Queensland Police Union Journal

JUNE 2013
OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE QUEENSLAND POLICE UNION
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QPU CONFERENCE 2013
IT’S TIME TO BACK OUR
FRONT LINE FIGHTING CRIME

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Contents
also in this issue...
COVER STORY Page 21
QPU CONFERENCE 2013
IT’S TIME TO BACK OUR FRONT LINE FIGHTING
CRIME
The State of the Union Opening Address by QPU General President
Ian Leavers.
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then permission to reproduce is withdrawn unless permission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.
Contents
Page
General President & CEO 2
General Secretary 4
Assistant General Secretary 6
Southern Region Roundup 7
Far Northern Region Roundup 9
Northern Region Roundup 11
Central Region Roundup 13
North Coast Region Roundup 15
Metro South Region Roundup 17
South East Region Roundup 18
QPU Conference 2013 21
The QPU’s New Life Members 24
Vale Gene Poole 28
A Glock at a gunfight? 32
Clean Up Horn Island Day 40
International Police Perspectives 44
Day in the Life of Senior Sergeant Dennis ‘Bluey’ Peters 48
Police Recipes 52
Book Review - Police Don’t Move 53
From the Archives 54
Police Living 56
Out and About 58
Gilshenan & Luton 2012 Legal Overview 60
‘Grandparenting’ Orders 64
Updates: EB and The Stewart Restructure 66
Women’s Advisory Committee Overview 70
Letters to the Editor 74
Police Health 76
QRPA 78
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 June 2013
1

General President & CEO
IAN LEAVERS
ENTERPRISE BARGAINING
We have good news to report on the enterprise bargaining front, with the QPS and government finally coming to
the table, and negotiations back on track.
You may recall previous eNews
and Journals, where we informed
members that the Commissioner had
refused to hand over a log of claims,
and simply demanded ours (see
Update article in this Journal for an
outline of the journey so far).
“We thank the Premier
for his intervention
yet again, and for
his demonstration of
leadership.”
In the aftermath of the Union writing
to the Premier, the government has
now handed over their log of claims
and wage offer. We also handed over
our log of claims in an environment of
mutual cooperation, and negotiations
will continue.
wage rises nor backdating of EBA
increases finalised after July.’ This
is a government policy that remains
foremost in your Union’s mind.
WORKERS’ COMP
Following the recent Inquiry into the
Operation of Queensland’s Workers’
Compensation Scheme, a report was
brought down in state parliament in
late May.
We are pleased that in short, the
report recommends that journey
claims remain, that there be no
restrictions on common law damages,
and that there be no impairment
thresholds.
Thankfully, we have retained these
important industrial rights that we
hope never to have to rely upon, but
that provide security in our line of
work.
CONFERENCE
Our annual Conference has been and
gone, with our usual lively debate
and voting on Union rules, important
catch-ups and discussions with
delegates and branch officials, and
addresses from guest speakers.
Unfortunately, our Minister was
unable to attend, and it was the
first time in a very long time that
we did not have any government
representatives available to
answer our legitimate concerns.
Commissioner Stewart was also
unable to attend as a guest speaker,
but was welcomed to our dinner.
In a climate of relative industrial
uncertainty with regards to the
Stewart Restructure and our upcoming
enterprise bargaining, it was an
important and worthwhile Conference
that allowed your Union delegates and
We thank the Premier for his
intervention yet again, and for his
demonstration of leadership.
Members should be aware that we
have called upon the Commissioner to
commence genuine negotiations over
the last ten weeks, and it has only
been as a consequence of intervention
at the highest levels of government
that negotiations were able to
recommence.
We will of course keep you informed
on how negotiations progress
via eNews and future Journals,
and we remind you that, ‘…the
state government’s position [is]
that they will not consider interim
“Our annual Conference has been and gone,
with our usual lively debate and voting on Union
rules, important catch-ups and discussions with
delegates and branch officials, and addresses
from guest speakers.”
UNIFORM
Although we do not have an official
Union position regarding polo shirts
for first response officers, we do
always listen to our members, and
lately we have been hearing increased
interest in pursuing this issue. Denis
Sycz attends when the Police Uniform
Committee meets, and we will report
any developments.
officials to regroup, consolidate, and
focus on the significant work we have
ahead of us.
NEW LIFE MEMBERS
Congratulations to three QPU
stalwarts—Denis Sycz, Steve Ryan,
and Mick Despot—on being awarded
QPU Life Membership. These three
men have been involved in Union
2
Queensland Police Union Journal June 2013

General President & CEO
activity for 25-30 years, working
tirelessly to support Union members
during tough times.
As branch officials, Steve and
Desperate have never sought the
limelight, but have worked under the
radar to ensure members’ rights are
recognised.
Denis, too, has worked tirelessly as a
sub-branch secretary, in establishing
the Goodna sub-branch, and in
establishing the Legal Unit in his
position as Assistant General Secretary.
In the past, the awarding of QPU
Life Membership has generally been
reserved for Executive officials, but these
PURSUING POLICE PURSUIT POLICY
We all breathed a sigh of relief last
November when it was announced
that a review of the police pursuit
policy would take place. Six months
later, we still haven’t heard anything,
and are finding pursuing the review
almost as difficult as deciphering the
pursuit policy itself.
“They have taken countless phone calls (often
in the middle of the night), driven countless
kilometres, and attended countless interviews
to provide whatever support is required for
members.”
It’s time for the QPS to properly
reconsider the ramifications of the
current policy, and to work with us in
delivering a new policy that provides
a workable balance of safety and
efficiency.
Ian LEAVERS
General President & CEO
0419 786 381
They have taken countless phone
calls (often in the middle of the
night), driven countless kilometres,
and attended countless interviews to
provide whatever support is required
for members.
latest awards show that the long-term,
dependable, grassroots work of many
branch officials does not go unnoticed.
Congratulations, gentlemen, and
thank you.
Queensland Police Union Journal June 2013 3

General Secretary
MICK BARNES
As part of my role as General Secretary, I am also a Director and Trustee for QSuper, which is the
superannuation fund for all police. While I am responsible for all QSuper members in this role, it is quite
relevant in that I am able to ensure QPU members receive consideration for their unique position in retirement
planning.
While we as a registered trade union
strive to achieve greater benefits for
members in each new Enterprise
Bargaining Agreement, it is equally
important to ensure QPU members
receive assistance for their retirement
planning, and in doing so achieve the
best possible outcome.
Every officer is different, so the best
advice I can give and always give
to members is to seek professional
advice from a licensed financial
planner.
adviser for you, your lifestyle, and
your financial goals.
Below are some questions you may
want to ask any prospective financial
adviser.
EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS
Q. How long have you been working
as a financial adviser?
A. What you want to hear is that your
potential adviser has a reasonable
amount of experience. While we
on a wide range of products,
including all of your current
financial products such as bank
accounts, loans, credit cards,
insurance, and superannuation.
Also, if you only want advice about
one thing—for example, your
superannuation—be upfront about
it from the start.
CLIENT FOCUS
Q. What sort of information do you
need me to give you so you can
provide adequate financial advice?
“As police officers, we have all been trained
to ask the right investigative questions when
faced with a new situation or unfamiliar
territory. However, when it comes to money
and finances, do you really know what to ask?”
QUESTIONS TO ASK A FINANCIAL
PLANNER
As police officers, we have all been
trained to ask the right investigative
questions when faced with a new
situation or unfamiliar territory.
However, when it comes to money and
finances, do you really know what to
ask? More importantly, do you really
know what answers you should be
getting?
If you’re considering your financial
future and thinking about getting
financial advice, it pays to remember
that not all financial advisers are the
same. So it’s worth taking the time to
ensure that the person sitting across
the table from you is the right financial
all know that everyone starts
somewhere, you have the right to
expect a certain level of experience.
A minimum of three to five years is
always a good starting point.
Q. Who is your most common client?
A. Choosing a financial adviser who is
experienced in dealing with people
in the same type of situation as you
can help both you and the adviser
get the relationship off to a good
start.
Q. What products do you advise on?
Do you have a good understanding
of the products I already hold?
A. What you want to hear is that they
have the capability to offer advice
A. This answer should prove to you
that the adviser is all about you!
Lots of questions should come
your way about your current
situation, including your income
and expenses, your short- and
long-term goals, retirement plans,
insurance needs, etc. The more
questions, the better!
Q. What happens if I have various
financial goals?
“Choosing a financial
adviser who is
experienced in dealing
with people in the
same type of situation
as you can help.”
A. The answer you want here is that
the adviser will help you sort
through your various financial goals
4
Queensland Police Union Journal June 2013

General Secretary
and together you will determine
what priority to assign to each. The
adviser should also help you make
a realistic assessment of each goal,
and redefine them if needed.
FEES
Q. How do you get paid?
A. Nothing ever really comes for free,
and that includes financial advice. If
your financial adviser isn’t charging
you a fee, you can bet they are
receiving a commission for the
products they recommend. This
often means clients get pushed into
products that are not right for them,
but pay the adviser very well. The
“Nothing ever really
comes for free, and
that includes financial
advice.”
easiest way for you to guarantee
the advice you are receiving is
independent is to see a fee-forservice
financial adviser. This will
ensure the products recommended
to you are in your best interests, not
the adviser’s! Most fee-for-service
financial advisers will have a set,
scaled fee structure that maps
out the fees for different types of
advice.
Q. How much will this advice cost?
A. Before committing to receiving any
type of financial advice, make sure
the adviser discloses exactly how
much the advice will cost. If you are
receiving comprehensive financial
advice, the final product you should
receive is a Statement of Advice
outlining all the recommendations
made by the financial adviser. This
will include an assessment of your
current financial position and the
steps you need to take to achieve
the goals agreed to by you and the
financial adviser.
Q. What is the total amount of fees
to be paid (in dollars per annum)
if the plan you recommend is
implemented?
A. If you decide to go ahead with the
recommendations in the Statement
of Advice, you need to make sure
the financial adviser discloses the
full cost involved. There may be
one-off or regular fees associated
with the products recommended
to you, and it’s important you are
aware of these before making any
type of commitment.
Q. Are there any ongoing fees?
A. Depending on the type of financial
advice you have decided to receive,
you may be charged an ongoing
fee. If this is the case, you should
expect to be able to ask your
adviser questions and discuss
financial issues as they arise.
Ongoing fees should also provide
you with access to services like
regular reviews of your situation
and your investments, and a
re-balancing of your investment
portfolio if required.
PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS
Q. It seems the law can change
very quickly in financial services.
How do you stay up-to-date with
everything?
A. You want an adviser who keeps upto-date
with everything they need
to know to help them provide good
financial advice. Most financial
advisers will be required to earn
a minimum number of Continuing
Professional Development points,
and they are often members of
professional associations like the
Financial Planning Association of
Australia and the Association of
Financial Advisers (AFA).
QINVEST
QInvest is a financial planning entity
that is now wholly and solely owned
by QSuper. During your enquiries,
I recommend all members contact
the QInvest Team on 1800 643 893 to
explore their services. Find out how
they can assist you to achieve the best
possible outcome in retirement.
Don’t get burnt with some other
companies. There are several changes
being made following the Report into
the Future of Financial Advice.
VALE DAVE STEVENSON
May saw the passing of a great officer,
Inspector Dave Stevenson. Dave will
be sorely missed because he had a
true caring nature for all his fellow
officers. Dave was one of nature’s true
gentlemen. His departure was sudden
and unexpected. Rest in peace, Dave.
Thank you for your friendship.
Mick BARNES
General Secretary
0411 453 335
Queensland Police Union Journal June 2013 5

Assistant General Secretary
DENIS SYCZ
Finally! A prison sentence for a repeat offender for failing to stop. In May, Ipswich Magistrate Donna
MacCallum sentenced an Ipswich local to 15 months imprisonment for failing to stop on two separate
occasions, and leading police on a merry chase that they thankfully abandoned because of the danger to public
safety.
In sentencing, the Magistrate would
have none of the offender’s solicitor’s
reasons for the offence.
“It’s a breath of fresh
air to hear that finally
a Magistrate has seen
fit to imprison one of
these peanuts.”
She stated clearly that she believed
his behaviour was nothing more than
an attempt to get away from police,
and that in doing so, he placed the
public in danger due to the speed
being reached.
These types of offences have
increased in frequency in the recent
past, and it’s a breath of fresh air to
hear that finally a Magistrate has seen
fit to imprison one of these peanuts
who thinks that the roads are there
for their enjoyment and amusement.
While this case ended with a just
result, how many more times will our
police have to watch people drive
away at speed and cause grief down
the road because of their disrespect
for the rules of the road?
It’s easy to make promises when
you’re in opposition, but it seems to
be difficult to follow through when
you come into government ... unless
of course you want to mess with the
working conditions of public sector
workers.
“How many more
times will our police
have to watch people
drive away at speed
and cause grief down
the road?”
Then you can run a Bill through
Parliament in the dead of night and
‘Bob’s your Uncle’, it’s done!
police you claim to represent, these
people who you worked with not so
long ago.
Denis SYCZ
Assistant General Secretary
0417 724 883
“It’s a shame this prison sentence wasn’t
splashed all over the electronic media so
other would-be offenders might take a second
thought.”
It’s a shame this prison sentence
wasn’t splashed all over the electronic
media so other would-be offenders
might take a second thought.
It seems our illustrious Minister is big
on talk and short on action. Come on
Jack, what are you going to do about
it?
These incidents lead to the question
of good faith immunity for police, and
what the current government intends
to do about it.
6
Queensland Police Union Journal June 2013
At first you seemed to be interested
in these and other initiatives, but now
all we get is roaring silence. It’s about
time to come good and look after the

Southern Region Roundup
DARREN LEES
ENTERPRISE BARGAINING
Troops, as many of you are aware, our wage Determination is due to expire on 30 June. Earlier in the year,
your Executive and Industrial Relations team worked hard to put together a log of claims in readiness for
negotiations with the government and the QPS regarding your new Enterprise Bargaining Agreement.
We sent out surveys, had our log of
claims determined by responses,
and were ready to go well before
the required time to commence
bargaining in good faith.
Our enterprise bargaining team
headed by our General President,
Senior Industrial Officer, and other
full time officials has been ready
to bargain in good faith with the
government and Service for months
now.
Prior to our log of claims being put
together, we were aware that the
government policy of wage increases
for public servants was a maximum
of 3% if it could be shown that there
were what is referred to as bankable
offsets (productivity gains for want of
a better term).
Our team put together a log of claims
based on that figure, and considering
what public servants from other
Unions (such as teachers and nurses)
had received.
It then came as somewhat of a
shock to receive a letter under the
hand of the Deputy Commissioner
for Workforce Reform (who
coincidentally used to be employed
as the QPU Media and Government
Relations Officer some years ago)
outlining that the government had
changed the goal posts.
The new wage policy was downgraded
to a maximum of 2.5% increase, if
bankable offsets could be identified.
Since then, our General President has
had meetings with the Police Minister
and Premier to try and rectify our
current negotiations. The Minister
would have you believe that the
government is keen to come to an
agreement and sort a wage increase
for all our members.
That meeting was some time ago now
and here we are still without proper
negotiations in good faith between
the QPS, LNP, and the QPU.
You really have to ask yourself
whether this whole process is
designed to be ‘an Enterprise
Bargaining Agreement’, or whether
it’s stunt where you get what you’re
told and are happy with it, or face the
firing squad if you’re not.
It goes even further than what I have
already explained to you, troops.
“The big term, ‘current financial status of
the state’, now has to be considered when
determining a pay increase.”
The QPS and government had the
audacity to ask our team to hand over
our log of claims when they did not
have their own. Their view was, ‘give
us a look at yours and we’ll tell you
what we can do for you’.
I would never propose to be the
best poker player the world has ever
seen, but I am pretty sure that if you
are playing a hand for considerable
amounts of money against an
opponent, and they ask to see your
hand prior to them deciding whether
to bet or not, then you would fall to
the ground laughing rather than flip
your hand to your opponent.
Also, the Industrial Relations
legislation has been changed to tie
one hand behind the back of the QIRC
Commissioners presiding over any
disputed wage case, so now they
have limited independence to make
decisions.
The big term, ‘current financial
status of the state’, now has to be
considered when determining a pay
increase.
Furthermore, the policy has changed
on the back-paying of wage increases
to the anniversary date of the new
agreement. For example, last time
your Union had a wage determination
was three years ago when we fought
long and hard against the then Bligh
ALP government and secured a 3.8%,
3.8%, and 3.5% pay increase.
The government at the time offered
a three year deal at 2.5% per annum.
While the argument over your pay
deal was being fought out in the
QIRC and arbitrated upon by the
full bench, the government agreed
to the QIRC’s decision to grant
Queensland Police Union Journal June 2013 7

Southern Region Roundup
interim pay increases of 2.5%, and
the extra 1.3% was later back paid
to the commencement date of the
agreement (1 July 2010).
The LNP government has fought the
Together Union through the QIRC
on this very issue recently, and a
determination has been made that the
government are not obliged to make
any interim pay increase or back pay
the ultimate wage determination
to the commencement of the
agreement.
So, ladies and gents, these are the
basic facts regarding our current EBA,
and the future appears grim to say
the least.
The QPU has never put together a log
of claims that is outrageous, or that
If our Commissioner does think so,
then he needs to stand by his word
in one of his first press conferences
after taking over the job. He said, ‘I
will stand up to the government and
tell them what I believe we as police
need to look after our police and
“It is incumbent upon our Commissioner
and our senior executive to outline to the
government exactly what they think police are
worth.”
So if we are forced to fight this
government over a wage deal, you
will have no wage increase for a
considerable amount of time while
it plays out. Then, if we are granted
“If we are forced to
fight this government
over a wage deal,
you will have no
wage increase for a
considerable amount
of time.”
anything in excess, it will not be back
paid and will only take effect from the
1st of the month in which the decision
is handed down by the QIRC.
demands the world. We are not blind
to the fact that governments right
around the country are pulling in the
purse strings, and from the outset
we have said we only want was is
reasonable and proportionate to
other public servants who have gone
before us.
I think the QPS have a role to
play here. It is incumbent upon
our Commissioner and our
senior executive to outline to the
government exactly what they think
police are worth.
Does our Commissioner believe we
are worth the fair and reasonable pay
increase we have indicated, based on
other public servants who have been
rewarded with pay increases before
us?
allow them to do their jobs’. Well, Mr
Stewart, here is a chance to live by
that statement.
To our Premier and Police Minister,
we ask one simple thing. Start
negotiating with the QPU Enterprise
Bargaining Team in good faith, and
deliver an agreement that is fair and
equitable to all. That is all we ask on
behalf of our members.
Keep up the good fight, remain
unified, and stay safe.
Darren LEES (Beefa)
Regional Representative
Southern Region
QPU Treasurer
0417 776 184
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.
8
Queensland Police Union Journal June 2013

Far Northern Region Roundup
MARTY BRISTOW
Some time ago during a restructure media interview, the Commissioner Ian Stewart made the comment that
being a police officer is no longer a career, but ‘just a job’. I have thought long and hard about what he said, and
I have to disagree. I suspect the Commissioner doesn’t even believe it; I would not be surprised if the comment
was made in conversation with someone who has never been a police officer. It may be just a job to them, but
not to me and many other police.
Not far from where I live is a bridge
named in honour of Senior Constable
Desmond Trannore, who is still
held in the highest regard among
many Gordonvale residents. He was
stationed in Gordonvale throughout
most of the late 1950s and early 1960s.
As the local copper, Desmond was an
active member of many community
organisations, and he was heavily
involved in community activities –
teaching boxing at the local youth
club and running the Gordonvale Pony
Club, Aussie Rules, tennis and cricket
clubs.
Desmond Trannore was tragically
killed when he attended a domestic
dispute at little Mulgrave, near
Gordonvale, on 26 October 1964. He
gave his life to a wife and her three
children, running toward danger when
most others would have run away.
I am sure being a police officer was
more than just a job to Desmond, and
I am certain his family don’t believe he
gave his life for just a job.
Each month when I attend Union
Executive meetings in Brisbane, I sit
down with the other QPU officials and
I see the name Desmond Trannore on
an honour board, alongside the names
of all the other officers murdered in
the line of duty. Many are dedicated
young family men who made the
ultimate sacrifice for their community.
There are names like Brett Irwin who
was fatally shot while attempting to
serve a Bail Act warrant, and Douglas
Wrembeck who was struck down and
purposely killed by a motor vehicle
when he was performing traffic duty in
August 1962 in Brisbane.
Constable Albert Price: stabbed to
death while attempting to arrest a man
in Mackay in December 1905 ... and
there are many other names. Was it
just a job to these men?
It’s not only the families of those
who have been taken from us so
“If it were just a job, why does that hair stand
up on the back of our necks when you hear the
radio crackle and a quivering voice call, ‘VKR,
we need urgent assistance!’”
brutally who have suffered. There
is the constant risk of permanent or
debilitating injuries, and that silent
assassin (PTSD) that claws at many of
us. Why would anyone want to expose
themselves to these sorts of risks for
‘just a job’?
I was certain we had moved on from
the brutal coal mines of the 19th
century, where people died in horrific
conditions trying to provide a meagre
income for their families.
I sincerely hope we are not on the
way back there. How many names will
there be on the list of applicants to the
QPS if there is the attitude that it’s just
a job?
I spent some time speaking to staff
and asking them for their opinion, and
whether they believed being a police
officer was just a job. Some did agree,
though I could see that it was not so
long ago they believed it was more
than that.
If it were just a job, why do I know
of police officers who have cradled
a dying person at a traffic incident,
trying to provide them some comfort
in their last seconds on this planet?
If it were just a job, why does a CPIU
detective lie awake at night with a
blank stare on their face, looking
into the darkness but seeing only
the broken and battered body of an
abused child?
If it were just a job, why does that
hair stand up on the back of each and
every one of our necks when you hear
the radio crackle and a quivering voice
call, ‘VKR, we need urgent assistance!’
If it were just a job, would
Queensland’s biggest investigation in
history have resulted in the location
and arrest of the alleged offender
in relation to Daniel Morecombe’s
disappearance?
Queensland Police Union Journal June 2013 9

Far Northern Region Roundup
And if it were just a job, why do we
band together and pay our respects so
solemnly to our fallen?
“We all know it’s not
‘just a job’; we know
that it is and always
will be ‘the job’.”
It is definitely not just a job for staff
and elected officials of the Queensland
Police Union of Employees. I know
that every person in the office at
North Quay, and every Regional
Representative and branch official,
knows that being a police officer is not
your average type of employment.
They understand the barriers and
difficulties that are thrown at police, the
expectations placed upon them, and
the limited resources they are provided
by government and management with
expectations of the extreme.
That is why QPU staff give it their
all—they go that extra mile, that bit
further, put just that bit more in—
because things can get pretty difficult,
and when members need a helping
hand, we will be there offering the
assistance needed.
We all know it’s not ‘just a job’; we
know that it is and always will be ‘the
“Every person in the
office at North Quay,
and every Regional
Representative
and branch official,
knows that being a
police officer is not
your average type of
employment.”
job’. We may not openly admit to
our occupation when asked at social
gatherings, because many who are
not associated with the job just don’t
understand.
But when we find another who wears
the suit of blue, be they from another
station, district, region, state, or
even country, we are proud of our
occupation. Past, present, and future,
we all need to realise that we are the
job, and to use the old cliché, we are
the thin blue line.
We are constantly stretched beyond
what should be breaking point, but we
hold it together. We hold it together
because if we don’t, who will protect
our cities, communities, friends, and
families? We are the job and we are
proud to say so.
Marty BRISTOW
Regional Representative
Far Northern Region
0438 767 839
10
Queensland Police Union Journal June 2013

Northern Region Roundup
PETER THOMAS
The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly is on hold this month because I want to outline the restructure implications,
government interference in Unions, and the current status of EB negotiations.
THE STEWART RESTRUCTURE
Much has been said about the
restructure: the concerns of your
Union, the reasons for our concerns,
and the impact upon our members. We
have just finalised stages 1 and 2, and
this is a précis to date.
Since the announcement of this
restructure, the main concern has been
that no detailed implementation plan
clearly outlining the process of change
management has ever been produced.
The announcement of forced
redundancies of commissioned officers
and a full organisational restructure
without a detailed plan certainly
caused alarm bells to ring.
is suitable to them. This consultation is
ongoing.
Another major concern of your Union
relates to the workload that is going
to be absorbed by Senior Sergeants
and Sergeant Officers in Charge of
stations and sections because of
the relocation of support services to
Central Functions in Brisbane (Injury
Management, Work Health and Safety,
and Human Resource Management).
is reviewed and not accepted by the
Service?
There are many examples where
this has previously occurred, and the
Supervisor has been dealt a penalty
harsher than the minor disciplinary
matter penalty incurred by the
subordinate member.
This is an area that requires addressing
by the Service, and very strict
“Hopefully, general duties officers will be the
big winners, with the commitment that for each
of the commissioned officer redundancies, a
frontline operational officer will be recruited.”
Your Union could see the writing on
the wall: that the forced redundancies
would flow down to Senior Sergeants,
and then to Sergeants, so we went
to battle and prevented the forced
redundancies upon commissioned
officers to protect our members.
As a result of your Union’s intervention,
commissioned officers were offered
voluntary redundancy packages rather
than forced redundancies, and 86
were accepted by the Commissioner.
Voluntary redundancy was not offered
to non commissioned ranks.
Your Union also had concerns as to
how the restructure was going to
impact upon Senior Sergeants who
were being displaced from their
positions as a result of organisational
units being dissolved.
We are currently working with the QPS
to ensure these officers are retained
within their Districts in a position that
Many of the functions that were
previously performed by these
localised sections will now be added
to the daily responsibilities of the
Officers in Charge, and will be merely
overviewed by Central Functions.
This will have a major impact upon
the already overstretched OICs and
is of significant concern for both the
welfare of the OICs and members
being managed. This is an area where
ongoing consultation will occur to
ensure the welfare of all concerned.
Another area of major concern is for
Sergeants and Supervisors. With the
restructure, delegation of supervision
and minor discipline is being delegated
down, and the responsibility will lie
with the supervisor.
The concern held by your Union is that
if ‘discipline on the run’ is going to be
accepted, what support is going to be
offered by the Service if that discipline
guidelines will be required. This is
another area that your Union will
continue to address and monitor.
Hopefully, general duties officers
will be the big winners, with the
commitment that for each of the
commissioned officer redundancies,
a frontline operational officer will
be recruited. I immediately have a
concern, because I am aware that with
the number of redundancies accepted,
there are not enough commissioned
officers to fill positions.
This will be of benefit to our
members who will have promotional
opportunities at all levels, however
the Service have a definitive number
of positions allocated, so will these
positions be replaced?
If positions are not being filled in your
work units, I ask that you immediately
notify me or your branch official so that
we can address this situation.
Queensland Police Union Journal June 2013 11

Northern Region Roundup
I am of the opinion that this is a
restructure that the organisation did
need to have. It is a shame that the
QPS did not consult with you and your
Union, and did not have a marketing
plan to promote the restructure to their
employees. It is a disgrace that the full
restructure detail still has not been
divulged.
servants are restricted to a point that
day-to-day living expenses far exceed
fortnightly income, just to meet a
budget surplus.
Because the Union movement
in Queensland is so strong, this
government is making the operational
ability of Unions very hard.
are interested in becoming a branch
official, give me a call.
If you require assistance from me, or
our full time officials, do not hesitate
to make contact. We are here to assist
you. This certainly is the time when
we need to adhere to our Union motto,
‘Unity is Strength’.
I stated in a previous Journal article
that in years to come, this restructure
implementation will be looked upon
in case studies as poor management
practice, and I am still of the same belief.
It is a credit to each and every one of
our members that your goodwill and
work commitment is what has kept the
wheels of this organisation turning. It
is also a credit to the commissioned
officers that they have maintained
focus and supported our QPU
members, even while they were unsure
whether they had a job.
The manner in which the Senior
Management of this organisation has
not only treated our members, but
also their commissioned officers, is an
absolute disgrace.
GOVERNMENT UNION INTERFERENCE
AND EB
We need you for Your Union
If I was tech savvy, I would have
photoshopped my picture onto this
well known American image, but this
will have to do.
This Newman government seems to
be ensuring that the wages of public
One of the measures this government
has implemented to make business
harder is that your Union dues can no
longer be deducted from your wages as
an automatic deduction. In the coming
months, this will be addressed through
a mail-out to each of you.
“Because the
Union movement
in Queensland
is so strong,
this government
is making the
operational ability of
Unions very hard.”
This government is also changing
legislation to ensure that Unions are
restricted in their abilities to fight for
your rights.
You can be guaranteed that we will not
take this lying down, but it is evident
that this is the type of interference this
government will implement to try to
prevent your Union from effectively
doing business.
Our current Enterprise Bargaining
negotiation has stalled. Your Union
continues to attempt to engage
all parties, in an effort to ensure
negotiations have concluded in time for
the next EB to commence.
With both Enterprise Bargaining and
the restructure occurring, we need
you to support your Union and attend
your branch meetings. If your branch
officials have not held a meeting for
some time, ask them to hold one. If you
“Our current
Enterprise Bargaining
negotiation has
stalled.”
I would like to take this opportunity to
congratulate Assistant Commissioner
Clem O’Regan, Chief Superintendent
Paul Taylor, and Superintendents
Russel Miller, Glenn Kachel, and Brett
Schafferius, who will lead the new
Northern Region management team.
From my previous interactions, all
have the best intentions of the troops
at heart. Along with my Far Northern
Region counterpart Marty Bristow, I
look forward to dealing with each of
you for the betterment of our members
and the QPS.
Until next month, take care of
yourselves and each other, take the
time to attend your branch meeting,
and don’t forget: no Union rep = no
interview.
Peter THOMAS
(Thommo)
Regional Representative
Northern Region
0409 591 270
12
Queensland Police Union Journal June 2013

Central Region Roundup
BILL FELDMAN
THE KEELTY REVIEW AND THE COSTELLO REPORT
I couldn’t help but choke on my cornflakes when I first got my hands on the Keelty Review and the Costello
Report. I have never read a greater load of diatribe. Let’s look at what they suggest should be taken away from
the ambient of policing, to save the government money ...
(under Section D11 of the Review, which can be accessed and read on the following link:
http://www.treasury.qld.gov.au/coa-response/better-services.shtml#D11_Police_Service)
SPECIAL DUTIES, AND IN
PARTICULAR, WIDE LOAD ESCORTS
Do wide load escorts cost the
government or the Queensland Police
Service money?
No, they actually make money for
the QPS and government coffers,
especially when the relevant
mining and earthmoving equipment
companies and house and machinery
movers are billed at the rate of a
Sergeant 3.1 on double time for a
just wear their colours like football
clubs and soccer clubs?
Are police being taken away from
frontline policing jobs to perform
these duties? No. Special duties
are being performed on that police
officer’s days off, or in off-duty.
What money will come into the QPS
coffers or government consolidated
revenue if special duties are
legislated away? None!
deployment site. I have seen what
has happened in other states when
speed cameras have been given to
over-zealous, unskilled, poorly trained
civilian operators.
It’s complete mayhem. If the public
think they are being ripped off now
by cameras, wait until they are taken
from the hands of police.
What money will come into the QPS
coffers or government consolidated
revenue if speed cameras are
legislated away? None!
“If the public wish for the safe and effective
regulation of traffic during the movement of
wide loads, police and police vehicles should
always be used.”
Constable doing the job, and they are
billed mileage on the use of the QPS
marked vehicle at a decent clip.
Are police needed for the safe and
effective movement of these large
and oversized loads on relevant
heavy vehicles? Yes.
SPEED CAMERAS
Do they really want to take speed
cameras away from the QPS? I know
they make money. I also know that
as is the case with special duties, off
duty police man the camera vans,
cars, and sites.
COMMS CENTRES, RADIO
ELECTRONICS, TECHNICAL SUPPORT
Don’t get me started on the
compromise to police officer
safety when this misguided LNP
government and the QPS hatchet
man, Commissioner Stewart,
legislate away and outsource our
Communication Centres, Radio
Electronics Sections, and Technical
Support Sections.
Can you just imagine radio
communications down on a
violent, alcohol-fuelled Friday or
If the public wish for the safe and
effective regulation of traffic during
the course of the movement of these
loads, police and police vehicles
should always be used.
“I have seen what has happened in other
states when speed cameras have been given to
over-zealous, unskilled, poorly trained civilian
operators.”
Who else should be given the power
to move vehicles on and off a road?
Perhaps those nice bikie types who
Legislation is followed to the ‘T’
when setting up a speed camera
Saturday night ... and the recorded
message from that outsourced
Queensland Police Union Journal June 2013 13

Central Region Roundup
communications company on the
other end of the line, telling you that
they value your business and your
call, and that they will get a tech to
call us as soon as possible and if
the trouble persists? ‘There will be
someone in the office at 8.30am on
Monday to resolve your issue.’
Or can you imagine a foreign national
in the outsourced Technical Support
Section in India having complete
access to the QPS Computer and
QPrime systems, attempting to
resolve our issues by phone?
On that note, I will finish this month
with sincere thanks to the 25-30
year contribution of all the new Life
Members of the QPU: thanks Mick
Despot, Terry Ryan, and Denis Sycz,
for your support and tireless work in
this great Union.
Bill FELDMAN
Regional Representative
Central Region
0419 659 105
My good friend Sergeant Mick Despot
(President of the QPU Gladstone
branch and now a Life Member of this
great Union) was only bemoaning
these facts to me over a beer at the
QPU Conference in early May.
We both look with great trepidation to
the future path and direction that the
QPS appear to be contemplating.
14
Queensland Police Union Journal June 2013

North Coast Region Roundup
GRANT WILCOX
CONFERENCE 2012
At the annual QPU Conference I attended last year, Campbell Newman was riding the wave of CANDO QLD.
Back then, the Premier and his LNP
team made some very strong plans
to deliver, ‘like no other government
could if they achieved power,
revitalising frontline policing and
making our communities safe’.
Importantly, this government
promised 1,100 new police over four
years, ‘over and above attrition’. Just
to be clear, Mr Newman was elected
on 26 March 2012.
redeployed, will be a key plank of the
LNP’s Safer Streets Crime Action Plan
to restore Queensland Police as a
force and keep our streets safe.
‘The LNP will also revitalise
community policing, crack down
on graffiti, and deliver two police
helicopters.’ Mr Newman promised.
Okay, we know all the figures and the
political spin. So what’s the reality?
If this is the case, where are the
additions to station strengths across
this state, especially in those Districts
which have the greatest need, where
the workload is like quicksand? I have
seen recruits at stations but have
seen no increases in station strength.
I just want to again state the obvious
... increasing policing numbers
should increase position numbers to
be over and above attrition.
Mr Newman promised 300 recruits in
the first financial year of government,
with (at least) 100 recruits committed
to the Gold Coast and Logan areas
(due date 1 July 2013).
He said, ‘the rest of this substantial
boost in police numbers will be
‘OVER AND ABOVE ATTRITION’
Well, we got two helicopters, but they
were purchased from within the QPS
budget. What did we go without to
get these?
I’m sure we were all expecting they
would be purchased with additional
“Where are the additions to station strengths
across this state, especially in those Districts
which have the greatest need, where the
workload is like quicksand?”
Is anybody else asking where those
position numbers are? Just the nonpoliticians,
I suspect ... that’s us and
the rest of Queensland.
CONFERENCE 2013
A year on and at the time of the 2013
QPU Conference, 70% of Queensland
was still short of police on its streets,
so less than the heralded ‘state
average’ of 1 officer to 436 people.
Is it any wonder that when we arrived
at the 2013 QPU Conference, LNP
members were scarce on the ground to
answer questions which would address
the concerns of the membership?
distributed across Queensland to
revitalise frontline services’(1,000 in
total, 200 by 1 July 2013, plus 50 offdesk).
‘In addition, an LNP government will
move around 50 police each year
from behind office desks and back
onto the frontline,’ Mr Newman said.
‘This means up to an additional 200
experienced frontline police over four
years will be keeping our streets safe.
‘Our commitment for a total of
around 1,300 additional police on the
frontline, 1,100 new and around 200
funds ... oops, that’s political speak for,
‘we never said how we would pay for
them, just that you would get them’.
There’s a promise ticked off the list.
We have just undertaken a restructure
where 86 commissioned officers
accepted redundancies, and we’ve
been promised this will lead to even
more frontline police. I am assuming
these are in addition to the 1,300
additional police?
I am still uncomfortable with the
statement that these figures will be
over and above attrition.
“70% of Queensland
is still short of police
on its streets, so less
than the heralded
‘state average’ of 1
officer to 436 people.”
The tangible results from the past
year have been underwhelming. I
believe our numbers for recruits
Queensland Police Union Journal June 2013 15

North Coast Region Roundup
and those redeployed are only filling
vacancies created by attrition and
members leaving for many and
various reasons.
If this is not the case, I wonder if
anyone can identify the many extra
position numbers adding to frontline
strength for Queenslanders?
PURSUITS - DYNAMIC INTERACTIVE
SCENARIO
I have been regularly attending
interviews for members who have
engaged in a pursuit. Remember, no
rep ... no interview (thanks Thommo!).
Each time the interview is nearing
its end, and when asked if I have
anything to say, I ask the interviewer
about any dynamic interactive
scenario provided for the officers
“Every other use of
force has a dynamic
interactive scenario,
but for the pursuit
policy, there is none.”
dynamic interactive scenario, but
this use of force doesn’t. It’s right up
there with pursuit policy for choppers
and wheeled recreational devices.
Grant WILCOX
Regional Representative
North Coast Region
0411 359 555
In each interview, the officer is asked
about the policy and the obligations
which have their genesis in a ‘death
by PowerPoint’ presentation (no
offence to my learned colleagues
in training, I realise you can only
provide the teachings in the current
format).
to establish their knowledge and
practical application of the death by
PowerPoint pursuit policy.
The answer is that there is none.
Every other use of force has a
16
Queensland Police Union Journal June 2013

Metro South Region Roundup
TONY COLLINS
THE NEW WORLD ORDER
As some are calling it, the ‘New World Order’ is upon the QPS, but the reality of it all is that very little has
changed. Some Regions have been disbanded and then rebranded as Districts. Policelink is still a millstone
around our necks. The funding for mobile data has to come from our internal budget rather than Treasury. New
school-based officers are being employed without radio and vehicle allocations; they are having to drive their
own cars to schools and to beg or borrow radios. However, there are still calls for service and the sun will rise
tomorrow.
While the bosses we report to have
changed, little else has. As I have said
previously, Stage 1 was going to have
very limited effect on most members. I
now await Stage 2 and 3, as these may
be vastly different. Unfortunately, due
to the distinct lack of information, only
time will tell.
One member put the restructure to
me in terms of movie-making: ‘If the
restructure of the QPS was a movie,
then the disclaimer at the end would
be that no Assistant Commissioner or
Chief Superintendent was hurt in the
making of this movie.’
While the Commissioner is an
obvious social media fan, you need
to be careful of what you put online.
Because the QPS still does not have a
social media policy, this area is very
grey as to what you will get in trouble
for and what you won’t. So be careful.
UNION ASSISTANCE
Believe it or not, folks, if you are a
member of the Union, then seeking
advice from the Union is free. I
still shake my head when I hear
of people still having quick chats
about complaint files without Union
assistance.
we are here to help you. Please feel
free to ask for help when you need it,
or, more importantly, even if you are
just unsure.
WANTED
1) Polo shirts for first response police.
2) Third car for Annerley station
3) New pursuit policy
4) Social media policy
Tony COLLINS
Regional Representative
Metropolitan South Region
0414 804 472
‘If the restructure of the QPS was a movie,
then the disclaimer at the end would be
that no Assistant Commissioner or Chief
Superintendent was hurt in the making of this
movie.’
FACEBOOK
Folks, I repeat myself at least once
a year with this message. If you are
on Facebook, be sure of who you are
friends with. If you don’t know some
of your hundreds of friends, then
perhaps it is time for a cull.
Remember that anything you put
on Facebook is there forever. Don’t
post anything about work, don’t put
photographs of yourself in uniform
online, and don’t ‘like’ anything that
may come back to bite you.
Reports in relation to speed cameras
and red light camera tickets should not
be submitted with the disclaimer in the
first paragraph.
Why? Because if they do decide to
proceed with the ticket, and you wish
to defend it, then your report is Exhibit
A, especially if there is an admission of
guilt relating to the speed or red light.
I would prefer a five minute phone call
to a forty minute interview. You pay
good money to be in the Union, and
Queensland Police Union Journal June 2013 17

South East Region Roundup
BOB SMITHSON
QPS RESTRUCTURE PROGRAM
As we fast approach 1 July, we are moving into the final stages of the QPS restructure program (well, Phase
1, anyway). We have recently seen the placements (and some promotions) of Assistant Commissioners across
the state. Our Inspectors have found themselves new homes in some cases, with some staying put with new
titles. The Superintendents and Chief Superintendents are also locked in for the next phase of the ride, the
‘implementation phase’, to kick in after 1 July.
In the final wash up, the South Eastern
Region has not suffered as much
disruption as some other areas across
the state. Assistant Commissioner
Rynders stays in charge of the Region.
Chief Superintendent Hollands remains
in our area as Gold Coast District Officer.
Superintendents Ziebarth and Powers
also remain in the area, and we
welcome Superintendent Hanbridge
who will join the new SER structure.
There remain a few vacant positions
that will have to be filled in the higher
ranks, but I am assured this will be
finalised in the very near future.
As a result of the restructure, some of
our members have been required to
change work location. For example, the
Gold Coast and Coomera Dog Squad
sections will now all work out of the
Coomera headquarters.
Another piece of news (not directly
linked to the restructure) is the
impending roll-out across the South
Eastern Region of new computers and
printer/copier/scanners. These new items
of equipment will be gladly received by
our members who have been working
with some rather antiquated machinery
for some time now.
DISTRICT APPOINTMENTS
You might remember that as part of
the last EB outcome known as the QPS
Determination 2010, there was provision
for a new concept to be known as
District Appointments. It has taken
almost three years for any movement to
occur in this area, but things have now
started to progress.
The South Eastern Region has
been chosen as the initial Region to
implement the District Appointment
“The South Eastern
Region has been
chosen as the
initial Region to
implement the
District Appointment
concept.”
concept. Our members in the area will
have recently seen an EOI for officers
to consider applying for these District
postings: 15 in the Gold Coast and 13 in
the Logan District.
Being a new concept, it has generated
a fair degree of trepidation among
our members. There are quite a
few unknowns as to what type of
duties these selected officers will be
performing, and the process is still in
its early stages at the time I write this
article.
However, our Union has been involved
in the consultation process with
management in the development of
this proposal. In particular, our Union
has been concerned with the Industrial
Relations considerations, with the two
key IR issues being tenure and OSA/
equity.
The tenure aspect has been covered,
whereby successful officers currently
attached to stations in the existing
Districts will not have their tenure period
re-started. Further, the selected officers
will receive the OSA and their equity
will be assessed primarily on the District
Appointment roster.
The most pleasing aspect of this new
development is that the 28 positions are
additional police numbers. They will be
uniform officers out on the road every
day of the year supporting the frontline
troops.
The numbers are significant, and
worked out mathematically will equate
to an extra eight or nine police on the
road for each day of the year.
“The most pleasing
aspect of this
District Appointment
development is that
the 28 positions are
additional police
numbers.”
I can see this is a great opportunity to
improve the way we do business in this
Region. If the right type of officers are
picked for the squads, and they, in turn,
are managed and deployed properly,
we would hope for a positive outcome. I
guess time will tell.
Bob SMITHSON
Regional Representative
South East Region
0408 120 110
18
Queensland Police Union Journal June 2013

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QUEENSLAND POLICE LEGACY SCHEME
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BRISBANE 4001
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QPU Conference 2013
QPU Conference 2013
It’s Time To Back Our Front Line Fighting Crime
The State of the Union Opening Address
by QPU General President Ian Leavers.
Welcome to the 2013 Queensland
Police Union of Employees
Annual Conference. I would like to
acknowledge our life members, and
all delegates who have travelled from
near and far to attend this week.
I would also like to acknowledge our
sponsors of this year’s conference:
Gilshenan & Luton Legal Practice,
Since last Conference, we have
seen the effects of this change of
government, and also the effects of
a change of Commissioner when we
farewelled Bob Atkinson after 12 years.
2013 has already shaped up as another
busy year, and it will be one of the
biggest yet in relation to change for
all members and delegates. It’s our
first full year under a different state
“The second half of the year shows no signs
of abating, with a challenging period ahead
for all members with the Stewart restructure
and EB7.”
Ian Leavers
Sciaccas Lawyers and Consultants,
CPX Printing, and the Gold Coast
Bulletin, as well as the Police Credit
Union and Police Health.
I wish to acknowledge our overseas
and interstate guests. Your
knowledge and experience in your
own jurisdictions will enhance our
Conference. Thank you.
Last year proved to be a year of
consolidation at the Queensland
Police Union, as well as a year of great
change. With the new direction in 2012,
a ‘Can Do’ state government promised
all Queenslanders an exciting time in
getting Queensland ‘back on track’.
We are still to see the results of this
change in many areas, and we continue
to push for these changes for police.
government, with a federal government
change on the horizon.
The second half of the year shows no
signs of abating, with a challenging
period ahead for all members with the
Stewart restructure and EB7.
We thought we had seen the end of
QPU battles with government, but we
have a new battle looming with our
enterprise bargaining set to begin.
Our strength has always been our unity
as a Union, and we need this unity
more than ever as we enter the fight of
our lives for wages and conditions. We
“As a united force, the Queensland Police
Union can tackle any issue, whether it comes
from QPS management, the government, or
any other threat to any member’s rights and
conditions.”
as a Union will continue to look after
our members and in turn, all members
need to look out for each other.
As a united force, the Queensland
Police Union can tackle any issue,
whether it comes from QPS
Queensland Police Union Journal June 2013 21

QPU Conference 2013
to us all. This conference will prove
fruitful and beneficial and I know we
will all take something out of this week
to be able to better assist all members
of the Queensland Police Union.
THE ROAD AHEAD
The road ahead is going to be very
rocky: very rocky indeed. Yesterday
the Costello Audit commissioned by
Campbell Newman and Tim Nicholls
advocated for an end of police wide
load escorts, traffic specials, and speed
camera operations, by calling for
these functions to be civilianised and
privatised. The Audit also advocated to
sell off and consolidate police stations.
Detective Sergeant Scott Atkins, General President Ian Leavers, and Senior Industrial Officer Steve Mahoney
at Conference.
Taking away things like speed cameras
may not sound like a big deal, but it
would mean a reduction in salary of
around $10,000 a year for over 10% of
police, and a reduction in real terms of
salary for many more.
This LNP government was keen to
befriend us in opposition, and indeed
the Police Union assisted the LNP
become elected in 1996.
Now it seems we have been thrown
in the life raft with all the other public
servants, and we at the Union will not
take this lying down.
Senior Industrial Officer Steve Mahoney discusses EB at Conference.
management, the government, or any We as a Union need to continue to
other threat to any member’s rights be a united force both internally
and conditions.
and externally. As a united force,
we are willing to work with the state
While 2013 poses many challenges, government and the Commissioner.
not least of which are the enterprise
bargaining negotiations, this is by no The real question is whether the state
means the only challenge.
government and the Commissioner are
willing to work with us.
As your Union President, I will continue
to ensure that we are a force to be I know this Conference will be a
reckoned with throughout 2013,
productive and useful time for all of us
and that all members are a united, to swap ideas, catch up with old mates,
stabilising, and progressive unit to fight and generally advance the cause of the
for our rights.
Queensland Police Union so that we
may better serve our members.
I will not bow to threats, nor will I ever
take a backwards step when it comes Our speakers this year are wide and
to defending the members of the QPU. varied, and I know will be of interest
We have gone into EB negotiations in
good faith, yet we are still to get a wage
offer from government. We have met
with the Police Minister, we have met
with the Premier’s office, we have met
with everyone … and they all give us
the same answer – ‘That must be an
oversight, a wage offer will come soon’.
It never does.
Now we are at a crossroads. I need you
all to join us with your eyes wide open
for us to figure out what this means.
The Union may need to take industrial
action.
This cannot be entered into lightly
because of the personal cost to us all,
so think carefully over the Conference
of the price you might be prepared to
pay for a decent wage offer.
22
Queensland Police Union Journal June 2013

QPU Conference 2013
Interstate and international guests with Assistant General Secretary Denis Sycz, General President Ian Leavers and General Secretary Mick Barnes at Conference.
“Remember to ask yourself what you are prepared to do for a decent
wage offer, because if we do nothing, we will get what we’re given.”
Don’t forget, the government has
abolished the long-standing practice
of interim pay rises. They have
abolished the commencement date
of arbitrated results being 1 July, and
they are considering abolishing and
merging unions to make conditions
harder for us at the Police Union.
We are expecting a wage offer any day.
We will continue to negotiate in good
faith, however the day will come when
even our faith will erode, and we may
contemplate action.
Let me be very clear. We are not
asking the world. We are only asking
for a fair wage offer in line with
teachers and nurses, and we haven’t
even received this.
AT CONFERENCE
This week at Conference, we will all
have the chance to speak with each
other and discuss tactics. I will talk
further about plans we have already set
in motion.
Remember to ask yourself what you
are prepared to do for a decent wage
offer, because if we do nothing, we will
get what we’re given. If we take action,
there may be a personal cost to us all.
This government may be flat broke, but
we’re only asking for a fair deal.
So remember: what are you prepared
to risk for your mates?
Welcome to Conference.
Queensland Police Union Journal June 2013
23

The QPU’s New Life Members
The QPU’s New Life Members
Denis Sycz, Mick Despot, and Steve Ryan
On the evening of Wednesday 1 May, Steve Ryan, Mick ‘Desperate’
Despot, and Denis Sycz sat together to share a meal during the first
night of the QPU Conference at Royal Pines Resort on the Gold Coast.
Steve’s and Mick’s wives, Margaret and Tracey, joined them, with
Denis’s wife Trish due to arrive the following day.
Tracey and Mick Despot, Margaret and Steve Ryan, and Trish and Denis Sycz on stage at Conference.
As the night progressed, the three
swapped stories of times they have
shared together, including formidable
QPU and QPS work situations, antics
of past Conferences, and of course
incidents that have led to jokes and
insults maturing over time.
There was barely pause for breath
between the barrage of ribbings and
taunts at one another’s expense,
so it is clear they are good mates.
Little did they realise they would be
“There was barely pause for breath between
the barrage of ribbings and taunts at one
another’s expense, so it is clear they are good
mates.”
together once again on stage the
following evening to accept QPU Life
Memberships.
In the past, Life Memberships have not
been awarded to either current serving
officials or branch officials, so the
honour came as a complete surprise
to all three. It was fitting to see their
long-term, under-the-radar efforts for
Union members acknowledged and
celebrated.
24 Queensland Police Union Journal June 2013

The QPU’s New Life Members
STEVE RYAN
UNION POSITION
Dalby branch secretary.
QPS POSITION
Sergeant, Officer in Charge at
Millmerran station.
HOW LONG HAVE YOU HELD YOUR
UNION POSITION?
Since August 1988.
HAVE YOU HELD POSITIONS AT
OTHER BRANCHES?
I was Secretary at Mt Isa branch for a
few months, but then I was transferred
to Dajarra.
WHY DID YOU BECOME A UNION
OFFICIAL?
To ensure the working conditions and
entitlements for police were improved.
The welfare of members is very
important to the QPU and to me, as
well.
WHO OR WHAT GOT YOU INTERESTED
IN BEING A UNION OFFICIAL?
I have always been interested in
Union affairs. I went to my first Union
meeting in 1978 at the Academy. The
QPS, or Force as it was when I started,
is a big organisation that can overlook
its workers (especially those a long
way from Brisbane). The QPU ensures
that this does not happen.
HOW DID YOU BECOME A UNION
OFFICIAL?
I was nominated and then elected by
the members.
WHAT DOES YOUR POSITION
INVOLVE?
General admin of branch affairs , and
coordinating meetings. The most
reward facet is representing members
during interviews and hearings,
to ensure the rights of the members
are looked after during a complaint
process.
WHAT IS THE BIGGEST CHANGE YOU
HAVE SEEN SINCE BECOMING A
UNION OFFICIAL?
Technology, and in some cases the
negative attitude of members of the
public towards the police.
WHAT DO YOU BELIEVE IS THE
BIGGEST CHALLENGE FOR YOU AND
YOUR UNION?
To stay relevant to members, and to
continue to improve the conditions of
members. Also to keep members with
less service history interested in Union
matters.
WHAT DO YOU BELIEVE IS YOUR
GREATEST ACHIEVEMENT AS A
UNION OFFICIAL?
Representing members on several
occasions during very serious
situations, and getting the best
possible outcomes at hearings.
DENIS SYCZ
UNION POSITION
Assistant General Secretary.
HOW LONG HAVE YOU HELD YOUR
UNION POSITION?
Since 2002.
HAVE YOU HELD POSITIONS AT
OTHER BRANCHES?
1979 member.
1989 - 1993 Sub-branch secretary at
Stanthorpe.
1995 - Established Goodna subbranch,
and elected to Executive.
WHY DID YOU BECOME A UNION
OFFICIAL?
To help stop people getting (beep)ed
over.
WHO OR WHAT GOT YOU
INTERESTED IN BEING A UNION
OFFICIAL?
Merv Melling – he used to relieve
at Stanthorpe and he was on the
Executive.
HOW DID YOU BECOME A UNION
OFFICIAL?
There was a vacancy at Stanthorpe
and I thought I’d have a go.
WHAT DOES YOUR POSITION
INVOLVE?
Managing the Legal Unit. And helping
members, of course.
WHAT IS THE BIGGEST CHANGE YOU
HAVE SEEN SINCE BECOMING A
UNION OFFICIAL?
Generation Y people who expect a
free hand-out without contributing or
serving an apprenticeship.
WHAT DO YOU BELIEVE IS THE
BIGGEST CHALLENGE FOR YOU AND
YOUR UNION?
Meeting people’s sometimes
unrealistic expectations. Paying your
Union dues is not an abrogation of
your responsibility.
WHAT DO YOU BELIEVE IS YOUR
GREATEST ACHIEVEMENT AS A
UNION OFFICIAL?
Making a difference every day.
Establishing the Legal Unit. And
of course, managing Calvin (QPU
Principal Solictor).
Queensland Police Union Journal June 2013
25

The QPU’s New Life Members
MICK ‘DESPERATE’ DESPOT
UNION POSITION
Gladstone branch president.
QPS POSITION
Sergeant, Officer in Charge at Calliope
station.
HOW LONG HAVE YOU HELD YOUR
UNION POSITION?
Since 2003.
HAVE YOU HELD POSITIONS AT
OTHER BRANCHES?
1979 member.
1994 - 2002 Sub-branch president at
St George.
WHY DID YOU BECOME A UNION
OFFICIAL?
I realised that the organisation doesn’t
really help the members on the
ground, and I’m about looking after
my fellow worker. It also gives you the
opportunity to have input and make
real change in how we do business.
WHO OR WHAT GOT YOU INTERESTED
IN BEING A UNION OFFICIAL?
The Fitzgerald Inquiry. I saw how
VOTE
1
DENIS SYCZ
members were hung out to dry, and the
Union was the only thing that helped
and saved them. It’s about what we
do as coppers. We do the right thing
because the right thing has to be done.
HOW DID YOU BECOME A UNION
OFFICIAL?
There was a vacancy at St George
because no-one had put their hand
up. I realised it was my turn to
stand up, and it was one of the best
decisions I’ve made.
WHAT DOES YOUR POSITION
INVOLVE?
Giving support and guidance to
members, as well as never-ending
‘legal’ representation, because the
QPS seems intent on investigating
itself over and over.
WHAT IS THE BIGGEST CHANGE YOU
HAVE SEEN SINCE BECOMING A
UNION OFFICIAL?
The Service’s ignorance as to its
own problems, such as the discipline
system.
RE-ELECT
DENIS SYCZ
WHAT DO YOU BELIEVE IS THE
BIGGEST CHALLENGE FOR YOU AND
YOUR UNION?
Trying to get members to take an
active interest in the Union, rather
than just paying their dues.
WHAT DO YOU BELIEVE IS YOUR
GREATEST ACHIEVEMENT AS A
UNION OFFICIAL?
Not being put in jail.
KEEP SUPPORTING
DENIS SYCZ
Southern Region
Queensland Police Union Rep
Southern Region
Queensland Police Union Rep
SOUTHERN REGION
QUEENSLAND POLICE UNION REP
A WORD FROM DENIS
Steve and Desperate have always been
Desperate and Steve have been loyal and honest—sometimes brutally
available at all times to support so—but at least you know where you
their members, and they are always stand, and that’s helpful when you are
willing to stick their hand up to help, trying to do this job.
regardless of the repercussions.
People like Desperate and Steve are the
They are both well-respected by backbone of the Union. They’ve never
their members. They know the job sought the limelight, but never shied
backwards, and as a result their
away from a fight. They are grassroots
opinions are valued by both the
officials who always do the right thing
members and management.
by the people who seek them out.
26
Queensland Police Union Journal June 2013
“People like
Desperate and Steve
are the backbone of
the Union. They’ve
never sought the
limelight, but never
shied away from a
fight.”

The QPU’s New Life Members
Margaret and Steve.
A WORD FROM STEVE
I think our wives, Margaret, Tracey,
and Trish need to be recognised and
thanked. They have put up with a fair
bit of interference from Union-related
matters over the years, and they are
always there in support.
“Paying your Union
dues is not an
abrogation of your
responsibility.”
I also think we need to thank the other
Union and branch officials who we
have all worked with over the years.
Also, I would like to thank the bosses
I have worked with who have assisted
in sorting out the situations that my
members have found themselves in.
One story I can relate about Denis is
from a Conference in the early ‘90s. We
were at the Grand Mercure on the night
of the Conference dinner and we hired
a joint babysitter. We put the collected
mob of six kids in the room with her
Tracey and Desperate.
and they had a ball. My own children
can remember that night vividly, and
they were very young at the time. The
babysitter is probably still sitting
rocking in a corner somewhere.
The following night we took the
gathered mob to the circus, and the
children still remember that as well.
I can also remember the first
Conference I attended in 1989, when
my eldest daughter was put to sleep in
Col Chants’s arms. He too remembers
it, and he still asks after her whenever
I see him.
“We do the right thing
because the right thing
has to be done.”
With regards to Michael Despot ... well,
as I said on the night at Conference, I
haven’t been warned or directed so I
ain’t saying nothing!
I have known Mick since January
1978. We both started in the police
on the very same day, and we have
been mates ever since, with our paths
crossing along the way. He was in my
branch for a few years when he was at
Chinchilla.
“We need to thank
the other Union and
branch officials who
we have all worked
with over the years.”
I can recall the Charleville flood in 1990
when we, the Dalby District contingent
(along with a lot of other members), did
a lot of hard work there helping in the
flooded mess. Desperate and the rest
of us had a wild time, and that is all I
am going to say.
I think the best thing about being a
Union branch official is the ability to
help members who find themselves in
trouble, sometimes through no fault of
their own. Sometimes they’re just in
trouble because they’re a member of
the QPS.
I can recall the time—in 1991, I think—
when we were at the Roma Street
Forum, and again a few years ago when
we as a Union marched on Parliament.
Yes, democracy is a great thing.
General President Ian Leavers, Assistant General Secretary Denis Sycz, and Vice President Shayne Maxwell.
As Steve Mahoney is aware, I have a
very eclectic music collection. I still
reckon Neil Young’s Proud to be a
Union Man and Bruce Springsteen’s
We Take Care of Own sums up my
Union philosophy.
Queensland Police Union Journal June 2013
27

Vale Gene Poole
Vale Gene Poole
By Far Northern Regional Rep Marty Bristow
Many years ago on the way home from work, a situation occurred
to which I could not turn a blind eye. I relayed information to Cairns
Communications in relation to a suspect vehicle that drove into
Gordonvale township. Comms advised me they had contacted
Gordonvale police station, and an officer would be out to assist as
soon as possible.
I clearly recall and will always
remember seeing a uniformed officer
striding with purpose across Norman
Park towards my location, and I
thought to myself, ‘This bloke means
business!’
I could detect the dedication, purpose,
and conviviality this bloke had within.
I was spot on, and was about to meet
the man with the most famous name
in the Service: Gene Poole.
Gene grew up tough; he had to being
a young bloke in Woodridge. He is the
eldest of two sisters and two brothers,
and I am sure he watched over them
as elder siblings do. This instinct
carried on into the job in caring for his
colleagues and the community.
On many days Gene would put in a
physically draining 12 hour shift, only
to then hit the books at night to pass
the Justice Studies needed for entry to
the QPS.
I had many conversations with Gene
over the years we knew each other,
and I learnt of numerous curve balls
thrown at him (and at a bloody great
rate of knots).
He endured many hurdles and hoops,
(some very misguided), but he didn’t
falter. He never gave up; he took it on
the chin and kept policing.
Gene was continually first in to work,
and last to leave. He was stubborn,
but in a positive way: if he thought
someone needed to hit the bin, he
“Highly respected among his peers and
hierarchy, he was one of those guys who
always had your back.”
Gene decided he wanted to be a
copper after leaving school, but it
wasn’t easy for him: he fought for it
and he fought hard. He gained life
experience doing concreting jobs and
working as a boilermaker with his
father at JJ Richards.
would leave no stone unturned in
his investigation. He was the type of
copper who would volunteer to do
jobs that no one else wanted.
He was vocal about why he was in
the Service: ‘I never joined this job for
promotion; I joined this job to clean up
the streets’. Highly respected among
his peers and hierarchy, he was one of
those guys who always had your back.
One particular situation comes to
mind, when a neighbouring crew was
performing static RBT near Gordonvale.
They had intercepted a violent offender
and called for assistance.
The Gordonvale crew were at
the Cairns watchhouse some 25
kilometres away, so back-up would
28 Queensland Police Union Journal June 2013

Vale Gene Poole
“He appreciated a good laugh; as many know, rather than write his name
on his kit, he would sign it ‘DNA’.”
take some time. Gene, not content to
sit in the station, had been performing
foot patrols of Gordonvale.
On hearing the call for assistance, he
ran back to the station, jumped on the
only means of transport available to
him (the trusty Malvern Star) and rode
Code 1 to provide assistance. Then
those damn hoops and hurdles kicked
in and he was chipped for not wearing
a helmet.
Gene was a general duties man through
and through. He worked in Townsville,
and on Palm Island, and was there for
the riots. He transferred to Gordonvale
and also did some relieving up the
Cape at Bamaga and Cooktown.
While on Palm he was one of the
‘22’ who endured some of the most
difficult policing ever seen in this
state, and possibly in Australia.
During the riot, he took on the task of
cutting the police compound fence so
there was an escape route, something
that would play on his mind for many
years.
He was lucky to meet Kerry, and with
her help, he kept the demons at bay.
Gene also had his off duty side. He
was a dedicated father and devoted
husband. With three young children
(Harry: 3yrs, Lawson: 2yrs, and
Kamryn: 1yr), the pride in his face was
obvious when he spoke of them and of
his family.
He also enjoyed his fishing, and a big
part of Gene’s life was motorbikes,
camping, and four wheel driving. He
appreciated a good laugh; as many
know, rather than write his name on
his kit, he would sign it ‘DNA’. Even his
e-mail address got the treatment.
Queensland Police Union Journal June 2013
29

Vale Gene Poole
He was keen to win the Sunrise ‘cash
cow’, but joked that with a name like
his, it was doubtful they would call
him out.
When off duty and in public, Kerry
would constantly have to remind Gene
to get out of policing mode, because
he was constantly scanning the area
for a potential offender when out
shopping or doing daily tasks.
Gene, we are all proud to have known
and served with you, and to have been
your friend, colleague, and brother in
blue. Thank you for the time you gave
us. You will always be in our hearts
and minds.
30
Queensland Police Union Journal June 2013

Vale Gene Poole
A TRIBUTE
By Sergeant Erin Shawcross
OIC Gordonvale station
I had the privilege of being Gene’s
supervisor while at Gordonvale
station. Although his supervisor, I can
say that I learnt more from Gene about
dedication and professionalism than I
ever could have imparted on him.
Gene was always first at work and was
often last to leave.
of the day was the mandatory play in
the backyard with his kids prior to their
bedtime.
If he believed someone was good
for an offence, he would leave no
stone unturned in building a brief and
eventually charging the suspect.
Gene was the first to volunteer
for additional responsibilities and
taskings, if for no other reason
arm if he thought it would help, and he
was as trustworthy as they come.
“We here at
Gordonvale station
will always remember
him fondly.”
“I knew the exact moment Gene logged onto
QPrime, because the obscenities would start.”
Although we were seated on opposite
sides of the station, I knew the exact
moment Gene logged onto QPrime,
because the obscenities would start.
As with all of us, Gene struggled
with QPrime, yet it was nothing a few
choice words, a litre of Ice Break, and a
homemade muffin couldn’t fix.
Quite often the only thing dragging
Gene away from the desk at the end
than that he didn’t like seeing his
Gordonvale colleagues loaded up with
more work.
He was a man not driven by aspirations
of promotion, but instead driven by the
belief that he was doing his bit to clean
up the streets.
More importantly, Gene was the sort
of mate you never forget. Nothing was
an issue. He would give you his right
I am not ashamed to say that I raise
my children using methods I saw Gene
use on his kids. To all who knew him,
he was an awesome Dad.
The streets of Gordonvale are certainly
a better place as a result of Gene’s
commitment and dedication. We here
at Gordonvale station will always
remember him fondly.
Queensland Police Union Journal June 2013 31

A Glock at a gunfight? Is it a spear or a dagger?
A Glock at a gunfight?
Is it a spear or a dagger?
By Senior Constable Matt Lewis, with Sergeant Greg Martin. Photos courtesy of Greg Martin.
In light of recent events on our streets and with the introduction of
the Remington R4 carbine to replace the Ruger mini-14, I thought it
might be relevant to discuss the ‘patrol rifle’ concept with members.
A recent Sunday Mail article written
by Thomas Chamberlin (‘Cops want
this rifle to even the odds against
crime’) raised a number of interesting
questions about the myth and reality
of police using what Chamberlin refers
to as an ‘assault rifle’. It is in fact a
Remington R4 .223 calibre carbine.
Police aren’t issued with an assault
Glock, an assault Taser, or even a can
of assault capsicum spray; they are
issued with a variety of accoutrements
to help them resolve volatile situations
using the least amount of force
required.
The rifle is actually referred to these
days as a ‘patrol rifle’ in reference
to the intended user, the ‘patrol
officer’, being the US reference for a
uniformed, general duties officer.
While reading Chamberlain’s
article, my thoughts were drawn
to an incident in June last year in
a Brisbane suburban street, when
civilian hostages were used as human
shields and paraded down the street
at gunpoint by a gunman. He was in a
stand-off with police after he bungled
an armed hold-up.
Meanwhile, the gunman ordered a
second hostage to follow closely
behind him with a towel, so police
couldn’t make a clean shot.
“Most first response
officers would
consider themselves
adequate with a Glock
pistol at a range of
about seven metres.”
Most first response officers would
consider themselves adequate with
a Glock pistol at a range of about
seven metres (on static targets). But
confronted by a highly mobile, armed,
motivated offender, with hostages, I
think most officers would prefer to be
a long way away, behind cover, with a
weapon that is capable of delivering
multiple accurate rounds from a
position of safety.
put a dagger on a stick and created the
spear. The length of the dagger was
extended, becoming the sword.
The same philosophy applies when
policing armed incidents.
The pistol—in our case, the Glock—
might be light, portable, easily carried
on your person for the entire shift,
and concealable if required ... but is
it always the best tool for the job?
Historically, the answer would be no,
as far as law enforcement and military
engagements are concerned.
Current thinking holds that all officers,
not just specialist units, should have
the capability to defend themselves
and take immediate offensive action to
prevent additional loss of life, pending
the arrival of special response units
and emergency medical assistance.
In an attempt to address this issue, it
is argued that first response officers
“The pistol—in our case, the Glock—might be
light, portable, easily carried on your person for
the entire shift, and concealable if required ...
but is it always the best tool for the job?”
The gunman was desperate to find
a way out of Perkins Street in Upper
Mount Gravatt. Police officers had to
convince him not to use one of their
vehicles, saying they didn’t have the
keys to the car.
A quick history lesson
Since the beginning of time, humans
have realised that the best way to
increase survivability is to increase the
effective range of their weapons. They
need prompt access to weapons,
and training, which will enable them
to meet the threat effectively. The
patrol rifle is regarded by many as the
solution to this increasing problem.
32
Queensland Police Union Journal June 2013

A Glock at a gunfight? Is it a spear or a dagger?
At distance the patrol rifle is more accurate.
Why the change in thinking?
Undoubtedly, one of the most
influential incidents was a confrontation
between two heavily armed and
armoured bank robbers and officers
of the Los Angeles Police Department
(LAPD) on 28 February 1997.
On this day, Larry Phillips Jr and Emil
Matasareanu attempted to rob the
North Hollywood branch of the Bank
of America. A passing police unit
coincidentally saw them enter the
bank and started what is now known
as the ‘North Hollywood Shootout’.
Officers armed with handguns and
shotguns were ineffective against
body armoured offenders who were
armed with weapons including
automatic rifles, pistols, and 3,300
rounds of ammunition.
The offenders engaged police,
helicopters, and anything they thought
“Officers armed with handguns and shotguns
were ineffective against body armoured
offenders who were armed with weapons
including automatic rifles, pistols, and 3,300
rounds of ammunition.”
was a threat as they calmly drove and
walked down North Hollywood streets.
Fortunately, they were relatively
unskilled with these weapons, yet
eleven officers and seven civilians
were wounded.
Phillips was eventually cornered after
his weapon malfunctioned and he took
his own life. An LAPD SWAT officer
put a number of .223 calibre rounds
into Matasareanu’s legs by firing under
cars using an AR-15 (patrol rifle), and
Matasareanu died at the scene from
trauma due to excessive blood loss
from wounds to the thighs.
By the time the shooting had stopped,
nearly 45 minutes later, Phillips and
Matasareanu had fired about 1,100
rounds. Over 300 officers from various
departments returned fire with about
650 rounds.
Terrorist incident
Another main driving force to train
and equip first response officers
worldwide with a patrol rifle is the
increasing and real threat of terrorism.
Of course, the September 11 World
Trade Centre attacks, the 2002 Bali
bombings, and the bombings in
Madrid in 2004 are all examples. The
London bombings in July 2005 and the
Queensland Police Union Journal June 2013 33

A Glock at a gunfight? Is it a spear or a dagger?
Metropolitan Police introduced Armed
Response Vehicles equipped with
9mm Glocks and the Heckler & Koch
G36 rifle, similarly chambered for the
5.56mm/.223 calibre round.
What is a patrol rifle?
While there is no set definition, a
patrol rifle is generally described
as a lightweight, self-loading
rifle or carbine, chambered in an
intermediate calibre, most commonly
the 5.56mm/.223 round. The rifle
is generally fed from a detachable
magazine and fitted with a simple nil/
low magnification optical sight and
torch. The most commonly used patrol
rifle is some variant of the AR-15.
Checking targets after engaging with the patrol rifle.
“First response officers must be equipped and
trained for a potential confrontation with small
teams of trained and motivated terrorists.”
Mumbai attack in November 2008 are
also examples of terrorism raising its
evil head.
Experts believe that the most likely
form of terror attack in Australia
will either be a bombing or a mixed
mode attack. A mixed mode attack is
exemplified by the Mumbai incident,
where a series of coordinated
bombings were followed by an armed
assault on the civilian population and
political infrastructure.
as bombs and guns. First response
officers must be equipped and trained
for a potential confrontation with
small teams of trained and motivated
terrorists.
Firearms likely to be used against
police
Criminals now have a greater
propensity for violence against
police, and there has been a dramatic
increase in firearms incidents with
almost daily intelligence flyers
warning of offenders believed to be
armed.
The likely firearm to be used is either
a rifle or shotgun, including cut
down variants, giving the offender
a disproportionate advantage over
“The likely firearm to be used by an offender
is either a rifle or shotgun, including cut down
variants, giving the offender a disproportionate
advantage over any police officer armed solely
with a handgun.”
This theory is substantiated by
Operation Pendennis (2004), a joint
operation between the Australian
Secret Intelligence Agency and state
police which identified an advanced
plan by local terrorists to blow up the
Melbourne Cricket Ground.
This terror cell had purchased over
10,000 rounds of ammunition and had
been trained in military tactics.
Recent history has shown that fanatics
prefer conventional weapons such
The term ‘patrol rifle’ is born
The ineffectiveness of pistols and
shotguns prompted a trend in the
United States for police departments
to provide first response officers with
access to greater firepower if needed,
predominantly in the form of a semiautomatic
AR-15 type rifle, chambered
for the 5.56mm/.223 calibre round. In
other words, a patrol rifle.
Also recognising the need for such a
first response capability, the London
any police officer armed solely with a
handgun.
The rifle has a far greater effective
range and the projectiles will likely
penetrate the standard issue police
ballistic vests, which reinforces the
tactical rule of distance equals safety.
QPrime statistics from 2009 to 2011
show that a total of 1,336 rifles and
shotguns were stolen, compared to
141 pistols, and less than half have
34
Queensland Police Union Journal June 2013

A Glock at a gunfight? Is it a spear or a dagger?
SDPD SWAT had us try out patrol rifles, which included two sniper variants.
been recovered. This does not include
legitimately owned, illegally imported,
or homemade firearms which may also
be used against police.
the inevitability of an active shooter,
a siege incident, or an encounter
involving armed offenders beyond
handgun range.
This reduces the possibility that an
officer, needing to engage an offender
at distance, will miss and potentially
injure others.
Incident environment
Police operate in a variety of
environments including metropolitan
high rise buildings, compact and
sprawling urban areas, rural acreage,
industrial structures, and all modes of
public transportation such as buses,
trains, and aircraft.
Some of these environments have
hallways in excess of 100 metres long,
transport vehicles start at about 20
metres in length, and houses often
have an open expanse at the front,
making the nearest point of cover
a police car on the street at least 25
metres away. As stated above, most
officers are only adequate at a shorter
distance with a Glock.
Benefits of a patrol rifle?
There can be no doubt in anyone’s
mind that officers have to be
prepared, trained, and equipped for
Accuracy
Experts define ‘handgun range’ as a
distance of less than 45 meters, but
most police are really only adequate
at a distance of about 7 to 10 metres.
Patrol rifles solve this problem. They
provide officer accuracy far beyond the
45 metre handgun range, and provide
numerous other benefits.
A rifle is more ballistically effective
at longer ranges than the handgun,
and it also requires less proficiency to
effectively engage threats at distances
far exceeding those of a handgun.
Reduced exposure to the threat
For years now we have been taught
that distance equals safety.
As highlighted, the rifle allows for a
greater distance to be maintained
“A rifle is more ballistically effective at longer
ranges than the handgun, and it also requires
less proficiency to effectively engage threats at
distances far exceeding those of a handgun.”
between the threat and the officer,
therefore providing greater officer
safety.
A competent officer with a patrol
carbine can increase its already
inherent accuracy by adopting more
stable firing platforms such as a
kneeling or prone (lying) position.
Queensland Police Union Journal June 2013 35

A Glock at a gunfight? Is it a spear or a dagger?
Test firing carbines tendered for SDPD.
The prone position especially
affords both stability and comfort for
protracted periods and reduces the
amount of target area exposed to the
threat. When used in conjunction with
cover and/or concealment, officer
safety and survivability is increased
significantly.
Stopping power
There have been numerous
documented incidents where offenders
have been shot multiple times by pistol
calibre rounds and continued to fire at,
fight, or flee from police.
One particularly memorable event
occurred when officers from the
Pennsylvania PD were ambushed by
an 18-year-old offender armed with a
pistol.
The offender was initially shot five
times by .40 calibre pistol rounds in
the chest, abdomen, throat, and left
arm, which completely shattered the
bone. An officer with a patrol rifle fired
under the car he was using for cover
and managed to shatter the foot of the
offender.
The offender continued to engage
officers, reloading his pistol magazine
from a box of loose ammunition while
sitting on the ground as a result of his
foot injury.
Three and a half minutes later, 107
rounds had been fired by three police
officers. The offender was shot
approximately 20 times, and a number
of rounds were from the patrol rifle
(one of which struck the aorta, and
another pierced and collapsed a lung).
“A dominating
command presence
is one use of force
option that can often
resolve a situation
almost immediately
with no risk to any
individual.”
The offender still fought with police
when they handcuffed him even
though mortally wounded.
Often the handgun alone cannot be
relied upon to consistently ballistically
terminate an incident, and the patrol
rifle is a force multiplier, providing
accuracy and stopping power beyond
that of the pistol.
Let’s address some misconceptions:
It looks intimidating
It’s supposed to look intimidating. A
dominating command presence is
one use of force option that can often
resolve a situation almost immediately
with no risk to any individual.
The oft quoted ‘police aren’t supposed
to look like a paramilitary force’ is
in direct contradiction to what most
members of the public want from the
people who are there to protect them.
The public want officers to be better
armed, trained, and prepared than the
criminals they confront. The public are
not necessarily concerned with the
aesthetics of the tools police carry, but
are more concerned about the safety
of themselves and the officers.
Accuracy under stress is tested at the Gunsite Range Arizona.
Over penetration
There is a general misconception that
the deployment of a rifle in an urban
36
Queensland Police Union Journal June 2013

A Glock at a gunfight? Is it a spear or a dagger?
SDPD carbine expert discusses pros and cons.
environment is significantly more
dangerous than a handgun.
This is simply not the case because
the faster, lighter, .223 calibre
projectiles, though more effective
against body armour, are less likely to
penetrate structures than a heavy .40
calibre pistol round.
when ammunition of certain types is
employed, because of the high-velocity
.223 round’s tendency to fragment
upon striking solid objects.
‘A number of authorities who have
addressed this very point have
concluded that the typical .223 rifle
round, while effective in piercing a
What a patrol rifle is not
A patrol rifle is not intended to be
the primary weapon of first response
officers, or to be used during search
warrants. If there is sufficient risk
to believe that a rifle is needed in
those situations, then the expertise,
tactics, and training of SERT should
be sought.
This is supported by an excerpt from
an article by the IACP National Law
Enforcement Policy Center Board
(USA) published in 2007.
‘Some opponents of police use of rifles
have argued that a rifle, particularly
when used in urban locations, has
a much higher risk than either a
handgun or shotgun of penetrating
into unintended areas such as nearby
buildings.
‘However, many rifle proponents assert
that rifle rounds of .223 caliber may
actually present less of a hazard in this
regard. This is particularly the case
“A patrol rifle is intended for use as a force
multiplier in unplanned, dangerous, and
emergent situations as a means to contain
the incident, increase officer survivability, and
reduce risk to others.”
criminal’s body armour, is in fact
less likely to penetrate walls or other
environmental obstacles than standard
issue police duty handgun ammunition,
and are therefore actually safer in the
urban environment.’
A patrol rifle is intended for use
as a force multiplier in unplanned,
dangerous, and emergent situations
as a means to contain the incident,
increase officer survivability, and
reduce risk to others.
Queensland Police Union Journal June 2013 37

A Glock at a gunfight? Is it a spear or a dagger?
When would a patrol rifle be needed?
Siege/incident containment
Consider a siege on any suburban
street. As stated above, most
modern houses afford little cover or
concealment, meaning that the most
likely cover is going to be behind
the police vehicle on the street. The
average distance from the street to the
front of the house is approximately 15
to 20 metres.
If an armed offender was to go mobile
and attempt to break the containment/
cordon area, could you safely engage
from that position, or would you
have to close the distance, exposing
yourself to greater risk in order to
safely and effectively make the shot on
a moving target?
food court, could you realistically
engage them with your Glock?
A patrol rifle allows the threat to be
engaged at the earliest opportunity
and provides the means to penetrate
“If an active shooter was at one end of a school
corridor or shopping centre food court, could
you realistically engage them with your Glock?”
ballistic protection typically worn by
these offenders.
Practical experience
In my former career as a soldier, I
carried a rifle almost exclusively
during my two deployments to East
Timor, and I experienced how the
military uses rifles/carbines in urban
environments in regard to MOUT
(Military Operations in Urban Terrain)
and FIBUA (Fighting In Built Up Areas),
but I was keen to see how they were
adapted to policing situations.
drills with the patrol rifle. They
discussed (candidly) the pros and cons
of the weapon.
I took the opportunity to speak with
many first response officers who
stated unequivocally that the patrol
rifle was as much an essential piece of
equipment as their patrol car, pistol,
and ballistic vest.
It was also mentioned that there
was a preference by female and
small-statured officers towards the
patrol rifle due to its minimal recoil,
manageability, decreased muzzle blast,
and accuracy compared to a handgun.
Aware of my interest in the patrol
rifle concept, Greg and our host Dave
Douglas managed to arrange the
use of a .45 calibre Thompson sub
machine gun (from the gangster years)
for comparison. He thought it would
be a better option than a patrol rifle ...
must be his age?
Active shooter response
The traditional policing response
of ‘isolate and contain’ may not be
feasible in an active shooter situation
(discussed in ‘The active shooter – Are
we prepared?’ in the March 2012 QPU
Journal).
In these instances, early interdiction is
required to prevent further loss of life.
If an active shooter was at one end of
a school corridor or shopping centre
Sergeant Greg Martin, a QPS Senior
Firearms Instructor (SFI), arranged for
us to have access to patrol rifles while
attending courses in the United States.
Greg and Senior Constable Tim Bowen,
also an SFI and QPS Rifle Instructor,
had previously trained with various US
police forces using patrol rifles.
Firearms instructors from the San
Diego PD and SWAT took us on the
range and ran us through practical
In the United States, I found the
implementation of the patrol rifle to
be widespread, accepted across most
jurisdictions, and its use no longer
controversial.
The carbine is light and accurate,
with minimal recoil and muzzle blast.
It’s also compact, making it ideal for
operating within a building, and its
pros as a force multiplier far outweigh
any perceived negatives.
38
Queensland Police Union Journal June 2013

A Glock at a gunfight? Is it a spear or a dagger?
Conclusion
The patrol rifle enables officers
to engage threats at distances far
exceeding those of the handgun.
The availability of a patrol rifle (in
conjunction with effective tactics)
allows for an immediate response
to an incident, giving officers the
option of creating distance between
themselves and the threat, or
confronting a threat at the earliest
opportunity from a distance.
Other significant safety benefits
including improved stopping power,
reduced risk of over penetration, and
its adaptability to a range of tactical
situations cannot be discounted.
If responding to an incident involving
an armed offender, are our Glocks
alone enough? Are they a spear or a
dagger?
[While preparing this article, numerous
firearms-related incidents occurred,
such as the protracted siege in the
middle of the Queen Street Mall
involving an armed offender.
Also, eight officers recently confronted
a man armed with a rifle in Mango
Hill (on Brisbane’s northside) who
subsequently shot himself in the
driveway of his home.
Officers from South Brisbane District,
including the author, attended and
contained a scene in Upper Mt Gravatt,
where a male person had been shot
in the face with a rifle and the suspect
was contained in a nearby house.
Two individuals unexpectedly
surrendered and walked out the
front door, and a hasty arrest team
comprising the dog squad, TCS, and
generals officers were required to
affect the arrest.
During the arrest, police were informed
that an infant remained inside the
dwelling, and the author lead a search
team into the dwelling in order to
recover the child.
Within the same 24 hour period, two
further firearms incidents also occurred
in other police Districts.]
Matt Lewis is an OST Instructor in
the Metro South Region working out
of a Tactical Crime Unit. Matt has a
military background, having served
eight years with the 5th/7th Battalion
(Mechanised), Royal Australian
Regiment.
Matt deployed with the Battalion on
two peacemaking missions to East
Timor in 1999-2000 and 2002-2003.
Matt discharged from the army in
2003 and joined the Queensland
Police Service in 2005. He has been
an OST instructor since 2008.
Queensland Police Union Journal June 2013 39

Clean Up Horn Island Day
Clean Up Horn Island Day
By Andrea Appleton
When Acting Senior Constable David Young arrived at Horn Island
four months ago, he was struck by the island’s natural beauty ...
and disappointed by the rubbish he noticed beside roads, in the
waterways, and throughout town. Though Horn Island has a small
population of approximately 500 people, its airport serves as a
gateway to and from the mainland and outer islands, so the island
hosts many travellers on a regular basis.
‘First impressions mean a lot,’
A/Snr Const Young says, ‘whether
it be a person or a town. So to drive
in and see rubbish on the side of
the road doesn’t really give the best
impression.’
In the lead-up to Clean Up Australia
Day, A/Snr Const Young discovered
that the town had participated in the
past, but that nothing was planned for
this year.
‘The school had one going on, but
school-based events aren’t open to
the public, so I put it out there and
nominated us as a community-based
event,’ A/Snr Const Young says.
After officially nominating the town,
A/Snr Const began to drum up
enthusiasm for participation among
residents.
He put all the posters out, organised
for the use of the Horn Island SES
shed as a meeting point, asked the
local supermarket to donate BBQ
supplies, invited the chef from
the hotel to help cook, and he and
Sergeant Sarsha Frazer, the other
officer on Horn Island, threw in some
of their own funds for extra sausages.
Turn-out numbers were a little low until A/Snr Const Young got on the bull horn to encourage involvement.
“Good morning, Horn Island, it’s Clean up
Australia Day! Come and help keep Horn Island
beautiful, meet at the SES shed!”
A/Snr Const considered ‘island time’
when nominating a start for the
event, because he wanted to ensure
as many people as possible were
available to help. Finally, 9am on
‘Clean Up Horn Island Day’ arrived ...
‘... and to be honest, I was a bit
disappointed with the turn out; I think
six people showed up,’ A/Snr Const
Young says.
Unperturbed, A/Snr Const Young put
the bull horn in his patrol car to good
use. He completed a lap of the town
with lights and sirens, calling over the
horn: ‘Good morning, Horn Island,
it’s Clean up Australia Day! Come and
help keep Horn Island beautiful, meet
at the SES shed!’
A/Snr Const Young drove up and
down every street until he had
40 Queensland Police Union Journal June 2013

Clean Up Horn Island Day
Down in the mangroves near the jetty.
hesitant to get involved in things,’
says Senior Constable Cheryl
Markwell, A/Snr Const Young’s
partner who is herself based on
Thursday Island. ‘It was a great turnout
of about 70 people ranging from
toddlers to retirees who were all
out in the rain for hours picking up
rubbish.’
A/Snr Const Young (tallest in photo with blue cap) and some of the local volunteers.
approximately 70 people assembled for the rubbish,’ A/Snr Const Young
at the SES shed, when Clean Up Horn continues. ‘Then we had two utes
Island Day really began.
being used, and then a four tonne
tipper had to be brought in because
‘We found all sorts of stuff,’ A/Snr we got so much stuff.’
Const says. ‘In the water, we pulled
out bed frames, tires, car batteries, After four hours of collecting
and ghost nets which are tidal
over a tipper’s worth of rubbish,
nets that have been tied up in the the volunteers were ready for the
mangroves and aren’t supposed to be celebratory sausage sizzle organised
in there.’
by A/Snr Const Young at the SES shed.
‘We went through three massive ‘There were tunes playing and it was
rainstorms, but it was good to see a great little get together by the end
everyone keep going. Once you’re of the day,’ he says. ‘There was a
wet, you’re wet.’
great feel about the whole thing.’
‘We started off with a ute being ‘It went amazingly well for such a
donated by one of the council workers small island which is sometimes
“It was a great turnout
of about 70 people
ranging from toddlers
to retirees who were
all out in the rain
for hours picking up
rubbish.”
Since Clean Up Horn Island Day, A/
Snr Const Young has been in touch
with the council about supplying
more street-based wheelie bins.
There are 30 bins now earmarked for
new positions around town.
‘Also, one of the teachers and I
are looking into setting up a can
recycling program,’ A/Snr Const says.
‘There’s no recycling base here, and
everything has to be shipped back to
the mainland, but we have heard that
Thursday Island does it, so I’m going
to look into organising it for Horn.’
Queensland Police Union Journal June 2013
41

Clean Up Horn Island Day
Working on the way back to the SES shed
A/Snr Const Young with local children and rubbish pulled out of an empty lot.
A/Snr Const Young also sometimes
takes the local kids on rubbishhunting
expeditions.
‘If I’ve got a bit of down time on the
weekend, I’ll take them down to the
beach, and give them a rubbish bag,
and as long as they fill up that rubbish
bag, I’ll take them out to King’s Point,
which is a nice beach out here,’ he
says. ‘I’ll put some snags on for them,
and we’ll play some touch footy.’
‘I’ve been really trying to teach
the kids about more pride in our
community,’ A/Snr Const Young says.
‘We’re looking forward to the next
Clean Up Horn Island Day.’
Back at the SES shed enjoying a BBQ lunch donated by local businesses.
42
Queensland Police Union Journal June 2013

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International Police Perspectives
International Police
Perspectives
POLICING IN THE UK
A Conference presentation by George
Lewis, Chairman of the British
Transport Police Federation.
News from the UK, Kenya, and South Africa.
Thank you for inviting me to this
Conference. Your friendship and
hospitality are greatly appreciated.
I am the Chairman of the British
Transport Police Federation, but I like
the term ‘President’. It sounds cooler.
So I am the Chairman—or now the
President—of my Federation, but I’m
not even the boss in my own house.
A couple of weeks ago, we got a pup,
and I am now sixth in the pecking
order in our house.
Some of you will have noticed that I’m
Scottish; that means that English isn’t
my first language. I always have to
remind myself to speak slower when
I’m doing a presentation, and if I’m in
Australia, not to mention the cricket or
the Olympics.
The British Transport Police can trace
its origins back to around 1840.
At that time, there was a system in
place called ‘Transportation’, where
people who had committed terrible
crimes, such as stealing food to
feed their starving children, were
transported to a God-forsaken land on
the other side of the world. It would
not surprise me if some of you are
here because of the British police.
The British Transport Police currently
has around 4,600 officers and civilian
George Lewis, Chairman of the British Transport Police Federation.
staff. As a reaction to the economic IN RELATION TO PAY
downturn dating back to 2008, the Winsor proposed a new pay scale for
new conservative government elected new entrants to the service which
in 2010 commissioned a man named would see a 20% budget cut over six
Tom Winsor to compile a report into years.
the conditions and remuneration of
the police service in the UK.
A new entrant’s pay was cut from
approximately $AU35,000 per annum
Tom Winsor is a close friend of many to between $29,000 and $33,000,
of the members of the conservative depending on life experiences. This
government. He has a background in amounts to a loss, over the first six
the railway industry, no knowledge of years of an officer’s career, of up to
policing, and is the major shareholder $36,000.
in at least one private security
company.
Prior to Winsor, officers with specialist
skills received a special priority
So he is probably not the first person payment of up to $1,800 a year. This
you would think of when looking for was abolished overnight.
someone to write an independent
report on policing.
Officers at the top of their pay scale
also receive a competency-related
Winsor’s report made over 150
threshold payment of $1,800 per
recommendations; as you can
year as an acknowledgement of their
imagine, there was no good news for experience. This payment will be
the police.
phased out by April 2016.
44 Queensland Police Union Journal June 2013

International Police Perspectives
CRTP was a pensionable payment
which officers had paid pension
contributions to since 2006. When it is
phased out it will no longer form part
of the pension, so officers have paid
over $3,000 for nothing.
The government recently announced
changes to the police pension scheme,
moving it from a final salary scheme
to an average salary scheme, and
increasing the years of contribution to
receive a full pension from 30 years to
35 years.
They also increased pension
contributions to 13.5% of salary. Taken
together, these three changes mean
that officers will be receiving between
30 and 50% less when they retire.
The government and Winsor also
introduced a two year freeze on pay
progression and increments. At the
end of the freeze, officers will go onto
the pay or increment point that they
were on before the freeze, rather than
where they should have been.
“The government
has tasked
police and crime
commissioners with
reducing their force
size by around 20%.”
This equates to a loss of approximately
$30,000 over a 35 year career.
The government has tasked police and
crime commissioners with reducing
their force size by around 20%. This
will have the effect of putting extra
pressure on the remaining officers and
will surely lead to an increase in crime.
As part of their contract of
employment, officers agreed to the
‘A19 clause’. A19 basically means that
your force can sever your contract
after you have completed 30 years
service, regardless of your age.
Officers who joined the force at 20
and planned their lives and finances
around a 40 year career are finding
that they are being forcibly retired
after 30 years, without any leave for
appeal.
Would any of you like to join the police
in the UK?
INDUSTRIAL RIGHTS
In order for the police in the UK to take
industrial action, there would need
to be a change in primary legislation,
which would have to pass through the
House of Commons, House of Lords,
and finally receive royal assent from
your Queen.
At the Police Federation of England
and Wales’ Conference last year,
the Home Secretary Theresa May,
who has overall responsibility for
the police, stated that under no
circumstances would that happen.
Nevertheless, we felt that it was such
an important issue that we balloted
our members on whether they wished
us to seek a legislative vehicle to allow
us to begin the process of changing
the primary legislation. To our
surprise, only about 45% of officers
voted ‘yes’.
As Union Reps and Executive
members in Australia, you are in a
much better position than we are. But
you must get this message over to
your members: there is a lot of pain
coming and you have got to face it
head on.
With a nod to the Holocaust quote by
Niemoller: don’t wait for the brown
stuff to hit the fan before you involve
the Union.
Get involved now, and fight the
fight for officers who are less
knowledgeable or less robust than
you. Ask not what the Union can do
for you, but what you can do for the
Union.
“Officers who joined the force at 20 and
planned their lives and finances around a 40
year career are finding that they are being
forcibly retired after 30 years.”
Mark Twain is credited with
popularising the phrase, ‘There are
three types of lies; lies, damn lies, and
statistics’.
I’ll tell you that there are three types of
lies: lies, damn lies, and politics.
If my experience of the government
in the UK is anything to go by, then
the government are not your friends.
They do not have your back, and they
will shaft you if you give them the
opportunity.
They do not care about you and the
community you serve. They only
care about themselves. Likewise, the
opposition are not your friends. When
they are in power, they will also try to
shaft you!
“Your only friend in
times of trouble in
the workplace is a
strong Union.”
Your only friend in times of trouble in
the workplace is a strong Union. You
are fortunate that you have one. If you
allow politicians and senior managers
to divide you, they will conquer you.
You have to stay united.
Queensland Police Union Journal June 2013
45

International Police Perspectives
POLICING IN KENYA
By Calvin Gnech, QPU Principal solicitor.
As the second anniversary of the
slaying of Detective Senior Constable
Damian Leeding approaches, it is
time to remember that the policing
profession is as dangerous as ever.
Dangers exist in policing around
the world, but obviously in varying
degrees. Let me take you to Africa.
I would like to tell you about a police
officer from Kenya whom I met
last year. At the time, there was no
legislation for trade unions to be
established in his country, but it was on
the horizon.
As I understand it, the Kenya Police
Union is now legitimately established.
As I spoke to the Kenyan officer, I
noticed that most of his fingers where
significantly disfigured and that he
walked with a severe limp. As the night
wore on, I became a little bolder with
my questions.
My first question was to ask how many
police officers are lost in the line of
duty each year. The response I received
was, ‘we can’t really keep count’. This
was difficult to comprehend at first, but
as the night went on it became clearer.
It was explained to me that each
January approximately 80 officers are
sent out to protect the border. They are
sent for six months and only about half
return. I asked whether this was due
to criminals attempting to cross the
border.
His answer was, ‘yes, sometimes, but
also because the border is so far away
and they must walk, so they can only
take food for about three months’. I
didn’t really have a response to this
statement.
I moved on to his fingers and limp. His
injuries were caused during numerous
incidents where he was kidnapped,
held hostage, and tortured. I had no
response to this either.
“His injuries were
caused during
numerous incidents
where he was
kidnapped, held
hostage, and
tortured.”
Although policing will always
be difficult regardless of the
jurisdiction, there are clearly some
jurisdictions where policing is simply
incomprehensible! He was quite an
amazing man.
My conversation with him piqued my
interest in an article published in the
most recent International Council of
Police Representatives Associations
e-newsletter (see next page).
46
Queensland Police Union Journal June 2013

International Police Perspectives
‘POPCRU TACKLES POLICE KILLINGS IN SOUTH AFRICA’
The South African Police Service (SAPS) estimates that a police officer is killed every ten days in the country.
It is for this reason that the country’s leading Police Union, POPCRU, has launched various campaigns in defence of the
lives of police officers.
South Africa is known for its high crime rate and this is no different when it comes to the safety of the members of
SAPS. The men and women in blue are dedicated in their work and are directed by the Constitution of the country
which states ‘the South African Police Service has a responsibility to prevent, combat, and investigate crime.
Also to maintain public order, protect and secure the inhabitants of the Republic and their property, and uphold and
enforce the law’.
“The South African Police Service estimates that a police officer is killed
every ten days in the country.”
They are to create a safe and secure environment for all South Africans. The challenge remains their safety.
The killing of police officers is a serious issue worldwide and POPCRU is working hard to ensure that South Africans
are conscientious about the need to actively ensure the safety of officers.
Clearly, the butchering of police by criminals creates difficulties for police in discharging their duties as prescribed
within the SA constitution that governs their role in society.
It is for this reason that POPCRU pays vigorous attention to this phenomenon that continues to both undermine the
great work done by police officers in general, and also the image of the country.
The killings are persistent and are evidenced by the numbers below:
POLICE KILLINGS PER PROVINCE
PROVINCE 2005-2006 2006- 2007 2007-2008 2008-2009 2009-2010 2010-2011 2011-2012 2005-2012
Eastern Cape 16 6 12 11 10 11 15 81
Free State 1 6 8 6 2 6 7 36
Gauteng 26 38 38 21 24 33 21 201
Kwazulu-Natal 23 32 21 28 25 17 14 160
Mpumalanga 7 7 9 6 4 8 8 49
North West 7 8 2 3 2 2 5 29
Northern Cape 1 3 1 2 0 1 0 8
Limpopo 4 2 6 7 8 2 8 37
Western Cape 10 6 10 11 10 7 3 57
TOTAL 2005-2012 658
The above statistics prove that the numbers are large – especially when one takes into account that they relate to
human life.
The POPCRU concern regarding the killing of police officers was echoed by Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa in a speech
during December last year when he said, ‘we are under no illusion that all of us as law-abiding South Africans have a
protracted war ahead of us, a war that has been declared by heartless criminals on our men and women in blue’.
These heartless criminals killing our police are not staying in the bushes or mountains. These are our brothers and
sisters. We stay with them, we know them, and they are members of society.
POPCRU’s campaign is centred on encouraging the public to speak out and expose them. Let us protect our protectors.
Queensland Police Union Journal June 2013
47

Day in the Life of Senior Sergeant Dennis ‘Bluey’ Peters
Day in the Life of Senior Sergeant
Dennis ‘Bluey’ Peters, Counter Terrorism
Strategic Policy Branch, Brisbane.
By Senior Sergeant Dennis Peters
After having previously served with the Australian Federal Police,
I entered the Academy 33 years ago and was sworn in on
26 September 1980. I completed my first year of training at City
Station and other suburban stations before being transferred to
the Brisbane Task Force in 1982, working from the old Police Depot
on Petrie Terrace.
The Task Force was a highly mobile
squad attending major disturbances,
large out-of-control parties, and
sporting events. I was selected
to undergo Explosive Ordnance
Response Team training and qualified
as a Bomb Technician, and I was also
selected to undertake an Emergency
Squad course, becoming a full-time
member.
I remained with the squad through its
many name changes, from Tactical
Response Team, Special Weapons
Operations Squad, and finally to the
Special Emergency Response Team.
After 10 years with these specialist
squads, I moved to general duties at
Red Hill and then to lecture in firearms
and operational survival training as an
Academy facilitator. In 1994, I became
a member of the Railway Squad, and
in 2000 I became Officer in Charge of
Southbank police station.
In 2006 I joined Counter Terrorism,
and I was appointed as the Project
Manager for the federally funded
Regional Aviation Security Training
Project.
The focus of the project was to
enhance the capability of transport
industry participants to implement
Travelling as part of the Regional Aviation Security Training Project.
“I managed a multi-agency team comprising
members of the Australian Federal Police
and the federal department of the Office of
Transport Security, and delivered training
through workshops conducted at both regional
airports and maritime ports throughout
Queensland.”
preventative security arrangements
and responses to aviation and
maritime security incidents in regional
locations.
I managed a multi-agency team
comprising members of the Australian
Federal Police and the federal
department of the Office of Transport
48 Queensland Police Union Journal June 2013

Day in the Life of Senior Sergeant Dennis Peters
A successful shoot.
On Boigu Island in the Torres Strait with PNG visible in the background.
Security, and delivered training
through workshops conducted at
regional airports and maritime ports
throughout Queensland.
This offered a great opportunity to
network with other stakeholders
within the industry.
As a result, I travelled throughout
Queensland extensively, from
Birdsville in the west to Saibai Island
in the Torres Strait island group, and
from Mornington Island in the gulf to
Lockhart River and Bamaga in the Cape.
I was fortunate enough to conduct a
two day workshop on Hamilton Island
attended by over 30 police officers
from the Mackay District and 20
aviation industry stakeholders.
WHAT IS YOUR CURRENT ROLE?
I am currently attached to the
Exercise and Training area of Counter
Terrorism, where I lecture on Joint
Emergency Services Training (JEST).
These courses have been conducted
in relation to the management of
major incidents that may stem from
a chemical/HAZMAT, biological,
radiological, incendiary, or explosive
(CBRIE) incident, and have a strong
terrorism theme as their basis.
I mentor officers who have attended
the state-run Exercise Development
Management Course, or the national
Exercise Management Course, and
I assist them in their respective
exercises.
“I have had the
pleasure of mentoring
some very good
officers who have
conducted their
counter terrorism
exercises in a
professional manner.”
These exercises have been conducted
either at workshops, through desktop
exercises, or as full deployment-level
exercises involving all emergency
services, the local government, and
stakeholders.
I have had the pleasure of mentoring
some very good officers who
conducted their exercises in a
professional manner such as at
Exercise Oak 1 at Redcliffe, and at
Tarong and Stanwell, which are power
stations.
Funding for these exercises is
available through the Australian New
Zealand Counter-Terrorism Committee
(ANZCTC) and the officers at Counter
Terrorism are very willing to assist in
any way possible.
WHAT DO YOU LIKE ABOUT YOUR
ROLE?
I have travelled throughout the entire
state on two separate occasions
for the Regional Aviation Security
Training Project, as well as to all
major provincial cities on numerous
occasions.
I have met many interesting and
professional people, and have
developed and maintained excellent
relationships with the many
stakeholders involved in the project.
The most rewarding aspect of my
role has been forming many new
friendships with both police and
external members, and the good
memories I have of the interesting
places I have been to.
WHAT DON’T YOU LIKE ABOUT YOUR
ROLE?
Nothing. This would have to be one of
the best jobs in the QPS, and there is a
wait list of officers ready to take over if
I ever leave.
WHAT’S THE STICKIEST SITUATION
YOU’VE FOUND YOURSELF IN?
During one of my trips to the Torres
Strait, the team were flying in a small
Islander aircraft from Horn Island
Airport to Coconut Island during a
Queensland Police Union Journal June 2013
49

Day in the Life of Senior Sergeant Dennis ‘Bluey’ Peters
Coconut Island and its runway!
Snr Sgt Peters addressing a group at Regional Transport Security Training.
We subsequently discovered that the
airline we travelled with that day has
had its license revoked due to poor
aircraft maintenance.
It is quite sobering when you think
that that most of the islands in the
Torres Strait have memorials for plane
crashes in which lives were lost.
Exercise Oak 2 at Redcliffe; training for a major incident.
“This would have to be one of the best jobs in
the QPS, and there is a wait list of officers ready
to take over if I ever leave.”
WHEN YOU’RE NOT AT WORK, WHAT
ARE YOU DOING?
I enjoy travelling overseas with my
wife Addie, and we have visited the
UK, New Zealand, most of Europe,
Thailand, Vietnam, and Singapore. In
2011 we travelled to the United States
and Canada which was interesting, but
I still think Australia is the best country
in the world to live.
I enjoy shooting and reading military
history, and I have a fairly good
collection of police memorabilia which
I started to collect in 1977 when I first
joined the Australian Federal Police.
tropical downpour. These aircraft
don’t have radar, and they rely on a
GPS to guide the aircraft.
Coconut Island is tiny, with an even
smaller runway cutting across it from
one end to the other. To successfully
stop before running into the ocean,
you have to land at the beginning of
the airstrip
During this particular downpour,
visibility was zero, and the pilot lost
sight of the island. He asked that we
look out for it. He levelled down to 500
metres hoping for a break in the cloud,
but it was only when he was 200
metres from the ground that we broke
through the clouds and the island
became visible.
The pilot was able to land the aircraft
halfway along the airstrip, and we all
thought we would end up in the ocean.
Luckily for us, the pilot managed to
stop in time.
50
Queensland Police Union Journal June 2013

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Police Recipes
Police Recipes
HEARTY, COLD-CURING
CHICKEN SOUP
As winter approaches and friends and
family start to sniffle, get cracking on
this cold-curing chicken soup!
It can be stored in the freezer and
thawed for a quick meal when you
want to ward off the wog, or when
you’re simply too tired to cook.
Chock full of fresh veges, wholesome
goodness, and tasty deliciousness,
it satisfies even the most miserable
patient.
What do I need?
• 1/2 cup dried beans
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 chicken cut into serving pieces
• 1 cup grated onions
• 1/2 cup grated carrots
• 1/2 cup grated celery
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• 1/2 cup grated zucchini
• 1/2 cup grated yellow squash
• 2 litres chicken stock
• 400g tin of tomatoes
• 4 sprigs fresh flat-leaf parsley
• 3 bay leaves
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1/3 cup uncooked long-grain white
rice
• 1/2 cup chopped shallots
• 1 tablespoon fresh thyme
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf
parsley
• 1 cup torn spinach leaves
What do I do?
1) Put beans in saucepan and add
enough water to cover by 2 inches.
Bring to the boil and cook for 2
minutes, then remove from heat
and stand for an hour (while you’re
preparing the rest of the soup).
2) Heat oil in large pot over mediumhigh
heat. In batches, cook
chicken on both sides until evenly
brown, about 10 minutes. Transfer
chicken to plate. Pour off all but 2
tablespoons of fat from the pot.
Tip: You can use a barbecued chicken
to save time. Quickly sear it to get
some flavour in the pot, then transfer
to plate.
3) Add onions, carrots, and celery
to pot. Cook, stirring often, until
softened, about 3 minutes.
4) Add garlic and stir until fragrant,
about 1 minute.
5) Stir in zucchini and yellow squash
and cook for 1 minute.
6) Add stock, drained beans, tomatoes,
4 sprigs parsley, bay leaves, and
cayenne pepper.
7) Return chicken to pot and bring to a
boil over high heat.
8) Reduce heat to medium-low and
simmer, uncovered, until beans are
almost tender, about 1 hour.
9) Transfer chicken pieces to a plate
again. Cool slightly, then remove
meat from the bones. Discard skin
and bones, and return chicken and
any accumulated juices to the pot.
10) Add rice, shallots, thyme, rest of
parsley, and spinach and simmer
until rice and beans are tender,
about 15 minutes.
11) Discard bay leaves, and serve hot
with crusty bread.
Recipe source: Inspired by a recipe on
About.com Home Cooking
Do you have a favourite recipe that you’d like to share with members?
E-mail us at journal@qpu.asn.au
52
Queensland Police Union Journal June 2013

Book Review - Police Don’t Move – Tales of Policing Australia’s Gold Coast
Book Review
Police Don’t Move – Tales of
Policing Australia’s Gold Coast
By Andrea Appleton
‘Enjoy the rollercoaster ride as we find ourselves immersed in all
sorts of bother, meeting all manner of folk, and trying to make sense
of the impossibly senseless.’
Nick Wood is a retired QPS
officer who worked as a Constable
on the Gold Coast from 1997 to 2007.
After medical retirement, he found
himself reminiscing about ‘the most
fascinating decade of [his] life’, and
about the officers and staff of the QPS,
whom he rates as among the finest
people he has known.
About five years into retirement, Nick
read an ebook by an English bobby,
Wasting Police Time, and found it
very entertaining. He thought he could
also produce a book about real life
policing, and decided to write about
his experiences on the road at the
Gold Coast.
He asserts that all characters who
appear in Police Don’t Move are real,
yet have been blessed with name
changes. The jobs are also real, and
each chapter is devoted to a particular
job or shift to provide a snapshot
into life as a general duties officer on
Queensland’s glitter strip.
Nick’s conversational, ‘no holds (or
swearing) barred’ writing style makes
it easy to imagine you are partnering
up with him on his rounds, and just
like a GDs officer, you never know
quite what to expect, or who exactly
you might meet.
There’s the young male on a chick’s
pushbike who ‘downs his dreadful
generation X shorts to stun us with his
blindingly white bottom’. There’s the
mangy pig with the gammy leg that
lives in a caravan park and is lovingly
christened ‘Officer’.
There’s the drunk guy who provides a
false address that just happens to lead
to a house containing two hundred
cannabis plants, and the parents who
want to cash in their chips at the
casino before being taken to identify
their five-year-old son who drowned
in a hotel pool.
Some of the jobs Nick attends—and
the situations he finds himself in—
will be familiar to many officers, and
Nick’s wry recounting and observation
will undoubtedly ring true.
Of course, some other jobs are
truly one-of-a-kind, and are in turn
perversely funny, shockingly sad, or
downright unbelievable.
Police Don’t Move is a great read for
those looking for an insight into an
officer’s life on the beat. It’s also an
easy, entertaining read for QPS and
other officers who will find themselves
reminded of their own shifts, scrapes,
and service by the stories of Nick
Wood.
Police Don’t Move is available online
at Amazon, iTunes, and Kobo, and
there are easy links to these stores on
Nick’s blog: http://policedontmove.
blogspot.com.au/p/my-books.html
Nick Wood
Amazon, iTunes, Kobo
2013
RRP: $9.99
Queensland Police Union Journal June 2013 53

From the Archives
From the Archives
THE ‘WHITE GHOST’ CIRCA 1948, BRISBANE
The Queensland Police Service ‘White Ghost’ (aka a 1941 Chevrolet Special Deluxe utility) patrolling Kingsford Smith Drive
in Brisbane circa 1948. This vehicle cruised the streets of both Brisbane and Toowoomba from 1946 until the 1960s as part
of a campaign to encourage better observance of traffic and road rules by the public. It was fitted out with a loud speaker
that officers used to broadcast good community road sense from the early hours of the morning until late in the evening.
‘Ghost cars’ were also in use in Townsville by Queensland and Military police during the same era in response to a large
number of traffic accidents involving military vehicles.
Source: The Queensland Police Museum, catalogue no. PM1401c
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.
54
Queensland Police Union Journal June 2013

THE GOLD COAST POLICE LEGACY RACE DAY IS ON AGAIN
WHEN: Saturday 13 July 2013 from 11.45am - 5.00pm
LOCATION: Gold Coast Turf Club, Racecourse Drive, Bundall
COST: $65 per person or book a table of 10 for $600
Ticket Price includes: Entry into the Gold Coast turf club, private TAB and bar facilities in the airconditioned
DOME, a fabulous sit down meal, entry into Fashions on the Field, numerous chances
to win lucky door prizes, live music, and a fantastic day out.
All monies raised will assist in supporting Police Legacy and Queensland participants in the
National Police Memorial Wall to Wall for Remembrance 2013 ride http://walltowallride.com/
TO PURCHASE TICKETS
Email either:
Senior Sergeant Andrew Frick - OIC, Robina Station (frick.andrewd@police.qld.gov.au)
Senior Sergeant Bradyn Murphy - OIC, Gold Coast Traffic Branch (murphy.bradynm@police.qld.gov.au)
IMPORTANT
Tickets must be paid for and collected prior to the race day. No tickets will be held at the gate.
Tickets cannot be reserved without payment. There are only 200 tickets available.
For prize donations, sponsorship, or general enquiries please email Senior Sergeant Craig McGrath (mcgrath.craiga@police.qld.gov.au)

Police Living
Police Living
KATHMANDU VACUUM MULTI FLASK
As the sun rises later and later in the coming weeks, it gets harder and harder to bounce out of bed
to take your kids to soccer, to wax up your board for a surf, or to head out for a random weekend
adventure. However, with this Vacuum Multi Flask, you’ll have some encouragement to get out there
into the cold; you’ll know there’s a hot, steaming cup of tea, coffee, or hearty, cold-curing chicken
soup (see Police Recipes!) ready and waiting for you when you need it.
This flask keeps food and fluids hot (or cold) for up to 12 hours, so if your little darling volunteers for
a second game of soccer, or if the surf is really charging, it’s still got you covered.
FEATURES
• Vacuum insulated double wall stainless steel
• Extra wide mouth makes it easy to fill, pour, and clean
• Pop out carry handle and optional shoulder strap provides easy portability
• Lid keeps drinking surface clean and doubles as an insulated mug with an additional plastic cup
Got a picture of yourself out there braving the elements? We have a $50 BCF
voucher up for grabs for our favourite ‘it’s-not-really-even-that-cold’ shot, so send
your pictures to us at journal@qpu.asn.au, and you might just see yourself in the
next Journal.
56
Queensland Police Union Journal June 2013

Police Living
Police Living Pictures from our Members
In response to the Police Living section in our April Journal, Sergeant Aart Van’t Veldt from the
Brisbane Comms Centre has forwarded photos of his culinary finesse when cooking with camp
ovens. Aart whipped up these sumptuous sticky date puds with butterscotch sauce for a recent
Sunday evening of fine dining. Aart is a big fan of cooking with camp ovens, and he owns at least
15 of varying shape and size. He also uses other cast iron cookware, both old and new.
Aart receives a $50 BCF voucher to spend on any variant of the camp oven that he does not already own.
Queensland Police Union Journal June 2013 57

Out and About
Out and About
WORKERS’ MEMORIAL DAY
QPU Vice President and Metro North
Regional Rep Shayne Maxwell places
a police hat to commemorate those
who have died at work and from workrelated
illnesses.
QPU Industrial officer Aasha Venning, Metro
South Regional Rep Tony Collins, QPU Treasurer
and Southern Regional Rep Darren Lees, Central
Regional Rep Bill Feldman, Far Northern Regional
Rep Marty Bristow, North Coast Regional Rep Grant
Wilcox, and QPU Assistant General Secretary Denis
Sycz at the Workers’ Memorial Day.
QPU General President Ian Leavers
addresses the crowd at the Workers’
Memorial Day.
58
Queensland Police Union Journal June 2013

Out and About
Out and About
NOOSA FOOD AND WINE FESTIVAL
Senior Constable Craig McKenzie of Tewantin station, Constable Jacqueline Rogers of Noosa station, and
Constable Jason Fogg of Noosa station.
Senior Constable Jason Ireland and Constable Karina Hawkins of Noosa station.
Queensland Police Union Journal June 2013 59

Gilshenan & Luton 2012 Legal Overview
Gilshenan & Luton
2012 Legal Overview
This article summarises a presentation given by Glen Cranny and
Adrian Braithwaite to the QPU Conference on 2 May overviewing
the legal work performed by Gilshenan & Luton for the Union in the
previous 12 months.
During the past 12 months,
Gilshenan & Luton have been
involved in many matters of a
disciplinary, criminal, and coronial
nature on behalf of Union members,
as well as providing advices to the
Union on specific issues as they arise.
The QPS disciplinary system remains
an entirely unsatisfactory one. While
recent initiatives such as the ACDP
program have given some cause for
optimism, the system is still beset by
delays, unfairness, and an unhealthy
focus on punitive measures rather
than rehabilitative and welfare
measures.
The scathing criticism of the system
delivered by the independent review
into the Service disciplinary system
in 2012 stands as an indictment
upon the Crime and Misconduct
Commission and QPS management
who have allowed the system to
get to this stage over the last two
decades.
The overhaul and vast improvement
of the disciplinary system represents
one of the greatest challenges for
Commissioner Stewart in his new
role.
Statistics presented at Conference
show that in the majority of cases
involving sanctions imposed at
Deputy Commissioner level, on
Branch official Paul McPhee from West End, South Eastern Regional Rep Bob Smithson, and Gilshenan &
Luton’s Adrian Braithwaite at Conference.
“While recent initiatives such as the ACDP
program have given some cause for optimism,
the QPS disciplinary system is still beset by
delays, unfairness, and an unhealthy focus on
punitive measures rather than rehabilitative and
welfare measures.”
appeal these decisions have been
reversed (where the member has
appealed), or maintained (where the
CMC has appealed).
This of itself would suggest that the
QPS disciplinary system is out of
touch with community standards
and expectations reflected through
QCAT’s decisions.
Much of Gilshenan & Luton’s focus
in the last 12 months has been in the
Coronial area.
The inquest into the tragic death of
Dan Stiller near Gladstone was one
such inquest, and resulted in the
State Coroner expressing serious
concerns about the ongoing use of
motorcycles in police escorts for
wide loads. This is a matter which the
Union will continue to be involved in
going forward.
2012 saw an end to the long-running
Galeano Inquest concerning the taser
death of Antonio Galeano in Ayr in
June 2009.
60 Queensland Police Union Journal June 2013

Gilshenan & Luton 2012 Legal Overview
Senior Industrial Officer Steve Mahoney, Principal solicitor Calvin Gnech, and Gilshenan & Luton’s Glen Cranny at Conference.
The Galeano Inquest was the
focus of a lengthy article by Adrian
Braithwaite in the Summer 2012/2013
edition of the Journal, so analysis
will not be duplicated here other than
to say that the Inquest was one of
the largest and most complex cases
conducted by our firm on behalf of
members of the QPU.
With the extensive support of
the Union insofar as the terms of
our engagement, we were able to
commission and call expert evidence
from around the world which
ultimately assisted in successfully
submitting that there should be no
substantive criticism of the members
involved – and there wasn’t.
It ought be borne in mind that there
were calls from some quarters during
the inquest that at least one officer be
charged with a very serious criminal
“Statistics presented at Conference show that
in the majority of cases involving sanctions
imposed at Deputy Commissioner level, on
appeal these decisions have been reversed
(where the member has appealed), or
maintained (where the CMC has appealed).”
offence and there was evidence
from an expert commissioned by the
Coroner’s Office that the taser was
the direct cause of death.
This evidence was discredited and
ultimately abandoned by the Coroner.
Another inquest of significance was
the inquest into the death of Michael
Ley held in Townsville in December
last year. Mr Ley had died in the
Townsville watchhouse in June 2011
having been lodged there in a heavily
intoxicated state.
The inquest examined the
circumstances surrounding his death,
and in particular the compliance by
watchhouse officers of the OPMs and
local SOPs as they were relevant.
The full facts and findings are
available on the Coroner’s Court
webpage but what this inquest
demonstrated was that like
pursuits, for example, it is of critical
importance that officers exposed
to the environment know the policy
inside out, because failure to comply
with the policy (when there is a death)
can have the real prospect of being
referred to the DPP for a serious
criminal offence.
While officers can never be expected
to have a verbatim knowledge
of everything in the OPMs (one
Queensland Police Union Journal June 2013
61

Gilshenan & Luton 2012 Legal Overview
Inspector in the Galeano Inquest
suggested that if they were all printed
out it would fill a room), it is our
opinion that in risky environments
such as watchhouses, police cannot
afford not to know the policy back to
front, inside out.
While not recommending any change
to the CMC’s jurisdiction concerning
police discipline, surrounding
recommendations will seemingly
have the effect, if implemented, of
devolving more complaints to the
Service for determination.
which is enormous, for the benefit of
the community as a whole and police
officers specifically.
“While officers can never be expected to have a
verbatim knowledge of everything in the OPMs,
it is our opinion that in risky environments such
as watchhouses, police cannot afford not to
know the policy back to front, inside out.”
This is because at the end of the day,
as regrettable and tragic as deaths in
custody are, they are also inevitable,
and it will be compliance with the
OPMs that will save your skin 95% of
the time.
Finally, the recent Callinan-Aroney
report into the CMC would suggest
that the disciplinary landscape for
police officers may continue to
change in the coming years.
Curiously, the report also suggests
a downscaling of ethical standards
units across the public service,
and we are left to wonder how less
people will deal with the steady rate
of complaints that police (rightly or
wrongly) attract.
It can only be hoped that this is
achieved through efficiencies
and improvements in the police
disciplinary processes, the room for
62
Queensland Police Union Journal June 2013

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‘Grandparenting’ Orders
‘Grandparenting’ Orders
By Emma Meadth, Partner, Sciaccas Family Lawyers
Grandparents’ rights regarding spending time with children.
Increasingly,
circumstances are arising where a
child’s grandparent or grandparents
are becoming primary carers for a
child.
Sometimes private arrangements are
made in families between parents
and grandparents or other relatives
who agree to take care of and raise a
child temporarily or permanently.
These arrangements are considered
informal because the Court has
not necessarily been involved.
Unfortunately, informal arrangements
do not always work out.
So, what is the law in this area, and
what rights do grandparents have to
apply for formal orders relating to
care?
GRANDPARENTS MAY BE FORMALLY
RECOGNISED AS CARERS
Sometimes, parents are either
unable or unwilling to provide an
environment which provides for the
child’s best interests, and the Courts
allow a grandparent to be the primary
carer for the child.
In deciding whether to make a
particular parenting order in relation
to a child, the Court must regard
the best interests of the child as the
paramount consideration.
HOW TO APPLY FOR ORDERS
The Family Law Act makes it clear
that each parent has parental
responsibility for their children until
they are 18 years old.
Courts make orders about parental
responsibilities only if the parents
cannot agree about the arrangements
for their children.
These types of
orders are known as
parenting orders.
If both parents
consent to a
child or children
spending time with
the grandparent, then this can be
organised informally. If, however, the
grandparent prefers to have formal
orders in place, it will be necessary to
apply for parenting orders from the
Family Court.
BEFORE YOU APPLY TO A COURT
The family law system is designed
to encourage parents to develop
cooperative parenting solutions
without going to court.
Family dispute resolution is a
practical way for families to try to
resolve any disagreements and make
arrangements for the future.
In any application for a parenting
order, you must provide a certificate
with your application to the Court to
certify that family dispute resolution
has been attempted.
Of course, there are circumstances
where the court may grant an
exemption from the requirement to
file a certificate.
WHAT ORDERS CAN YOU APPLY
FOR?
The Family Law Act sets out that a
parenting order may deal with one or
more of the following:
64 Queensland Police Union Journal June 2013

‘Grandparenting’ Orders
• the person or people with whom a
child is to live
• the time a child is to spend with
another person or other persons
• the allocation of parental
responsibility for a child, and if
two or more people are to share
parental responsibility for a child,
how they are to consult with
one another about decisions to
be made in the exercise of that
responsibility
• any aspect of the care, welfare,
or development of the child or
any other aspect of parental
responsibility for a child.
Sciaccas Family Lawyers are
available to provide expert advice on
all family law property and children’s
matters. Telephone Sciaccas Family
Lawyers on freecall 1800 658 525 for
advice.
• how the child will communicate
with another person or other
persons
• child maintenance
• the steps to be taken before an
application is made to a court for a
variation of the order
• the process to be used for
resolving disputes about the terms
or operation of the order, and
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Queensland Police Union Journal June 2013
65

Updates: EB and The Stewart Restructure
Updates: EB and The
Stewart Restructure
We’re not surprised to receive repeated enquiries about our
Enterprise Bargaining process and the Stewart Restructure,
because both are very important to members and both have been
farcically dealt with by both the QPS and the government so far.
Unfortunately, we have
very little extra information to report to
members, because there has still been
very little progress.
Below is an abridged update and
background of both processes. See
past Journals and eNews updates for
more in-depth analysis.
ENTERPRISE BARGAINING
The QPU continues to be frustrated by
the QPS with the current EB process.
The QPU initiated EB negotiations
in January after the successful staff
surveys were evaluated.
A summary of our actions are below.
February 18 – Response from COP
• ‘In accordance with s.143 (2)
and s.143 (3) of the Industrial
Relations Act 1999, please accept
this correspondence as formal
notification of the Queensland
Police Service intention to
commence discussions to renegotiate
an Agreement to replace
the Queensland Police Service
Determination 2010.’
March 1 – First meeting of Single
Bargaining Unit
• Attending:
• QPU representatives
• QPCOU representatives
• QPS representative
• QPS replied they had authority to
commence negotiations, however
were not in a position to either
make a wages offer or table the
QPS Log of Claims.
• Asked Unions to table Logs of
Claims, but we declined because
this is not ‘bargaining in good
faith’.
March 19 – Correspondence from GP
to COP
• ‘To date almost three weeks
later, there has been absolutely
no contact, nor attempts at
an explanation from the QPS
in relation to ongoing EBA
negotiations and the delays.
29 January – General President (GP)
correspondence to Commissioner of
Police (COP)
• Reference to Section 1.7 of the
QPS Determination was made
which states that the parties will
commence discussions at least four
months prior to 30 June 2013
• ‘On this basis, the parties should
commence negotiations on or prior
to 1 March 2013 and the QPU is in a
position to commence negotiations
on whatever date is suitable to the
QPS. It is imperative that the QPS
ensure that they have been provided
with “authority to negotiate” prior
to this date so as to avoid the fiasco
that occurred at the commencement
of negotiations for EBA6.’
“It is unreasonable to assert that you and your
representatives are authorised to negotiate
when no wage offer nor a QPS Log of Claims
has ever been approved or authorised by the
State Government. Either you can negotiate a
wage offer or you cannot. It is quite simple.”
• Queensland Government
Public Sector Commission
Representatives
• Both Unions advised they were
able to table respective Logs of
Claims.
• Asked the QPS if they had ‘authority
to commence negotiations’.
‘It is of considerable concern that
there has been no meaningful
enterprise bargaining meetings
whatsoever at this stage, with no
indication from the QPS as to when
such discussions could commence.
This delay in the commencement
of meaningful negotiations is of
66 Queensland Police Union Journal June 2013

Updates: EB and The Stewart Restructure
particular concern given the State
Government’s position that they
will not consider interim wage rises
nor backdating of EBA increases
finalised after July.’
March 19 – COP response to GP
• ‘...I can assure you that Government
representatives are fully authorised
to negotiate the content of the
Union’s logs and also the broader
areas of reform common to all
public sector negotiations...’
March 20 – GP response to COP
• ‘It is unreasonable to assert that
you and your representatives are
authorised to negotiate when
no wage offer nor a QPS Log of
Claims has ever been approved or
authorised by the State Government.
Either you can negotiate a wage offer
or you cannot. It is quite simple.’
WHAT IS GOOD FAITH BARGAINING?
• QPS requests that both Unions
table respective Logs of Claims
prior to the QPS being in position
to do likewise does not constitute
‘bargaining in good faith’.
• Section 146 of the Industrial
Relations Act 1999 clearly states
that, ‘When negotiating the terms
of a proposed agreement, the
proposed parties to the agreement
must negotiate in good faith’. It
stands to reason that for the parties
to be able to negotiate the terms of
agreement, the respective position
of all parties should be known.
• This requirement is reiterated in
this section under the heading of
‘Examples of good faith bargaining’
where it states, ‘disclosing relevant
information as appropriate for the
negotiations’.
THE STATE GOVERNMENT’S WAGES
POLICY – HAVE THEY MOVED THE
GOALPOSTS?
• YES
• The government changed its wages
policy after the parties commenced
negotiations for the new EBA.
• QPU survey advised members that
the Newman government’s wages
policy provided for an increase of
up to 3% per annum.
• The QPU developed our Log of
Claims based on that policy.
• Exchange of correspondence
between GP (29 January) and COP
response (18 February).
• 19 February – Deputy
Commissioner for Workforce
Reform, Ross Musgrove, stated
that the policy will be ‘amended by
lowering the existing ceiling from up
to 3% to between 2.2% and 2.5% p.a.
inclusive of productivity’.
“The government
has changed the
legislation to make it
harder for the QPU.”
QUEENSLAND INDUSTRIAL
RELATIONS COMMISSION (QIRC) –
FUTURE WAGE CASES – WHY CAN’T
WE JUST GO TO ARBITRATION LIKE
WE DID LAST TIME?
• The government has changed the
legislation to make it harder for the
QPU.
• The Newman government has
legislated to impose additional
obligations on the QIRC in relation
to future wage cases.
• QIRC is now obliged to take into
consideration the financial position
of the state and address this in any
wage case decision.
• Also, there’s a new process where
the government can brief the QIRC
‘on the State’s financial position,
fiscal strategy, and related matters’
whenever it chooses.
• This may limit the Union’s ability to
achieve a reasonable outcome from
the QIRC in a wage case.
CAN’T THE STATE GOVERNMENT
DIRECTLY BALLOT MEMBERS NOW
TOO?
• YES
• Another legislative change by the
government is that the employer
has the ‘right to directly request
employees to approve a proposed
certified agreement by voting for it’.
• If the QPU did not accept a QPS
wage offer, the QPS could directly
ballot all members and if a majority
of members vote in favour of the
offer, that offer then becomes the
next EBA.
SO WHAT’S THE QPU DOING ABOUT
IT?
• The QPU has now written to the
Premier to negotiate directly
with him because we are not
receiving any feedback from the
Commissioner of Police.
• The QPU is also considering our
options to ‘Lodge a Notification of
Dispute’ in the QIRC on the basis
that the Commissioner of Police is
not negotiating in good faith.
STEWART RESTRUCTURE
The QPS has now re-engaged with the
QPU, and the QPS has become more
open and accountable owing to the
stance the QPU has held.
“The QPU has
now written to the
Premier to negotiate
directly with him
because we are
not receiving any
feedback from the
Commissioner of
Police.”
An update on the Stewart Restructure
process is below.
GENERAL PROCESS
• Officers in existing positions that
are being reduced in number -
closed merit process.
• Unsuccessful officers join all other
displaced and existing surplus
officers in a ‘displaced pool’.
Queensland Police Union Journal June 2013
67

Updates: EB and The Stewart Restructure
• Officers in displaced pool are
advised of vacancies as a result of
the restructure.
• Officers submit EOI for position
preferences and relevant personal
circumstances.
• If more than one officer seeks a
vacant position – closed merit
process.
• Negotiations with unsuccessful
officers about suitable placement
into a vacant permanent role.
• Officers not able to be placed into
permanent roles by agreement
are assigned to surplus roles by
negotiation and compete on merit
for future permanent vacancies at
their level or promotion.
SPECIFIC ISSUES
TENURE
• In the majority of cases, the QPS
Renewal Program will managerially
initiate a transfer (MIT) of police
officers to new or existing positions
in the new structure.
• In these circumstances, where an
MIT is undertaken, current tenure
requirements will be retained and
police officers will not be required
to commence a new period of
tenure.
police officer will commence post 1
July, including advice on assistance
and available options.
DISPLACED QPU MEMBERS OUTSIDE
BRISBANE
• Deputy Commissioner Ross
Barnett has said: ‘I can confirm that
displaced officers who are currently
based outside of the Brisbane
Metropolitan area will be given the
option to stay at their centre, in a
surplus capacity if vacancies do not
currently exist, if they are capable
of undertaking mutually satisfactory
operational duties. If an officer
cannot perform operational duties,
re-deployment to another centre
offering suitable placement may be
necessary. Should this be necessary
we will consult with the member
and the QPU prior to making any
decision.’
• Members are encouraged to try and
negotiate a suitable position with
local management.
• Displaced members should contact
their Regional Representative if they
have issues or concerns.
• Where a member is unable to
negotiate a satisfactory position
with local management, they
should provide a short written
outline where they are at and what they
envisage into the future. This will be
mainly for commissioned officers and
OICs, so our QPU members may get
some insight into what is happening
going forward.
This will involve the financial and HR
implications. QPS HR are trialling
ORION 10 to move toward 1 July, so
let’s hope it’s not like Queensland
Health.
All 86 VRs were accepted by
commissioned officers and they will be
vacating their positions until 14 June.
We were also advised that 70-80% of
all Superintendents and Inspectors
got one of their three choices, with
only three being moved against their
wishes.
The QPU has had a win in relation
to closed merit being determined by
geography and not by Regions, and the
first stage of closed merit selections is
now complete.
The second stage will commence
shortly, so those who have been
displaced and have no position will be
offered positions in the new structure
and be allowed to compete for new
positions.
“The QPU has arranged for regular meetings
with the QPS Manager, Employee Relations
Branch to discuss individual cases.”
Hopefully that should be completed
shortly, and after that there will be the
issue of those who have no position to
go to. We will be addressing this when
these people are identified.
OIC ALLOWANCES
• Where a police officer occupies
an OIC position prior to 1 July, the
officer will continue to occupy an
OIC position and receive the OIC
allowance.
• Where the QPS Renewal Program
results in the merging of work
units, new business rules and
arrangements will be considered
post 1 July.
• Following any change in the
business rules or arrangements,
consultation with any impacted
summary of issues to the Regional
Representative who will forward
this to the Senior Industrial Officer.
• The QPU has arranged for regular
meetings with the QPS Manager
Employee Relations Branch to
discuss individual cases.
LATEST UPDATE
The first stage of the implementation
is complete, and the QPS is in the
transition stage.
The QPS will be conducting a tour
of Regions in the next few weeks to
Please contact QPU Assistant
General Secretar Denis Sycz on
StewartRestructure@qpu.asn.au or
3259 1977 if you have any queries.
68
Queensland Police Union Journal June 2013

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Women’s Advisory Committee Overview
Women’s Advisory
Committee Overview
Presented by Sergeant Kerrie Haines at the QPU Conference
I am sure you must be thinking, ‘Why do we need another Women’s
Committee when the Service has the Women’s Network?’ Well, let
me tell you that this committee is different. This committee is here
to actually provide another perspective to the QPU Executive.
It is my firm belief that the Women’s
Advisory Committee brings enormous
value to the Union and that increased
participation of Queensland police
women within the Union will not only
bring personal benefit, but a greater
benefit to their team, their station,
their District, their Region, and to all of
the Service.
I have been asked by the Committee
to provide you with a brief overview of
the Women’s Advisory Committee and
our role.
Over many years, the Queensland
Police Union has actively participated
in the Police Federation of Australia’s
Women’s Advisory Committee
by selecting and sending female
Queensland Police Union members
to attend. In 2010, under General
President Ian Leavers, the Queensland
Police Union established its own
Women’s Advisory Committee.
The primary goals of this committee
are to provide a balanced perspective
on issues that cross the board
of general membership, and to
encourage female members of the
QPU to actively participate in Union
activities with an aim to increasing
female involvement in an elected
environment.
Under the Chair of Des Hansson, this
committee continued its association
with the Police Federation of Australia
and established and maintained
a positive relationship with the
“The primary goals of this committee are to
provide a balanced perspective on issues that
cross the board of general membership and
to encourage female members of the QPU to
actively participate in Union activities with an
aim to increasing female involvement in an
elected environment.”
Queensland Police Service Women’s
Network.
In addition, the Queensland Police
Union’s Women’s Advisory Committee
participated in its very first Women
In Male Dominated Occupations and
Industries (WIMDOI) conference, and
broke the barrier by bringing a male
delegate to this forum’s dialogue.
Participation in this forum brought a
new focus to this committee in that
QPU female members realised that
compared to their female counterparts
in other male-dominated industries,
our QPU female members were much
better placed industrially.
For this we need to say thank you
to the Queensland Police Union for
ensuring that all members, both
male and female, have been well
represented during previous industrial
relations bargaining.
Through a number of industrial
relations Agreements, our members
have seen their interests looked after
through the establishment of such
committees as TAC, Sick Leave Bank,
the CAFI committee, and the Part Time
committee.
The appointment of Industrial Officer
Aasha Venning is indicative of the
Union’s commitment to its members,
and she has regularly demonstrated
her ability to assist our members by
negotiating part time agreements.
She is more than willing to pursue a
successful outcome to any level, and
we are grateful that she is part of the
Women’s Advisory Committee.
In 2012, the Committee said goodbye
to Des Hansson as our Chair and
welcomed Bob Smithson of the South
Eastern Region as the new Chair. I’d
70 Queensland Police Union Journal June 2013

Women’s Advisory Committee Overview
Idustrial Officer Aasha Venning, Sergeant Kerrie Haines, South Eastern Region Rep Bob Smithson, Health and Safety Officer Rosemary Featherstone, and A/Senior
Sergeant Virginia Dixon at Conference.
like to take this opportunity to thank
Bob for chairing the committee and
representing our views to the QPU
Executive.
In the last year, the Women’s
Advisory Committee has seen a
few changes, some good and some
maybe not so good, but in the end
the Women’s Advisory Committee
focused on providing advice to the
QPU Executive that demonstrated a
balanced perspective and assisted
both genders.
The QPU’s Women’s Advisory
Committee in 2013, under the hands of
Samantha Purcell, Aasha Venning, and
Rosemary Featherstone, established
new terms of reference and has
identified its future functions:
• to encourage female members of
the QPU to actively participate in
their Union
• to actively encourage and promote
the increase in representation of
female QPU members as QPU
branch officials
• to actively promote and encourage
participation of female QPU
members at local branch meetings
• to advise the QPU Executive on
women’s issues within the QPS
workplace
• to assist in the development
of strategies that will provide
assistance to female members,
particularly in the areas of part
time agreements and family
responsibility leave
• to promote a positive working
environment for women by:
• providing information to
female QPU members through
the Journal, the QPU webpage,
branch meetings, and QPU
Conferences
• identifying strategies that may
assist female QPU members
in the workplace with work/
life balance and career
development
• to establish specific, annual goals
for this committee.
So how on earth are we going to
accomplish all this? You are probably
thinking that the women of the police
Union want to take over ... well, you
may just be right!
But the Union is only as good as its
members, both male and female.
Each and every member of the
Queensland Police Union needs to
actively participate in this Union.
I’m sure everyone at Conference
attends branch meetings and votes
in QPU elections, but where are the
other 10,000 members? The Women’s
Advisory Committee, along with
our male Union colleagues, want to
increase that participation.
Why shouldn’t we have 100% of our
members vote in the next Union
election? Increased participation is
for everyone and benefits all, and
there are plenty of women who can
participate.
Everyone here today recognises that
there have been significant barriers to
women’s leadership and involvement
within the QPS and within the broader
QPU and Union community.
Those barriers have included inflexible
work arrangements and a lack of
work/life balance, and a woman’s own
reluctance to pursue a leadership
position due to the burden of family
responsibility.
Queensland Police Union Journal June 2013
71

Women’s Advisory Committee Overview
It is the Union’s role to break down
those barriers within the Service and
to be a shining example of support for
women in leadership.
The first way to become actively
involved in the Union is to attend
branch meetings to discuss the issues.
We are all aware of the challenges
that operational police face in
attending branch meetings due to
work and family commitments, but
it is participation—and the education
provided through that participation—
which will increase involvement.
So I challenge each and every male
to make a commitment that you will
endeavour to bring a female Union
member with you to your next branch
meeting.
Sit with that member, provide her with
information about the issues, and ask
for her feedback. Remind her that her
opinion is important, and remember
that a little encouragement goes a
long way.
Featherstone for the development of
these brochures.
In the long term, the QPU WAC would
like to sponsor the development of
‘Lunch and Learn’ workshops.
These workshops would be topical
and cover a variety of areas including
industrial relations, human resources,
legal, and workplace health and safety,
along with Union issues affecting both
male and female QPU members. We
hope the ‘Lunch and Learn’ workshops
will be conducted around the state.
With the approval of the QPU
Executive, the QPU WAC would
also like to develop an ‘Advocacy
and Communicating with Influence’
workshop for female branch officials
and members of the Women’s
Advisory Committee.
Educated, healthy, and empowered
women drive development and
change faster. Investment in women’s
potential, empowerment, well-being,
participation and leadership is needed.
committed and motivated men and
women of the Union.
The Women’s Advisory Committee
asks that all Union affiliates make
a commitment that this Union will
“The Women’s
Advisory Committee
asks that all Union
affiliates make a
commitment that this
Union will endeavour
each and every day
to create a culture
of inclusion and
equality.”
endeavour each and every day to
create a culture of inclusion and
equality, and that we work together
to develop the numbers of female
branch officials who will be educated,
motivated, and committed to the QPU
and its members.
It has been identified academically
that access to education and training is
a gateway to further opportunities and
greater choice. Particularly for women,
education and training enhances
equity and mobility and improves
access to leadership roles.
“It is time for women to stand up and make
a change in this Union by becoming more
involved at branch meetings, nominating for
branch official positions, and perhaps one day
sitting on the QPU Executive!”
As part of the QPU WAC Strategic
Business plan now under development,
the committee will outline a broader
range of educational approaches
that will encourage increased female
involvement within the Union
movement by developing skills and
attitudes of QPU members so that they
can encourage their female colleagues
to contribute meaningfully, effectively,
and equitably to work processes and
outcomes both within the workplace
and in the Union.
Already, the QPU WAC has developed
HR awareness brochures in the
areas of pregnancy and part time
arrangements. A special thanks
to Aasha Venning and Rosemary
It is with initiatives such as these that
the Women’s Advisory Committee
hopes to increase female involvement
within the Union, to advance gender
equality and help to ensure a fair and
true representation of females within
the Union.
There are currently some vacancies for
QPU branch delegate positions around
the state. This means that some areas
are without an elected and trained
Union delegate providing support for
members.
We as current branch delegates and
Executive members need to work
together to ensure that this Union has
100% of all branch positions filled with
On behalf of the QPU Women’s
Advisory Committee, I would like
to thank Virginia Dixon for all her
hard work and commitment as the
committee’s driving force.
And finally, I would like to acknowledge
the work of this committee and the
QPU staff who support us.
The time for talking about what to do
is over. It is now time for action, and
time for women to stand up and make
a change in this Union by becoming
more involved at branch meetings,
nominating for branch official
positions, and perhaps one day sitting
on the QPU Executive!
72
Queensland Police Union Journal June 2013

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
THE YOUNG D’S LAMENT
We’ve all been there a couple of times
it’s an age old boss’s story
To take the young blokes out the back
and promise them some glory
We’ll get a tie with a latin grab and a
picture of some cuffs
That way all the crooks’ll know
we’re keen to rough em up
We’ll all sail closer to wind than
anyone before
With promises and guarantees the
bosses know the score
But when the jockeys come to town as
invariably they do
And what seemed like a good idea
smells horribly of poo
We’ll call the boss – he’ll sort it out –
he’s a good bloke – that’s the ticket
But when we ring the boss’s phone all
we’ll hear are crickets
Name withheld
Dear Editor
I am writing this letter to formally
advise that I am tendering my
resignation from the QPU effective 3
June 2013. After 22 years service and
a great amount of career reflection,
consultation, and deliberation, I
have elected to pursue a new career
change in a new industry.
Throughout my career I at times
have had to call upon the Union for
their representation, support, and
advice. Ian, I wholeheartedly thank
you, your Executive, and Regional
Representatives for the professional
support and services given.
The Queensland Police Service has
been a great career, it has granted
me the experience to work and live
in many unique locations throughout
Queensland.
It has allowed me to make many
great friends in the job and the
communities where I have served.
The Service has professionally
educated and multi-skilled me.
I have in my career path worked for
some very competent supervisors
whom I thank and respect greatly.
I have also unfortunately met
vindictive and incompetent ones
whom I shall easily forget and
ignore. I have shared some fantastic
and humourous times with work
colleagues.
A special mention to the Boundary
Riders, Gutters x 2, Henry,
Cheeseburgers, Tambo, and Archie. I
thank you for your support, mateship,
and funny memories, and I am sure
our friendships will continue into the
future with a cold beer in hand.
All the best, stay safe, happy, and
well, and I wish you well in your QPS
careers. I’m sure we will cross paths
again somewhere down the track.
VKR this is the ‘5 Stitcher’ off station
TERMINATION.
Garry Sweeney
Ex Senior Sergeant 8855
Dear Editor (and friends and
colleagues)
Friday 5 April marked my final day as
a proud member of the QPS.
Nearly 18 years ago I walked through
the Academy gates. I was a naive
private school girl who had no real
concept of what policing was all
about.
The majority of my career I spent in
CIB, and more recently in training at
the Academy. I had studied education
at University prior to joining the
QPS and longed to combine both
interests.
I have many fond and exciting
memories of both my operational
years and more recently my time
spent in training, and the bonds made
with many colleagues in both fields
who are now my lifelong friends.
I had the pleasure of teaching five
recruit groups at the Academy prior
to being promoted to Detective
Sergeant at Detective Training in
late December 2011. I hope that I
made some small difference to those
officers under my guidance.
Unfortunately, on the same day
this promotion was effective, I
was diagnosed with shingles. Two
days later, I was diagnosed with a
complication of shingles: Ramsay
Hunt Syndrome. This is a neurological
condition that resulted in the left side
of my face being totally paralysed
with stroke-like symptoms.
It was hoped the paralysis would
improve with time, but it became
worse by the end of last year,
74 Queensland Police Union Journal June 2013

Letters to the Editor
affecting my vision and hearing.
This has now been diagnosed as a
permanent condition.
I am now entering a new chapter of
my life, retiring at 40 years of age
and assuming the role of ‘domestic
goddess’.
I will be a proud stay-home mum to
our two beautiful daughters and my
ever-supportive ‘rock’ husband, Jack,
who I would be lost without. Jack is
also a current sworn member, so I
will still feel forever bonded to the
QPS ‘family’.
I say thank you to so many,
particularly members of HRDB,
in getting us through this difficult
process, and to the Police Union for
their amazing support recently and in
years past.
I sincerely hope that I can return in a
civilian capacity one day and make a
contribution again.
I can truly say that ‘With Honour I
Served’.
Thank you.
Detective Sergeant
Cathy Maddock
10047
Dear Editor
I was just wondering if anyone in the
QPU is aware of when the Honours
and Awards Unit is thinking of getting
around to actually recognising the
officers who performed significant
service in the 2011 national
emergency weather events.
I notice with a slight turn of my
stomach that a lot of commissioned
officers, including our ‘dear leader’,
wear theirs proudly pinned to their
chests, earned no doubt by all of the
logistical support action they always
seem to involve themselves in.
Sadly, I do not see any of the police
officers who were actually out there,
‘boots on the ground’ in the mud,
wearing any form of recognition for
their work.
It is clear where the priorities of the
managers lie and who they see as
important in these matters.
And yes, those same boots on the
ground police will remember exactly
how they have been treated for a very
long time.
Two years and counting ...
Name withheld.
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.
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 June 2013
75

Police Health
Police Health
by Peter Shanahan, Police Health Chairman
FEELING FAINT?
Fainting (medically known as
syncope) usually occurs when there
is a sudden drop in blood pressure
which reduces blood flow and oxygen
to the brain.
Dr Susan Corcoran, a cardiologist
from the Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes
Institute, says, ‘about 40 per cent of
people faint at some point in their
lives, but for some fainting happens
as often as once a week’.
There are many factors that can
cause fainting, including heat, pain,
or distress. Interestingly, The Age
reported that some scientists suspect
fainting may have an evolutionary
benefit; falling over and lying still
in response to blood loss increases
survival chances.
A new study from the University of
Melbourne and Austin Health has
also identified genetic factors where
a child of a frequent fainter will have
a 50:50 chance of having the same
condition.
SYMPTOMS OF FAINTING
Associated symptoms of fainting can
include:
• Dizziness
• Light-headedness
• Ringing in the ears
• A pale face
• Perspiration
• Heightened anxiety and
restlessness
• Nausea
• Collapse
• Unconsciousness, for a few
seconds
• Full recovery after a few minutes
CAUSES OF FAINTING
There are many causes as to why
someone may faint; here are some of
the more common:
Standing up too quickly. Blood
pressure can drop, because blood
does not have enough time to reach
the brain as it fights gravity. The heart
must pump stronger, changing its
rhythm.
Prolonged standing. Because gravity
pulls the blood towards the legs, it
may cause blood pressure to drop.
Extreme heat or dehydration drains
blood away from the main circulatory
system and lowers blood pressure.
Heat dilates veins and lets blood pool
in the lower limbs, restricting its flow
to the brain.
Emotional distress or distressing
events (eg. sight of blood or a
needle). This may be due to the fight
or flight response where chemicals
adrenaline and acetylcholine are
disrupted. Increased acetylcholine
causes the heart rate to slow and
blood flow to reduce.
Severe pain. The vagus nerve
transmits a signal to the brain to
drop blood pressure systemically by
producing more acetylcholine as a
protection measure against trauma
and extreme pain.
Low blood sugar. The brain requires
blow flow to provide oxygen and
glucose (sugar) to its cells to function.
Low blood sugar levels can result in
the impairment of brain and heart
functions.
Anaemia, whether occurring
gradually or acutely from bleeding,
can cause fainting because there are
not enough red blood cells to deliver
oxygen to the brain.
Pregnancy can increase the risk
of fainting in some women due to
reduced blood pressure in early
the stages, hormone changes, and
changes in the circulatory system.
The expanding uterus can also
compress the inferior vena cava (the
large vein that returns blood to the
heart) and can cause orthostatic
hypotension (blood can pool around
the lower limbs and uterus).
Hyperventilating, or becoming
intensely anxious or panicked and
breathing too quickly, may cause
fainting from taking in too much
oxygen and getting rid of too much
carbon dioxide too quickly.
Being ill or sick, vomiting, diarrhoea,
sweating, or inadequate fluid intake
may cause dehydration, which can
lower blood pressure.
Certain medications, including drugs
used for anxiety, high blood pressure,
nasal congestion, and allergies can
lead to fainting by causing a drop in
blood pressure.
Heart rhythm changes. A heart
pumping too slowly, or with an
irregular rhythm, may cause blood
pressure to drop. Additionally, the
heart rate can temporary slow and
cause fainting when the body strains
to urinate, have a bowel movement,
or cough, which can trigger the vagal
response in slowing blood pressure.
TREATING FAINTING
Most fainting will only last a few
seconds, but it may make the person
feel unwell, and recovery may take
several minutes.
If you do not think it is a medical
emergency and a person is feeling
faint, you should help them to
lie down and elevate their feet if
76 Queensland Police Union Journal June 2013

Police Health
possible, to get the blood pumping
towards their head. This will also
prevent injury from falling.
If the fainting episode was heat
related, try to cool the person down
with a wet cloth and by loosening any
extra clothing. Apply other first aid if
you are trained, and if heat stroke is
suspected, call an ambulance (Triple
Zero - 000).
The person can get up slowly after
ten minutes.
Note that if you suspect a medical
emergency, if in any doubt, or if a
person doesn’t recover quickly, do
not hesitate to call an ambulance. The
collapse may have been triggered by
a more serious event such as a stroke
or diabetic medical emergency.
SEEKING MEDICAL ADVICE
Occasionally, a collapse may be
caused by a more serious event such
as a disturbance in normal heart
rhythm. Fainting may be an early
warning signal that something is
wrong, and further examination is
sometimes important.
If a person complains of
breathlessness, chest pains, or heart
palpitations, or if pulse is faster or
slower than expected, the person
should see a doctor. Similarly, slurred
speech, facial droop, or weakness
in any limbs is a sign of a serious
problem.
If a stoke or a heart attack is
suspected, provide first aid if you
are trained, and in any event, ensure
that a call for an ambulance has been
made (Triple Zero – 000).
If fainting occurred after turning
the head, bones in the neck may be
pinching and cutting blood flow to
the brain. If this happens, a doctor
should be consulted, and if it is an
emergency, call an ambulance.
Likewise, frequent fainting spells or
sensations of light-headedness needs
to be medically investigated to check
for underlying causes.
WHERE TO GET HELP
• Call an ambulance in an
emergency.
• Your doctor
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
Information Sourced From: ABC
Science, The Age, Better Health
Channel, MyDr, Medline Plus,
FamilyDoctor.org, Medscape,
MedicineNet.com, Queensland
Ambulance Service, National Institute
of Neurological Disorders and Stroke,
Howard Hughes Medical Institute.
The most popular health cover
among Queensland police.
Over 6,000 Qld police are now members.
Join Police Health now, so you too can
enjoy the benefits
• quality cover at a value price
• exceptional hospital cover including travel and
accommodation assistance
• extras cover with higher value benefits
• easy to understand contribution rates and benefits
• Australia’s only health fund dedicated to police
Call 1800 603 603
www.policehealth.com.au
Insurance provided by Police Health Limited ABN 86 135 221 519
Queensland Police Union Journal June 2013
77

QRPA
QRPA NEWS – JUNE 2013
State Secretary: Jillian Steinkamp
steinkamp.jillian@gmail.com
0411 401 596
QRPA website: www.qrpa.asn.au
Email: queenslandretiredpolice@gmail.com
There is no message this month from the State President,
Mick O’Brien.
Mick and Therese are pursuing their passion for cruising and
are away from late April to early June. Doubtless, Mick will
come back from his break reinvigorated and ready to share his
boundless enthusiasm and recent travel experiences with us
all upon his return.
THE WIDER POLICE FAMILY
The State Management Committee has recently been
discussing how better the QRPA can connect with spouses
of deceased officers: in particular, those who spent a lifetime
supporting their partners in the policing role and who might
enjoy still being connected to the wider police family.
One way in which this can occur is to include spouses of
deceased officers on distribution lists to receive QRPA news
and newsletters.
If you know of a police widow or widower who would like to
receive news from QRPA, please let Jillian Steinkamp know on
0411 401 596 or at queenslandretiredpolice@gmail.com
QRPA MEMBERSHIP FEES
Annual membership fees are due on 1 July. Please take the
time to ensure your 2013/14 membership fees are paid by the
due date.
• Membership fees are:
• Members and Senior Members $20, Veteran Members
$10, Associates $5
• Payment may be made:
• To your branch Treasurer
• Where not a member of a branch, directly to the State
Treasurer by
– Transfer to BSB 704 052 A/c 1013730, reference ‘your
name’, or if transferring from your QPCU account to
a/c 1013730S1, or
– Cheque payable to ‘QRPA’ and mailed to The State
Treasurer, 48 Betheden Terrace, Ashgrove 4060
IS THERE A CURE FOR OLD AGE?
At the March QPRA meeting at Police Headquarters, Rob Thiel-
Paul addressed members on good health and ‘staying strong’.
Rob has kindly agreed to share his expertise with all QRPA
members and has written an article which will be published in
three parts.
Part 1 is on Sarcopenia, which is the age-related decrease in
muscle mass and function. Essentially, it is the first stages
of disability in older people and leads to the development of
chronic and lifestyle diseases. It gives another name to ‘old
age’, and it shows that the signs are reversible.
Rob Thiel-Paul is currently the
Physical Activities Officer for the
Queensland Police Service. His six
years experience with the QPS has
given him firsthand understanding
of the health challenges police face
during and after their careers.
Rob has a Bachelor of Applied Science
in Sports Coaching, is a qualified
secondary teacher, and is currently undertaking a Masters of
Exercise Science in Strength and Conditioning. Passionate
about health and fitness, Rob’s background in professional
sports coaching and athlete strength and condition gives
him a complete understanding of the intricacies of human
performance, be it on the field or in daily life.
STAYING STRONG
Part 1 – Sarcopenia
In another 27 years, it is estimated that 30.1% of the Australian
population will be over 60 years of age. In 2000, 16.6% of the
population was over 60. An ageing population raises many
challenges, but one thing is universally agreed on: people
in retirement will need to take greater responsibility for
themselves, because resources and services will be stretched
thinner than they already are.
What does this mean for you? It will pay to take control. A timeworn
coaching adage is ‘control the controllables’ – your health
is a controllable.
Sarcopenia is the condition of age-related decline in muscle
mass and strength. This condition is accepted to be ‘an
important antecedent’ to the start of disability in older adults.
There are more and more insights coming from the research
about this condition, with some quarters even confident that
in time they’ll find a cure for it, that is – a cure for old age.
There is a complex range of hormonal and cell-signalling
78 Queensland Police Union Journal June 2013

QRPA
changes associated with sarcopenia, and with advancements
in molecular technologies, expect much more light to be
shone on this area in the coming years. However, one of the
most effective treatments in offsetting sarcopenia at this time
is proving to be resistance training. Part 1 of this series will
explore what happens under the skin as you age. Part 2 will
look at the relationships between physical activity, specifically
resistance training and chronic and lifestyle diseases. Part
3 will show you the way forward by offering up a resistance
training program that you can do at home with no equipment
that is suitable for all ages and strength levels.
The good news with our ageing population is that there is an
ever-increasing amount of new research and understanding
about the ageing process. We know what to expect and how
to best offset these effects. There will always be someone
promoting a miracle pill, cream, food, supplement, device, or
even a whole therapy, but the human body is a very complex
organism and understanding one single approach won’t cure
all our problems. If something seems too good to be generally
true, it generally is. Taking control of your health starts with
understanding it, and we’ve included this series of articles to
start that process.
Taking Control
As you age, the following happens under your skin:
• Your neural impulses weaken and decrease in ‘firing’ rate
• Your muscle fibres decrease in size and number
• You lose strength and power
• You lose bone density
• You become a little more unbalanced (only physically of
course)
• You become more likely to develop a chronic disease
You lose strength and power
Strength and power come from two places: motor units and
muscle fibres.
Motor units are responsible for the neural impulse that makes
all your movements happen. They attach to muscle fibre and
‘stimulate’ the fibre to interact with its neighbour to create
a contraction in your muscle. The impulse to stimulate your
muscle fibres comes from your brain, down your spinal cord,
and then onto the muscle. Some muscle contractions can come
directly from your spine and we generally call these ‘reflexes’.
Understand that nerves are a two-way street. Impulses also
travel the other way, to your spinal cord onto your brain. How
else would we know that that foot is ours?
The other factor is your muscle fibres and they can have
different characteristics. They can be thin, have a slower
contraction rate, and be resistant to fatigue. On the contrary,
they can be thick, have a fast contraction rate, but fatigue quite
quickly. A great example of this is the differences in body shape
and size of 100m sprinters and marathon runners. For people
who have a ‘general condition’, their fibres will be a hybrid of
these two types.
The decrease in strength and power as you get older is caused
by a decrease in (a) the strength of the neural impulses, (b) a
decrease in muscle fibre size and number, and (c) decrease in
number of motor units (remember they are attached to muscle
fibres). Research has shown that you can lose up to 30% of
your strength and muscle mass between the ages of 30 to 70.
In early adulthood, skeletal muscle makes up approximately
35-40% of your body weight. So let’s say you weigh 70kg
when you’re 30, approximately 28% of you is muscle. By the
age of 70, you could lose up to 8.4kg of muscle fibre. The very
interesting thing is the more muscle mass you have, the higher
your chances of survival! This is the same for serious burns:
the greater amount of muscle mass you have, the more likely
you are to recover from third degree burns. Greater muscle
mass significantly decreases your chance of developing
chronic lifestyle diseases such as cardiovascular disease or
diabetes and surviving diseases such as cancer.
Another fall-out of a decrease in muscle mass and function is
less stability for your joints. Muscle acts over joints to either
move them or stabilise them. A consequence of weaker
muscles is weaker joints. As you age, there is also a decrease
in blood supply to joints, and an increase in degeneration of
cartilage (spongy ‘stuff’ that sits between bones) and joint fluid.
As you age, there is a decrease in bone density. Bone isn’t a
static, rock-hard substance that never changes. It’s a living,
ever-changing part of your body. In this regard, it could be
compared with coral you find under the sea. During adolescence
and early adulthood, your body lays down as much bone as it
can and then it works at continually renewing it. As you move
through adulthood, the rate at which it can ‘renew’ is slower
than the break-down rate, so you end up with ‘less dense
bones’. The magnitude to which your bone mineral density
decreases is dependent on a few things: genetics, gender, diet
history (specifically calcium intake over your lifespan), and
your muscle mass and strength.
The final, notable consequence of the loss of muscle mass
is a decrease in balance. For young retirees, falling over and
breaking a hip may not be as immediate a concern as it is
for well-seasoned retirees, but understand that becoming
‘unbalanced’ isn’t something you wake up and notice one day.
It’s a gradual process and highly treatable.
Four Pillars to Good Health
Get high quality sleep
Eat a nutritious diet
Be active
Have a caring GP
Queensland Police Union Journal June 2013
79

QRPA
THE ANNUAL PILGRIMAGE
For the story behind the pictures, see the Ipswich branch news.
Ted Dale, John McCrae, and Trevor Albury
Noelene and Russell Ladlay
NEW MEMBERS & ASSOCIATES
Members—
• Ricky Grant Davis, former Sergeant, resigned from UMG
(Brisbane)
• Raymond Frederick Platz, former Detective Superintendent,
retired from South Eastern Region in 2008 (Brisbane)
• Ronald George Nankervis, former Senior Constable, medical
retirement from Moorooka station in 1994 (Brisbane)
• Karl Richar Osterlund, former Leading Constable, resigned
from Burwood, Victoria in 1971 (Bundaberg)
Elaine and Matt Dale
• Alan Keith Edgerton, former Constable, resigned from
Rockhampton in 1964 (Bundaberg)
• Ian George Fischer, former Senior Sergeant, medical
retirement from City station in 1994 (Brisbane)
• Donald John McKean, former Superintendent, voluntary
retirement in 1994 (Brisbane)
• Leonard Norman Roe, resigned from Police Depot in 1970
(Brisbane)
• David Michael Manfield, former Detective Inspector, retired
from Crime Operations in 2002 (Logan-Beenleigh)
• Brian Dennis Desjardins, former Inspector, retired from
Dalby in 1999 (Brisbane)
Merle and Bill Wallace
• Craig Robert Mason, medical resignation from Hurstville,
NSW in 1999 (Gold Coast)
• Obbe Jacob (Aub) Nieborg, resigned from Mackay station
in 1977 (Gympie)
• Helen Dianna Joachim, former Sergeant, voluntary retired
from SER Police Communications in 2011.
Peter Petersen, Robert Latter, and John Hawkins
QRPA MEMBERSHIP CERTIFICATES
Veteran— (over 75yrs and 10yrs financial membership)
Gary Errol Lyons (Gympie)
Desmond Charles Melksham (Gympie)
Senior— (over 65yrs and 10yrs financial membership)
Errol Frank (Gympie)
Barry Donald Krosch (Brisbane)
BIRTHDAYS— 90 and over
Herbert William Butcher, 90 on 23 April (M-W)
Clyde Hamilton Jones, 91 on 2 April (NNC)
80 Queensland Police Union Journal June 2013

QRPA
Edward John Lewis, 94 on 22 May (Brisbane)
Phillip Brian Hocken, 90 on 26 May (Brisbane)
Clarence Gooch Kelly, 92 on 30 May
(Bundaberg)
RECENT OBITUARIES—May They Rest In Peace
Members—Life member and former Inspector Terence
Lawler Thomsen, 18.03.13, 86 years; member and former
Superintendent John James Hopgood, 10.04.13, 66 years;
member and former Senior Sergeant William Leonard (Len)
Taylor, 13.04.13, 82 years; life member and former Inspector
Donald Ernest Victor Russell, service 17.04.13, 88 years; life
member and former Sergeant 2/C Athol Arnold Dixon, 23.04.13,
84 years; veteran member and former Constable 1/C Robert
Neil Coops, 02.05.13, 83 years.
Non-members—Former Constable Patrick Yourell, 14.03.13, 92
years; Alfred Ernest William Fawkes, service 22.03.13, 89 years;
police officer Ronald Eric Topp, 11.04.13, 57 years; former
Constable James Downing, service 26.04.13, 79 years.
Family—Mary Kathleen Miles, 15.4.13, 87 years, widow of
former police officer Des Miles; public servant Neil Murphy,
80 years, service 22.04.13; Dianne Hegarty, 22.04.13, wife of
member John Hegarty; Pat Dwyer, service 26.04.13, widow of
former Inspector William (Bill) Dwyer.
BRANCH NEWS
BUNDABERG
During April, the branch welcomed two new members:
Alan Edgerton, a former Queensland police officer, and Karl
Osterlund, a former Victorian police officer. Superintendent
Rowan Bond has accepted a redundancy package from the
QPS. Rowan and Robyn will be residing in Bundaberg and
Rowan intends to join the branch. Grannie and Neta Pearce
have completed a trip to New Zealand where they visited Neta’s
sister in Whangarei. Some time was spent cruising the Bay of
Islands and travelling to the Northern tip and 90 mile beach of
the North Island. It seems the land of the long white cloud is a
popular place: Russell and Mary Crook also headed across the
Tasman on a two week safari of the Kiwi isles. Alan and Beth
Edgerton have headed off in their caravan linking up with other
friends tripping around Australia. Bob Hayes is still recovering
from surgery in January to remove two aggressive melanomas
from his right calf muscle; the wound is healing but it’s taking
some time. Graham Caesar is still having treatment and is
much missed by the bowls team. Clarrie Kelly has transferred
to Fairhaven Care facility at Pialba. Grahame Gronow, President
of Hervey Bay branch, has arranged for his welfare team to visit
Clarrie. On the bowls front: the 2013 Bowls Association Day
was held at Moore Park Bowls Club. The team comprised of
Tony Olsen, Alan Edgerton, Karl Osterlund, and Jack Field and
came out victors on the day. Congratulations, guys: a victory
well deserved. The bowls team, again skipped by Jack Field,
with Grannie Pearce, Tony Olsen, and Frank Mueller, will attend
a charity day in Gin Gin for Gracie Lukan, daughter of Gin Gin
police officer Dan Lukan. Gracie has serious health issues and
this event is a fundraiser.
DARLING DOWNS
The branch held their meeting on 9 May at the West Toowoomba
Bowls Club. Planning for the Annual Luncheon at Toowoomba
TAFE has already commenced. At least eighty attendees are
required to make the occasion and meal price viable. Members
observed the passing of Pat Dwyer, widow of Bill. It was noted
that Gene Murphy has ongoing medical problems and Tom
Tilbrook is due to have surgery next month. The venue for the
13 June meeting is the Stock Exchange Hotel.
GLADSTONE
Members met at the Gladstone Golf Club for the monthly
meeting on 1 May. After dealing with normal business, the
meeting received welfare reports regarding the condition
of Mike Fox. Neil Colborne had visited Mike in hospital in
Gladstone. It was also noted that Keith McCann’s mother had
passed away.It was resolved for the committee to continue
organising the Mystery Tour to be held on Saturday 22 June.
The Annual Luncheon is to be held on Saturday 20 July at the
Dragon Garden Restaurant. There was discussion regarding
Gladstone members attending other branch luncheons. It was
agreed to hold over discussion about moving the date of the
Christmas meeting day.The June meeting is on Wednesday
5 June at 11.00 am at the Royal Hotel, Mount Larcom. The
branch is still seeking members to fill the positions of President
and Secretary. These are important roles in any branch and it
is hoped that the positions can be filled soon.
GOLD COAST
The May meeting was held at the Runaway Bay police station
on the 7th. There were twenty-four in attendance. Raffle
winners were Neil Raward and Jack Frost. The proceeds of the
raffles were donated to the Runaway Bay Police Social Club.
A barbecue is to be held at the home of Russell Robertson on
30 May. The Annual Luncheon is to be held on 9 July at Twin
Towns. On the welfare front, John Fox was operated on for
bowel cancer: it had moved into the lymph glands and he is
undergoing chemotherapy. Ken Morris was admitted to the
Gold Coast Hospital suffering from a possible minor stroke.
The branch will next meet at Currumbin on 4 June.
HERVEY BAY
Travellers: The Floods are somewhere in the great outdoors; the
Jamiesons have visited the Gold Coast; Bob and Dot Summers
headed to South America in April; the Bradshaws were absent
from Hervey Bay earlier this year but reported they were not
lost; Ross and Dell Skyring spent a week in Singapore; Lyle and
Grahame Gronow will be tripping to north western Australia in
May and June and will miss the Hervey Bay Annual Luncheon
on the 18th. Welfare: Col Bauer moved to a retirement village
in Toowoomba after being in and out of hospitals in Townsville
and Toowoomba. Bob Summers visited his cardiologist. Roger
Barlow received good reports about his back from his Brisbane
specialist. At the invitation of Superintendent Mark Stiles,
members visited Maryborough station in May for a morning
tea followed by a visit to the Maryborough Museum and lunch.
Queensland Police Union Journal June 2013
81

QRPA
IPSWICH
The Ipswich branch of the QRPA made their annual pilgrimage
to Matt and Elaine Dale’s property at Rosewood where twelve
members and their wives enjoyed a vast array of wonderful
food in a magnificent country setting. The Rosewood property
has been in the Dale family since the 1800s and has recently
been painted and restored to its original and natural beauty.
Special guest of the day was Ted Dale, Matt’s cousin and a
member of the Logan-Beenleigh branch. A notable absentee
was Ken Morris who was laid up in the Gold Coast Hospital
with a yet to be diagnosed illness. Ken was contact by phone
and much to the delight of our stalwart Bill Wallace, Ken was
informed that his share of the food and beer had already been
consumed. The reply from Ken was loud and unprintable! The
gathering was informed that Bruce Frese has moved from
Brassall to Hervey Bay with a transfer to that branch. Illness
also accounted for the non-appearance of Arthur Zillman,
Cec Horne, and Jim Lewis. Bronco rider Ron Lobwein was
back on crutches after overdoing his recovery from a recent
knee replacement. Our next meeting is at Brothers Leagues
Club, Wildey Street, Raceview, commencing at 11.00 am on
Wednesday 12 June with a guest speaker from Centrelink.
LOGAN/BEENLEIGH
The branch witnessed another successful month with plenty of
members attending the May meeting. Without a formal guest
speaker, John Cummins entertained members with a recount
of an article on early policing and of problems encountered
from the news media and public perceptions of policing. Dave
Manfield spoke to members regarding the village development
he is working on located on the Beenleigh-Redland Bay Road
at Carbrook. From what Dave told and showed members, the
residential village and associated amenities will be a big plus
for the Logan area when complete. Consideration is being given
to the possibility of moving the monthly meeting to the second
Tuesday of each month to ensure the large conference room
at the Beenleigh Sports Club is available for use. Members will
discuss at the June meeting.
MACKAY/WHITSUNDAY
Mackay-Whitsunday branch members
recently enjoyed a luncheon with
member Tom Butcher for an early
celebration of Tom’s 90th.
After time spent in the Australian Army,
Tom was sworn in to the Police Force in
1949 aged 26 years and retired in 1991 as
a Sergeant 2/C.
Tom travelled to Bundaberg to celebrate
the day with his twin sister Stella.
Guest speaker at the April meeting was Superintendent Ben
Hanbidge who spoke about the restructuring of police regions.
He also urged members not to become complacent with
car and home security in light of a recent spate of crimes.
Margaret Macnaughtan is being trialled with medication in
lieu of expected surgery and seems to be coping. Merv Fisher
was welcomed back to the April meeting; he awaits medical
procedures in Brisbane. As Dennis Doring won yet another
monthly raffle prize, Margie Kussrow asked what method
Dennis has devised to ensure all these wins! With pleasant
memories of past visits to Bowen and Cannonvale, it is planned
to hold repeat meetings at these locations as well as accepting
an invitation to meet at Breezes.
REDLANDS
The April meeting was held on Tuesday 23 April at the
Redlands Sporting Club. It was noted that member Pat Wilson
had suffered a minor stroke. Dave Stannard is again organising
the Police Remembrance Day Service in September. A
barbecue outing for branch members and guests is being held
on Wednesday 22 May at the Wellington Point Reserve. The
branch is supplying snags, basic salad, bread, condiments, tea
and coffee. Members are encouraged to bring their gold coins
for a raffle. At the meeting on May 28, the guest speaker is
former Queensland officer Darrin Hall who will ‘tell his story’.
ROCKHAMPTON
At the meeting on 3 April, it was noted that the outing to
Yeppoon held on 17 March was enjoyed by the twenty-two
members who attended. On the welfare front, members were
advised that Glen Guley is still receiving treatment; Stan Lean
is due for further treatment in his ongoing battle with cancer;
Tom Young recovered from an operation to remove a BCC
from his right ankle, but then suffered a fall while out walking
and dislocated his right shoulder. Bob Moore will holiday in
New Zealand in May.
SUNSHINE COAST
There was a good roll-up of members at the April meeting
where the forthcoming Annual Luncheon was discussed.
Invitations have been forwarded to A/C Steve Gollschewski,
Chief Superintendent Ray Pringle, Chaplain Ian Todd, and to
QPCU. On the welfare front, it was noted Bob Marnane had
a lump removed from his face while Stan Throne is to have
a small operation. Jill Barrett is having a knee operation and
is moving to Bli Bli. Dick Keats is in his unit but Joyce is in
care. It was also noted that Des French has been diagnosed
with throat cancer. There was discussion regarding the closing
of police districts, and Ian Todd spoke about the Farewell to
Redcliffe function on 29 May. Secretary Kerry Orr will be
travelling overseas in July. Lyle Crompton, Terry Sharry, and
Graham Kassulke were the lucky prize winners on the day.
Next meeting is 25 June.
TOWNSVILLE
Twenty-five members and guests attended the May meeting
at the branch’s usual venue, the Townsville RSL. John and
Jenny Urquhart had to cut short their recent holiday because
Jenny had a fall in Japan and broke her ankle. The Reverend
Horst Sauer spoke to members regarding the department’s
restructure with particular reference to the Police Chaplaincy.
An email of thanks from Queensland Police Legacy noted
Townsville branch has donated almost $5,000 over the past
decade. Raffle winners at the meeting were Pam Barter and
Stan Goffin. Members were reminded there is no meeting in
82 Queensland Police Union Journal June 2013

QRPA
June because the branch will be lunching at the Herbert River
RSL in Ingham. The branch AGM is to be held on 3 July.
VAN DIEMENS LAND
There was only a small gathering at Oatlands on 14 April but
as usual we all had a good time, even though the weather
was a bit on the cool side. Looks like winter is on the way with
the first big frost this week: enough to kill off the remaining
vegies in the garden! We are sorry to say goodbye to Jeff and
Pam Thorpe who are moving to Canberra to be nearer family.
We wish them all the best for the future. We have recently
located some more retired police down this way who we hope
will join us in the near future: one from Queensland and one
ex-Met and PNG. I have had a number of great emails from
Queensland from people who like to read our newsletter. Glad
you like to keep up with what’s happening down here, and
we’d love to see you at one of our meetings! Our next meeting
will of course be our AGM. I think we are still the only branch
that has an overnight meeting? It will be on Saturday 22 and
Sunday 23 June at the Riverside Hotel, West Tamar Highway,
Launceston. We will gather from lunchtime and for those who
get there early enough, we have decided to go to the re-opened
Railway Museum for a look in the early afternoon. We will
then return to the Hotel in time for our meetings. It is hoped to
commence the AGM at about 4.30pm, which will be followed
by a short general meeting. I am not even going to suggest a
break after the meetings because it never happens! So we will
adjourn for drinks and then dinner and then, I suspect, more
drinks! If you wish to join us, let me know. All bookings must
be made through me: akbeasant@bigpond.com, ph 03 6259
5755 or 0409 030 142, or PO Box 75 Bothwell 7030. We have
a great deal from the hotel and they certainly look after us.
(Since drafting the first portion of the newsletter, I have been
away working at ‘Targa Tasmania’. When travelling down the
west coast we stopped at the Tullah Hotel/Cafe and yes, we
found more coppers from the big place making a move down
here! So if you are travelling down that way, call in and see
Di Ashwell: great food! Of course, she has been given the
necessary information for when she makes the big break!)
Until next time, stay safe and all the best from Tasmania.
Queensland Police Union Journal June 2013
83

Don’t break
the safety
chain
Report all health
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If you identify a work-related hazard – report it in the
on-line Health and Safety Hazard Management System
Safety & Wellbeing
Safety & Wellbeing
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Name
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