Queensland Police Union Journal

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