by CAA | Oct 23, 2019 | Library, Uncategorized
23rd of October 2019
The Chief Commissioner says he is not going anywhere until his contract is finished because, he claims, in the Lawyer X matter he has done nothing wrong and he is looking forward to giving evidence at the Royal Commission.
A popular refrain, not unfamiliar with many police.
The appropriateness of the Chief Commissioner remaining in his post while the issue of Lawyer X is examined at the Royal Commission is a question gaining momentum in the media and other places.
It will also be a matter crossing the minds of very many serving and former Police officers and no doubt the Government as the ethical dilemmas waft their way.
The double standards of his position will not be lost on those members who for substantially less serious allegations found themselves suspended from duty, often for years.
Looking more closely, it is obvious that the Chief Commissioner is completely conflicted in continuing in his role and his position is now untenable as are those of any Police executives involved in this fiasco.
The frustration expressed by the Royal Commission in obtaining essential data from VicPol to properly perform their task is central to this untenable conflict.
If there were serious allegations of misconduct against any other serving Police Officer, the Chief Commissioner would not permit that member to remain on duty, but here we have the Chief Commissioner doggedly remaining in charge of the organisation being investigated with him as a central figure.
Significantly the Chief Commissioner is in charge of the people in the police organisation charged with supplying material to the Royal Commission which could reasonably be material adverse to him. How can we be sure that nothing is withheld?
Whether it is deliberate or otherwise, VicPol facilitating tactics to frustrate the Royal Commission manifest the conflicted position of the Chief, who, as a key player in this whole issue, must stand down.
It would seem that the seriousness of the matters aired at the Commission has not resonated yet with the hierarchy of Victoria Police or the Government
I cannot recall any police behaviours so strenuously dammed by the Highest Court in the land. Therefore, it follows that those responsible will ultimately feel the full force of the law and it will not be a surprise that perpetrators found culpable will face jail time.
It is ironic that the justice system that was allegedly perverted by the Chief Commissioner and others, by the totally inappropriate use of Lawyer X, will be the same system that the Chief Commissioner and his cohorts will be relying upon to determine their guilt or innocence if charged with criminal matters.
The Chief Commissioner and others would be hoping the system is not corrupted when they need to rely on it.
As the depth and breadth of the police hierarchy behaviours are exposed there are already signs that any confidence left in the executive command by police members is evaporating rapidly as the realisation dawns that by the actions of the executive violent and murderous criminals could be let loose again to wreak havoc.
As the fallout from this Commission continues the release of some very unsavoury and violent criminals back into society seems highly probable, with every chance a new turf war will break out as old lags try to re-establish themselves.
It will, however, fall to the current police members to face the inevitable danger this presents.
It would be a massive travesty if a police member paid the ultimate sacrifice as a consequence of the inept actions of those that are responsible for their welfare.
The Chief Commissioner must stand down or be stood down now in the interests of justice.
by CAA | Oct 13, 2019 | Library, Uncategorized
12th October 2019
On one of the darkest days in the history of Victoria Police, the ambush and murder of the Divisional Van crew, call sign Prahran 311, Constables Steven TYNAN and Damian EYRE, I reflect on today, October 11, in 1988. The day the chain reaction started with the shooting of Graeme Jensen in a roadside intercept in Narre Warren by members of the Armed Robbery Squad ( ARS). Don’t get me wrong, Jensen was a low life, recidivist criminal who was an alleged prolific armed robber and was tied up with the Allen/Pettingill clan who were into anything and everything you could possibly think of, and then some.
Jensen’s death, at the hands of members from the ARS caused a knee jerk reaction on the part of Jensen’s associates that culminated in the ambush and murder of Tynan and Eyre just before 0500 hrs on October 12, 1988 a mere 13 hours after Jensen’s death. It was obvious who the initial suspects were right from the get-go.
The two junior Constables weren’t the only victims though.. Veteran Homicide Detective Senior Sergeant John Hill who investigated Jensen’s shooting, committed suicide in 1993 two months after being charged by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) with being an accessory to murder after the fact, for allegedly concealing evidence that the police members involved were criminally liable for Jensen’s death.
John Hill always maintained his innocence of the charge and felt that his integrity had been destroyed when he was charged. Sadly he didn’t live to see the charges being thrown out and VicPol lost one of its most amazing mentors and best detectives. Eight members from the ARS were directly presented by the DPP, but only one member’s charges proceeded to trial where he was aquited, that member is now Assistant Commissioner Bob Hill (no relation to Det Snr/Sgt John Hill).
Over the years, tongues have loosened and consciences been pricked resulting in further investigations and more information becoming public record. Some police royally botched things and made incredibly poor errors of judgement on this day 31 years ago and the ramifications have become part of our history. Maybe one day the whole truth will come out, it won’t change things for Damian Eyre, Steve Tynan or John Hill and their families but it will put to an end the secrecy and teflon like cloak of inviolability that surrounds the main players.
RIP Steven, Damian and John, you’re remembered to this day because of how you passed and the events that preceded it.
Jo Donovan
CAA Board
by CAA | Oct 10, 2019 | Library, Uncategorized
11th October 2019
How good is this?
The Community Advocacy Alliance (CAA) is a strong advocate for building positive relationships between the Police and the community, and we are always looking for new initiatives, but his one is a standout.
Since the introduction of Random Breath Testing (RBT) and the ubiquitous Booze Bus many years ago, the concept has not changed. Although a very effective tool in driver compliance. Nobody it would seem has had a look at the quantitative approach of the maximum throughput of drivers to a more qualitative outcome for the resource commitment.
Although it is recognised that the Bus’s high visibility presence does of itself provide a deterrent, it has taken Senior Sergeant Bruce Peel of Queensland Police to have a look at the traditional RBT strategy and apply some lateral and creative thought to this process.
Senior Sergeant Peel, working with the University of Queensland, developed a program entitled PACT.
The PACT initiative, (P) Purpose of engagement with the driver, (A) Acknowledgement of good habits, (C) Delivering an anti-Crime message, (T)Thanking the driver for the engagement.
The anti-Crime message is importantly relevant to the locality and can involve asking the community for assistance.
All this only takes thirty-nine seconds of additional time over a traditional test, but what a powerful message opportunity with the full attention of the driver.
The six month trial of PACT is currently underway, with the resources of Queensland University applied to measure the impact and effectiveness of this strategy. Early signs are that it is having a positive effect on crime and driver compliance alike.
It has been long acknowledged anecdotally at least, that crime and alcohol or drug non-compliance are interrelated. PACT addresses both and therefore when target areas are identified, the crime levels can be part of the targeting considerations.
We would encourage Victoria Police to follow this initiative.
There is, however, a beautiful irony that is not lost on the CAA.
The PACT program is very much in line with the traditional policing principles that have stood the test of time.
The Principles were penned by British Prime Minister Sir Robert Peel in the 1820s; we would have to wonder whether Senior Sergeant Peel is related.
Innovative Law enforcement is perhaps in the genes.
Ivan Ray
CEO CAA
by CAA | Oct 10, 2019 | Library, Uncategorized
10th October 2019
There has been constant and justifiable criticism of the lack of Police on our Highways. Letters to the media have often lamented that trips from Victoria though other states have a marked difference in the visible police presence on their highways and a distinct lack of a Police presence in Victoria.
The highways can be a foreboding place with vast distances to be covered and the police not only provide a presence for traffic law enforcement, but the community feels safer using the highways with this presence.
The standard answer as to why there are less police on Victorian Highways is generally blamed on the two up policy for Police introduced as a safety measure a few years ago.
At that time, there was a heightened concern of terrorism, and while we must always be mindful that the threat exists it would have seemed to have abated somewhat over recent times.
It is now time that the Highway Patrol issue is revisited in light of the current risks and apply some lateral thought on how this issue might be improved.
Arguably, the highest risk for any operational police member is a lack of situational awareness. That lack of awareness can be a critical contributor to the dangers of policing.
Part of the solution to the Highway problem is the provision of more cars.
Instead of Highway cars being two up in one car, why can’t they be one up in two vehicles.
Working a stretch of a highway together, the one up cars can maintain a visual and or close radio contact not operating more than five or six kilometres apart, from their colleague and should back up intercepts to ensure safety.
Working in tandem this way could also see the reintroduction of Police motorcycle solos working in tandem with a police member in a car.
The flexibility of this approach has many positive spin-offs and will dramatically increase the Police presence in fairly short order.
After all, it will be cheaper to buy that additional car than hire another two members to put that additional police vehicle on the highway.
Ivan Ray
CEO. Exec Sec. CAA
by CAA | Oct 6, 2019 | Library, Uncategorized
7th October 2019
The Community Advocacy Alliance (CAA) has previously raised the issue of the management of Juvenile prisoners highlighting that Corrections must be the sole manager of prisoners irrespective of age, gender, ethnicity or any other physiological or social identity and be responsible for their safety, the safety of other prisoners and the security and the safety of staff. The restorative role must not supersede these responsibilities.
The plethora of prisoner advocates and other advisers and professionals that impose on the system, including the Courts, must only be an advisory input as none of these people are accountable for the impact of their imposition.
The latest outbreak of violence in the juvenile system could have been avoided if the advice the CAA provided the last time there was violence, was heeded.
See http://caainc.org.au/control-juvenile-detention-violence/
It was highlighted in the previous article that the decisions have to be made and actions taken in real-time because that is where the prisoners are, in the now.
It is doubtful that all the trouble was spontaneous from all the prisoners, and there had to be one or more catalysts before the major issue developing. Our proposal was that at the first act of disobedience or any breach of the rules of the facility, that prisoner must be moved out to adult prison. That may only be for a limited time.
Looking at the physical presence of some of those prisoners it is questionable as to why they were held in a juvenile facility in the first place, highlighting the folly of one size fits all age grading of juvenile prisoners.
Ivan Ray
CEO CAA
by CAA | Oct 6, 2019 | Library, Uncategorized
6th October 2019
The recent community angst towards the Police at Box Hill having a flag-raising event to honour the 70 anniversary of Communism in China was insensitive and ill-advised, but the defence that it has been happening for years was not insensitive but embarrassing.
Police would laugh at a driver claiming that exceeding the speed limit for years was justification on the day the driver got caught. That the communist flag had been raised for several years does not make the recent event acceptable but the contrary. That nobody complained before is irrelevant, but what is relevant that this is a repetitive action making it worse than an isolated incident.
Incredibly with all the publicity of China’s actions in Hong Kong and a well-publicised history which is an antithesis of our democratic values, that the Box Hill Police were blind to the implications is worrying.
With even with the most basic of knowledge of the Chinese culture we understand the role of symbolism and the vital role it plays in their day to day lives as well as the political views of Australian people of Chinese heritage. Xi Jinping for example, never walks forward to greet a visiting head of state, instead has the head of state walk up to him and he is generally on an elevated position. This symbolises the power of Jinping having world leaders approaching him in a subordinate manner, symbolism at work.
Interestingly we note today that the Box Hill Police Station no longer displays the Australian Flag which gives the impression of petulance by VicPol or Box Hill Police, but there may be a legitimate explanation.
Most commentators have overlooked the significance of this event.
It is true that there is substantial community angst as result of this ill-considered event, but the major impact will not be felt here but in China where their propagandists can point to Australia honouring China and the propaganda message will highlight not only that the Police are on China’s side, but Australian Politicians (read Government) are also celebrating.
This is the 70th Anniversary of Communist rule in China, a celebration of their a Political class. Raising Labour of Liberal Party flags on Police Stations when they celebrate Milestones would be the same and would not be permitted, but the Communist Party Flag is.
Before we know it, Australia is portrayed as supporting Communist China against whomever their propaganda machine chooses.
There has been growing criticism that Victoria Police are too close to the Government and the raising of the Chinese flags will be interpreted by many through the prism of the relationship between Police and the State Government, honed by their own experiences.
It is very easy to see how this simple gesture could easily be used within the community in a negative fashion by individuals promoting their agenda.
If we do not stop the exploitation of police flagpoles, the next thing that will happen is the Police Colours will be paraded at every other parade or march in Victoria. Imagine the Police colours being paraded in a CFMEU Industrial march, the Pride march, or the Grand Final parade. The sanctity of the consecrated colours would be trashed.
The solution, however, is simple. All Police buildings should fly the Police Flag if there is only one pole, and the Australia Flag to the left of the Police flag if there are two.
No other flags should appear on Police Buildings and certainly not any flag representing any special interest group or other nation – a simple gesture that demonstrates the independence of Policing in this State.
Moreover, that includes the Richmond Premiership flag.
This fiasco highlights some other flag issues that must be addressed.
There is a National protocol on how the Australian flag is to be treated and VicPol would be best advised to read the protocol and comply. The community would expect its Police Force to respect the flag appropriately.
by CAA | Oct 3, 2019 | Library, Uncategorized
I was recently given a book by a friend with the only advice; you will enjoy the read. Being diametrically opposed to the Policing values and strategies introduced by former Chief Commissioner Nixon, her photo on the fly cover seemed to ensure I wouldn’t enjoy the book. I had assumed it would be just a self-serving papering over of the facts of her tenure.
I was puzzled as my friend knew my views, and for that reason, I took on the assignment.
I am not sure that enjoyment was the emotion I experienced. As I waded into the book it became clear that arguably, and sadly, it chronicled how The Victoria Police Force had been de-forced, and how a toxic environment was created to allow the likes of the Lawyer X catastrophe to evolve, as well as many other management debacles that still have a negative impact on VicPol today.
The book is by Stephen Linnell the Victoria Police Media Director during the reign of Christine Nixon, 2001 to 2009.
A decade on, and VicPol still struggles to recover.
I have never met, and do not know Stephen Linnell, so this is an independent comment. As for Nixon I have never met or had contact with her. My knowledge and opinion of Nixon is based purely on media reports and ‘informed sources’.
It is clear from this book that what many former Police suspected for a long time was, in fact correct. VicPol management was destroyed by incompetent, skill-less pretenders and self- centred egotists, who were masquerading as Police professionals that were focused on themselves, rather than what they were employed to do.
Nixon’s role was that of a facilitator creating the environment for these things to evolve.
The organisation was run and may still be, by a coterie of Elites, serving only their objectives to gain and hold onto power.
According to this book, not only did Linnell have a front-row seat to the machinations of VicPol, but he was swept up in it and paid an enormous personal cost for loyalty.
I know many of my contemporaries often muse the conundrum of just what happened that took Victoria Police from the preeminent Police Force in Australia, to become the most inept, and derided by other Police Forces.
The book as it turns out, is a fascinating insight from within, chronicling the decay of the management of Victoria Police and the evolution of phenomena like Judicial Management, and the folly of Matrix Mangement, just two of the go-to tools of the Elites.
Judicial Management has now become entrenched and is used to control the members through the use of legal instruments. Whether that be the Courts or other organisations designed to fight serious corruption they are instead used to manage the awkward or those perceived to be threats to the Elites power base.
Linnell was swept up in the Noel Ashby, Paul Mullet struggle of the early 2000s where the art of Judicial Management was developed, later to be refined and applied to Sir Ken Jones who’s efforts to stop the Lawyer X debacle were thwarted.
The hope is that one day the sealed affidavits used to gain warrants for Telephone intercepts used by the Elites and hidden from scrutiny are opened, and we can see the alleged justification that led to partners and children of Police executives having their phones tapped. That will also clear any fears that the Judiciary or the Legal fraternity were complicit in this practice.
Linnell became a prime victim who was destroyed after being trapped by a process supposedly to fight crime and corruption rather than questionable matters like an executive power struggle that should have been dealt with by the Chief.
This whole matter was the product of the Elites forming suspicions based on questionable material and then set about trying to create the facts to fit their narrative. This is the antithesis of proper Police investigations, which involves gathering the evidence first, then determining what if any offences exist.
If you have an interest in the goings-on in the upper echelon of Victoria Police during that era and perhaps why VicPol is where it is today, ‘Don’t tell the Chief’, by Stephen Linnell, Wilkinson Publishing 2010. Still available from a number of online retailers.
You will be amazed at some of the crazy management processes bordering on bizarre that were implemented.
by CAA | Sep 29, 2019 | Library, Uncategorized
30th September 2019
The latest crime statistic figures are thoroughly depressing, and more of the same is the response from VicPol.
It defies logic that the same strategy is reinforced and promoted that got us to the Crime Tsunami of 2015, and still, there is no visible sign of respite on the horizon for Victoria, the epicentre of crime in Australia.
The Community Advocacy Alliance (CAA) with over four hundred years of policing experience has begged, demanded and tried to cajole the Victoria Police to change their strategy on crime but they steadfastly hold onto the futile approach of trying to arrest their way out, and it just does not work, as a permanent or long-term policing strategy.
The evidence that we are right, is now in, again.
The Crime Statistics Agency (CSA) released the Victorian recorded crime statistics for the year ending 30 June 2019 today.
The highest number of unique alleged offenders was recorded in the year ending June 2019 (84,989 unique alleged offenders) this equates to approximately one unique alleged offenders for every 78 Victorians. The average age for male (34.2 years) and female (33.2 years) unique alleged offenders was the highest average age in CSA data holdings which go back to July 2004.
In the last 12 months the unique victimisation rate per 100,000 population decreased (down 2.9% to 2,832.4 from 2,915.7) to the lowest rate in the CSA data holdings which go back to July 2004. Approximately one in every 33 people in Victoria were victims of crime in the year to June 2019.
In the last 12 months the number of criminal incidents increased by 1.3% or 4,944 incidents to 387,389 while the rate declined by 0.8% to 5,873.5 incidents per 100,000 Victorians. A similar pattern was observed for recorded offences, the number of recorded offences increased by 1.5% to 514,398, while the offence rate decreased 0.6% to 7,799.1 offences per 100,000 Victorians.
Alleged offender incidents increased by 4.6% (7,781 incidents) to 176,837 in the last 12 months while the rate increased by 2.4% to 3,063.5 per 100,000 population.
Victim reports which increased by 0.6% to 301,099, while the victimisation rate dropped 1.5% to 4,565.2 reports per 100,000 Victorians. This is the lowest in CSA data holdings, which go back to July 2004.
Family related incidents increased 8.6% in the last 12 months to 82,652 incidents. The rate of family incidents increased by 6.4% to 1,253.1 incidents per 100,000 population.
CSA Chief Statistician Fiona Dowsley said that “we are seeing record numbers of alleged offenders being processed by Victoria Police and the average age of these alleged offenders has been increasing.”
The much-hackneyed saying of ‘Doing today what you did yesterday and expecting a different result’, has not changed its definition.
More arrests are not the answer, (the crime Stats. prove it) as they have increased exponentially, but the crime rate has also increased, a contradiction of the intended goal. An insatiable appetite for more police is not working, possibly because of the high attrition rate of experience from the organisation, which may in part explain why with all these extra police nothing is improving.
Deputy Commissioner Patton was reported as saying about the latest crime figures.
“We realise we need to do more and we are. It’s a significant issue.
“That’s an area of focus for us moving forward.”
‘An area of focus moving forward’, is police speak for another task force or similar targeted reactionary group drawn from the frontline which translates into more work for the general duties police — more afternoon shifts on weekends and more frequent Nightshifts pushing many past breaking point.
We have some sympathy for the Police Minister who must now surely take the initiative and start bringing real pressure to bear on VicPol to change strategy.
Although crime failed to be a significant influencer in the last election, as this Government ticks off on infrastructure and other initiatives policing could rise to the top if effectively prosecuted. The potential for this issue to be major political one is real, given what is happening with the Lawyer X inquiry and other matters of public interest all coming to a head in the latter part of this political cycle.
In response to the crime data, the Police Minister said,
“A multi-agency approach was necessary when dealing with youth offenders.”
“The problem is that we then have this small group of youth offenders who continue to commit serious and regular crimes,” she said
“There’s a number of things we have put in place.
“This is the first time we’ve got everyone at the table – from police to schools to the justice system.”
Sorry Minister, but if that is what you are told, you have been sold a pup, this is not new or original, no matter how it is packaged, you have been badly misled.
This approach has not worked in the past and is unlikely to work now or in the future. It can be part of a proactive strategy but of itself is a waste of time, proven over many years and many iterations of the same theme.
These types of meetings follow the same pattern. The Police demand everybody else has to do something ’Share the Load’, the attendees all agree that everybody else should do something (except them), and nothing is done.
There will be plenty of rhetoric covering backsides, but like every other reiteration of this theme, we will be exactly where we are now in twelve months when somebody will realise, and the con is exposed, twelve months wasted.
To put faith in this approach would be a very serious mistake and will distract effort from effective solutions.
You might ask how we are an authority on this?
We tried this and found the failings many years ago. We also were excited by the prospects at the time, but ultimately disappointed by the outcome, and we are aware that it was tried again in the early 2000s and failed then as well.
Paradoxically, the one agency that can do something meaningful, Police, do nothing different, but can then blame others for inaction.
Crime is first and foremost a policing problem and cannot be subcontracted out.
This is not the fault of the Police on the front line who work in an ever-increasingly difficult and dangerous environment. With Victoria, having the highest number of criminals by population in the country the inevitable consequence will be continued crime at an unprecedented level but also an unacceptable toll on the front line Police who will succumb to PTSD because of the pressure without letup in sight.
So why this problem has not attracted the highest priority (and action) by Government is bewildering. Even more bewildering is that the solution is not that hard or expensive.
The review of Policing that the CAA has continually called for is now not only inevitable but urgent.
This circuit breaker must happen soon.
by CAA | Sep 26, 2019 | Library, Uncategorized
26th September 2019
The planning is progressing for the start of the Police Veterans In Schools Program (PVISP), and I am pleased to advise that we have many with their shoulders to the wheel to make this happen.
The above logo is the one proposed to be used throughout the program and will look smart and present the program as professional. Derivations of the same logo will be used across many applications.
At this stage, the PVISP Polos will feature only the CAA logo, but provision is made that partner logos can also be included as we move forward.
We are excited that Youth Workers from the Twentyman Foundation will be involved in this program.
Schools that have shown a keen interest in the program are currently being assessed as to which ones we may be able to start with. Equally, we have many volunteers that are also being evaluated and we will be talking to both groups further as we develop.
We anticipate that the official launch will be towards the end of October; however, the program will start closer to the commencement of the fourth term.
As soon as we determine a date and select the school, we will be forwarding invitations to VIP’s and the media as well as all volunteers who have expressed interest.
We have done a lot of groundwork and plan this to be a substantial media event.
We will also be announcing who will conduct the Official opening.
We will distribute updates as matters are confirmed.
Regards
Ivan Ray
CEO CAA
Ps. The PVISP Co-ordinators contact details are Robin Bailey (Veteran Coordinator) robbailey10@outlook.com and Frank Byrne (School Coordinator) fcbyrne@bigpond.com
by CAA | Sep 14, 2019 | Library, Uncategorized
15th September 2019
The stress created by the legal system on Victims by the impact of, ‘Closed-door plea deals’ HS 14/9/19 is an outrage but highlights only part of the story.
Hidden from general view is that multiplier impact of a ‘Plea Bargain’. A process that entered our legal system by stealth never having been legislated it also provides a raft of, get out of jail free cards to perpetrators.
By dropping a tranche of offences against an offender and progressing on only one or two for a guilty plea means that the victim, in that case, sees offences they know happened whitewashed.
The next victim of that perpetrator is also impacted because some offences for the next victim may well be second or third times for the perpetrator. Because of ‘Plea Bargaining’, whitewashing, the perpetrator must be dealt with as a first offender on some offences. Previous offences of a type that have not attracted a conviction cannot be referred to in a future trial or ‘Plea Bargain’ and cannot be reflected in any penalty imposed by a Court– that is not justice.
The Community Advocacy Alliance (CAA) has long advocated for a review of this practice.
Aa a practical alternative a ‘Sentence Bargain’, will allow for the judiciary to interpose to ensure the practice is not corrupted as is the possibility with ‘Plea Bargaining’.
Discounting of sentences to achieve a guilty plea is sensible and we do not oppose that principle but ‘Sentence Bargaining’ where an agreement is reached not to seek penalty on some offences must replace ‘Plea bargaining’ but each crime committed must have a conviction recorded as a significant deterrent and a recognition of the trauma caused to the victim.
Lawyers making threats to contest if offences are not whitewashed does not pass the Pub Test by any stretch, the bluff must be called, it is in the public interest.
Perpetrators must be held to account for all their crimes.
by CAA | Sep 12, 2019 | Library, Uncategorized
12th September 2019
The copper on the beat, the plod on the sod, and there are other parochial titles for the Police on the beat, many of them derisive.
Seen as a quaint hangover of the 19th century this Policing practise is more relevant to today than it is given credit when generally the community is more electronically connected than physically, and the lure of a nice comfortable air-conditioned office or Police car is too tempting and allows Police to avoid their proper function.
The foundation of all good policing is interacting with the community and preventing crime and disorder.
It is, however, not all bad news, there is evidence that Victoria Police are starting to introduce more foot patrolling. It is probable that they have been at it for a while, but it is now clearly more evident, and that is a good thing.
The sad thing is the art of the foot patrol seems to have diminished over time, and the practice of sending out a patrol, of sometimes up to five members is akin to a military, rather than a police operation.
Yes, they achieve a highly visible presence, as do traditional police foot patrols, but there is more to a police patrol than just being a presence. There needs to be interaction with the community, not just the people that the patrol identifies as possibly requiring their attention but the broader public. The presence of a large patrol creates an impregnable front that is counterproductive to good community interaction.
Paradoxically the high concentration of Police provides a security risk for the police, packaging them up into a nice tight bundle. The art of policing safety is ‘Situational Awareness’, and that is the most effective defence to the danger of policing.
A group of police walking down the street engaged with each other verbally or non-verbally diminishes situational awareness and increases their personal risk.
The preoccupation with the absolute opposition to Police working by themselves is counter-intuitive to their safety.
We do not advocate to increase the risk to Police but the opposite.
If the resources of Victoria Police allow for patrols of the size pictured, then either follow the military practises of patrols, detail a forward scout and a tail-end Charlie, or revert to police patrols.
We presume that the patrol of five would be led by a Sergeant, the members deserve that support, and that Sergeant should deploy and manage his people through the area to be patrolled all within a safe distance of each other should help be required. The technology available to patrolling Police and their supervisor will ensure their safety.
Rather than decisions on deployment being made at a higher authority, the deployment of the patrol should be at the discretion of the Sergeant.
We are yet to see any patrols in the suburbs of note, but as the realisation occurs that proactive Policing is valid, so the patrols will increase as senior management evolves and they start to move from their current city-centric policing model.
Of course, putting in place patrols where there has been, a problem is reactive policing, or prevention after the occurrence, but genuine proactive foot patrols can form the cornerstone of a competent, dynamic statewide police force.
After all, the vast majority of the city’s problems are born in the suburbs.
by CAA | Sep 5, 2019 | Library, Uncategorized
6th of September 2019
Our public transport system is rife with fare evasion costing us millions, but although the money is relevant, the Community Advocacy Alliance (CAA) is more concerned with the culture that has been developed to teach our children to be dishonest.
As soon as a young person starts using the transport system, they are under immediate peer pressure, not to tap on. Scamming the public transport system is dishonest and sets the culture for our young. Dismissing this behaviour as trivial fails to recognise the negative influence on cultural development.
Children embarking on their first foray on the public system quickly learn that in the morning, hurly-burly in the house, the request/demand for Myki money must be left until the last thing. That holds up the departure from home, at a critical time, and fazed parent reach for the cash to shunt the children out the door. The children quickly learn that the parents under stress, lose track of how much cash they have forked out over time.
Critical to the success of this strategy, the children rarely get caught for fare evasion. Therefore, the deterrent effect of ticket inspectors and Police patrols is lost. Not only are they’re never going to be enough resources to police the network but, enforcement is continually thwarted by the mobile phones and the social media network.
The sophistication of some of these networks put the old 1920’s SP Bookmakers to shame.
Not only does the social media network provide an early warning of the presence of ticket inspectors anywhere in the network, but they will also advise on how to bypass using busses and trams and alternate trains.
Don’t get off at ??????, go two more stations down and catch the ??? bus number ? to??? Then that train to??? – all good.
As the child, gets older, and the need for more pocket money is justified, supplemented by the Myki cash card contributions, all of a sudden they have the financial capability to start experimentation with drugs. Again usually as a result of peer pressure.
Now you know how many kids finance access to drugs. It may be less than $50 for a pill, but it is the start.
How this phenomenon evolves is rather simple; it is the consequence of abused trust.
A child is born with a hereditary, trust bank account, as it should be. As the child matures so they learn to use this trust bank for their own ends, generally driven by wanting to belong, be an accepted member of the group not ostracised, peer pressure.
The challenge for all parents is to manage this phase in their child’s life without withdrawing from the trust bank.
The Community Advocacy Alliance (CAA) will be helping parents with this dilemma as we roll out the Police Veterans In Schools Program (PVISP) soon to be officially launched.
We need your support.
by CAA | Aug 27, 2019 | Library, Uncategorized
27th August 2019
Soon after the last State election, the Victorian government launched a full-blown Royal Commission into certain alleged activities involving senior police.
CAA has complained for several years about misconduct by senior police – potentially, and now it can be said the same senior police.
It is simply not possible that the latest revelations were completely unknown to the government before the elections. The announcement on 3 December of the launch action is ample proof that the matters were under consideration for some considerable time before then.
The lid just could not be kept on any longer. Coverup ceased to be an option.
The coverup of the allegations levelled by CAA is also no longer an option. The community of Victoria is surely entitled to have honest people running the machinery of government set up to protect us all – honest men and women whom themselves respect the law and morality underpinning our society.
It remains to be seen just how far the rot spread and precisely who was involved in what the High Court has termed “reprehensible” police misconduct, but it beggars belief that their misconduct was limited merely to one facet of police behaviour.
Having regard to the terms of reference of the current Commission, Professor Colleen Lewis has called for a wide-ranging Royal Commission into our police force and argued that such inquiries have been beneficial in the past. CAA fully concurs.
The Alliance will be watching, and advocating “Integrity and transparency” as the watchwords for police – in place of “denial and coverup” – in the public interest.
by CAA | Aug 27, 2019 | Library, Uncategorized
27th August 2019
As this month draws to a close, we have completed nearly four weeks without publishing anything that could be construed as critical of VicPol. This was in response to VicPol coming to the table for the first time, on four years to discuss our request for support for the Police Veterans In Schools Program. A Simple request we would have thought, but here we are four weeks later and not even an update.
The Government was approached nearly two months ago on the same issue, and they also have not replied, but they are waiting on a response from VicPol. If the Minsters Office can not get a reply we have no hope.
Well we are sick of waiting, but rather than go away we are discussing at our next Board meeting launching the program despite VicPol, and ‘the gloves are off’.
Be interesting media for Vicpol explaining to Victorian parents why Police Veterans have to give up part of their retirement to do something VicPol should be doing.
So much for the lectures from VicPol about being interested in trying to prevent our kids from being sucked into crime.
Sounds like lip service.
by CAA | Aug 23, 2019 | Library, Police Veterans in Schools, PTSD, Uncategorized
23rd of August 2019
The news of four deaths in a week is by any stretch a pandemic of epic proportions, and it is very unlikely that this will be the end of it, it could get much worse.
Today there have been apprehensions expressed echoing what concerns the CAA, that Judicial Personnel Management (JPM) is at the core of many of these unfortunate outcomes, and has left many other Police in a very unhealthy and perilous mental state.
JPM is describing a procedure whereby Judicial processes are used to remove any member who for whatever reason is perceived to be a problem. It is too common that very weak poorly investigated disciplinary or criminal Briefs are, ’given a run’, through internal disciplinary processes or courts where a conviction is not the major objective, but the removal of the member is.
Like every other member or veteran, we are very dismayed at the terrible blight that is descending on Policing. There is no doubt this has been some years in the making hence our concern it will get worse.
The CAA, although having some trained Peer Support Officers in the group, has at least a number of very senior retired police who have substantial experience. The independence from VicPol and the very nature of the former members in the group may be able to help members.
The CAA appeals to any current or former members who are struggling with mental health issues to contact us.
We were never established as a welfare unit, nor do we intend to be one, but as we would expect of every other member to reach out to a distressed colleague, so should we.
“We would rather sit with you for as long as it takes to listen to what you’re going through than fifteen minutes listening to your eulogy.”
If you need to contact us via Facebook, LinkedIn or via caainc.org.au we are here.
by CAA | Aug 12, 2019 | Library, Uncategorized
Status is reachable
John Thexton
Investigator, Masters Degree Leadership andMngt (Policing), Dip. Alc & Oth Dr… See more
On the eve of the funeral of the most respected Chief Commissioner in the history of Victoria Police, S.I. “Mick” Miller, it would be helpful to reflect what we can learn from his ten years as Chief Commissioner and his service so that we do not fulfil the above quote.
Mick Miller knew how to catch crooks and ensured members of Victoria Police were trained to do likewise. He developed the Bureau of Criminal Intelligence which went around Australia and resulted in the Australian Bureau of Criminal Intelligence. He instigated the creation of the Special Operations Group to address the threat of terrorism and highly dangerous criminals.
He also ensured leaders were trained to do just that, lead, so much so that those who progressed through the ranks under his tutelage went on to become Commissioners of police forces in Western Australia, South Australia, Tasmania and Queensland.
He was a strong supporter of recognising and empowering the voice of victims and appreciated to gain change you needed the right messenger, that messenger was V.O.C.A.L., Victims of Crime Assistance League, led by Howard Brattan. This led to Victims being given a voice through legislation in Victoria and throughout Australia.
He also fulfilled his oath of office to do everything in his power to prevent offences. He did this by empowering every citizen to contribute through Neighbour Hood Watch and also supported innovation from police at the coal face, bottom up not just top down, to prevent youth crime, which led to Blue Light Discos being developed through Victoria, followed by other states and to other countries.
He understood the importance of breaking down barriers between operational police and young people. He ensured police officers had time to attend Blue Light Discos on duty and that at each selection panel each candidate was asked what has your involvement been in Blue Light Discos.
He changed the culture of many in policing and saw prevention as the role of police and that police had a leadership role to play in prevention. Other programs developed through his leadership, being Protective Behaviours taught to primary school students and the Safety House program. His influence continued through the next two Chief Commissioners, Kel Glare, who continued to professionalise policing with the introduction of Police Prosecutor training and prevention through the introduction of the Police Schools Involvement Program and Police and Community Consultative Committees leading to Neil Comrie’s further development with the introduction of Local Priority Policing, again empowering communities to be involved making their communities safer. This was a period of engaging with the community and putting into practise one of the founding principles of policing developed by Sir Robert Peel and the first Commissioners of the Metropolitan Police in London in 1829 that police are the public and the public are the police.
From then on engagement with the community and youth and prevention began to disintegrate from being a core function of Victoria Police Command, although it did continue at the coal face. Victoria Police Command withdrew resources and support from the Police Schools Involvement Program, High Ropes, Blue Light, Neighbourhood Watch and Operation Newstart as well as a raft of local initiatives. This has contributed to spiralling youth crime. It has also removed opportunities to prevent youth being involved in other high risk taking behaviour, as we have again tragically seen today, of youth getting into cars and then being killed and seriously injured by reckless drivers.
Vale Mick Miller, let his legacy be the catalyst for change in police leadership in Victoria and make a lie of “We learn from history that we learn nothing from history”.
by CAA | Aug 12, 2019 | Library, Uncategorized
12th August 2019
Over recent years I had been visiting Mick more frequently than I had previously, perhaps once every other month until the time he went into care. He was usually to busy for more frequency.
Over the last few years, he was very much across what the CAA was doing, and we discussed it regularly.
At each visit, I did my duty and provided the Vanilla Slices from the local Brumbies – running late one day I grabbed them from my local cake shop, but he was right on to my subterfuge attempt, and although gracious, let me know.
Eating a vanilla slice was a very practised art for Mick, and there was a certain way that the slice must be approached. I must confess that taking the ‘squish’ out of vanilla slices did not seem right.
I once took a selection of exotic Greek cakes for him, and although we ate one each, the balance went into the fridge for his daughter. I always wondered whether she actually got one. He had a wicked sweet tooth.
On one visit while he had a vanilla slice, he produced some diabetic biscuits for me. Eating cardboard while he ate his slice was tuff but he insisted I take the balance of the packet home. I suspect he actually went to some trouble to get the biscuits, so I expressed my gratitude.
He asked lots of questions about our work and was forthcoming with ideas and positive comments. He expressed the view that our function was critical, given the state of Policing as it then was.
His view was that for two reasons he could not get directly involved in the CAA. The first was that he was getting too old for the fight, and secondly, a charity he was involved with was in negotiations with the Government, and although he didn’t care about upsetting anybody, he had others to think of.
The charity is a not for profit funeral home that provides funerals to those that could not afford it. Mick was very strident in that people no matter how they lived their life on earth; they were entitled to leave it with dignity.
At one meeting he was talking about the Funeral Homes Hearse, and how they were getting a new one, ”I want at least to be taken out in a good one”, was his quip.
Every meeting was similar as he always started by asking after Kelvin Glare, whether I had seen Ivan Kolarick, (former ethnic adviser to VicPol)and made comments about Geoff Wilkinson(former media director for VicPol) and Dr Bob Haldane (Police Historian).
He did talk about VicPol Leadership, and he had been very disappointed. He took particular exception to one that deserted their post at a time of crisis, and that was inexcusable.
He was optimistic about the future of VicPol as it was resilient and his only comments about future leaders was that Sir Ken Jones or Lucinda Nolan were the only ones he could see as capable of doing the job needed.
His parting comments on each visit was “Keep up the good work”.
We will Mick, we will RIP.
Ivan W Ray
by CAA | Aug 12, 2019 | Library, Uncategorized
12th of August 2019
In 1977 then Assistant Commission Mick Miller identified Blue Light as a worthwhile program and started supporting the fledgling project. As Chief Commissioner, he ramped up his support, and Blue Light flourished with close to 130 Discos in Victoria. The initiative was so successful that it was adopted in every state and territory in Australia and spread internationally as a result of Miller presenting the program to an Australian Chief Commissioners conference.
With nearly four hundred Disco’s operating in Australia and many more overseas, much of the credit must go to Miller’s foresight and active participation.
Blue Light is just as strong and relevant today, standing the test of time in all other jurisdictions except Victoria, where sadly decisions by Chief Commissioner Nixon, dismantled many of the Police Youth initiatives and subsequently decimated Blue Light.
Blue Light in Victoria still survives despite the adversity it faced but the number and frequency of disco’s, its core function, has substantially diminished.
Blue Light Victoria was proud to have recognised Chief Commissioner Miller’s contribution to Blue Light by appointing him their first Patron and first Life Member.
Miller’s contribution to Blue Light will never be forgotten. Rest in Peace Chief.
Ivan W Ray
Foundation President
Life Member
Blue Light Victoria.
- Mick, I hope that there are plenty of Vanilla slices of the standard you demand.
by CAA | Aug 9, 2019 | Library, Uncategorized
10th of August 2019
There will be many who knew of Mick Miller and knew the esteem with which he was held but perhaps wonder why so many of us held him with such high regard.
I could think of no greater mark of respect than to honour his memory by us telling his story so that others may share what we were privileged to experience.
………………………………………………………
In 1983 as a result of the devastating Ash Wednesday Fires, emergency services resources of the State were criticised along with Displan.
A project called Operation Emergency was developed in 1985 with the intention of providing a significant display to showcase, all emergency services demonstrating the capacity of them to work together.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xyXkhI-hH04
A project team was assembled from the major services, and a sponsor was recruited to underwrite the $40k budget we had established.
The sponsor allocated a senior corporate executive and provided the service of a Marketing expert who had recently arrived from their parent company in the UK to help with the project.
As the planning progressed we were assured, on multiple occasions including assurance to the Chief Commissioner that funding was not a problem. The assurances came from the most senior people in the company, including the Managing Director.
For a number of reasons, mostly out of the control of the project team, the major event held at Calder Park was poorly patronised. Weather, competition from other 150th celebrations, poor promotion and overreach caused a massive shortfall in income.
The wash-up saw a debt of $1.2M albeit that Operation Emergency was arguably the best ever display of its type never to be equalled.
Creditors were starting to circle and focusing on me. I was being pursued for $1.2M because the sponsor had reneged on the underwriting.
To say I was stressed, would be an understatement; I hated answering the phone, answering my front door or opening the mail. Neither I nor any of the project team had ever been involved in these financial arrangements or commitments.
My scheduled course at Airlie Officers College had been postponed because of this project, until shortly after Operation Emergency. This is a critical three months course of intense study.
I was doing it tough at Airlie and a few weeks into my course, I was called out of a lecture to the Directors Office, the Chief Commissioner wanted to see me.
I approached the Office with dread and foreboding, not knowing what to expect, but it couldn’t be good if the Chief had come down to Airlie specifically to confront me.
I went in, and SIM was sitting down and appeared pleased to see me which confused me more. He asked the Director to leave us alone as he needed to discuss with me something of great importance. My immediate thought was, there goes Airlie and my Commission at the very least.
The upshot was that he had come down to tell me that the financial matters which he knew had placed substantial pressure on me had been resolved and most importantly that the Emergency Service Foundation money we had raised was secure and that organisation would survive and still does.
He knew I was being harassed by creditors, and he reassured me, to my great relief, that I and nobody on the project team was responsible for what happened and would not be held accountable.
His words “You and your team did a magnificent job; it was then for me to do mine, it’s all over”. “I will ensure that you are not disadvantaged here (Airlie)”.
Words that are etched in my memory forever.
It still took quite some time after Airlie for me to recover, such was the significance of the issue, but I am ever indebted to SIM for not only solving the problem but the way he delivered the news.
For those that never met him that is the calibre of the man and why he is held in such high esteem.
RIP Mick.
by CAA | Jul 30, 2019 | Library, Uncategorized
30th July 2019
What a challenge for police in Victoria and Law enforcement in general, with the revelations at the Lawyer X Royal Commission. Although there is a long way to go and many more revelations to be aired, we can already draw some conclusions.
The impact on the Victoria Police will be severe and leave a scar that will hang around for decades, as did the Kaye Abortion Inquiry in 1971.
A positive of the Kaye inquiry is that it heralded decades of stable, effective Policing management with Chief Commissioners the ilk of Jackson, Miller and Glare.
Whether it was the Kaye Abortion Inquiry in Victoria, the Fitzgerald Inquiry into corruption in Queensland or the Wood Commission into corruption in NSW, we should be cognisant of those inquires as they all had similarities in their outcomes.
Each of these inquiries resulted in four individuals charged, and the majority of those charged doing substantial jail time. One possible variation with this Commission is that several former Police executives may also be held to account and risk jail time.
The very long list of Police members and others who came under scrutiny in the historical inquiries saw their career prospects evaporate and most resigned or retired prematurely, many to protect their superannuation. Whether this Commission has a similar outcome remains to be seen.
Many current and contemporary former Police are in denial. The mantra that.’ The end justifies the means ‘, ’ they were just crooks anyway’, ‘ the greater good was being served’,’ acting in good faith’ do not survive scrutiny, the tenet of law was being abused.
The denial by contemporary police is understandable to a degree, but Police and former Police are going to have to come to grips with the realities of this Commission
The line has been crossed by those that led the organisation into this morass. When Police ignore the law, irrespective of their excuse, there are often undesirable and illegal consequences.
Police becoming the Law, rather than just enforcing it, if not checked, will lead to a Police State. A police state run by a small number of elites or a clique is a perilous proposition.
It was not only the crooks that were informed on, but also Police, and on the periphery of the Lawyer X matter are examples of absolute abuse of power when investigating Police. If you were on the wrong side of the clique lookout. There are a great many former members who can attest to that and remain silent because of confidentiality agreements, a legal tool exploited to cover up corporate misdeeds.
The Lawyer X Scandal eats at the heart of the system that police officers have sworn to uphold, but it was wrong on so many levels, it had to unravel, it is just surprising it took so long.
It took many millions of State dollars to wage a legal war that was destined to fail from the outset. If VicPol had addressed the problem years ago rather than try to suppress it, the savings to the public purse would have been astronomical and the damage to the reputation to VicPol minimised and the Royal Commission not required.
An extra thousand police instead of making lawyers rich would have been a more desirable outcome in the interest of the community and operational Police know exactly where to place the blame for resource deficiencies.
What sets this Royal Commission apart from the other inquiries is the role of legal practitioners. A positive of sorts for any Police doing Jail time, they will have access to legal advice, potentially in the next cell.
There is no knowing how widespread this practise of using Lawyers as informers against Police and crooks has spread. That is a matter for the Commission, but has put every member who needs legal representation at risk, who can they trust?. It was a very slippery slope embarked on with Lawyer X.
As in the past, it will be a comparatively few individuals, probably less than one per cent, who were blatantly incompetent, stupid, dishonest, criminal, or all four, and an even smaller number ultimately held to account, but for every one of these individuals there are tenfold dedicated police who are not morally or otherwise corrupt that will, ’uphold the right’.
We must support and let the Royal Commission do its job and weed out the malcontent incompetents and rid us of them.
At a time fast approaching, as with all the other police inquiries, there will be a tipping point where the reality of the prospect of Jail will loom large for many, and they will seek to cut a deal about their involvement.
The phrase, ’ every man for himself’, will soon be the norm and it is going to get ugly. Whatever you do make sure you are not in the doorway as the stampede out begins.
Hold on, it is going to be a rough ride.
by CAA | Jul 28, 2019 | Library, Uncategorized
29th July 2019
Incidents of violence in our Youth detention facilities seem to be on the increase, and it would seem inevitable that there will be a death before real action is taken to curb this malevolent violence. There have already been substantial injuries sustained as a result of misbehaviour by inmates without apparent effective preventative strategies being implemented.
It is not a new phenomenon, and it would seem that the bureaucracy has been unable or unwilling to provide a solution. The responsible agency has a whiff off Nero’s fiddle about it.
The system of management of youths in detention must be streamlined so that the on-ground management can react to problems in, ‘real-time’, not be hamstrung by protracted machinations. The people they are dealing with live in the’ real-time’, now, with little, if any forward thought, so the reactions to their behaviours must be managed the same way.
We often hear that “the riot had been brewing for some time”, that can only mean that authorities knew, as they should, that problems were imminent but failed in their duty. Likewise, any sudden outburst or behavioural breach by an inmate must also be dealt with in the,’ now’.
Every riot or violent incident is a failure of the system and must be viewed that way.
Protracted considerations, rationalised assessments, consultative processes, crisis meetings, psychological interventions and the like, might make managers feel they have taken action. Unfortunately, any outcome from this process will be guaranteed to be too late and therefore fail.
The solution is not that difficult.
As soon as a detainee in the Youth Detention system refuses to obey a reasonable and lawful instruction by prison staff, then they must be immediately taken before the Duty Governor.
Appearing before the Governor is an intervention to establish whether the facts as reported are correct, breach the established standards and can be corroborated. The Governor, unless exceptional circumstance exists, must transfer the Young person to a secure adult facility immediately without hesitation direct from the Governor’s Office. A twenty-four-hour service if you will.
This transfer must be as a continuum of the presentation to the Duty Governor. Effectively, if a perpetrator assaults or threatens or intimidates another inmate or prison staff, within an hour or so, they are transferred.
This process protects prison Staff and other inmates and de-escalates the risks posed by the perpetrator, so staff and the perpetrator are protected, avoiding the circumstance escalating out of control. The perpetrator’s focus will rapidly shift from their current mindset to what now is ahead of them.
Staff then have the added protection of de-escalating and preventing violence by warnings that non-compliance by an inmate will result in an appearance before the Governor with the consequences known to inmates.
The period that the perpetrator remains in the adult prison can then be determined by the Juvenile Parole Board and that period can be adjusted depending on the behaviour of the youth in the adult prison.
A Youth who has been transferred for the first time may only be in the adult prison for seven to fourteen days before returning to Youth detention. Further infractions will see the same outcome but where possible the youth must be transferred to a different prison facility. It is the transfer that becomes the manager.
There will be a ’conga line’, of self-righteous advocates screaming that this approach is barbaric and denies natural justice, and(that catchall phrase used when the argument is weak) every convention including the rights of the youths. However, the other prisoners and the staff also have rights that are far more relevant than the youth offender who is misbehaving by choice.
Rights and other conventions and legislation are written in the context that youths in detention are benign. A youth whose behaviour escalated to uncontrollable must be managed for their own safety and the safety of other detainees and staff.
This process delegated to the Governor can have accountabilities to ensure the system is not abused. An important safeguard is to have a Youth worker present at the Governors hearing.
More than likely detainees transferred and returned to Youth detention will claim amongst their peers bragging rights, or claim superiority having been in a real jail, but that must be ignored, and a consistent approach as we have outlined will dull that undesirable outcome.
Although the time spent in an adult jail is relevant, the main focus of this initiative is the process that breaks the behavioural nexus to avoid escalation.
by CAA | Jul 2, 2019 | Library, Uncategorized
3rd of July 2019
Attorney General, Jill Hennessey, has flagged significant reforms to overhaul our legal system.
This news is fantastic and that a number of the reforms touch on the issues raised by the Community Advocacy Alliance (CAA), over the last four years, is heartening indeed.
As reported in the Herald Sun,
“New laws forcing crooks to cough up cash for their victims, an overhaul of defamation laws to protect journalists and a fresh bid to break open the state’s suppression order culture are all in the works”.
Addressing the transparency of Courts is laudable as is the monitoring of sentencing, but there is one omission, that, if addressed, would have a greater impact on the welfare of victims and the governance of the State of Victoria and the lawful performance of the private sector, than all the other reforms being considered.
We are not referring to Criminal Law, although crimes can be covered up, we are referring to Civil Law where the blight of the ‘Non–Disclosure’ or ‘Confidentiality Agreements’, that have been allowed to fester to a degree where they would easily outstrip the adverse impact of the Suppression Order pandemic in our legal system. Hiding misconduct and protecting the guilty and incompetent.
Not widely known to the public, these arrangements are used as a bargaining chip in Civil Litigation, as a tool, that the Lawyers use to silence the victim. Often referred to as, ‘shut up money’ or ‘buying silence’, either way, although technically lawful, is morally criminal in effect.
Although rampant in Police civil settlements, it is also used widely in commercial matters so the bad behaviour of a commercial enterprise can be hidden from the public because the Victim is unable to air their issues and have them exposed by the media. Victims bought off.
The Banking Royal Commission and perhaps the Lawyer X scandal could have been avoided if the bad behaviour had been scrutinised by the media earlier; commercial and legal imperatives would have forced change.
The use of this process in civil matters that either the public or police members bring against Victoria Police or the Government hides from scrutiny the mischief or malpractice by the organisation alleged.
Coupled too often to this immoral process the abuse by Government entities of the principal of ‘Model litigant’. This rule needs to be given teeth so Government entities cannot use delaying tactics in civil matters to frustrate complainants, hoping they cannot afford the protracted legal process.
Unfortunately, the principle decision makers within the Government entities are the ones most likely to be adversely affected by many civil actions, so they have a vested interested in making the actions go away, and delays and confidential settlements are the tools at their disposal and regularly used.
Light is the best disinfectant and needs to be let in if bad practices are to be eliminated.
There is a strong and unequivocal obligation on jurists to ensure that the right of the public to know is honoured, and that means that bad behaviours which are identified in the civil and public areas are exposed.
The ‘Non-Disclosure’ mechanism imposed on either aggrieved members of the community or aggrieved members of the Police Force, bar the victims from speaking out creating self-imposing guilt that their experiences cannot be exposed to improve things for others or satisfy their anger or publicly repair lost credibility.
We often hear from victims that are excited for their day in court where the ‘true story’, of their experience can be told, and the culprits that they hold responsible will be held to account. The reality is that their dream is rarely if ever realised as inevitably the civil action they instigate is resolved with a settlement that includes a ‘Non-Disclosure’ clause.
It is true that the victims enter into these agreements voluntarily, usually based on legal advice but to reject those clauses in any settlement usually has a substantially negative monetary risk or penalty attached.
The efforts of the Attorney General must be applauded by all Victorians, and we would encourage the Attorney General to consider the ‘Non-Disclosure’ and the ‘Model Litigant’ matters when dealing with the freedom of the press.
We are convinced that if the ‘Non-Disclosure’ and ‘Model litigant’, matters were not abused, then matters would be exposed far earlier, giving Parliament a chance to act and the need for Royal Commissions reduced.
The CAA applauds the actions of the Attorney General.
“Do the right thing, do what needs to be done.”
The Hennessey motto.
by CAA | Jun 23, 2019 | Library, PTSD, Uncategorized
Depression, Anxiety
These are both real
I speak from experience
It is a big deal.
In a dark place
No way I can see
This is not how
Things should now be
Fearing to leave
My one only space
Tears in my eyes
No smile on my face.
Not ready to talk
The world is outside
For depression has taken
A terrible ride.
This room of depression
My mind going mad
Voices now tell me
That I am so bad
This room that
I’m trapped in
My mind going weird
This is now serious
It’s what I had feared
Anxious to leave
This one only room
I know I need help
I need it real soon.
It’s been a long battle
But I am still here
With love and support
I’ve nothing to fear.
This message important
This illness is real
Seek help and support
This is a big deal.
by Helen Toohey.
by CAA | Jun 14, 2019 | Library, Police Veterans in Schools, Uncategorized
14th June 2019
The Community Advocacy Alliance (CAA) is developing a volunteer Police Veterans in Schools Program (PVISP) similar to the discontinued Police In Schools program (PSIP).
We are inviting expressions of interest from former members of Victoria Police who would like to be considered for this project.
Although previous classroom and PSIP experience are desirable, it is not essential as we will be developing a training program for volunteers and our curriculum is well into development and should be completed in the coming weeks.
It is anticipated that Veterans would only need to dedicate one or two half days a week, and their times and commitments would be negotiated directly with the School/s.
We are confident that the experience of life and Policing that Veterans uniquely posses are a valuable resource that can make the future for children and the community more harmonious.
We propose to have a pilot up and running for the later terms of this school year. Every effort will be made to connect Veterans with schools in their local area.
The PSIP program was one of the most rewarding and enjoyable functions of Policing, and few members left the program unless unavoidable.
You can now enjoy that experience and contribute to community safety again.
For further information and your eligibility, or to express interest, contact Ivan Ray CEO, CAAInc on ivan@caainc.org.au
