.
Group (f): Specialist Services.
Headquarters & Support Region:
Group (a): Forensic Services Branch.
Group (b): S.C.O.C. Branch.
Group (c): Railway Squad and Alderley
Branch.
Group (d): Crime and Misconduct Commission
Branch.
Group (e): Headquarters Branch, Mounted
Police, and Legal Services Branch.
Group (f): Brisbane Prosecutions.
ELECTORAL COMMISSION of QUEENSLAND
Level 6 Forestry House, 160 Mary Street, Brisbane, Qld.
Postal Address: GPO Box 1393 BRISBANE QLD 4001
Telephone (07) 3035 8018 or 1300 881 665; Fascimile: (07) 3221 5387
Email: industrial@ecq.qld.gov.au
Queensland Police Union Journal October 2012 27

The Queensland Police Union of Employees
Election Notice - Information for Candidates
The Queensland Industrial Registrar has issued a Decision, pursuant to the Industrial Relations Act 1999, that
the Electoral Commission of Queensland conduct the annual election of Conference Delegates for The Queensland
Police Union of Employees.
Nominations close midday Thursday, 22 November 2012
Nominations for Conference Delegates open at midday on Thursday, 1 November 2012. Written nominations must be
signed by at least three financial members as nominators and signed by the nominee and complying with the
Union’s Rules must be received by the Electoral Commission of Queensland no later than midday on
Thursday, 22 November 2012.
An eligible member may only nominate for one position. Candidates for election shall be financial members of the
Union and must belong to the relevant Regional Group for which they are nominating.
A nomination form is printed in this journal. Nomination forms are also available from your Union Office, the
Electoral Commission of Queensland and the Commission’s website; www.ecq.qld.gov.au. Any form of nomination
that complies with the Union’s Rules is acceptable.
Nominations may be received by means of hand delivery, post, facsimile or any other electronic means that
includes the signatures of the nominee and nominators. Nominees should ensure that their nomination is received
by the Commission and can be clearly read.
Candidates may withdraw from the election at any point prior to the printing of ballot papers by giving written notice
of their intention to the Commission.
Acknowledgement correspondence from the Commission will be sent via email.
Please ensure your email address has been provided on the nomination form.
Candidate Statements
Candidates may lodge a statement on an A4 sheet of paper, including their name and other details; e.g. credentials,
policies, union activity, views and history, in support of their nomination. The Commission will distribute these
statements with ballot material. Statements must be given to the Commission NO LATER than the time for the
close of nominations.
Ballot
If necessary, the Commission will undertake secret postal ballots to elect the successful candidates. Only
members of the Union whose region in which the voter’s home station is situated and who are financial 30 days
before nominations open may vote in the election. The roll of voters is prepared after nominations close.
Secret postal ballots will open on Friday, 21 December 2012 and close at midday on Monday, 21 January 2013.
Voting is by the first-past-the-post method.
Each member is responsible for ensuring that the Union is advised of their correct mailing address and other
details. Any member entitled to vote at this election and who will be absent from his/her usual postal address
during the ballot may give the Commission a forwarding address where their ballot material may be sent.
TANYA MEIZER
Returning Officer
9 October 2012
ELECTORAL COMMISSION of QUEENSLAND
Level 6 Forestry House, 160 Mary Street, Brisbane, Qld.
Postal Address: GPO Box 1393 BRISBANE QLD 4001
Telephone (07) 3035 8018 or 1300 881 665; Fascimile: (07) 3221 5387
Email: industrial@ecq.qld.gov.au
28
Queensland Police Union Journal October 2012

The Queensland Police Union of Employees
Nomination Form
Nominations close at midday Thursday, 22 November 2012.
We the undersigned financial members of The Queensland Police Union of Employees, wish to nominate
Reg No:
Ms/Mr/Other:
(Courtesy Title, If any)
(Print the full name of the person you are nominating)
as a Candidate for the office of Conference Delegate representing Group ( ____ ) in Region:
(Tick the box to indicate the Region that the nominee is representing)
Far Northern North Coast Metropolitan North
Northern Southern Metropolitan South
Central South East Headquarters and Support
Reg. No. Full Name Signature
Consent to Nomination
I, accept nomination and am prepared
fully to comply with the aims, object and Rules of The Queensland Police Union of Employees and
otherwise faithfully serve the best interest of my members if elected to represent them.
Address:
(Print your name as you would like it to appear on the ballot paper)
Postcode
Telephone: (Home)
(Mobile)
(Business)
Facsimile:
E-mail:
Signature:
Date:
ELECTORAL COMMISSION of QUEENSLAND
Level 6 Forestry House, 160 Mary Street, Brisbane, Qld.
Postal Address: GPO Box 1393 BRISBANE QLD 4001
Telephone (07) 3035 8018 or 1300 881 665; Fascimile: (07) 3221 5387
Email: industrial@ecq.qld.gov.au
Queensland Police Union Journal October 2012 29

If it happens, protect yourself and your family
by immediately contacting:
The QPU office Ph 3259 1900 (24 hours)
or your regional representative.
They will steer you in the right direction.

National Police Remembrance Day
National Police
Remembrance Day
By Andrea Appleton and organisers of commemorative services throughout Queensland. Photographs courtesy of QPS offices throughout the state.
National Police Remembrance Day is an annual commemorative
occasion that unites police officers across the country.
It provides officers in all jurisdictions
an opportunity to put aside the
pressures of the job for a few hours,
and to gather in tribute to colleagues
who have lost their lives while serving
their communities.
It is a chance to reflect on the sacrifice
these officers made, and to also
reflect on the inherent risks every
police officer faces in their daily role in
protecting and serving the community.
Since its inception in 1989, National
Police Remembrance Day has grown
to include candlelight vigils, marches,
and commemorative services in many
towns and cities nationwide.
In Canberra, a special service is held
every year at the National Police
Memorial, with officers, families,
and representatives travelling from
interstate to pay their respects to
officers who have died, and to honour
them as their names are added to the
Wall of Remembrance.
In Queensland, groups of officers
gathered from Coolangatta in the
south to Yorke Island in the north.
In each locality, officers were joined
by families and friends, retired
officers, government dignitaries,
representatives from the emergency
services and other associations, and
community members from all walks
of life.
All those in attendance at
commemorative events throughout
QPU Vice President Shayne Maxwell places a wreath at the National Police Memorial in Canberra.
Queensland gave thanks that no The congregations were united in their
names have been added to the
collective hope that the Queensland
Roll of Honour this year, and they Police Service will be spared further
remembered and paid tribute to Dan tragedy in the coming year.
Stiller and Damian Leeding, the two
officers lost last year.
Queensland Police Union Journal October 2012 31

National Police Remembrance Day
GOLD COAST
Hundreds of police from Queensland,
New South Wales, and the Australian
Federal Police descended upon
Coolangatta on Friday 28 September
to commemorate National Police
Remembrance Day, and to
acknowledge and pay tribute to fallen
police officers.
The Gold Coast District has developed
a strong cross-border relationship with
the NSW Police Force over many years.
To demonstrate that positive crossborder
partnership, the Gold Coast
Police District, the Tweed-Byron Local
Area Command, and the Australian
Federal Police (Gold Coast Airport) took
part in a joint jurisdictional march and
memorial service.
Serving and retired police from
the three agencies combined and
participated in an impressive crossborder
march, commencing at
Goodwin Park Coolangatta, continuing
across the state border to Wharf
Street, and culminating in a combined
memorial service at the Twin Towns
Services Club at Tweed Heads.
Mounted Police and police
motorcyclists from both Queensland
and New South Wales, as well as dog
squad officers from all three agencies,
participated in the march, which also
included the QPS Pipes and Drums
band.
The memorial service was attended
by QPS Commissioner Bob Atkinson,
NSW Assistant Commissioner Carleen
York, and AFP Assistant Commissioner
Shane Connolly.
This year’s National Police
Remembrance Day joint march and
service coincided with the 150th
anniversary of the New South Wales
Police Force.
By Inspector Damien Crosby
32
Queensland Police Union Journal October 2012

National Police Remembrance Day
BRISBANE
It has become a tradition in Brisbane
to hold a candlelight vigil the evening
before Remembrance Day, and a march
on the morning of Remembrance Day
from Headquarters in Roma Street to
one of the three churches where the
memorial service is held. This year, the
service was held at the Albert Street
Uniting Church.
The candlelight vigil was held at the
Police Memorial on George Street on
Thursday 27 September, and was well
attended by officers, dignitaries, and
family members.
Remembrance Day march. Uniform,
plain clothes, and retired officers were
led in a commanding procession by
Police Pipes and Drums, the Mounted
Unit, and the Dog Squad to the Albert
Street Uniting Church.
Inside the church, it was standing
room only as officers, family
members, dignitaries, and members
of the community flocked to pay their
respects.
During the vigil, the name of every
officer on the Roll of Honour was
remembered, and eight candles were
lit to represent periods of time in which
these officers were killed.
The candles were lit by family
members of officers who have died,
including Shirley Kidd (mother of
Senior Constable Peter Kidd who died
in 1987), Georgina and Lauren Reid
(granddaughters of Constable James
Reid who died in 1966), and Wendy-
Jane Anderson (sister of Constable
Ashley Anderson who died in 1987).
The Police Ode was read by Detective
Senior Constable Renae Johnson,
whose father was also a Senior
Constable and died when she was just
nine months old. Senior Chaplain Colin
Munns offered a blessing for those lost,
and a prayer for current Queensland
police officers.
The following morning, officers from
many different sections gathered at
Police Headquarters to take part in the
Queensland Police Union Journal October 2012
33

National Police Remembrance Day
The names of QPS officers and
staff members who have died since
Remembrance Day last year were
remembered, as was Senior Constable
David Rixon, a New South Wales police
officer who was killed in the line of duty
in March this year.
Wreathes were laid by family members,
government representatives, and
members of supporting associations,
and Commissioner Bob Atkinson
gave an address to the gathered
congregation.
He said that those being commemorated
would have a few simple words: ‘look
after my family, support each other,
and don’t forget me’. Commissioner
Atkinson closed his address in saying,
‘May life be kind to us all until we gather
again in 2013’.
ROMA
On Friday 28 September at 10am,
Roma District police, staff, and
families gathered together at the
Church Of Christ in Currey Street to
pay tribute to fallen officers and staff
members who have lost their lives
in the line of duty, or from natural
causes.
The service was conducted by Police
Chaplin Don Roberts, and the Roma
District Officer, Inspector Roger
Whyte, delivered the Commissioner’s
address.
The service was attended by officers
and staff from across the Roma and
Ipswich Districts, retired officers,
members of the community, and
dignitaries from other emergency
services.
Inspector Whyte and Maranoa
Council Mayor Loughnan laid wreaths
in honour of fallen officers.
My son Daniel travelled from the
RAAF Base in Townsville to be part
of the service. Daniel is currently
serving with the Royal Australian
Air Force as a trainee Ground Radar
Technician, and was previously
employed by the QPS in the Roma
Radio Electronics Workshop as a
trades assistant.
By Sergeant Rusty McKee
34
Queensland Police Union Journal October 2012

National Police Remembrance Day
GYMPIE
A gathering of approximately 100
police, family, retired police, and
community members came together
for a National Police Remembrance
Day memorial service in Gympie.
The service was held at St Peter’s
Anglican Church, Gympie, where local
Police Chaplain Bruce Dorman led the
service.
District Officer Superintendent Chris
Sang gave the Commissioner’s
speech, with Acting Inspector Mick
Symes reading the Role of Honour.
The memorial service commemorated
all those on the Role of Honour,
including Gympie-raised Senior
Constable Michael Low, who made the
ultimate sacrifice while undertaking
his duties in 1984. Senior Constable
Low was shot while attending a
domestic incident in Rockhampton.
By Senior Constable Llew O’Brien
BUNDABERG
The Bundaberg Remembrance
Day service was conducted at the
Uniting Church, Barolin Street. The
moving service was officiated by Fr
Ray Nutley, the Bundaberg District
Chaplain, and the church was filled
almost to capacity.
It was heartening to see the number
of dignitaries and community folk
attending to support both the serving
and retired QPS police and staff
members at the service.
Inspector Kev Guteridge led the
police in remembrance of our fallen
comrades. The service was followed
by fellowship and morning tea. The
turnout of the community members
was a testament to the high regard
in which police are held within the
Bundaberg community.
Some of our western members
attended a small but nonetheless
moving service held at Mundubbera.
The District staff particularly thank
AO Vicki Booth for her untiring efforts
in organising this year’s service.
By Superintendent Rowan Bond
Queensland Police Union Journal October 2012
35

National Police Remembrance Day
BILOELA
Biloela held its second National Police
Remembrance Day service at the
Callide Valley Anglican Church.
Prior to the service, officers past
and present from Biloela, Moura,
Theodore, and Baralaba marched
through the town, together with
Acting Chief Superintendent Ron Van
Saane representing Central Police
Region, Inspector Les Bulluss of
Gladstone Police District, and returned
servicemen from Biloela and Wowan.
A moving service was conducted
by the Reverend Des Potter, Police
Chaplain for the Callide Valley, during
which wreaths were laid and candles
lit for the brave men and women who
have fallen in the line of duty.
The church was filled with people
paying their respects, which included
Deputy Premier Jeff Seeney and
Banana Shire Mayor Ron Carige.
The day was heralded a great success
by the community, who turned out
to watch the march and showed their
support at the service with $830 raised
for Police Legacy.
By Senior Sergeant Nick Paton
GLADSTONE
Gladstone District marked
Remembrance Day with a candlelight
vigil at the Gladstone Police Memorial
on Thursday night, followed by wellattended
daytime marches and services
at Gladstone and Biloela on Friday.
The level of community support was
demonstrated by the generosity of the
public, with over $1,300 being raised in
the District for Police Legacy.
The camaraderie of the district staff
coupled with the overwhelming
support of the community made the
day the success that it was.
By Superintendent Glenn Kachel
36
Queensland Police Union Journal October 2012

National Police Remembrance Day
LONGREACH
On 28 September at 10am, an annual
Police Remembrance Day service
was held in the Longreach District to
remember fallen comrades who have
died in the course of their duties.
This service is hosted by the
Longreach Police Chaplain at the
Longreach Baptist Church and
is attended by local dignitaries,
representatives of other emergency
service organisations, and members
of the public.
A brief march is held prior to the
service and led by a bagpiper, followed
by police flag bearers who lead the
procession into the church. A small
morning tea is hosted following the
service, which all are invited to attend.
This year, approximately 20 officers
from within the Longreach District
travelled to take part in the service,
including officers from outlying
stations such as Winton and also from
the isolated township of Yaraka.
It was especially pleasing to see a
strong attendance by the families of
police officers, who play such a crucial
and supportive role in the Longreach
District.
Many police families live and work in
small, isolated townships far removed
from the services and supports
offered in larger centres.
By Sergeant Kate Teasdale
Queensland Police Union Journal October 2012
37

National Police Remembrance Day
ROCKHAMPTON
This year the candlelight vigil and
Remembrance Day services had
particular significance for the police
family in Rockhampton.
Because the vigil was held on 27
September this year, it marked the
7th anniversary of the death of Senior
Constable Shelly Jaques. Shelly died
after suffering a heart attack while
working at Communications on 27
September 2005.
Shelly’s parents Bevan and Phyllis
attend the Remembrance Day services
every year, and this year 11 family
members attended to hear the service
conducted by Central Police Region
Chaplain Glenn Louttit.
It was very touching when Acting
Assistant Commissioner Peter
Crawford met the Jaques family and
was able to tell them stories of times
he had shared with Shelly at the
Academy, because they were in the
same squad.
This year also marked the first
anniversary of the death of Senior
Constable Michael Bryan, who died
from cancer on 1 October last year.
His photo sits on the wall in the DETO
office in Rockhampton, where he last
served. During his service, Michael
received a bravery award for the
apprehension of an armed robber.
All who knew him understood that
bravery as they saw Michael come to
work on crutches after having his leg
amputated in an attempt to stop the
spread of cancer.
Michael would work all day and never
complain; he was a true champion and
is sadly missed. His wife Di attended
the service and was moved when
she heard Michael’s name during the
service.
The Remembrance Day service this
year was held at the Rockhampton
Catholic Cathedral which was
constructed in an era of wealth and
prosperity when the gold from Mount
Morgan mine flooded the town.
The service was preceded by a
march with the Traffic Branch and
the Central Queensland Pipes and
Drums leading the way. It was met by
Acting AC Crawford at the gates of the
magnificent building.
The service was again led by Police
Chaplain Glenn Louttit and was well
attended by police, the community,
and seemingly every Catholic priest
from the diocese, including the bishop.
Wreaths were laid, prayers were
offered, and the names of those
passed solemnly spoken. The Police
Ode always sounds as it should: as a
prayer to the fallen. Sadly, there are
almost too many to remember.
After the service, it was on to morning
tea, which was catered by the
Salvation Army (we do like to include
every denomination). The members
of the Salvation Army do make
particularly great slices!
There were stories from the retired
police, laughs at ourselves for our
marching ability, catch ups, and
memories. It’s nice to be together.
Hopefully everyone is here next year.
By Acting Senior Sergeant Kerri Duffy
38
Queensland Police Union Journal October 2012

National Police Remembrance Day
CLONCURRY
Cloncurry’s Police Remembrance
Day service was held at St Andrew’s
Anglican Church. This year was the
first service held since the passing of
Police Chaplain Ernie Lemmon, who had
proudly performed Police Chaplaincy
duties in Cloncurry for the past 22 years.
Despite Remembrance Day falling within
the school holidays, when traditionally
a large portion of the township leaves
Cloncurry, the service received good
support from within the community,
including the other emergency services
and government agencies.
During the service, a special dedication
was made to Father Lemmon, and
after the service, serving officers
accompanied his family to his gravesite
to pay their respects. Dinner was
prepared and delivered by the local
CWA and was enjoyed in the Cloncurry
Rec Club.
By Senior Sergeant Brad Rix
CAIRNS
The Cairns Candlelight Vigil was held
at 7pm on Thursday 27 September
at the western precincts area near
the Esplanade Police Beat office,
backdropped by the Cairns Esplanade
Lagoon.
The service was conducted by Police
Chaplain Doug Foster, and was wellsupported
by representatives of
emergency services and Australian
Armed Forces, who laid a number of
wreaths.
Wreaths were also laid by family and
friends of local officers listed on the
Honour Roll. The Australian Federal
Police conducted a BBQ sausage sizzle,
with proceeds for Police Legacy.
The National Police Remembrance Day
march commenced at the Esplanade
Lagoon the following morning with
approximately 40 officers taking part,
including police dogs. The march
proceeded along the Esplanade, where
the diners at restaurants showed their
Queensland Police Union Journal October 2012 39

National Police Remembrance Day
appreciation for the police with much
applause.
Assistant Commissioner Carroll took
the salute for the colour party and
contingent as the march terminated
near St John’s Anglican Church. The
church service was well attended by
local dignitaries, politicians, family and
friends, who all reflected on this sombre
occasion. We will remember them.
By Senior Sergeant Brian Platz
MAREEBA
A crowd of approximately 100
community members and police
attended the Police Remembrance Day
service held at St Thomas’s Catholic
Church in Mareeba. They came to pay
their respects to the officers who have
lost their lives in the line of duty and
through natural causes.
A key part of the Mareeba District
service is a candle-lighting ceremony
for each fallen officer within the
District. Where possible, family
members light the candles for the
officers.
This year was special because local
police were contacted by a relative
of Sub Inspector Dyas, who was
murdered in 1881. They were able
to attend and light a candle for him
during the ceremony.
This is the first time a relative has
been located for Sub Inspector Dyas,
and it was a very moving moment for
the family.
By Sergeant Karen Hughes
40
Queensland Police Union Journal October 2012

National Police Remembrance Day
PORT DOUGLAS
This year’s National Police
Remembrance Day service was held at
St Mary's by the Sea in Port Douglas
(the services alternate between
Mossman and Port Douglas).
St Mary's was originally competed in
1880, and was completely destroyed
by cyclone in 1911. The new church
was completed in 1914 and moved to
its current location in 1988.
A total of 16 staff from Mossman and
Port Douglas attended this year’s
service, which was a very good turnout
for a total staff strength of 24,
considering some were away relieving,
one was attending a wedding in
Darwin, and another was expecting a
birth that day.
The local Police Chaplin Fr Kenny
hosted this year’s service, and Division
Inspector Mark Jackson presented the
Commissioner’s speech.
By Sergeant Damian Meadows
Queensland Police Union Journal October 2012 41

A Police Legacy - The Johnson Family
A Police Legacy
The Johnson Family
By Andrea Appleton
Lily Farmer holds a small, square photo in her hand, the corners
curved and the colours faded. ‘This was the very first Queensland
Police Legacy holiday in 1979,’ she says, smiling at the picture of a
small child being carried through a rocky walkway. ‘This is Renae
when she was 18 months old; she was carried through the
Jenolan caves by Ron Youles and Jim Crooks.’
A few months earlier, Lily had
received a letter from Police Legacy,
her introduction to an organisation
that was to have a great influence on
her life, and on the lives of her two
young children, James and Renae.
Lily’s husband, Senior Constable
Donald Johnson, died in March 1978
after a battle with Hodgkin’s disease.
In our care
“The Queensland
Police Legacy Scheme
is an independent
charitable organisation
that was established
in 1971 to assist
dependent families of
deceased Queensland
police officers.”
He had been a member of the QPS
for seven years, and he was also a
Vietnam veteran.
Though it was never formally
recognised during his lifetime, it is
thought that Snr Const Johnson’s
Hodgkin’s disease developed as a
result of his exposure to Agent Orange
in Vietnam.
Snr Const Donald Johnson.
‘I didn’t know anything about Policy
Legacy,’ Lily admits, ‘and when I got
the letter, I didn’t know if my husband
had paid into the scheme, or what it
was all about.
‘I later found out that he had
supported Legacy, and even though
that didn’t seem to matter, I wondered
if we were entitled to it.’
Renae is carried through the Jenolan caves.
Lily discovered that the Queensland
Police Legacy Scheme is an
independent charitable organisation
that was established in 1971 to assist
dependent families of deceased
Queensland police officers.
As of July this year, Police Legacy
supports 43 families, including
meeting the educational expenses for
42 Queensland Police Union Journal October 2012

A Police Legacy - The Johnson Family
71 dependent legatee children, and
organising an annual holiday.
Back in 1978, when Lily, James,
and Renae were admitted to the
scheme, Police Legacy was a fledgling
organisation. Yet two busloads of
families attended the first holiday.
‘I was absolutely amazed at the bond
there was,’ Lily says. ‘We were all in
the same boat, and it became like a
self help group.
‘I had no idea about the educational
benefits for the children at first,
because Legacy was just building
up funds, but we were just ever so
thankful to have had a holiday, and to
meet others. We made some really
wonderful friends.’
‘When you’ve lost your husband, it’s
amazing how others treat you,’ Lily
continues. ‘They don’t know how to
treat you; it’s almost as if you’ve got
leprosy. But to have all these police
widows together, the acceptance was
there.
The Police Legacy family on holiday.
“When you’ve lost your husband, others don’t
know how to treat you. But to have all these
police widows together, the acceptance
was there.”
Bully, John O’Gorman, John Fox,
and John Toohey. They were board
members, and they gave up their time
to come on the holidays with us. They
became our family.’
‘From a child’s perspective, we never
discussed our fathers who had passed
away,’ Renae continues, ‘There were
about 30 of us, and we were all like
siblings.
‘We might have shed tears together,
but we certainly shared a lot of laughs,
too. The ladies group really took off,
and a lot of the older widows have
become the Queensland Police Legacy
Widows Auxiliary.’
‘For me, growing up in Police Legacy, it
was always a lot of fun,’ says Detective
Senior Constable Renae Johnson, the
same Renae who was carried through
the Jenolan caves as a baby.
‘They definitely had an impact on
my deciding to be an officer,’ Renae
agrees. ‘They all had a great sense of
humour and were all fantastic people,
so I guess it puts a pretty good image
of the police service in your mind
when you’re a kid. I always thought I’d
be an officer.’
‘The eldest picked up the youngest
ones, and some of them used to pick
on me like my brother did. I’d often
find myself in a headlock in the water,
having a ball all the time.
‘My whole childhood, I grew up with
all these other children, and there was
‘There was never anything sad about
Police Legacy for us kids, because
we used to have so much fun on the
holidays. Serving police officers came
with us and made it so entertaining.
‘Knowing they were police officers
and knowing how happy they were
made policing seem like a really
positive career.’
‘Many volunteers came,’ Lily says.
‘John and Maureen Cummins, Nev
John O’Gorman at a Legacy camp.
Queensland Police Union Journal October 2012
43

A Police Legacy - The Johnson Family
Lily, Renae, and James. Renae performs at Talent Night on holiday. Not to be outdone, John Toohey also performs on
Talent Night.
just a really good bond,’ Renae says.
‘As we got older, we had quite a few
reunions, and when I was in my late
teens and early 20s, we used to hang
out quite a bit.
‘Of course, we all now have careers,
and I’ve been away for eight years,
country policing. So I’ve lost touch
a bit,’ Renae says. ‘But if we got
together, we’d all be like siblings again,
and I’d probably be back on the floor in
a headlock.’
For the Johnson family, Police
Remembrance Day is a significant
annual event, and this year Lily
watched on as Renae read the Police
Ode at the candlelight vigil and the
church memorial service at the Albert
Street Uniting Church in Brisbane.
Renae was also touched at an awards
ceremony last year when Deputy
Commissioner Ross Barnett presented
her with her father’s old warrant card
in a frame, along with her 10 year
service medal. Both Lily and Renae are
ever grateful for the support from the
QPS, and from Police Legacy.
‘We still go to the Legacy Christmas
parties, and we talk to the new people
with babies,’ Renae says. ‘They’re
often concerned about having a young
baby and getting involved in a group,
so I am happy to tell them what it was
like for me as a child.
‘I met Julie Stiller at one of the
Christmas parties, and I know that
if Brodie gets the same experience I
did, then it will be wonderful for him,’
Renae continues.
‘Knowing that I’m contributing towards
Brodie having the same experience that
I had is pretty awesome.’
“On Police Legacy
holidays, I’d often find
myself in a headlock
in the water.”
‘When I say I’m a Legatee, some
officers are not really sure what I
mean,’ Renae admits. ‘There are a lot
of people I know who do contribute to
the scheme, but some aren’t exactly
sure what it entails.
‘I was speaking to my partner’s
brother-in-law last night, and he said
he’d been contributing for 35 years,’
Renae says.
‘For a lot of these people who
have always contributed, it’s quite
fascinating to hear our story, and to
understand our experience of Police
Det. Snr Const Johnson reads the Police Ode on
Remembrance Day at the Albert Street Uniting Church.
Legacy. We will always be thankful for
the support.’
If you would like to contribute to Police
Legacy, you will find an ‘Authority to
Deduct’ form following the Regional
Roundups in this Journal.
For further information, see:
http://www.policelegacyqld.org.au/
44
Queensland Police Union Journal October 2012

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Wall to Wall - Ride for Remembrance
Wall to Wall
Ride for Remembrance
By Senior Sergeant Bradyn Murphy
On Saturday 15 September, over 1,500 leather-clad riders and
pillions descended on Canberra, taking over the streets in a
procession that lasted for kilometres. Riders came from all over
Australia, from the dry lands of the Northern Territory to the far
reaches of Western Australia.
This event is the Wall to Wall
Ride. It is a show of unity, a show of
support, and a show of brotherhood. It
is about mates remembering mates.
These riders weren’t the ‘1%ers’ that
people often associate with this type
of ride, but were off-duty police, expolice,
friends, and family who had
ridden from their respective states to
join as one to remember those officers
who have paid the ultimate sacrifice in
the line of duty.
The journey for some of the 100
Queensland riders who rode to
Canberra commenced on Thursday 13
September, where an official ceremony
was held at the Queensland Police
Service Academy.
Commissioner Bob Atkinson handed
the Wall to Wall baton to Assistant
Commissioner Paul Doyle, who
transported the baton to Canberra.
After a blessing and morning tea,
about 30 riders departed, with some
making Tamworth the first stop.
This was a significant stop for the
Queenslanders because they joined
in ceremonies remembering the life
of Senior Constable David Rixon, who
tragically lost his life during a traffic
stop earlier in the year.
“The Wall to Wall Ride is a show of unity, a
show of support, and a show of brotherhood.”
With the QPS losing Sergeant Dan
Stiller and Detective Senior Constable
Damian Leeding in the previous Wall
to Wall period, we knew all too well
the loss that the NSW Police Force was
feeling, and in particular the Tamworth
police family.
A moving ceremony was held in
Tamworth on the morning of Friday
14 September, where Senior Constable
Rixon’s name was placed inside the
NSW baton by his wife and family.
I don’t think there was a dry eye in
the place as hardened coppers, both
serving and retired, listened to the
words spoken in tribute to a great
bloke and downright decent copper.
I recall looking at one retired police
officer as he wiped away tears, and
I thought of the things this man
has seen in his 40 or so years since
starting the job ... yet still he was so
emotional about a police officer he has
never met.
46 Queensland Police Union Journal October 2012

Wall to Wall - Ride for Remembrance
This is what really sums up the ride. It
is not the fact that we don’t know the
other officers who have lost their lives.
It is the fact that we have all lost mates
along the way, some recent and some
not so recent.
“Riding from Sydney was a remarkable sight:
kilometres of bikes under police escort,
with members of the community who had
stopped on bridges and on the motorway
to wave and cheer.”
Saturday saw the ‘official’ QPS
contingent join the NSW police
ceremony at The Domain in Sydney.
Mr Doyle joined with other Australian
Police Commissioners and Senior
Executives as they led almost 800
riders on the journey to join with other
riders at the NSW police Academy at
Goulburn.
Riding from Sydney was a remarkable
sight: kilometres of bikes under
police escort, with members of the
community who had stopped on
bridges and on the motorway to wave
and cheer.
With the main meeting point in
Canberra being the International
Deployment Group, it wasn’t long
Front: Queensland Wall to Wall Ride Co-ordinator Snr Sgt Bradyn Murphy, QPU General Secretary Mick Barnes,
and Sgt Ian Birkbeck of Gold Coast Traffic Branch.
Rear: Queensland Police Legacy President Sgt Andrew Gough, QPU Assistant General Secretary Denis Sycz,
QPU General President Ian Leavers, and QPU Past President and Life Member John ‘Bluey’ O’Gorman.
Queensland Police Union Journal October 2012
47

Wall to Wall - Ride for Remembrance
before the enormity of the ride was
upon us as we rode into the grounds.
Hundreds upon hundreds of
motorcycles lined up on a cloudless
Canberra afternoon. From Harleys
to Vespas, all motorcycles were side
by side, and the task of getting the
now 1,500 or so riders to the National
Police Memorial probably had the AFP
organiser just a tad concerned.
Saturday 14 September, so plan your
trip now, and join in this great event.
Senior Sergeant Bradyn Murphy has
been chosen as the National Chairman
for the 2013 National Wall to Wall Ride
for Remembrance, and Senior Sergeant
Andrew Frick is the Queensland
Coordinator. Contact them for further
information about next year’s event:
Bradyn, 5656 9188,
Murphy.BradynM@police.qld.gov.au
Andrew, 5656 9119,
Frick.AndrewD@police.qld.gov.au
The ride eventually weaved its way
through the streets of Canberra, taking
in the roads leading to Parliament
House on the journey to the National
Police Memorial.
At the memorial, a moving ceremony
was conducted, and it was a great
pleasure to see Julie Stiller attend. I
am sure that the pain of losing Dan is
still ever-present for Julie, but it was
great to see her in the crowd, looking
on as we remembered Dan and all the
other officers who have had fallen in
the line of duty.
Next year’s ceremony at the National
Police Memorial will be held on
48
Queensland Police Union Journal October 2012

Wall to Wall - Ride for Remembrance
Queensland Police Union Journal October 2012
49

Ian Francis “Tuffy” Tuffield
Ian Francis “Tuffy” Tuffield
By Paula Doneman
Born: 29 January 1961, Wavell Heights, Brisbane
Died: 11 September 2012, Corinda, Brisbane
Give Tuffy a packet of cigarettes
and a lighter and he would get a
confession to some of Queensland’s
worst crimes.
He had an innate ability and
unparalleled knowledge of a
criminal’s genealogy, akin to a bookie
at Eagle Farm doing their homework
on a big race day.
The former Queensland detective
knew the crime families, their
associates, the secret deals, tradeoffs,
and betrayals.
He knew the unique language spoken
in Queensland prisons and often
spoke it better than the inmates.
Wrongdoers quickly learned Tuffy
knew his trade and also respected his
word was his bond.
Tuffy thrived in the seedy world of
informants, organised crime, and
violent criminals. A standing joke
while he was stationed in the Armed
Robbery Squad was that he knew
who had committed the crime before
it happened. He nicknamed those
close to him and was well known for
calling everyone ‘moyt’.
Ian Francis Tuffield was the fifth of six
children born into the busy Brisbane
household of Joan and Arthur
Tuffield. His parents called him ‘Pos’
because of his small size as a baby.
He was a devoted brother and was
protective of his siblings. His lifelong
“Tuffy knew who had committed the crime
before it happened.”
affinity for horse racing began with
childhood games of running mice in
a custom-built track in a neighbour’s
shed.
As a child he would do anything for
his family and friends, but he resisted
going to school, often delaying his
arrival and claiming he had forgotten
his lunch or homework.
He struggled in school until his
senior years, where he thrived before
leaving Wavell Heights State School
to work as a teller for the Commercial
Bank of Australia.
He worked there for six years but an
armed robbery at the Nerang branch
where he was employed propelled
him into a career with the Queensland
Police Service in 1985.
His personal strengths of loyalty and
never backing down when things got
tough made the career change an
easy fit.
Ian, known affectionately as ‘Tuffy’
and ‘Tuffnell’ among his colleagues,
was dedicated to policing. His career
started in Brisbane City before he
was transferred to Mackay in 1986.
50 Queensland Police Union Journal October 2012

Ian Francis “Tuffy” Tuffield
He became heavily involved with
rugby, playing for Brothers Mackay,
and continued to play for Queensland
police.
He transferred back to Brisbane the
following year to the Oxley District. In
1988, Ian moved in the Oxley Criminal
Investigation Branch and realised his
true calling as a detective.
He transferred to the then Task Force
Crime Operations where he worked
in numerous squads including the
Corrective Services Investigation
Unit.
While there, Ian and Corrective
Services investigator Michael Coogan
led Operation Cashbox into 12
suspicious prison deaths between
1993 and 1999.
Six of the deaths had previously been
deemed suicide or overdose. Most
were thought unsolveable. Thirteen
prisoners were eventually charged
with five murders, which resulted in
four convictions.
Ian was promoted to detective
sergeant in 1997 while working at the
Armed Robbery Squad. His two stints
“Tuffy had an innate ability and unparalleled
knowledge of a criminal’s genealogy, akin to a
bookie at Eagle Farm doing their homework on
a big race day.”
in the squad cemented his reputation
as the go-to detective for solving
armed robberies and serious crime
when all else failed.
It was a time when it was common
for armed and dangerous criminals to
rob banks and financial institutions.
As a former bank teller, he took his
work to heart, and appreciated the fear
suffered by the victims of these crimes.
His former colleagues said Ian’s
natural ability to obtain information
and ‘roll crooks’ opened up avenues
of investigations that were otherwise
unavailable.
Such was the case in the 2007
firebombing of the Rebels Brisbane
clubhouse, when Ian assisted
Taskforce Hydra detectives by turning
a senior member of the Bandidos into
a police informant.
Sadly, he was forced to retire,
medically unfit, in May 2008.
By then he had risen to the rank of
detective senior sergeant, and was
with the Dedicated Source Unit. This
was a ground-breaking squad of
which Ian was the founding officerin-charge
of statewide informant
management. After retirement, Ian
worked as a carpenter and owned a
handyman business.
Ian’s philosophy to policing and life in
general was simple: work hard for the
greater good, put your heart and soul
into what you do, and be honest and
Queensland Police Union Journal October 2012
51

Ian Francis “Tuffy” Tuffield
AN OPEN LETTER TO MEMBERS OF
THE QUEENSLAND POLICE SERVICE
I am writing to express my sincere
gratitude to all current and former
members of the Queensland Police
Service who have offered their love
and support following the passing
of my husband, Ian Francis ‘Tuffy’
Tuffield.
As a police wife, I was always aware
of the extreme toll that the job played
in a police officer’s everyday life. To
become a police officer, you must
have a passion, and a belief in being
able to in some small way change the
world around you and protect those
you serve.
“Tuffy’s two stints in the Armed Robbery Squad
cemented his reputation as the go-to detective
for solving armed robberies and serious crime
when all else failed.”
professional … but most of all, look
after your friends and the ones you
care about.
True to his philosophy, Tuffy was
passionate about his family and Irish
heritage. He married his second wife
Karen ‘Barbie’ Worthington in 1997 and
the couple doted on their two sons,
Patrick and Sean. Ian also took his role
as uncle and godfather very seriously.
He loved renovating his Queenslander,
spending time with family, and having
a punt on the races. His attention to
detail and incredible memory meant
he knew everything about the jockeys,
the horses, and their bloodlines.
Ian is survived by his sons Patrick
and Sean, wife Karen, five siblings,
his mother Joan, and the extended
Tuffield family.
Ian loved the job and he loved his
mates. It was not until Ian became
unwell that I realised the significance
of the ‘brotherhood’. You were the
mates who continued to support him,
myself, and our families, even after
he was unable to continue the job,
and you never deserted him in his
darkest hour, even though at times
this could be difficult.
Please remember that I will always
have the greatest respect for you all,
and the job that you do.
With sincere thanks,
Karen, Paddy, and Sean Tuffield
If it happens, protect yourself and your family
by immediately contacting the QPU office
Ph 3259 1900 (24 hours)
or your regional representative.
They will steer you in the right direction.
52
Queensland Police Union Journal October 2012

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or visit www.qpcu.com.au
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Police Recipes
Police Recipes
SOBA NOODLE SOUP
First sushi joints started popping up
all over the place, and now there are
noodle joints joining them. Just as we
are happy to line up for decent sushi
at lunch, we are also happy to form a
queue for noodles. However, there is
one huge difference between sushi
and noodle soup: sushi is hard to make,
whereas noodle soup is easy!
We like this soba noodle soup recipe
with beef, but you can substitute udon
noodles if you prefer, or chicken instead
of beef.
And remember, it is considered the
height of rudeness in Japan if you don’t
slurp your soup!
What do I need?
Serves 4
• 4 small pieces of steak
• 4 spring onions, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, crushed
• 1 red chilli, finely diced
• 8 cups chicken or vegetable stock
• 2 tablespoons ginger, grated
• 400g soba noodles
• 3 tablespoons soy sauce
• 3 tablespoons fish sauce
• snowpeas or sugar snap peas
• broccoli in small florets
• bean sprouts
• sesame oil to sprinkle
• coriander to garnish
What do I do?
1) Prepare noodles as per package.
2) Lightly cook steak in saucepan (don’t
overdo because it will cook further in
soup) and set aside. (If substituting
chicken, cook well.)
3) Fry spring onion, garlic, and chilli in
same saucepan.
4) Add stock, soy sauce, and fish sauce.
5) Add ginger, and then add more ginger,
soy sauce, or fish sauce to taste.
6) Add (uncooked) broccoli and
snowpeas or sugar snap peas.
7) Distribute noodles into four bowls
and pour soup over noodles.
8) Slice steak into thin strips and
arrange on top of noodles.
9) Add (uncooked) bean sprouts to top
of steak, sprinkle with sesame oil, and
garnish with coriander.
Do you have a favourite recipe that you’d like to share with members?
E-mail us at journal@qpu.asn.au
54
Queensland Police Union Journal October 2012

Book Review - Of Mice And Men
Book Review
Of Mice And Men
By Andrea Appleton
John Steinbeck’s classic 1937 novel Of Mice and Men is a touching tale
of mateship, and of unrequited hopes and dreams.
It’s a novel many were forced to
read in highschool, yet its 100 or so
pages are well worth another read for
a heartfelt appraisal of the vicissitudes
of life, and the lengths one goes to in
order to protect a companion and a
dream of a better future.
The novel’s title comes from a line of
a poem by Robert Burns: ‘The best
laid schemes of mice and men / Often
go awry’. It is these schemes that the
two main characters discuss as they
travel from one job and to another in
the midst of the Great Depression in
California.
George Milton and Lennie Small are
unlikely companions; George is small,
intelligent, and quick to ill temper,
yet he is fiercely protective of Lennie,
a giant of a man with intellectual
difficulties.
The pair were forced to leave their
previous employ due to Lennie’s
indiscretion, and George feels
burdened by his friend.
Still, the two share a dream of
attaining their own piece of land, and
they discuss plans for the property
when they camp by a river the night
before their arrival at the new ranch
where they are to work.
At the ranch, George and Lennie meet
their co-workers, including Curley, the
boss’s aggressive son who instantly
dislikes Lennie.
George is concerned about Curley
even before they meet his flirtatious
wife, who seems to enjoy causing
disharmony among the workers.
Despite the threat George senses
from Curley, he is overjoyed to meet
Candy, an aging ranch hand who
offers to fund the dream of George
and Lennie’s farm if he is able to live
there with them.
With the reality of their farm finally in
sight, George lets down his guard and
goes to have a drink with the other
men, leaving Lennie at the ranch.
Lennie does not join the men for a
drink because he wants to stay with
his new puppy, and he goes to the
barn to play with it. Not knowing his
own strength, he accidentally kills the
puppy while petting it.
At this point, Curley’s wife appears
in the barn and tries to talk to Lennie.
Realising that Lennie likes to stroke
soft things, she allows him to touch
her hair, but then panics when she
realises how strong he is.
Lennie is confused at her panic and
tries to calm her, accidentally breaking
her neck in the process. Lennie knows
he is in big trouble and takes off to the
river, where George has told him to
wait if anything goes wrong.
When the men return to the ranch,
they find Curley’s wife, and set out
in search of Lennie. George knows
John Steinbeck
Penguin Books Australia
Melbourne, 2006
RRP: $12.95
that they will kill him, and his dream
of a quiet life on a farm with Lennie
evaporates.
George finds Lennie at the river, and
he recites the well known tale of
their farm as they hear the other men
closing in on them. George has to
decide what to do with his gun ...
Queensland Police Union Journal October 2012 55

From the Archives
From the Archives
THE RIDERLESS HORSE, 1947
When Mounted police formed a guard of honour at the funeral of Constable August Manthey in Oxley, Brisbane in 1947,
a riderless horse took part. It was Constable Manthey’s horse when he was a member of the Mounted police. The late
Constable, who died after a long illness, was sworn in on 8 March 1932. He was an outstanding horseman and was judged
the best police horseman at the Royal Show on several occasions.
Source: The Queensland Police Museum, PM No. 1842.
Each month we print a photo from the archives to
showcase the history of the Queensland police service.
We are always on the lookout for any old policing photos,
so please send in any you may have.
56
Queensland Police Union Journal October 2012

The College for Law and Justice Administration is committed to recognising police experience, knowledge,
skills and training to provide current and former Police Officers with Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
towards more than 70 Nationally Recognised Qualifications from the study areas below.
P O L I C E R P L
Justice - Government - Security and Risk Management - Occupational Health and Safety - Management -
Business - Legal Services - Training and Assessment - Investigative Services - Driver Training -
Community Services - Corrections - Financial Services - Public Safety - Fitness
Turn your Policing experience into a qualification today www.PoliceRPL.com.au 1300 760 605
Queensland Police Union Journal October 2012 57

Police Living
Police Living
ROAMER AIR CHAIR V2
With summer well and truly on its way, great weather will entice you out into the great outdoors.
Rather than risk sitting on a bindi patch or ant’s nest, why not rest yourself on a fabulous air chair
at least a foot above the ground? Compact, lightweight, and oh-so-comfy, this chair will ensure you
are the envy of all at every BBQ and picnic. But it comes with a warning: you must ensure to always
place this chair within arm’s reach of the esky, otherwise your ant-bitten mates will claim it when you
are off seeking refreshment.
Material
Inflated size
Weight
Load capacity
Velour upper finish and PVC base
85cm L x 85cm H x 53cm seated height
1.9kg
90kg
Do you have a great picture of yourself out enjoying the great outdoors? We have a
$50 BCF voucher up for grabs for our favourite shot, so send your pictures to us at
journal@qpu.asn.au. You might see yourself in the next Journal.
58
Queensland Police Union Journal October 2012

Police Living
Below are some fabulous photos we received in
response to our Police Living section.
Senior Constable Jo Bryne from Caboolture District
Scenes of Crime has been surfing for quite a few
years. She has always related to the old school
philosophy of surfing, which encompasses the
style and grace of big wooden boards. She explains
how she came to create her own hollow wooden
surfboard:
The early days of surfing involved wooden boards
being surfed in a stylish way, which is quite different
from the aggressive short board style that you see a lot
these days.
I have worked with wood over the years and have
really loved creating with this natural material. I
recently found an article on building hollow wooden
surf boards, and was really keen to have a go. I
sourced a building manual from a very experienced
builder called Jack Young. He has been building
boards for many years, and encourages novices to get
involved. He has a great website which shows many
photos of boards built using his manual.
I spent many hours cutting the planks to make the
board, and used recycled timber and wood available
from hardware stores, such as pine and Australian
hardwood. The board is built by creating a frame first,
and then gluing planks to the frame. The whole thing is
then fibre glassed, like a foam surf board.
Wooden boards are generally quite a bit heavier than
foam boards, but if light wood (such as balsa) is used,
they can still end up being quite light. My board ended
up fairly heavy, but it’s very nice to paddle and surf on.
It took Senior Constable Byrne six months to construct her surfboard in her back shed,
and she receives a $50 BCF voucher for her feat!
If it happens, protect yourself and your family
by immediately contacting the QPU office
Ph 3259 1900 (24 hours)
or your regional representative.
They will steer you in the right direction.
Queensland Police Union Journal October 2012 59

Day in the Life of Sergeant Anna Dwyer
Day in the Life of Sergeant Anna Dwyer,
Strategic and Cultural Policy,
Brisbane Police Headquarters
By Andrea Appleton
Sergeant Anna Dwyer’s philosophy for life is simple. She believes
que sera, sera (whatever will be, will be), and it’s this outlook that
initially led to her becoming a police officer.
‘I got an OP7, and when I opened up
the QTAC book, Bachelor of Justice
Studies at QUT was a 7,’ she explains.
‘So I put that as my first preference.
‘At QUT, practically every person I
met was doing the course to become
a police officer. I had a Uni friend who
joined the police, and all of a sudden
she had a job, and some money,
so she encouraged me to put my
application in.
‘I went to Headquarters and they
indicated that they needed more
women in the job, and more people
from multicultural backgrounds.’
So Sgt Dwyer applied to join the QPS,
and once accepted, her willingness
to embrace different life experiences
has taken her right around the state to
police in coastal, remote, and urban
communities.
Sgt Dwyer first went from the
Academy in 1998 to Cairns generals
for three years, and then she did a
three-year stint in Coolum. Next she
spent two years in the CIB in Mareeba,
and then went back to generals in
Bamaga (at the top of Cape York) for
six months.
In between Mareeba and Bamaga, Sgt
Dwyer met her husband Mark, who is
also a police officer. They spent some
time in a long distance relationship,
and then spent six years working in
Weipa together.
Sgt Dwyer at Napranum, about 10 minutes south of Weipa. Napranum is an indigenous community subject to
Alcohol Management Plans.
“At the top of Cape York, I wouldn’t have seen
any of this, but now I’ve come right into the
centre of it all in Brisbane.”
For 12 months in the middle of her
stay in Weipa, Sgt Dwyer left the QPS.
She first drove a truck for Rio Tinto,
and then worked as a probation and
parole officer for Corrective Services.
She then returned to the QPS as a
Constable, and after another couple of
years in Weipa, decided she’d like to
try a stint off road.
She applied for two jobs
simultaneously: one as a Cross Cultural
Liaison Officer on Thursday Island,
and the other in the Strategic and
Cultural Policy Unit at Headquarters in
Brisbane. And que sera, sera, she was
offered the role in Brisbane late last
year, and has been trying to adapt to
her office job ever since.
WHAT DO YOU SEE AS YOUR ROLE?
Sgt Dwyer’s role in the Office of the
Commissioner came about after the
merging of the Cultural Advisory
Unit and the Policy Unit. The current
Strategic and Cultural Policy Unit
deals not only with cultural policy, but
overall policy for the QPS.
One aspect of Sgt Dwyer’s role is to
work on the Cultural Appreciation
Project.
60 Queensland Police Union Journal October 2012

Day in the Life of Sergeant Anna Dwyer
‘It’s a training project to teach QPS
staff about indigenous issues,’ Sgt
Dwyer says. ‘I go out to the Academy
and lecture the recruits about policing
in indigenous communities, having
had experience in these communities
myself.
‘I advise them of different approaches,
and remind them that what could
work in a mainstream community
might not work up there. A lot of it is
about more effective communication,
and about how to operate in an area
where you don’t have backup. It’s
just you, your friend, and a car … and
that’s it.’
With regards to the overall QPS policy
aspects of her job, Sgt Dwyer feels as
though she is still learning.
‘My manager has got me learning a lot
of what goes on in policy,’ she says.
‘We have to get briefs ready for the
Commissioner, and everything has to
be done perfectly.
Sgt Dwyer in the troopy at the Jardine River, Cape York, in the Bamaga Division.
“I feel like I’ve been around the state: I’ve been
coastal, I’ve been remote, and now I’m urban, so
if I’m thinking about the whole organisation,
I can picture it.”
‘There is a weekly CEO meeting
where the Commissioner meets with
other DGs, so we have to ensure the
Commissioner is properly informed of
all the issues across the QPS.’
WHAT DO YOU LIKE ABOUT YOUR
ROLE?
‘Coming from the execution level of
what police do, in generals, and then
moving into the section that deals
with how and why it all comes about
is really interesting to see,’ Sgt Dwyer
says.
‘At the top of Cape York, I wouldn’t
have seen any of this, but now I’ve
come right into the centre of it all in
Brisbane.
‘Being in a section like policy,
you have to think of the whole
organisation,’ Sgt Dwyer continues.
‘I feel like I’ve been around the state:
I’ve been coastal, I’ve been remote,
and now I’m urban, so if I’m thinking
about the whole organisation, I can
picture it. I have to work out if a policy
will work everywhere, and
because I’ve lived those scenarios, I
can think about the people in all those
different areas.’
WHAT DON’T YOU LIKE ABOUT YOUR
ROLE?
‘Being inside!’ Sgt Dwyer admits
immediately. ‘That’s just the nature
of having an office job: some people
love it, but for others, it takes time to
get used to.
‘Coming to Brisbane was a complete
flip of dynamics for me,’ Sgt Dwyer
says. ‘I came from obscurity, where
there were hardly any people, big
wide open spaces, and you might see
your Inspector two or three times a
year.
‘Now I’m amongst the crowds, I’m
sitting in an office where everything’s
happening, and I see my bosses every
day in the lift.
‘But that’s the great thing about the
QPS,’ Sgt Dwyer says, ‘that you can
do that, and have so many different
roles in the same job.’
WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR STICKIEST
SITUATION?
‘I was in Aurukun for a short time,’ Sgt
Dwyer says. ‘One day we were driving
down the street and a fella waved
us down. He was panicking and he
opened up my car door and he ripped
me out of the car by the shirt.
‘He practically dragged to me his
house, and into his lounge room,
where I saw that he had stabbed his
defacto. She was bleeding, and she
was screaming at me: “Help, help!”
It was very distressing, but I saw so
much blood that I just knew in my
heart that I wasn’t going to be able to
help her.
‘I’d only been in Aurukun two or three
days, after a year out of the QPS,’ Sgt
Dwyer continued. ‘I knew there wasn’t
an ambulance, but I knew there was
a clinic. The other guy I was working
with was trying to stem the bleeding,
and I drove to find the clinic.
‘The nurse came in their troopie, and
took her back to the clinic. I stayed at
Queensland Police Union Journal October 2012
61

Day in the Life of Sergeant Anna Dwyer
A message for Sgt Dwyer from Oprah.
In Sydney for the Oprah show.
“The producer came up
to the police station in
Weipa with cameras,
and Oprah had done
a video for me on a
laptop.”
the crime scene, but I soon knew that
she had died, because in one moment,
I heard the whole community start
mourning.
Sgt Dwyer’s husband Mark organises for Oprah’s film crew to suprise Sgt Dwyer at Weipa station.
‘It was a moment of helplessness,’
Sgt Dwyer says, ‘and I thought, “What
on earth am I doing here?” This was
during my first few days back on the
job after a year away, so there was a
moment of wondering what I’d got
myself into. But I’m still here now, so
maybe I’m meant to be.’
WHEN YOU’RE NOT AT WORK, WHAT
ARE YOU DOING?
‘Most of my family is in south east
Queensland, so it’s good to catch up
with them now that I’m back this way,’
Sgt Dwyer says.
‘My two nieces live with me during
school term, because their parents
live out in remote New South Wales.
I’m really enjoying this time with them
because I’d been away for so long.
Sgt Dwyer is suprised!
‘I’ve also taken up Toastmasters,’ Sgt
Dwyer says. ‘It’s a fortnightly event,
62
Queensland Police Union Journal October 2012

Day in the Life of Sergeant Anna Dwyer
and we do different activities to
improve public speaking.’
Perhaps it was the public speaking
skills that first impressed Oprah when
she saw the video that Sgt Dwyer sent
her.
‘About halfway through 2010, Oprah
announced to the world that she was
going to do her last season, after
25 years of the Oprah show,’ Sgt
Dwyer says. ‘I’ve always been a fan of
Oprah’s, and I had always wanted to
go to a show.
‘I got my husband Mark to help me;
we went around Weipa and made a
little video,’ Sgt Dwyer says. ‘There
was a lot of red dirt in the background,
and I talked about how I was a big fan.
‘The whole time Mark was filming,
he was thinking, “No-one’s going to
see this, you’re making such a fool of
yourself”, whereas I was thinking, “Oh
my God, Oprah’s going to see this! I’m
going to a show, I can’t wait!”
‘So I sent my video off, but I never
heard anything,’ Sgt Dwyer says.
‘Then they e-mailed to interview me
over phone, but again, I didn’t hear
anything.
‘I later realised this was because
behind the scenes, they were planning
with Mark to fly up and surprise me. In
the end, the producer came up to the
“It was a moment of
helplessness, and I
thought, ‘What on earth
am I doing here?’”
police station in Weipa with cameras,
and Oprah had done a video for me on
a laptop.
‘There was Oprah saying, “Hi, Anna!”
That was a Thursday, and a show was
being filmed in Sydney the following
Tuesday. They flew us down first
class, and we stayed in the Shangri-
La overlooking the Harbour. We had
front row seats to her show, right near
Gayle King.
‘If you look at Oprah,’ says Sgt Dwyer,
‘she’s an American success story. She
came from extreme poverty, she’s
female, and she’s black, so I think
sometimes when we’re looking for
mentors, we try to look for someone
we can identify with.
‘I often look at her and think about the
American business world: she would
have had to be ruthless, and hard, and
she did it,’ Sgt Dwyer says.
‘So if I look at the QPS, and I think the
picture doesn’t necessarily look like
me, it doesn’t worry me,’ Sgt Dwyer
says. ‘I’m not hindered because I’m
female, or because of my cultural
background.
‘My thinking is that if it’s meant for
me, then it will happen,’ Sgt Dwyer
continues. ‘It’s an interesting thing
to look around, for example at the
Commissioner’s dinner, and think,
“Here I am, this person in this space;
why am I here?”
‘I guess my time is supposed to be
here at this point, so I’ll just go with it
until the next door opens,’ Sgt Dwyer
says. ‘And the next door may open
somewhere totally different.’
Queensland Police Union Journal October 2012
63

Out and About
Out and About
MURRI RUGBY LEAGUE CARNIVAL, IPSWICH
Constable Steve Harris from Gordonvale, Sergeant Steve Tillett from Cairns, and
Senior PLO Roy Hodges from Boondall.
Senior PLO Glen Waters from Toowoomba, Senior PLO Philip Luafutu from Ipswich,
and PLO Baptist Dyet from Ipswich.
Jason-Bruce Taylor from Petrie, Naizel Tomsana from Hammond Island, and
Constable Quentin Barba from Cairns.
Constable Russell Mundy from Boondall and Constable Paul Renouf from
Loganholme.
CALOUNDRA MUSIC FESTIVAL
Constable Ash Pickwick from Ipswich, Sergeant Steve Tillet from Cairns, and
Shane Eggmolesse from HQ.
Senior Constable Russ Connor and Senior Constable
Phil Ahrens from Kawana station.
Senior Constable Deagon Grime and Senior
Constable Paul Vechtrite from Caloundra station.
Senior Constable Stu Culley and Senior Constable
Lee Allan from Caloundra station.
Queensland Police Union Journal October 2012 65

Ronald McDonald House Charity Concert
Ronald McDonald House
Charity Concert
The QPU Annual Conference held in May saw the Union adopt
Ronald McDonald House as this year’s charity.
The aim of the Union is to raise $10,000 to refurbish a room at
Ronald McDonald House in Herston.
The staff of the QPU demonstrated
their commitment by participating in
the ‘Make a Meal’ program at Ronald’s
house in Herston. An article about this
event was in the July Journal. In that
article, the General Secretary asked
our 10,000+ members to donate the
price of one cup of coffee.
The Queensland Police Service Pipes
and Drums felt that they could do a
little more than donate the price of
one cup of coffee. The QPS Pipes and
Drums asked some of their musical
colleagues, the Royal Australian
Artillery Band (Brisbane), to lend a
hand.
On Wednesday 23 August, for the first
time ever, the two groups performed
on the same bill at the Kedron-Wavell
Community Centre.
These two bands provided a soulstirring
evening that was both magical
and emotive. Both bands had a wide
and versatile repertoire encompassing
contemporary and traditional music.
Both the Royal Australian Artillery
Band (Brisbane) and the Queensland
Police Service Pipes and Drums
regularly serve the Queensland
community by performing at charity
events, schools, and community
events around the state.
“With this one occasion of beautiful music,
they raised $1,000 for the QPU’s charity, Ronald
McDonald House, Herston.”
QPU’s charity, Ronald McDonald
House at Herston.
We are edging towards the halfway
mark of $5,000, but we need more. So
we are asking each and every officer
to help raise the rest. It’s not that hard!
The Christmas season will soon be
upon us, so perhaps some funds can
be raised through social clubs.
Parties will be planned, or maybe
you are holding a golf day? Add $2 to
the cost and donate it in the name of
the social club! Even a rip around the
office could do it!
To make a donation to Ronald
McDonald House, please direct debit:
Bank: Westpac
BSB: 034-002
Acc. No: 869645
Ref: AUX No. 5000
With this one occasion of beautiful
music, they raised $1,000 for the
66 Queensland Police Union Journal October 2012

Ronald McDonald House Charity Concert
Queensland Police Union Journal October 2012
67

THANK YOU
THANK YOU
On behalf of the Queensland Police Union and the Queensland Police Service, we would like to extend our sincerest thanks to the men and
women On behalf who of serve the Queensland as Health and Police Safety Union Representatives and the Queensland Trained Police Safety Service, Advisors we would for the like job to they extend do our in ensuring sincerest health thanks and to safety the men in the and
workplace. women who A special serve as thanks Health to and all of Safety the Regional Representatives and Command Trained Health Safety & Safety Advisors Coordinators for the job and they do staff in of ensuring Safety and health Well‐being and safety for in the
managing workplace. everything. A special thanks to all of the Regional and Command Health & Safety Coordinators and the staff of Safety and Well‐being for
managing everything.
Central Region ‐ Graeme Cameron, Health and Safety Coordinator
Health Central & Safety Region Representatives
‐ Graeme Cameron, Health and Safety Coordinator
David
Health
Lemalu
& Safety Representatives
Timothy Staunton Andy J Bruce Michael Despot Jim Beck Dan Graha Mary –Ann Thompson
Daniel
David
Laas
Lemalu
Amy
Timothy
Mackenzie
Staunton
Steven
Andy J
Barry
Bruce
Wayne
Michael
Mason
Despot
Roberto
Jim Beck
Maragna
Dan Graha Mary –Ann Thompson
Trained
Daniel
Safety
Laas
Advisors
Amy Mackenzie Steven Barry Wayne Mason Roberto Maragna
Alexander
Trained Safety
Nezic
Advisors
John Kerslake Kevin Whicker Louise Griffin Natalie Giles Raylene Schulz Steve O’Connor
Toni
Alexander
Ryan
Nezic
Trevor
John Kerslake
Robinson
Kevin Whicker Louise Griffin Natalie Giles Raylene Schulz Steve O’Connor
Toni Ryan
Trevor Robinson
Far Northern Region ‐ Wayne Grosser, Health and Safety Coordinator, and Melanie Booij (Acting)
Health Far Northern & Safety Representatives
Region ‐ Wayne Grosser, Health and Safety Coordinator, and Melanie Booij (Acting)
Donal
Health
Roseby
& Safety Representatives
Peter Blake Carl Erhardt Jeffrey Tanswell Brett Jenkins David Hanna Cassandra Hill
Bruce
Donal
Mcdonald
Roseby
Tony
Peter
Anderson
Blake
Richard
Carl Erhardt
Hinrichsen James
Jeffrey
Montague
Tanswell
Sandra
Brett Jenkins
Lewis Robert
David
Trainor
Hanna
Andrew
Cassandra
Osborne
Hill
Ian
Bruce
Clay
Mcdonald
Troy
Tony
Barnes
Anderson Richard Hinrichsen James Montague Sandra Lewis Robert Trainor Andrew Osborne
Trained
Ian Clay
Safety Advisors
Troy Barnes
Andrew
Trained
Cowie
Safety Advisors
Brett Smith Bruce Murray Susan Gill Duane Bakker Gary Hunter Grant Jackson
Janene
Andrew
Stanley
Cowie
Jeffrey
Brett Smith
Magnus John
Bruce
Bland
Murray
Justin
Susan
Littlefield
Gill
Leigh
Duane
Marriott
Bakker
Mark
Gary
Whitnall
Hunter
Matthew
Grant Jackson
Rohde
Nicole
Janene
Parise
Stanley
Phil
Jeffrey
Engelmann
Magnus
Robert
John Bland
Morriss Rodney
Justin Littlefield
Rankin Winfried
Leigh Marriott
Weiss Glen
Mark
Jones
Whitnall
Luke
Matthew
Tulacz
Rohde
Christopher
Nicole Parise
McBride
Phil Engelmann Robert Morriss Rodney Rankin Winfried Weiss Glen Jones Luke Tulacz
Christopher McBride
Metro North Region ‐ Sam MacPherson, Health and Safety Coordinator
Health Metro & North Safety Representatives
Region ‐ Sam MacPherson, Health and Safety Coordinator
David
Health
Gould
& Safety Representatives
Mark Finch Gavin Armstrong Brendan McKinless Gregory Smith Martin Shone Shane Smith
Michael
David Gould
Forbes Peter
Mark
Bellars
Finch
Robert
Gavin
Baglin
Armstrong Brendan McKinless Gregory Smith Martin Shone Shane Smith
Trained
Michael
Safety
Forbes
Advisors
Peter Bellars Robert Baglin
Brett
Trained
Hutton
Safety Advisors
Brett Sell Brett Sweeney Bruce Notman Carmel Hull Caro‐an Ferreira Colin Giles
Daniel
Brett
O’Connor
Hutton
Darren
Brett Sell
Conradi Daryl
Brett
Sopp
Sweeney
David
Bruce
Harmer
Notman
David
Carmel
Wilson
Hull
Don
Caro‐an
Dunstan
Ferreira
Gavin
Colin
Chandler
Giles
Helen
Daniel
Wicham
O’Connor
Jason
Darren
Pinnell
Conradi
John
Daryl
Boroevich
Sopp
Kara
David
Voznaks
Harmer
Kerstin
David
Paff
Wilson
Kirsteen
Don Dunstan
Bull Leeann
Gavin Chandler
Roach
Marcus
Helen Wicham
Elliott Matthew
Jason Pinnell
Byles Matthew
John Boroevich
Good Michael
Kara Voznaks
O’Sullivan Nathan
Kerstin
Benns
Paff
Paul
Kirsteen
Braithwaite
Bull
Paul
Leeann
Gurieff
Roach
Murray
Marcus
Cavanough
Elliott
Peter
Matthew
Long
Byles
Stephen
Matthew
Platz
Good
Stephen
Michael
Salmon
O’Sullivan
Steven
Nathan
Goulden
Benns
Susan
Paul Braithwaite
Stibbard Tasman
Paul Gurieff
Watkins
Zoe
Murray
Hayward
Cavanough
Chris
Peter
McAneny
Long
Deborah
Stephen
Wise
Platz
Kerry
Stephen
Parker
Salmon
Melanie
Steven
Stuart
Goulden Susan Stibbard Tasman Watkins
Zoe Hayward Chris McAneny Deborah Wise Kerry Parker Melanie Stuart
Metro South Region ‐ Richard Kenway, Health and Safety Coordinator
Health Metro & South Safety Representatives
Region ‐ Richard Kenway, Health and Safety Coordinator
James
Health
Rowe
& Safety Representatives
Mick Kelly Brian Harrigan Lee Jenkinson Aaron Nutschnig Cameron Pope Mark Young
Trained
James
Safety
Rowe
Advisors
Mick Kelly Brian Harrigan Lee Jenkinson Aaron Nutschnig Cameron Pope Mark Young
Andrew
Trained
Guthrie
Safety Advisors
Angela Hull Anne Fewson Anthony Vlismas Bradley Shaw Brett Barney Christopher Allanson
Christopher
Andrew Guthrie
Davey Darryl
Angela
Gray
Hull
David
Anne
McDougall
Fewson
Graham
Anthony
Hedges
Vlismas
Gregory
Bradley
Collins
Shaw
Ian
Brett
Dugdale
Barney
Ian
Christopher
Gillard
Allanson
Jeffrey
Christopher
Reilly
Davey
John
Darryl
Lloyd‐Jones
Gray
Karen
David
Parker
McDougall
Lawrence
Graham Hedges
Thorne Michael
Gregory
Rasborsek
Collins
Nigel
Ian Dugdale
Lewis Paul
Ian
Sanderson
Gillard
Peter
Jeffrey
Nicol
Reilly
Ross
John
Murphy
Lloyd‐Jones
Stephen
Karen Parker
Gough Steven
Lawrence
Brown
Thorne
Theresa
Michael
Robinson
Rasborsek
Michael
Nigel Lewis
Colburn Chris
Paul
Mundt
Sanderson
Hedley
Peter Nicol
Shepstone Michael
Ross Murphy
Morier Steven
Stephen
Apps
Gough Steven Brown Theresa Robinson Michael Colburn Chris Mundt
Hedley Shepstone Michael Morier Steven Apps
North Coast Region ‐ Kevin Hall, Health and Safety Coordinator
Health North & Coast Safety Region Representatives ‐ Kevin Hall, Health and Safety Coordinator
Karl
Health
Meissner
& Safety Representatives
Donna Gay Shane Rockley Jason Austin Wendy Marshall Danielle Gordon Peter Bailey
Sharon
Karl Meissner
Spinks Darryn
Donna
Morris
Gay
Trevor
Shane
Acheson
Rockley
Michael
Jason Austin
O’Gorman David
Wendy
Caffrey
Marshall
Paul
Danielle
Rohweder
Gordon
Stuart
Peter
Culley
Bailey
Mark
Sharon
Wright
Spinks
Michael
Darryn
Thomassen
Morris Trevor Acheson
Sharon
Michael
Barton
O’Gorman
Bill
David
Morris
Caffrey
Karl
Paul
Yates
Rohweder Stuart Culley
Trained
Mark Wright
Safety Advisors
Michael Thomassen Sharon Barton Bill Morris Karl Yates
Amanda
Trained
Matthews
Safety Advisors
Amy Taylor Andrew Partington Andrian Edge Annette Smyth Anthony Reilly Brett Freshwater
Brett
Amanda
Gillard
Matthews
Carolyn
Amy Taylor
McNamee Christopher
Andrew Partington
Mahon Craig
Andrian
Sanderson
Edge
Darrin
Annette
Tomkins
Smyth
David
Anthony
Marks
Reilly
Diana
Brett
Heatley
Freshwater
Donna
Brett
Sperling
Gillard
Elissa
Carolyn
Dodd
McNamee
Francis
Christopher
Lawler
Mahon
Graham
Craig Sanderson
Bubb James
Darrin
Northfield
Tomkins
Janet
David
Winstone
Marks
Jason
Diana
Armgadt
Heatley
Donna Sperling Elissa Dodd Francis Lawler Graham Bubb James Northfield Janet Winstone Jason Armgadt
68
Queensland Police Union Journal October 2012

John Llewellyn John Warner Justin Ward Mark Spencer Martin Bond Matt Taylor Michael Porrett
Paul Atkinson Peter Thompson Rebecca Wilson Stephen Evans Stephen Kirby Stephen McCormack Stephen Stagoll
Stewart Puxty Tim Fleming Timothy Marrinan Trevor Ferling Vicki McCrohon Warren Broughton Wayne Watts
Brad Weeks David Lonergan Hector Lawson Karina Stark Peter Wals h Tania Beavis
Northern Region ‐ Renae Elliott, Health and Safety Coordinator
Health & Safety Representatives
Adrian Rieck Adrian Geary Michael Molloy Stuart Buchanan Kelly Hutley Chloe Morrison Russell Smith
Gregory Raynor Simon Taylor Glenn Lawrence Justin Trinder Michael Crow Wayne Lord
Trained Safety Advisors
Anthony Hosie Bianca Dixon Brett Lone Catherine Purcell David Rutherford Garry Hutcheson Gregory Heathcote
Leonie Henwood Peter Steyger Vincent Prasser Wayne Shackell Greg Hollyman
Operations Support Command ‐ Sue Kelso, Occupational Health and Safety Coordinator
Health & Safety Representatives
Jemma Williamson Clint Thomasson Arthur New James Burton Ian Carroll Gail Dixon Kathleen Neilsen
Michael Postill Andrew Stanley Susan Maxwell Stephen Batterham Shawn Tansley Trent Lucas Ian Smith
Trained Safety Advisors
Adam Green Adrian Bensted Amy Gauci Andrew Hamilton Anita Zerk Bill O’Donnell Brett Price
Catherine Logan Christopher O’Shea Clinton Hanson Colin Rido Damien Gates David Edden David Sheedy
Denise Pickering Gary Hall Gary Nugent Glen Gunthorpe Graham Moffitt Greg MacPherson Helen Galloway
James Worthington Jo Hamwood John Goldsworthy Karl Hahne Kevin Pring Kristy Godena Liana Rendace
Lyza‐Jane McMenz Mark Dent Michael Drahm Michael Morley Paul Kelly Paul Mason Robert Bairstow
Robert Eley Robyn Henderson Russell Brierley Scott Raven Sean O’Donovan Sean Whittet Sheli Kirby
Stuart Ellison Timothy Hooker Vince Bellet Wendy De Groot Yvette Tarrier Bradley Doolan David Bell
Graham Hunt Julie Mayo Mark Farnill Robin Hyde Steven Cook
South East Region ‐ Di Willison, Health and Safety Coordinator
Health & Safety Representatives
Adam Samuels Stuart McConaghy Kylee Cruickshank Dean Gallager Michael Clift Stephen Quinn Malcolm Scott
Elizabeth Smith Christopher O’Neill
Trained Safety Advisors
Andrew Magro Andrew Zaal Anthony Topan Anthony Williams Axel Pfuhl Bob Lewis Bruce KuhnCharles Ingha
Chris Stewart Christopher Stewart Craig Nielsen David Gillies David Little Diana Kingston Gregory Frost
Gregory McDonald Kathryn Moran Mark Harmer Matthew Johnston Melissa Anderson Michael House Natalie Cole
Neil Campbell Nick Sellars Raymond Corcoran Reece O’Connor Richard Kennish Scott Bolitho Terrence Armstrong
Brendan O’Reilly David Glaister Mark Simpson Peter Allender
Southern Region
Health & Safety Representatives
Jeannie Murray Joseph Murray Lynette Little Philip Lickorish Craig Marshall Russell McKee Stephen Johnson
Timothy Hutton Robert Bushman Shane Gleeson
Trained Safety Advisors
Adam Saul Andy Howlett Damian Wells Garry Stephen Gerard Brady Gregory Benfer Ian Buskmaster
Kim Clist Leslie Aspery Paul Hart Rowland Brown Stephen Perkins Sue West Gregory Kidd
State Crime Operations Command ‐ Sue Olsen, Health, Safety, and Injury Management Coordinator
Health & Safety Representatives
Renee Herbert Ross Armour Sasha Finney Tanya Walters Luke Fuller Andrew Millmore Richard Fry
Damien Powell Tika Shelton
Trained Safety Advisors
Aaron Channer Andrew White Bradley Rees Craig Pratt Ian Stahlhut Jess Mangan John Kilburn
Jonathan Christensen Karen Heit Larry Worsley Martin Lambert Matthew Bliss Peter Hocken Peter Jory
Peter Kingsley Rodney Dickson Rodney Shelton Sean Breaker Trevor Klink John Hodge Peter Galovic
Tara Kentwell
Corporate Services ‐ Scott Heber, Health and Safety Coordinator
Health & Safety Representatives
Caitlin Lavelle Naomi Skyring Anna‐Lise Bolton Garry Ryan Steven Milic Lynelle Wykes Terrence Wendt
Adam Carnes Geoffrey Wyvill Steven Milic
Trained Safety Advisors
Catherine Lowry Karen Willemse Ian Thompson Lee Best Neale Hall Steve Jenkins Peter Finnigan
Shane Williams Ian Jensen Cam Diep Coral Woods Deborah Fayers Michael Rowlands Claeton Fuller
Stacy Tubnor Nelia Hay Patrick Daly Miles Rogers Judy Sunstrom
Education and Training
Trained Safety Advisors
Adrian Robb Brian King Cassandra Bull Christine Burton Dean Thurtell Elita Kayra Enid Nind
Gavin De la Cruz James Archer Jeremy Lloyd‐Jones Julie Crabbe Michael Hoffmann Mike Hennessy Ross Smart
Susan Moran Timothy Bins Helene Hine Shayne Ingram
Queensland Police Union Journal October 2012 69

Workstation Assessments - A difference between comfort and injury
WORKSTATION ASSESSMENTS -
A difference between comfort and injury
By Rosemary Featherstone, QPU WH&S Officer
The majority of Queensland Police Service staff use a computer
workstation in the course of their work on a daily basis. Working at
a computer workstation can contribute to back, neck, and shoulder
pains, eyestrain, and overuse injuries of the hands and wrists. The
risks can be reduced or eliminated with proper workstation design,
improved posture, and good working habits.
Occupational overuse
syndrome (OOS) is a type of injury
common to fingers, hands, wrists,
and elbows. It is caused by repetitive
movements or awkward postures.
OOS is also known as repetitive strain
injury or RSI.
Symptoms include swelling, pain,
and weakness in the affected joints.
Vulnerable tendons can be overworked
and inflamed by repetitious, manual
tasks such as working on a keyboard.
Sometimes poor workspace design or
work practices contribute to OOS, and
making minor changes can alleviate or
prevent the condition.
The set-up of the workstation,
therefore, can make the difference
between comfortable computer work
and injury. The set-up directly impacts
on the working postures of many of
the muscles and joints, from head to
toe.
A good work station set-up can
reduce fatigue and discomfort in your
muscles and joints, and can help to
reduce the chance of injury to those
muscles and joints.
At a recent WHS Committee meeting
for Corporate Services, the Health
“Working at a computer workstation can
contribute to back, neck, and shoulder pains,
eyestrain, and overuse injuries of the hands
and wrists.”
and Safety Coordinator (HSC) Scott
Heber raised the issue of this type of
musculoskeletal injury, and the need
to provide training to Trained Safety
Advisors (TSAs) and Health and Safety
Representatives (HSRs) so they can
assist in assessing workstations as
required.
With support from the QPU, Scott
liaised with Sue Olsen, the SCOC
Health, Safety, and Injury Management
Coordinator, and made arrangements
with Safety and Well-Being to provide
Workstation Assessment Assessor
Training to a large number of TSAs
and HSRs. Rebecca Formosa, Senior
Project Officer of Safety and Well-
Being, facilitated the course.
Rebecca stated the purpose of the
course was to provide TSAs and HSRs
with the ability to assess a workstation
using some of the principles of
workstation ergonomics. Ergonomics
is essentially about ‘fitting work to
70 Queensland Police Union Journal October 2012

Workstation Assessments - A difference between comfort and injury
“Ergonomics is essentially about ‘fitting work
to people’. It is the process of designing or
arranging workplaces, products, and systems
so that they fit the people who use them.”
people’. It is the process of designing
or arranging workplaces, products,
and systems so that they fit the people
who use them.
Rebecca hoped that an understanding
of a good workstation design could
be achieved by focusing on office
chairs, lighting, noise, positioning
of monitors, keyboards, mouse, and
documents.
The purpose of these assessments
should be to assist in preventing a
‘workstation manual handling’ injury.
Rebecca stressed that specialised
workstation assessments should
be conducted when an officer has
a musculoskeletal injury, pain and
discomfort, a tall or short stature, or a
specific disability.
Assessments may need to be
completed by an occupational
therapist or trained ergonomist.
Requests for this type of assessment
need to be made with the Region’s
or Command’s Health and Safety
Coordinator.
Step-by-step, from office chairs to
monitor height to mouse usage,
everyone was taken through the
methodology to correctly and safely
set up a workstation.
Three primary factors that affect
comfort and well-being are specific
job tasks, an officer’s body size, and
particular equipment.
The worker should have adequate
workspace to perform each of the
tasks required by the job, so the key to
doing an assessment is ensuring that
you fully understand the tasks that
need to be done, who is completing
the tasks, and what equipment they
need to complete that task.
Some tips when using your computer
are:
1. Adjust your chair.
• Adjust chair height so that your
elbows are by your side and level
with your desk, or slightly above
the desk.
• Adjust the height of the backrest
to support the inward curve in
your lower back.
Queensland Police Union Journal October 2012
71

Workstation Assessments - A difference between comfort and injury
The QPS offers a ‘QPS Computer
Workstation Self Assessment
Checklist’ that you can complete.
It is important to understand that a
workstation assessment is an analysis
of how a particular person is using a
particular work area or desk.
It will assess if a worker has an
optimum workplace or workstation,
and whether they have good work
practices. This will of course help
prevent future problems.
• Adjust the backrest angle to a
comfortable position, which for
most people will be upright or
slightly reclined.
2. If your feet are not flat on the floor,
use a foot rest.
3. Position your keyboard and
monitor directly in front of you,
with the monitor approximately
one arm’s length away from
you. The keyboard should be a
comfortable distance from the
edge of the desk to allow the
forearms to be supported.
4. The top of your monitor should
be level with or slightly below eye
level to avoid having to tilt your
head back to look up at the screen.
(NB. If you wear glasses, you will
need the screen lower).
5. Position frequently used items
within easy reach on your desktop.
Position your document holder
between keyboard and monitor
or beside the monitor at the same
height as the screen, so as to avoid
bending or twisting the neck.
6. When using the keyboard and
mouse, keep your wrists straight
and shoulders relaxed.
7. Vary your posture as much as
possible. Stand or walk about, or
do some stretches at least every
30 minutes.
8. Rest your eyes every 10 minutes
by looking away from the screen
and focusing on the distance (eg.
look out the window).
9. Maintain your general fitness. Keep
yourself strong and flexible.
“The set-up of a
work station directly
impacts on the
working postures of
many of the muscles
and joints, from
head to toe.”
Above all, if you feel an ache or
discomfort in any part of your body,
check the above points, take a break,
and if pain continues, seek advice from
a health professional.
The assessment can also help to
identify any factors contributing to
pain and discomfort. Strategies can
then be developed to help fix the
problem.
Some strategies can include
modifications to the workstation,
education on good posture and health
work practices, or further equipment
prescription.
72
Queensland Police Union Journal October 2012

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Laptops & iPads
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If you use either of these
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not salary package
them?
You may also save by salary
packaging the cost of your
electricity bills or public transport
tickets.
Make the most of your
super by making pre-tax
contributions into your
super fund.
Call 1300 218 598
www.qld.smartsalary.com.au
Disclaimer: Salary packaging is only available to eligible employees of the Queensland Government as per the Queensland Government Salary Packaging Arrangement
QGCPO 250/10. Actual savings will vary depending on your income tax bracket and your individual circumstances. The Queensland Government strongly recommends
prior to employees entering into or changing their Salary Packaging Agreement, that they seek financial advice and read the Queensland Government Salary Packaging
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QRail or Brisbane City Council only.

Open Your Mind - World Mental Health Day
OPEN YOUR MIND
World Mental Health Day
On 10 October this year, we acknowledge World Mental Health Day,
a day that raises awareness about mental health issues. The day
promotes open discussion about mental disorders and investment
in prevention, promotion, and treatment services. This year, the
theme for the day is ‘Depression: A global crisis’.
Mental health is not just
the absence of mental disorder. It
is defined as a state of well-being
in which every individual realises
their own potential, can cope with
the normal stresses of life, can work
productively and fruitfully, and is
able to make a contribution to their
community.
Good mental health is a matter that
everyone should be concerned with.
Some of the common mental health
problems and disorders include
depression, psychosis, eating disorders,
anxiety disorders, schizophrenia, and
bipolar mood disorder.
Sometimes it can be difficult to know
whether you or someone you know
is just feeling down or stressed, or
whether it’s depression, anxiety, or a
related disorder.
Around one million Australian adults
and 100,000 young people live with
depression each year. On average,
one in six people will experience
depression in their lifetime: one in five
females and one in eight males.
Most people assume that depression
is caused simply by recent personal
difficulties. Depression, however, is
often caused by the mix of recent
events and other longer-term or
personal risk factors.
“Sometimes it can be difficult to know whether
you or someone you know is just feeling down
or stressed, or whether it’s depression, anxiety,
or a related disorder.”
Research indicates that ongoing
difficulties—such as long-term
unemployment or living in an abusive
or uncaring relationship—are more
likely to cause depression than recent
life stressors. Depression can also run
in families, and some people will be at
increased genetic risk.
However, this doesn’t mean that you
will automatically become depressed
if a parent or close relative has had the
illness. Life circumstances are still likely
to have an important influence on your
chances of becoming ill.
Police officers have many life
circumstances. Some are welcome and
some not so welcome, and workplace
factors are a consideration. It is also
common for people to experience
depression and anxiety at the same
time.
If you notice any behavioural changes
that last for more than two weeks in
a family member or friend, then it is
worth asking if the person may be
depressed.
Common behaviour associated with
depression includes:
• moodiness that is out of character
• increased irritability and frustration
• inability to take minor personal
criticisms
• spending less time with friends and
family
• loss of interest in food, sex, exercise,
or other pleasurable activities
74 Queensland Police Union Journal October 2012

Open Your Mind - World Mental Health Day
• inability to sleep through the night
• increased alcohol and drug use
• staying home from work or school
• increased physical health
complaints such as fatigue or pain
• being reckless or taking
unnecessary risks (eg. driving fast
or dangerously)
• the slowing down of thoughts and
actions.
If you think that you or someone you
know has depression, please consult a
doctor.
Like other members of the community
after a traumatic event such as a
traffic accident, an assault, or a natural
disaster, police officers may find it hard
to cope. It make take a while to come to
terms with what has happened.
There is no standard way for people to
cope with trauma. Each person has a
unique way of recovering. They should
be supported in using strategies and
resources that suit them, and that are
readily available.
“Around one million
Australian adults and
100,000 young people
live with depression
each year.”
Sometimes a distressing event can
be difficult to overcome, and you may
benefit from professional help. This is
not a sign of weakness: it is simply that
the event was too much for you to deal
with at a particular point in your life.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help if you
need to.
If people seek professional support
immediately following a traumatic
event, a health practitioner will take
a practical approach that meets the
person’s immediate needs, and helps
them cope with their distress.
This is sometimes referred to as
psychological first aid, and it is the
practice that the Queensland Police
Service uses in supporting officers
after a traumatic event.
If you have been involved in a traumatic
event, spend time with people who
care, and give yourself time. Find out
about the impact of trauma, and what
to expect.
Keep to a routine: working, studying,
and returning to normal activities can
help. Do the things you can do right
now, and talk about how you feel or
what happened when you are ready.
Doing things that help you relax and
that you enjoy should help.
To help yourself after a traumatic event,
try not to use drugs or alcohol to cope.
Do not keep yourself busy and work
too much, or engage in stressful family
or work situations. Withdrawing from
your family and friends and stopping
yourself from doing things that you
enjoy do not help.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help!
Besides your doctor, there are many
organisations that provide assistance
and service:
• Beyond Blue www.beyondblue.org.
au - Info line (National) 1300 22 4636
• Hand Up Support Group –
4779 2203
• Suicide Call Back Service (National)
1300 659 467
• Association of relatives and friends
of the mentally ill (ARAFMI)
3241 1881 or 1800 35 1881
• www.bipolarcaregivers.org
• Partners in Depression
www.partnersindepression.com.au
• Lifeline (National) - 13 11 14
• SANE Australia Helpline (National) -
1800 187 263
• Mensline Australia (National) -
1300 789 978
• Australian Psychological Society
Referral Line (National)
1800 333 497
• Kids Helpline (National) -
1800 551 800.
“Research indicates that ongoing difficulties—
such as long-term unemployment or living in
an abusive or uncaring relationship—
are more likely to cause depression
than recent life stressors.”
Beyond Blue’s Workplace Mental
Health Awareness e-learning program
is now available:
www.beyondblue.org.au/index.
aspx?link_id=4.1028
The Beyond Blue
Workplace Mental
Health Awareness
e-learning
program is a free
program that
examines myths
and misconceptions about depression
and anxiety disorders, and aims to
increase awareness and understanding.
It is a stand-alone resource specifically
designed for workplaces. The
Workplace Mental Health Awareness
e-learning program is now available in
an iPad friendly format.
Benefits:
• Easy to follow activities,
scenarios, and videos that build
understanding of depression and
anxiety in the workplace
• Only takes 20 minutes to complete
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explore the content.
Queensland Police Union Journal October 2012
75

BEING SUN SAFE: Slip, Slop, Slap, Seek, & Slide
BEING SUN SAFE:
Slip, Slop, Slap, Seek, & Slide
By the QPU WHS Committee
It’s that time of year again: the sun is shining, and we are enjoying
being outside, but we need to be reminded that Australia has one of
the highest rates of skin cancer in the world. This is largely due to
our climate, the fact that many of us have fair skin that isn’t suited to
such harsh conditions, our proximity to the equator (high UV levels),
and our social attitudes and love of the great outdoors.
Each year over 1,850 Australians
will die from skin cancer (ABS, 2010).
At least two thirds of Australians will
develop skin cancer by the age of 70,
with the risk being higher for men than
women.
The Queensland
government’s new
iPhone app, Sun
Effects Booth,
shows how your
current behaviour
in the sun can
damage your face
in the future. By downloading the
app, you will see potential ageing and
damage done to your skin.
The app asks a series of questions
about how you protect yourself in
the sun, including your choice of hat,
clothing, sunscreen, sunglasess, and
your use of shade.
The app then
asks you
to upload
a picture of your face and watch it
transform into a prediction of your
future face. Complete the app again,
and see how small changes in your
sun safe behaviour can change the
future look of your face, either for the
better or the worse.
“At least two thirds of Australians will develop
skin cancer by the age of 70, with the risk being
higher for men than women.”
The app also allows users to check the
daily UV Index forecast for their local
area to see how strong the sun is, and
when the UV Index will reach 3 (when
sun protection is required).
If you’re concerned about your skin
cancer risk and how sun exposure can
age your face, then this app is for you,
and is available at the App Store.
WHAT IS SKIN CANCER?
Skin cancer is a disease of the body’s
skin cells, and is usually a result of
skin cell damage. It begins in the lower
layer of the epidermis (the outside
layer of the skin).
The epidermis contains three different
types of cells: squamous cells, basal
cells, and melanocytes. This is where
the names for the different types of
skin cancer come from: basal cell
carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma,
and melanoma.
Skin cancer usually occurs when the
skin has received too much of the
sun’s ultraviolet radiation (UVR), which
damages these cells. The cells then
change (or in medical terms ‘mutate’),
and skin cancer can form.
TYPES OF SKIN CANCER
There are three main types of skin
cancer:
• basal cell carcinoma (75% of all
skin cancers)
• squamous cell carcinoma (20% of
all skin cancers)
• melanoma (5% of all skin cancers,
and the most serious).
Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most
common form of skin cancer. BCCs
normally appear as a lump or scaly
76 Queensland Police Union Journal October 2012

BEING SUN SAFE: Slip, Slop, Slap, Seek, & Slide
area that is red, pale, or pearly in
colour. A BCC normally grows slowly,
appearing on the head, neck, or upper
body. They may become ulcerated and
can be identified as a spot that won’t
heal. About half of BCCs recur after
five years.
Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC)
normally appears as a thickened red,
scaly spot that may bleed easily or
ulcerate. SCCs usually grow slowly
over a few months, and can spread
to other parts of the body if left
untreated.
They appear on sites most often
exposed to the sun. SCCs make up
about 20% of all skin cancers, and
about half recur after five years.
Melanoma is the most dangerous
skin cancer. If left untreated, it can
spread to other parts of the body. It
can be either flat or nodular, and flat
melanoma may develop nodular areas
as they develop.
Melanomas appear as a new spot
or an existing spot, freckle, or mole
that changes colour, size, or shape. A
melanoma is generally more than one
colour, and has an irregular outline.
They grow over weeks to months, and
can appear anywhere on the body.
CHECK YOUR SKIN REGULARLY
While we have to remember that there
are some rare forms of skin cancer
which cannot be found early, the good
news is that most skin cancers can be
prevented or found early.
Check your own skin regularly, and if
you notice a change in size, shape, or
colour in any spots on your skin, have
them checked by your doctor.
“The good news is
that most skin cancers,
unlike many other
cancers, are largely
preventable.”
PROTECT YOURSELF
Skin cancer, unlike many other
cancers, is largely preventable. Protect
yourself in five ways to reduce your
risk:
• clothing
• hats
• sunscreen
• sunglasses
• shade.
There are some simple steps you can
take to get to know your skin.
Remember, skin cancer usually does
not hurt and is usually seen before it
is felt.
Some changes to look for include:
• new moles
• moles that increase in size
• an outline of a mole that becomes
notched
• a spot that changes colour from
brown to black or is varied
• a spot that becomes raised or
develops a lump within it
• the surface of a mole becoming
rough, scaly, or ulcerated
• moles that itch or tingle
• moles that bleed or weep
• spots that look different from the
others.
WHAT NEXT?
If you are concerned, visit your GP for
a skin check. If you have any spots that
need further treatment, you may be
referred to a dermatologist.
And remember: slip, slop, slap, seek,
and slide.
If it happens, protect yourself and your family
by immediately contacting the QPU office
Ph 3259 1900 (24 hours)
or your regional representative.
They will steer you in the right direction.
Queensland Police Union Journal October 2012
77

Paid Parental Leave and Dad and Partner Pay
Paid Parental Leave and
Dad and Partner Pay
UnIOnS WIn PAID PARenTAL LeAVe FOR ALL WORkIng FAMILIeS.
Australian unions first won working mothers a right to 12 months
unpaid maternity leave in 1979. After more than 30 years of
campaigning, working parents will now get 18 weeks Paid Parental
Leave (PPL) and two weeks Dad and Partner Pay (DAPP).
WHAT IS THE PAID PARENTAL
LEAVE ENTITLEMENT?
PPL provides all eligible primary
carers of babies with 18 week’s pay at
the Federal Minimum Wage (currently
$606.40 per week or $10,915 in total).
Primary carers must have the primary
responsibility for the care of the baby.
THE PAID PARENTAL SCHEME NOW
ALSO INCLUDES TWO WEEKS DAD
AND PARTNER PAY
In 2012, eligible parents will also
be able to claim two weeks DAPP
for secondary carers at the Federal
Minimum Wage.
DAPP is available for the biological
father, partner of the child’s birth
mother (including same sex partner),
or adoptive parent, and can be taken
at the same time as the primary carer
is on PPL. You cannot save up or cash
out DAPP, and the payment cannot be
taken at the same time as any other
paid leave.
ELIGIBILITY
To be eligible for the government
PPL or DAPP scheme, you must have
completed at least 330 hours work
(1 day per week) for 10 months in
the 13 months prior to birth. This
includes casuals, contractors, and
self-employed workers.
78 Queensland Police Union Journal October 2012
The payment is a flat rate of $606.40
per week irrespective of what your
hours of work were prior to taking
PPL or DAPP.
Primary caregivers individually earning
more than $150,000 in the financial year
prior to the date of birth or adoption
are ineligible for PPL or DAPP.
Parents who don’t meet the minimum
work requirements outlined above may
still be eligible for the baby bonus.
WHEN CAN I TAKE THE
GOVERNMENT PPL OR DAPP?
PPL and DAPP must be taken after
the birth or adoption of the child and
within 12 months of that event. A
parent can access DAPP at the same
time as their partner takes PPL.
Paid parental leave may also be
transferred from a primary carer to
another parent who becomes the
primary carer. However, a parent
taking DAPP and then PPL can only
claim a total of 18 week’s pay.
WHAT HAPPENS TO THE PAID
PARENTAL OR SECONDARY
CARER’S LEAVE PROVIDED BY MY
EMPLOYER?
Many workplace agreements already
provide for PPL.
PPL is often called maternity leave
and secondary carer’s leave is often
called paternity leave in workplace
agreements.
The government intends that the
new PPL and DAPP payments are in
addition to any paid parental leave or
secondary carer’s leave entitlements
already provided by your employer.
This means employers cannot
withdraw any paid parental leave or
secondary carer’s leave in an existing
workplace agreement and must not
use the new government payment to
replace your employer-provided paid
parental leave or secondary carer’s
entitlements.
If your employer tries to cut or
change existing schemes to
disadvantage workers, contact your
union or the Unions Australia hotline
on 1300 486 466.

Paid Parental Leave and Dad and Partner Pay
THE BABY BONUS
PPL recipients are not entitled to the
tax-free baby bonus or Family Tax
Benefit B.
Parents eligible for the government
scheme may elect to receive the baby
bonus instead of paid parental leave if
it is more beneficial for them to do so.
A calculator to assist parents to
calculate whether the baby bonus
or parental leave scheme best suits
them is available on the Family
Assistance Office website.
HOW DO I APPLY FOR PPL OR DAPP?
Employees are responsible for
making the application to the Family
Assistance Office. You may apply for
a preliminary determination from the
Family Assistance Office that you are
eligible for PPL or DAPP.
Once your baby is born, you need to
verify the birth and then your PPL or
DAPP payments can commence.
WHEN CAN I APPLY FOR THE NEW
DAPP PAYMENT?
The DAPP scheme will be
implemented from 1 January 2013
for babies born or adopted after this
date. Parents can apply for DAPP
three months before the expected
date (1 October 2012 at the earliest).
HOW DO I RECEIVE MY PPL OR DAPP
ENTITLEMENT?
The government provides the PPL
payment to the employer to pass on
to employees through their existing
payroll system.
If you have not been employed
with the employer for more than 12
months, PPL payments are made via
the Family Assistance Office.
All DAPP payments are made directly
to the employee via the Family
Assistance Office.
WHAT HAPPENS IF MY EMPLOYER
FAILS TO PASS ON THE
GOVERNMENT PPL PAYMENT?
You should notify your union. The
Family Assistance Office may pay the
PPL to you directly until the dispute is
resolved.
WHAT CONTRIBUTIONS ARE
EMPLOYERS REQUIRED TO MAKE?
Employers are not required to provide
any contributions to the payment of
PPL or DAPP, make superannuation
payments to employees on PPL or
DAPP, or accrue leave entitlements
for employees during the period of
government PPL or DAPP.
DOES MY UNION STILL NEED TO
BARGAIN FOR PAID PARENTAL
LEAVE WITH MY EMPLOYER?
Yes. Unions believe that employers
should also contribute to PPL and
DAPP for their employees, just as
they provide other leave entitlements.
The government scheme is separate
to what your employer provides, and
you should continue to negotiate new
or better paid parental leave from
your employer.
When negotiating for new or better
paid parental leave from your
employer, your workplace bargaining
team may seek to tailor your claims in
light of the new government scheme.
For example, unions bargain for
improvements such as:
• A ‘top up’ to the government’s
PPL and DAPP payments from the
National Minimum Wage amount
to full income replacement so that
parents can access their normal
wages during a period of high
financial pressure
• A total of 26 weeks PPL (including
employers existing PPL Payments)
at full income
• Payment of superannuation
contributions during paid and
unpaid parental leave
• Extension of the amount of
employer-provided paid parental
leave that may be taken prior to the
expected date of birth or at half pay
• Providing employees with
the right to flexible work
arrangements when returning
from parental leave.
IS THE CAMPAIGN FOR PAID
PARENTAL LEAVE OVER NOW?
No. While we are overjoyed to
finally have achieved PPL and DAPP
for Australian families, we still
need your support to campaign for
improvements to the scheme.
In 2013, when the government
reviews the scheme, unions will
advocate that the legislation should
be changed to require employers to
top up the minimum wage component
provided by the government to the
level of the employee’s ordinary
wage rate, make superannuation
contributions for employees on PPL
or DAPP, and to provide flexible work
arrangements to employees returning
from paternity leave.
WHERE CAN I GET MORE
INFORMATION?
Further details of the government
scheme are available on the website
of the Families, Housing, Community
Services, and Indigenous Affairs
website at:
www.fahcsia.gov.au
More information, including additional
resources for members such as posters
and bargaining kits, can be found on
the Australian Council of Trade Unions
website at: www.actu.org.au
If you have any queries about your
eligibility or access to PPL, DAPP,
or any other workplace entitlement,
contact your union or the Union
Australia hotline on 1300 486 466.
Queensland Police Union Journal October 2012
79

Letters to the Editor
Letters to the Editor should be no longer than 400 words if possible and sent to: (Letters may be edited for length and clarity.)
PO Box 13008 George Street, Brisbane Qld 4003 Fax: 07 3259 1996 or Email: journal@qpu.asn.au
Dear Editor
As a result of my medical retirement
on 21 September, I hereby resign as
a member of the Queensland Police
Union of Employees. In the more
recent years I got to know members
of the Executive after spending time
together in all manner of interviews.
I would like to thank Mick Barnes and
Steve Mahoney, who were only ever
a phone call away, and who over the
last 12 months have given me the
advice and support I required.
I will always be proud that for 21
years, I have endeavoured to help
my work colleagues and the people
of Queensland to best of my ability. I
will miss people who I have laughed
and cried with, however I will not miss
much else. Good luck for the future.
Chris Jacques
Dear Editor
I am just writing to let people
know about my experience and to
encourage them to stay members
of our Union, or if they are not
members, to encourage them to join.
For the first ten years of my service, I
never really had a need to call on the
Union and it was getting to the stage
that I was starting to wonder whether
I should cancel my membership,
because I didn’t need it. Thankfully
sanity prevailed and I kept my
membership up to date. This proved
to be the best decision of all when I
suddenly found the eyes of ESC turn
towards me in relation to a couple of
discipline matters.
To say I was more than a little
overwhelmed with the allegations
and discipline process would be an
understatement, but thanks to my
Toowoomba Union officials, I made it
through the discipline process.
I was not prepared for all the other
things that came up as a result of the
complaints, but thanks to the advice,
guidance, and support of my Union
officials, I was navigated through this
minefield.
I am aware that due to work
constraints, Darren Lees (Beefa) and
other Toowoomba Union officials did
a lot of work in their own time. Their
support and guidance to my family
through this difficult and at times
confusing discipline process was
much appreciated by me and my wife.
I urge all police officers to join or
stay with the Union, because without
their knowledge, guidance, and
support, you may find yourself with
dire consequences. I certainly know
that without them, I would have been
confused and at a loss as to how to
deal with the processes.
Regards
Stuart Standeaven
Toowoomba TCS
Dear Editor
Over the weekend, I watched media
reports of large, out-of-control
parties occurring around the Brisbane
area. These parties resulted in arrests
and damage to police property,
severe disruption to the peace and
amenity of the neighbourhood, and
high risk of injuries to the attending
officers.
As a Townsville DDO, I have attended
many similar incidents which often
place officers at high risk of injury.
On an increasing basis, I am seeing
‘organisers’ of these parties (often
just a teenage resident of the
premises) advertising on social media
and charging ‘guests’ an entry fee or
donation of somewhere between $2
and $5.
When the inevitable happens and
several hundred people turn up
with the associated excessive
alcohol consumption and anti-social
behaviour, the organisers of these
parties simply throw their hands
in the air and state that they had
registered the party, and that it’s not
their fault.
On many occasions, police have
attempted to negotiate with
organisers to reduce these risks,
only to receive a completely negative
response.
The morning after these parties
usually reveals debris littering yards
and streets, and complaints of wilful
damage from nearby residents.
The issue of hygiene is usually not
even considered by these organisers,
with several hundred people having
access to only one toilet, which
means that other residents are
confronted with people urinating and
defecating in their yards.
Local council states they are either
unable or unwilling to assist with any
enforcement.
80 Queensland Police Union Journal October 2012

Letters to the Editor
Many of these organisers openly
state that they will hold similar events
in the future and accept no liability
for their irresponsible actions.
Parties similar to the wild Brisbane
party occurred in Townsville on
the weekend of 6 and 7 October. At
one party, a total of 11 crews were
eventually involved over a period of
six hours. Pages could be written on
the issues and risks for police and
law-abiding residents resulting from
these parties.
The legislation should also outline
offences and penalties applying to
the organiser with regards to non
compliance. The above points would
go some way to helping prevent these
parties becoming out of control.
The existing legislation needs to
be reinforced in line with the above
points regarding parties, to give police
the clear authority to direct the party
organisers to close the party and
direct all guests to leave. (The current
‘breach of the peace’ and ‘noise
abatement’ legislation is not enough.)
Without going further into the
challenges faced by police attending
these incidents, it is my contention
and strong belief that there needs
to be legislation developed placing
an onus on the organisers of
parties advertised on social media
to negotiate with police regarding
safeguards, guidelines, and agreed
controls for the party.
It is frustrating having to attend
these increasingly frequent incidents
when with the proper legislation and
controls we could prevent many of
these issues from occurring in the
first place.
Ian Wilkie
Senior Sergeant 5253
Vice President
Townsville branch QPU
Please be aware that we are
legally unable to publish letters
if we do not know the verified
author. The Editor may withhold
names at her discretion.
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Queensland Police Union Journal October 2012
81

Police Health
Police Health
by Peter Shanahan, Police Health Chairman
THINK BEFORE YOU INK
Tattoos have become very popular to
people of all ages and backgrounds.
A tattoo’s significance to the individual
can range widely: a celebration of
life or a moment in time, cosmetic
(permanent makeup), cultural,
religious, or remembering the fallen.
If you or family members are thinking
about getting a tattoo, it is important
that you educate yourself and your
family (including young adult children)
about tattoo safety.
Essentially, a tattoo is a puncture
wound made deep in your skin
that’s filled with pigments (ink) via
penetrating needles. The ink is not
injected into the outer layers of the skin
(epidermis); rather, it is injected into
the deeper layer of the skin (dermis)
containing stable skin cells, which is
why the ink is relatively permanent.
It is vital that you recognise that a
new tattoo is a wound, and should be
treated as such. Just like any other cut
or scrape, there is a risk of infection
and contracting blood-borne diseases.
KNOWN RISKS
• Allergic reaction: some people may
have an allergic reaction to certain
shades of ink. Occasionally, people
may develop an allergic reaction
to a tattoo they have had for years.
This can often be difficult to treat
because the ink is trapped in the
dermis layer of the skin.
• Infections and blood-borne
diseases, including viruses:
unsterile tattoo equipment, the ink
itself, and unhygienic practices by
the tattooist can transmit infectious
diseases such as HIV and hepatitis
strains, or cause skin infections.
It is also possible to contract an
infection after the tattoo has been
applied if you do not correctly look
after the wound and keep it clean.
• Skin problems: granuloma nodules
may form around the material
that the body perceives as foreign
(tattoo ink), resulting in lumpy skin
around the tattoo.
• MRI complications: people with
tattoos or permanent makeup may
experience swelling or burning
when receiving magnetic resonance
imaging (MRI), and it may even
interfere with the quality of the
MRI image. You should inform your
radiologist or radiographer that you
have a tattoo or permanent makeup
before testing.
• Possible employment
disadvantages: exposed tattoos
may hinder some employment
opportunities.
MyDr accounts that health workers
have growing concerns about
backyard tattooing (particularly in
teenagers), which has caused a rise in
Hepatitis C infections.
The relative ease of buying tattoo
equipment online, and the buyers’
lack of knowledge of how to keep
equipment sterilised, has contributed
to a rise in blood-borne diseases.
There is a misconception that simply
changing the needle is sufficient for
sterilisation. This is not the case,
because blood gets into the ink
containers. You should never share the
same needle or ink cartridges when
getting a tattoo.
There have also been recent
reports of contaminated tattoo inks
containing bacterium (nontuberculous
mycobacterium: NTM) which can lead
to complications of secondary organ
infections and eye problems if left
untreated.
Reported cases have been linked back
to tattoo parlours that follow diligent
hygienic practices, but did not know
the ink itself was contaminated.
The ink can be contaminated from
the ingredients it is made from,
from contaminated manufacturing
processes, from the use of unhygienic
bottles, from non-sterile water used
to dilute ink, and from inks past their
expiry dates.
If you see a rash with swelling, or if
you have any pain or itching in the
tattooed areas, it is important that
you contact both your doctor and the
tattoo artist.
They will need to establish if you are
having an allergic reaction, or if you
have developed or contracted an
infection.
Reporting your reaction is not only
important to get treatment, but if related
to the practices of the tattoo parlour or
contaminated ink, the problem can be
traced back and controlled so that no
one else is affected.
BEFORE THE TATTOO
It may be helpful to see a doctor before
you make the commitment to get a
tattoo, to make sure you are up-to-date
with your immunisations (hepatitis and
tetanus).
Advice may also be given on warning
signs that you may need to look out
for regarding tattoo complications.
If you have any medical problems
like heart disease, allergies, diabetes,
skin disorders, or conditions that
affect your immune system, you
should ask your doctor if there are any
special precautions you should take
beforehand.
Be as healthy as possible before your
tattoo to help with healing time and
lowering your risks in infection. You
should also avoid alcohol 24 hours
before and after getting a tattoo
because alcohol will increase bleeding
during and after the tattoo procedure.
82 Queensland Police Union Journal October 2012

Police Health
CHOOSING A STUDIO
When choosing where to get your
tattoo, consider the following:
• Check that the tattoo artist is a
licenced practitioner.
• Make sure that the tattoo artist
washes their hands with germicidal
soap and that new gloves are used
for each client.
• Ensure that the tattoo artist cleans
and disinfects the area that will be
tattooed.
• Make sure the tattoo studio has
an autoclave (sterilisation system
that uses steam, pressure, and
heat) and request to watch the
equipment being sterilised before
it is used on you (needles should
be single use only).
• Ensure any blood is removed by a
new, sterile disposal cloth or towel.
• When finished, the area should
again be cleaned, and a bandage
should be applied.
TAKING CARE OF THE TATTOO
• Listen to any advice given by the
tattoo artist.
• Remove bandage after 24hrs.
• Avoid touching or scratching the
tattooed area.
• Keep the tattoo clean (do not use
alcohol, which may dry the skin).
• Use moisturiser if the area
becomes dry (but not petroleum
jelly because it may fade the ink).
• Avoid sun exposure.
• Avoid swimming and getting the
tattoo wet.
• Choose loose clothing when
covering tattoo.
• Allow healing time.
Even after a tattoo is fully healed, it is
more susceptible to the sun’s rays, so
always protect it from direct sunlight,
or apply sunscreen (which will also
prevent the ink from fading).
REMOVING A TATTOO
Tattoos are meant to be permanent
and complete tattoo removal is
difficult. Scarring is likely after most
tattoo removal procedures. It is
important for you to speak to your
doctor about removal options and
not a tattoo parlour, because it is a
medical procedure.
When discussing tattoo removal
options, always ask what to expect
during treatment, what you need
to do to maximise the success of
tattoo removal, what to expect after
treatment, and possible side effects
and complications.
Laser
Q-switched laser is the most widely
used form of tattoo removal in
Australia. As reported on the ABC’s
7:30 Report by a cosmetic surgeon,
the laser essentially brakes up ink
particles under the skin.
When this happens, the body’s
immune system kicks in, and the white
blood cells absorb the ink particles
and take them through your lymphatic
system. It is eventually filtered and
excreted through your liver as a waste
product.
It is reported that blue and green
inks remain difficult to remove, but
all tattoos need multiple treatments
over a period of time for successful
removal.
Dermabrasion
The tattoo is sanded down to deeper
levels with a high speed rotary
abrasive wheel or brush. This allows
the ink to leach out of the skin.
Surgical removal
Usually only performed on small
tattoos. The tattoo is removed by
scalpel and edges of the skin are
stitched back together.
The cosmetic surgeon interviewed on
the 7:30 Report cautioned everyone
getting a tattoo to really think before
they commit, because a tattoo that
takes 20 minutes and costs around $500
to create may take 20 to 30 months and
$5,000 to $10,000 to remove.
TEMPORARY HENNA TATTOO
WARNING
In 2006, the Australasian College of
Dermatologists issued a media release
warning Australian tourists heading
overseas to use caution in relation
to certain temporary henna tattoos
because they may cause a severe
allergic reaction.
This may occur when henna tattoos
have the dye phenylenediamine (PPD)
added in high concentrations to darken
red-brown henna and to speed up the
drying process. The practice of adding
PPD is common among street vendors
in holiday resorts in Asia and the
Middle East.
In Australia, only low concentrations
of PPD are allowed in hair dyes, and
these are clearly labelled with skin
irritation warning labels.
Unfortunately, what many believe to
be a temporary, safe tattoo can leave
some with a permanent allergy to
PPD, and a lifetime of skin problems,
discolouration, and scarring.
People who develop an allergy to
PPD often develop a permanent
sensitisation to it, where using
common hair dyes, creams, and some
clothing can set off another allergic
reaction.
There have been many news reports
over the years (including one as
recently as August this year) where
children who have been holidaying in
Bali with their families have had henna
tattoos applied, and have had a severe
PPD allergic reaction.
WHERE TO GET HELP
• Your doctor
• A dermatologist
This article provides a general
summary only. Professional advice
should be sought about specific cases.
Police Health is not responsible for any
error or omission in this article. The
information provided reflects the view
of the organisations from which the
information has been sourced and does
not represent any recommendations or
views of Police Health.
Police Health | Ph: 1800 603 603
www.policehealth.com.au
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Queensland Police Union Journal October 2012
83

QRPA
QRPA NEWS – OCTOBER 2012
State Secretary: Jillian Steinkamp
steinkamp.jillian@gmail.com
0411 401 596
QRPA website: www.qrpa.asn.au
Email: queenslandretiredpolice@gmail.com
MESSAGE FROM MICK O’BRIEN, STATE PRESIDENT,
QRPA INC
There is no State President’s message this month because
Mick and Therese are on holidays cruising somewhere
around the Caribbean. Mick will be back at the end of the
month ready to take up the reins again.
QRPA ANNUAL LUNCHEON
The QRPA Annual Luncheon at the Broncos Leagues Club
on Monday 10 September was a resounding success even
though numbers were slightly down from last year. Branches
were again well represented, with members coming from
around South East Queensland including Darling Downs, Gold
Coast, Logan-Beenleigh, Redlands, Ipswich, Near North Coast,
Sunshine Coast, and Gympie, as well as from further afield:
Bundaberg. The Police Widows were present in good numbers.
MACKAY/WHITSUNDAY BRANCH CELEBRATES
As expected, the big event that our past serving police
officers have waited so patiently for exceeded all
expectations. Family and friends gathered to celebrate the
momentous occasion at our meeting place, the Buffs Club
in Mackay. In total, there were eight Queensland Police
Service Medals and two National Police Medals, plus a
gift of a Queensland badge presented to all recipients by
Commissioner Bob Atkinson. Notably, all who attended
the occasion stayed on to drink a toast with a glass of the
local spirit and partake in a very relaxed lunch. It did not
take long for the official shroud to fall and the prevailing
mood of the north to take effect. Somebody mumbled that
the Commissioner mentioned in passing that he would like
to join our branch when his time is due: now that would be
a coup! Not to be outdone, one of our members who could
not attend the day managed a personal presentation of his
QPSM by the Commissioner at the Induction Ceremony held
in Townsville, a four hour drive from Mackay! Because the
retired officer and his beloved wife were passing through
Townsville on their habitual nomadic tour, all parties agreed
this would serve a dual purpose.
Crystal bowl presented to Commissioner
Bob Atkinson on behalf of the QRPA
The Luncheon was a
special occasion because
it’s the last that Bob
Atkinson will attend as
QRPA Patron and QPS
Police Commissioner.
After 12 years in the role,
Commissioner Atkinson
is retiring at the end of
October. The very strong
support he has given the
Association during his
time as Commissioner
was acknowledged in
an address given by
State President Mick
O’Brien, who also made a
presentation in gratitude
to Commissioner
Atkinson on behalf of all
members of the QRPA.
Some proud recipients with Commissioner Atkinson: President Les Campbell, Vice
President Graham Pike, welfare officer Col Duncan, and member Sam Sheehan.
Also attending as a guest of the Association was Deputy
Commissioner and Commissioner elect, Ian Stewart.
Thanks go to Bob Pease and his merry band of workers who
ensured the day’s proceedings were well planned and ran
smoothly. The lucky door prize and raft of raffle prizes were
well received.
Commissioner Atkinson chats with our old mate Tom ’The Trooper’ at the QPSM
presentation in Mackay.
84 Queensland Police Union Journal October 2012

QRPA
LOOKING FOR NEWS OF WHAT’S HAPPENING IN
POLICING?
If you have missed the latest QPS Police Bulletin or QPU
Police Journal, or if you want to look up information from
previous editions, these publications can be accessed via
the internet. Use the below addresses in your web browser:
http://www.police.qld.gov.au/services/reportsPublications/
bulletin/
http://www.qpu.asn.au/journal/current
DIARY DATES 2012
Sat 17 November Texas Police Charity Golf Day
Texas Golf Club
Retired police officers welcome—
proceed to Police Legacy and Texas
community organisations
Enquiries: Sgt Greg Moore -
Moore.GregoryS@police.qld.gov.au
Kev Wall, a happy recipient of the QPSM.
Mon 19 November QRPA Near North Coast Branch Annual
Luncheon
Bramble Bay Bowls Club, Woody Point
12pm
Enquiries: Susan Burgess 0428 662 360
queenslandretiredpolice.nnc@bigpond.
com
Mon 19 November QRPA Rockhampton Branch Annual
Dinner
Cambridge Hotel, Cambridge Street,
Rockhampton
6pm for 7pm
Enquiries: Dennis Smith 4928 3245
smithdennisw@bigpond.com
Margie Kussrow receiving her QPSM.
Thurs 6 December QRPA Townsville Branch Christmas
Luncheon
Townsville RSL, Charters Towers Road
12pm (dry till operates from 12.15 pm)
Enquiries: Trevor Errington 4773 5563,
John Cran 4779 3341, or John Urquhart
4773 4497
NEW MEMBERS & ASSOCIATES
Welcomed into the Association in September were:
Members—Mark Terrence Ballin, Bertram Jude Byrnes,
Gerald Malcolm Brown, Ronald William Lewis, Alexander
David Granlund (Brisbane), Ann Lewis (Redlands), Robin
Geoffrey (Rob) Matthews (Gympie).
Associate Member—Jackaleen Edwards (Redlands) and
Vilma Makin (Gold Coast).
Assistant Secretary John Frater receives his QPSM.
QRPA MEMBERSHIP CERTIFICATES
Veteran —(over 75 years and 10 years financial membership)
Graham George Klupfel (Redlands)
Francis Michael O’Gorman (Brisbane)
Walter Edward Plant (Hervey Bay)
Lawrence Noel Witham (Brisbane)
Queensland Police Union Journal October 2012
85

QRPA
Senior— (over 65 years and 10 years financial membership)
Robert Alan Beckman (Darling Downs)
Peter Hardy (Townsville)
BIRTHDAYS— 90 and over
Donald William Frederick McGrath, 90 on 8.9.12
RECENT OBITUARIES—May They Rest In Peace
Members—Life Member and former Sergeant 2/C Neville
Stanley Bulley, 20.8.12, 88 years; member and former
Constable 1/C Edward William Roberts, 27.8.12, 71 years.
Associate member—Roslyn May Smith, wife of member
Brian Smith, 23.8.12
Non-members—Former Senior Sergeant Dale Raymond
Thompson, 13.8.12, 52 years; Sergeant Harry Shane Carnall,
14.8.12, 52 years; former Senior Constable Ewen Cameron
Durrand, 16.8.12; former Sergeant John (Jack) Newman,
service 21.8.12, 92 years; former police officer Glen Edward
Sutton, 23.8.12, 74 years, former Magistrate Bill McKay,
24.8.12, 71 years.
Family—Pat Cochrane, widow of retired Constable Jack
Cochrane, 10.8.12; Edith Irene Dohrman, mother of retired
officer Reg Dohrman, 26.8.12.
Serving Officer—Detective Sergeant Kathryn Clare Dorge,
12.8.12.
CHANGE OF RESIDENTIAL OR EMAIL ADDRESS?
To ensure you receive all QRPA communications, please
advise your branch secretary or the State Secretary
(0411 401 596, queenslandretiredpolice@gmail.com) of your
current contact details.
BRANCH NEWS
BUNDABERG
Out and about—Steve and Mary Allen headed off on another
of their 4 wheel drive excursions. Heather Sherlock, Dan’s
wife, invested in a motor home and set off for the Theresa
Creek Dam (between Emerald and Clermont) to stay a few
weeks with relatives. She took her trusty canine along with
her for company. Bob and Cherrol have been busy looking
after No. 1 daughter, Caroline, who had a knee reconstruction
and was incapacitated for some time.
Welfare news—Clarrie Kelly is back in his room at The
Fairways after being discharged from Friendlies Private
Hospital. Clarrie has been to Brisbane and back a couple
of times but bounces back; he is a fighter. Ken Strohfeldt
continues to struggle with health problems and is to return
to Brisbane for further treatment. June is recovering and is
back at home at Riverview. Ron Rooke has had a stint in
Friendlies Private Hospital with fluid build up problems, but
he is back at home at the present time. Grannie Pearce is
now off crutches and is walking with a walking stick, but
soon even the stick will no longer be needed. It has taken a
while for the tendons to repair, but hopefully he will be back
bowling soon. Keith Lipp has also been admitted to hospital
with dangerously low blood pressure, but it has been taken
care of and he is back home again.
Bowls news—An invitation from the Tantitha Bowls Club
saw Jack Field, Geoff Donaldson, and Bob Hayes form a
team to play in the Annual President’s Day. Playing against
a team from Gin Gin, the ‘A’ Team went down fighting in a
close game.
Annual Luncheon—Tickets have now been printed for the
Bundaberg Branch Annual Luncheon on Wednesday 5
December. Items for the hamper and raffle are now being
collected. Donations welcomed!
DARLING DOWNS
When members of Darling Downs branch met on 13
September, the sad passing of Pat Ring, son of Mick and
Pauline Ring, was observed. President Kev Weise spoke
about the circumstances of Pat’s death.
Bob Scarff advised members that the Memorial Wall
ceremony went very well and was respectful of fallen
comrades. Toowoomba District Officer Superintendent Matt
Vanderbyl has extended an invitation to the Darling Downs
branch to hold a branch meeting in the Toowoomba Police
Complex with morning tea to be provided.
Members supported an application to join from Eugene
Thomas Murphy, and this will go to the State Management
Committee for approval. Police Chaplain Mal Twine advised
the meeting that the future of the Police Chaplaincy is not
known at this stage. The effect of this on future events was
discussed.
GLADSTONE
Members of the Gladstone branch met for their September
meeting at the Curtis Ferry Terminal Complex at the
Gladstone Marina on Wednesday 5 September. The meeting
followed a Gladstone Harbour coffee cruise.
On the welfare front, Doug Jones advised that Marlene is
getting about. Mike Ball said he is well and awaits results of
a recent check up.
Mal Nichols thanked the staff of Curtis Ferry Services on behalf
of the 21 members who undertook the two hour Gladstone
Harbour Cruise with accompanying comprehensive
commentary on current events and industry occurring in
Gladstone Harbour, the Narrows, and Curtis Island. He also
thanked Joanne for suggesting the cruise and Gordon for
contacting members and liaising with Gladstone Information
Centre. Member Paul advises for those who are on the net,
you can check out Gladstone Harbour shipping movements
at http://www.marinetraffic.com/ais/datasheet.aspx?
datasource=SHIPS_CURRENT&PORT_ID=570&PORT_
NAME=GLADSTONE.
GOLD COAST
This year, Gold Coast branch members celebrated National
Police Remembrance Day with a combined march involving
contingents of serving and retired police from NSW, the AFP,
and Queensland, marching from Coolangatta to Twin Towns
RSL in NSW where the service was held. Commissioner Bob
Atkinson took the salute aided by an Assistant Commissioner
from NSW and the Regional Commander from the AFP. The
86 Queensland Police Union Journal October 2012

QRPA
procession was very impressive, although we very nearly
got blown away: the banner was like a sail. Branch President
Russell Robertson laid a wreath and gave a reading on our
behalf. Participation by our members was disappointing,
however we were fortunate in having our numbers boosted
by Max Maloney and Terry Ahern from Logan-Beenleigh,
and retired coppers from New Zealand and Victoria.
Des Sorensen, Wes Cooke, Neil Raward, Arthur Jones, and
partners represented the branch at the Brisbane Retired
Police Luncheon held at the Broncos Leagues Club. It gave
us the opportunity to catch up with a lot of our old mates.
Our ‘Good Guys’ luncheon last Thursday at Froggies at
Tallebudgera was the last for this year. As usual, our old
mate Pete looked after us well. Another of our old mates
from Brisbane, Carol Flanagan, joined us. It was also nice to
welcome back two of our caravanners, ‘The Gnome’ and Nev
Huth, who have recently returned from their escapades.
A reminder that because the Melbourne Cup coincides with
the first Tuesday of November, the Gold Coast November
meeting will be held at Southport RSL on Monday 5
November. Volunteers are sought to conduct a couple of
sweeps. Our guest speaker is the Regional Officer in Charge
of Scenes of Crime who will bring us up to date on what is
happening in the scientific world.
The Gold Coast Branch Annual Christmas Luncheon is to be
held on Tuesday 14 December at the usual venue. It is $35
per head, and Gold Coast Widows are free. Neil (Treasurer)
requires payment in advance.
A valued member, John Fox, was operated on in the John
Flynn Hospital recently with his fourth hip replacement. It is
hoped that everything goes well.
IPSWICH
The Ipswich branch of the QRPA did not hold a meeting
in September because our members opted to attend the
Broncos Luncheon. Twelve members travelled down by
coach under the guidance of our driver Trevor Albury and
our navigator, Trevor’s wife Maxine.
Veteran member Bill Wallace made a beeline for the seafood
and said he wasn’t disappointed. There have been some
favourable comments coming out of this annual event.
Many thanks to Doreen Edwards who coordinated the trip as
both Kens, (Morris and Martin), were down with the flu.
During September, our members mourned the loss of
member Edward William (Ted) Roberts. Ted was a former
member of the Brisbane and Ipswich Traffic branches,
serving the majority of his time in the Ipswich District. His
son Craig, a former member of the AFP, thanked the Service
and the QRPA for their assistance during the family’s time
of need.
Arthur Zillman has spent some time in hospital with fluid
retention, and Jim Lewis has been diagnosed with a spot on
his lung that will require treatment in Brisbane.
Jack Paff is off to Nova Scotia to visit friends and intends to
get up into Alaska during his month overseas.
Our next meeting is our AGM and will be held at Brothers
Leagues Club, Wildey Street, Raceview, on Wednesday 10
October commencing at 11am.
LOGAN/BEENLEIGH
Our Logan/Beenleigh monthly meeting for September saw
a big roll-up of members and also a current member, Gerry
Stevens, in attendance. Welcome, Gerry: we hope to see you
at many more meetings and functions. We were privileged
to have a number of guests attending as well: Detective
Sergeant David Dunn and PC Senior Constable Kathryn
Collins from the Fraud Squad, Kathy Blake (the spouse of
Frank Blake), and Jennie Breene, the Logan City Councillor
for Division 12.
Senior Constable Collins addressed the meeting with a talk
on identity theft and the many ways crooks use the internet
to commit fraud. This gave many of us food for thought
because the internet is new to many of our members, and
quite daunting at times.
The National Police Remembrance Day Service for Logan
District was held at Saint Patrick’s Catholic Church in
Beenleigh, and was well attended by our members. Our
President Max Moloney delivered The Act of Remembrance
on behalf of the Retired Police Association and laid a wreath.
Members from Logan/Beenleigh then travelled to
Coolangatta to attend the joint NSW, AFP, and Queensland
police march from Coolangatta to Tweed Heads, afterwards
attending the service held at the Twin Towns Services Club.
A large contingent of serving members from all participating
jurisdictions, as well as members of the QRPA Gold Coast
branch, marched and attended the service.
Although the retired members are a little rusty when
marching, they put on a great show, and the flag carriers,
Max Moloney and Des Sorensen, were a credit to be able to
have held the flag high, even though it looked on occasion
that they were going to be blown out to sea. Keep well and
remember: with honour we served.
MACKAY/WHITSUNDAY
(See above article for more news from the branch.)
Our numbers were down considerably at our August
meeting; this was due to the horrific virus that has invaded
our shores. Yes folks, as hard as it is to believe, we too up
here in God’s country are infected by varying ailments other
than tropical fever.
NEAR NORTH COAST
Members gathered at the Redcliffe Leagues Club for their
August meeting. The guest speaker on the day was Bob
Sebbens.
Queensland Police Union Journal October 2012
87

QRPA
On the welfare front, Albie Meir’s family were to hold a
memorial service in September for Merle Meir who passed
away recently. Wal Taylor is still unable to attend meetings
because he is in ill health. Jack Gibbison is on the mend
and has visited his daughter in Darwin for a few weeks. Con
Wilcox has been hospitalised with an infection.
The branch organised a 35 seater bus captained by Bluey
O’Gorman to take members to the Gympie Branch Annual
Luncheon.
REDLANDS
The AGM held on 28 August saw basically no change to the
hard-working executive. The elections saw the addition of
an Assistant Secretary due to the Secretary being away for
a few months from October through to the end of February.
Former branch Secretary Vince Mawn graciously stepped up
to fill the void. It was noted the AGM was seriously down on
members due to bouts of the dreaded ‘flu.
VAN DIEMENS LAND
This year, QRPA members joined with the Tasmania police
service for the National Police Remembrance Day ceremony
where President Andy Beasant laid a wreath on behalf of
the branch. A wreath was laid on behalf of ex PNG police by
Dave Fitzgibbon.
After the service, VDL members were thanked by the
Tasmanian Commissioner and also the state governor. Andy
advises this will now be an annual event for our members.
Dave Stannard was in the driving seat organising the
Redlands Remembrance Day service at Trinity Uniting
Church, Wellington Point. The Uniting Church Minister was
assisted by clergy from other denominations. The Women’s
Guild provided morning tea for attendees.
ROCKHAMPTON BRANCH
At the September meeting, President Barry Self presented
Kevin Cocks with his veteran membership certificate. There
is to be a BBQ at Rotary Park in Yeppoon on 23 September.
This year’s Annual Dinner to be held on Monday 19
November is a 30 year celebratory dinner. The branch is
investigating a 30th anniversary cake to mark the milestone.
The branch meets on the first Wednesday of the month at
the YWCA.
TOWNSVILLE
Congratulations go to Howard Connors who has been made
a senior member of the Association, and to Bill Green who
has been ‘promoted’ to veteran member.
During September, John Fillingham had a vein taken from
his right arm and put into his left leg to improve blood
circulation. Mae Nielsen was in the Mater Hospital ICU.
While attending the Seniors in the Park celebration, welfare
officer Gordon Thomas spoke with Ossie Cislowski.
Branch members joined in the National Police Remembrance
Day ceremony on Friday 28 September. The day commenced
at 9.30am with a march from the Townsville police station
to St James’s Anglican Church where the service was held.
Bob Loveridge did the reading.
The Townsville Branch Christmas Luncheon will now
be held on Thursday 6 December at the Townsville RSL,
commencing at 12pm. Note this year entry is by prepaid
ticket only. (See ‘Diary Dates’ above for contact details re
this event.)
88 Queensland Police Union Journal October 2012

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