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
by CAA | Jun 13, 2019 | Library, Police Veterans in Schools, Uncategorized
13th June 2019
The PVISP has ticked off on several issues and progression is excellent.
We now have volunteers coming on board to ensure the success of the program.
Project evaluation
Dr Ray Shuey has volunteered to manage the measuring of the project as it develops, ensuring we can as necessary adjust the program to achieve maximum benefits.
Fiscal management
Michael Grosvero JP FCPA will manage the finances of the project to ensure compliance and best practice. Working with Dr Shuey, they will develop budgets and projected income demands to ensure the ongoing viability of the project.
Charitable status
The ACNA has accepted the CAA for Registration as a Charity.
Tax Status
The Australian Tax Office has issued the CAA with a Notice of Endorsement for Charity tax concessions effective from the 22nd of August 2019.
Fund sourcing
To date, the CAA has operated primarily on funds donated by the Board members, however, to augment this we have launched a Go-Fund-me page that has already started to attract donors, and although we do not anticipate that this will be our major funding source, it will provide basic funding in the development stage of the project. Future funding will be sourced by developing partnerships with appropriate entities. Such entities will be carefully screened before accepting their support.
Curriculum and associated matters
As previously announced Peter Jarvis, MOET, Dip Ed, B.Arts, Dip Police Studies, Dip Management, has joined us as our Educational Adviser and he is well on the way to completing the Curriculum and associated material for the project including the training of PVISP Operatives. He is confident that the completion of the necessary material is imminent.
Project Coordination
We welcome to the Board retired Detective Superintendent Frank Byrne and retired Chief Inspector Robin Bailey. These two appointees are critical to the project. They are both well qualified and experienced in this type of project and will work closely with our Educational Adviser to get the program off the ground. With one based in Geelong and the other in the East, they can coordinate over wider areas. These members will also be involved in the selection process for suitable former Police members to deliver the program.
School Participation
All 1900 Primary Schools have been invited to submit expressions of interest to be considered for the PVISP program. This exercise will determine the size of the market we need to service, and although the invitations were only circulated on the 13th of June Replies have already started.
Former Police participation
Locating and inviting former Police to participate is somewhat more difficult as there is no reliable database available so we will be initially relying on social media but as soon as we have sufficient funds we propose to run advertisements in print media to let the former members know of the project. We have already secured several volunteers, but we are realists and understand that we need many more.
Insurance
We are currently negotiating to Insure the volunteers as ‘Voluntary workers’ We expect that currently, we will not be able to cover this cost which we would anticipate is substantial, however, the Policy will be negotiated to a stage so that it can be activated at short notice.
Identity/ branding
The identity and branding of this project for uniforms etcetera is currently under consideration by a partner organisation, and as soon as this matter is resolved, advice will be provided, and the design and style of a uniform will be undertaken.
Project Launch
The Project will be launched at a time to be determined, but it will be when we are at a stage that a tangible function of the project can be demonstrated.
by CAA | Jun 12, 2019 | Library, Uncategorized
12th July 2019
If we are going to get on top of the road toll, it is never going to be achieved by a blitz every now and again.
The culture of drivers needs to change, and that will not be achieved with spasmodic activity that is nothing more than a band-aid for the problem.
The profile of enforcement when the motorists are actually driving has to be applied at all times. The checking the mirror to see if a police car is behind is no longer a necessity because they will not be there and every driver knows it. Even Police cars travelling with traffic no longer pose a deterrent effect because we rarely if ever see Police cars intercepting motorists for traffic violations.
A publicised blitz will have some impact, but only if the culture is changed. A blitz is only one small part of any overall strategy to reduce the road toll. Similar to the random breath test, they are only part of the solution, not the panacea and we have seen the effect of putting,’ all the eggs in one basket’, the road toll keeps going up.
Enforcement has to be constant and supported by education and technology.
Essential to this approach is the visible “Police presence”, that reinforces it.
The excuse that has been proffered as the reason for the lack of a police presence on our highways is the need for Police to be two up, where traditionally highway cars were one up.
The safety of the Police is sighted as the objective. In the history of Highway patrolling in this state, only one Police Officer tragically lost his life at the hands of a violent perpetrator, and that member was patrolling on a motorcycle.
This excuse, for lack of a visible Police presence, reflects poorly on the Police management.
As with other jurisdictions, the solution is fairly simple.
Each Highway Shift should remain two members per shift, but instead of them both working in one car, have a car each — immediately doubling the visible Police presence and enforcement capability.
Simple supervision and operating techniques with a commonsense application would see both members working in the same patch of highway separated by no more than a few minutes and at most times in line of sight contact.
This procedure is safer than the current two up policy as it is near impossible for a perpetrator to take out both members simultaneously if there is a reasonable distance between them with the added resource of an additional Poice car.
We are not suggesting a laissez-faire approach, but a practical method to increase the enforcement and effective presence of police on the roads.
We are also concerned about the attitude of VicPol when it needs additional resources. It seems that ‘Proactive Policing’, is of such little importance or priority that their role will be least impacted, by using them on traffic.
We are confident that if a pragmatic approach was taken and all non-operational functions reviewed there would be ample numbers to staff substantial Highway/ Traffic patrols, and there would be plenty over to re-energize the undermanned stations so they can undertake traffic enforcement along with their other duties.
With the largest Police Force in Australia in actual numbers and the highest ratio of Police per capita, we fear that VicPol is looking like the Hawthorn Experiment re-occurring in reverse.
The more resources poured in the poorer the performance.
Time for a proper review.
by CAA | May 31, 2019 | Library, PTSD, Uncategorized
31st May 2019
Chief Commissioner Graham Ashton in his article, ‘Victoria Police demand respect,’ invited readers of the Herald Sun 31/5/19 to;
Ask any old school copper if they’ve seen the levels of respect for police change over the years, and their answer will not surprise you.
The Community Advocacy Alliance Inc. (CAA) has several ‘Old School Coppers’ (600 years’ worth) and therefore is well qualified to provide the community with the answer to this question, and the answer may surprise you.
Respect is a two-way disposition, not only has respect deteriorated towards Police, but the Police respect for the community has deteriorated in equal measure.
Although there are many aspects to the Police delivering their part of the bargain, the major influencers to this deterioration are, Disengagement, lack of Service delivery and after service for (victims) the community Police have served.
Every successful modern organisation, whether Political, Not for profit or commercial, all focus on these two important pillars.
The CAA has long advocated that there would appear to be no meaningful measurement of performance of Police based on their ability to deliver their service beyond the actual recording of incidents.
There is no measure that would highlight a particular Police workplace or a particular police member of any rank failing to deliver the Police service at a standard set by the organisation and meeting the expectations of the community, who pay for it.
Just two examples of service delivery that the community waits for. The Police Advice Line promised for last year, and response time statistics both seem to have evaporated. No progress reports, they have just dropped off into oblivion.
For that matter, it is not clear what the performance level in delivering the Police service Key Performance Indicators (KPI’s) is by Victoria Police; other than Crime statistics. That makes it extremely hard to impossible to measure service delivery.
Moreover, there would appear to be no strategy developed for identifying and correcting anomalies, so there is little chance of the problem being rectified soon.
The CAA strongly supports the men and woman of the Victoria Police often doing jobs that nobody else can or will do, in sometimes-horrific circumstances, but even with that rider this concept of ‘Respect’, closely aligned to trust, must be earned and cannot be demanded.
It is time the management processes of Victoria Police are subject to review to bring them up to date with modern and current best practices.
by CAA | May 26, 2019 | Library, Uncategorized
26th of April 2019
The shocking statistics of our Police in this State being assaulted needs deeper public examination. This is because it is the start of a breakdown of Law and Order and a direct threat to our democracy and our freedom. The public and the Police need to jointly address this serious problem before it deteriorates further.
Former Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Ken Lay was once quoted as saying, when referencing the Drug problem,” You cannot arrest your way out of this.” He was absolutely right, but here we have another serious issue that it would appear is being addressed by technology, legislation and the weight of the law when Ken Lay’s words apply to this issue equally.
Chief Commissioner Ashton was quoted as saying,
We are doing a range of things to try to reduce the injuries to police, not only better training but also things like our body-worn cameras that we are rolling out to Police.
It all sounds like good stuff but the omissions are the standouts. Policing is, and always will be, a ‘people business’, so this is the level at which this problem must be addressed. A cultural change has occurred and needs to be adjusted for the benefit of all, not just Police.
Respect is something that you earn and always has been, and it is not something you can direct others to apply or delegate responsibility for, as that is an abrogation.
In New South Wales the assault rate on Police is an unacceptable 2500 per year but here in Victoria the assault rate is 3000, that is a significantly higher figure meaning 500 more Police are attacked here than over the border.
To emphasise the disparity with New South Wales:
NSW
Population 7.5Million, an area of over 800,000 Ksq serviced by 16.5k, Police to community ratio 1:450 with Police suffering 2500 assaults.
Victoria
Population 6.3 Million, an area of just 230,000 Ksq serviced by 18.5k Police Police to community ratio 1:340 with police suffering 3000 assaults per year.
The differential may have something to do with the level of respect for Police across the border; each Police Officer in NSW police an additional 100 people compared to their Victorian counterparts and experience 17% less violence.
This trend must be viewed as a breakdown of Law and Order in this State.
When Police lose respect, they lose authority. Because the Police are the ‘Front Line’ in protecting the community and there is evidence that this ‘Line’ is breaking down. We now see examples of other people in authority behind the line also being assaulted and abused.
It is not unreasonable to conclude this break down has become cultural so unfortunately, the plea from the Chief Commissioner is not likely to cut through to those that it needs it to.
It also has to be said, that merely pleading with the community and introducing more technology and harsher penalties will achieve little.
The solution is probably to bitter a pill to swallow for the Police executive, but it is, in the CAA’s view, the only one that will work.
Respect for the Uniform starts with the uniform being well presented. Police are turning out for duty in a scruffy, unkempt uniform with boots that are scuffed and hair that is often unruly.
This projects an image of lack of care, pride and respect for the uniform by the wearer. If Police themselves do not publicly display respect and pride in their uniform, the public certainly will not.
With all the construction work currently happening, it is not hard to notice the Hi-Viz brigade and often they are better turned out than Police, they obviously have pride.
The construction workers also wear their safety hats often in circumstances where the risk is, or need for head protection is not evident, but they present an authority. To see a Police member wearing a hat is now a novelty and only appears to be enforced in demonstrations and inner-city Policing.
The Police hat, as with the wigs and gowns as worn by the Judiciary, are symbols of authority and public confidence. They project that authority and create anonymity of the wearer who is performing that authoritative roll on behalf of the community, not themselves.
We are not referring to baseball caps, that have their place, but Police hats and management at all levels must set the example. When the Chief Commissioner conducts a press conference, he should wear his hat. He should also wear a tie and tunic. Turning up looking like he is on his way to a barbeque sends a subtle message that he, too, has little pride in his uniform.
It is not uncommon to see Police directing traffic with a Hi-Viz vest indistinguishable from any other workers encountered on the roads, save that Police, invariably do not have a hat on, where construction workers usually do.
Community engagement is an area that has largely evaporated. We rarely see Police actively patrolling the Highways, a police foot patrol in a strip shopping centre does not happen and the major retail hubs would experience crowd control issues if the oddity of Police patrolling were to occur.
The public is well aware of the oxymoron of Police patrols where the ‘observer’ is regularly seen with head down exercising their communicating thumbs rather than observing. Police cars are always going somewhere and not patrolling.
We acknowledge this in part, is a resourcing issue; but it is also a management issue. The challenge is for the Police executive to achieve change, but a cultural adjustment in policing is essential.
We occasionally see a Police vehicle visit a local sporting event, but only ever for a quick drive through. Police do not exit the vehicle and engage with the community. Saying “G’day” to a group of football supporters or just asking the score would do more for community engagement and restoration of respect than any plaintive plea from community leaders.
A trip to Parliament house is enlightening. The PSO Officers on duty are generally better presented than what we see Police in the suburbs, but you can walk past them a hundred times without connection. If a member of the public says, “G’day”, they are responsive and pleasant, but the PSOs never seems to initiate such interactions.
The need is for Police and the public to start communicating at this basic level if there is any hope of reversing the trend. This problem of lack of respect is mutually inclusive and requires all parties to make a genuine contribution.
Rather than the current approach, a “G’day”, campaign, could produce significant results, but the Police must provide the leadership in order to get public buy-in
Police in every suitable situation should instigate a greeting. It could be “Good morning” or similar salutation the member is comfortable with, accompanied by a friendly smile. Police must, however, take the lead. Add in a marketing campaign and we will all quickly see the community become engaged with its police once again.
How pleasant it would be to experience a Police member greeting you on the way past.
If you have ever travelled to Fiji, the local greeting of “Bulla” delivered effusively by locals, with a smile, is infectious and immediately creates an impression they are nice people. We are not advocating moving to that degree, but the example is relevant.
There are plenty of times that Policing interaction is not pleasant, but perpetrators who have had a personable communication with a member of the Police Force are less likely to be aggressively disposed towards them.
by CAA | May 24, 2019 | Library, Uncategorized
24th May 2019
Ever wondered where kids get the money for smokes, drugs and alcohol?
It is time to, “blow the gaff”, on the Great Myki Scam.
Fare evaders are scamming the public transport system of around $30 to $80 Million a year, and a great percentage of these scammers are our children.
How the scam works is that flustered parents are browbeaten into handing over cash because” My card has to be topped up”. Usually in the middle of the hurley burly as they are shuffled towards to door to catch their transport, a calculated strategy.
As a trusting parent, you naturally assume the money goes to top up the card; in reality, you probably never gave the matter a second thought, why would you, you trust your own children? In most cases, however, it simply goes into the back pocket to top up any allowance or other income source to fund the child’s social life, happy pills, alcohol, smokes or pot.
This scam is very widespread amongst our youth, the chances of getting caught are very low, so it is worth the risk. This is normal adolescence risk-taking, and they would rarely think past the actions to understand the consequences. Your children from a very young age are peer pressured into the scam. The first that a parent may know is a summons being served for the child to appear in court.
Parents need to have trust in their children, but they also should remove pitfalls. You would not let your child walk to close to a precipice, but you leave temptation for them that leads to criminal behaviour and a life ruined by drugs.
Arguing that we are using fear tactics means you are in denial. The drug pusher that will hunt your child is not some sleaze hanging around the skate park but far more likely to be somebody who is in your child’s circle of friends and more likely than the not you have met them.
Stopping the Myki scam will have the greatest negative impact on the drug trade and the greatest positive impact on your children, removing the temptation to break the law, steal.
Moreover, if you think that this scam would only be perpetrated by the lower socio-economic classes, you may be surprised to learn that the leafy affluent suburbs serviced by the Glen Huntley Tram Depot have the highest rate of offending. The lowest offending rate is from the Essendon Depot that services the north and western suburbs.
Did you know, or would you have guessed that the most prevalent, by quite a margin, offence accounting for over 30% of the cases before the Children’s Court is Fare evasion or more accurately Theft from transit authorities?
Did you also know that if your child is convicted of Fare evasion (Theft), then they will hinder their future having to declare their past criminal conviction for employment, passports and a raft of other requirements? Yes, fare evasion convictions are convictions for dishonesty. Being convicted as a child is still a conviction and never goes away at IBET network interac.
A great start for life with a criminal record also barring your child from a swag of career choices.
The scam can be eliminated fairly simply. Adjust your child’s Myki card account so it can be “topped up automatically.”
Removing this temptation that would through peer pressure lead to your child stealing. Automatic top-up can be a lot cheaper in the long run, is unintrusive and importantly does not risk a breach of trust with your child. This simple strategy also negates peer pressure, at least on this point.
The transit authorities must also do their part in ensuring that all Myki accounts in the name of a child are linked to an automatic account as the default option. Parents who cannot for whatever reason comply would need to make arrangements with the appropriate transit authority.
The other mammoth cost must be the appearances of large numbers of children at the Children’s Court for fare evasion (Theft). The cost in court time and legal representation, whether privately or publicly funded, must be an eye-watering number.
They, having been detected probably by the transit company for fare evasion, the companies have no choice but to send a child to Court. It astounds us that the Government has not stepped into making an arrangement where these children can be processed by the Police Cautioning Program. That option already exists for children intercepted by police for Fare evasion.
It would make a lot of sense if the fare evasion charges were processed through the Police Cautioning Program with only the recidivist offenders facing Court. A Police Caution eliminates the risk of a criminal record.
Apart from the huge cost savings, the seriousness of the offence can be sheeted home as it would then involve Police, a formal warning would seem appropriate for the child, and a financial penalty for the parent may rapidly sponsor conversion of Myki cards to an automatic top up.
Applying a little lateral thought may avoid a life of crime for some, avoid hardship for some families and a huge saving in lost revenue freeing our courts for other serious crime. Reducing the time that young people need to be detained on remand waiting for their case to be head for other more serious matters.
by CAA | May 20, 2019 | Library, Uncategorized
Submitted by Bob Wotherspoon
Sergeant Victoria Police Veteran.
20th April 2019
With Team sport, Large Companies or a Police Force, measurements are
present and drive strategies to improve.
In a football team, the measurements of success are on the scoreboard.
The strategies are on the field, introduce new players to the playing group working with senior players to gain experience and improve the game. If they are coached well, then they are on the road to success,
but they must work together. The Administration of the team are arm’s length from the field and take care of running the club. They support the team by providing medical, mental and physical support.
Is there a correlation between Team sport, Business and the Police Force? – absolutely.
In today’s modern Business they use “IFOT” measures (In Full On Time supply), this a service measure which determines the success of deliveries to the customer. The higher the measure, the greater the income. Strategies – work in teams in the workplace which are individually measured. The teams are lead by Team Leaders who have access to coaches and trainers (middle managers). Middle and Senior Managers are not usually needed to be involved in the day to day running of the business but are important for them to develop direction, marketing and ensure Corporate Governance is maintained to the highest level.
So how does this relate to the Police Force?
The measurement of the Police Force is Community statistics – Victims of Crime, Road Toll, Community behaviours. There are many statistics provided that don’t need detailing here. What we do know is that VicPol has failed the Victorian Community by not addressing the issues that create the results.
How can VicPol respond to the Community effectively?
Solution…
When new Members are appointed, they are entering a system not just Academy training. At the Academy, they learn the law. What is important is the next phase once leaving the Academy. All graduating Members should be transferred to a 24-hour station to begin the practical introduction on the Div Van. However, a station structure is required.
New Members are working with selected Constables and Senior Constables to learn the culture of good Policing … With this, their personalities will evolve into the Police person they will become… we are not the same person from civvy street… what we see and do changes that – some it hardens, others succumb to pressure and can suffer long term with PTSD… we are all different, and no-one should be pigeonholed. What we need to do is identify the effect on Members. Moreover, there is only one way to do that – Sergeants and Senior Sergeants.
The role of Sergeant/Sen. Sgt’s needs reviewing. Not only are their mentors but they need responsibility within the Sub-District. In charge of station Training, Special Duties, Welfare, Roster other designated tasks which affect the Sub-District. The Senior Sergeant needs detailed knowledge of his Sub-District so he can detail to his Sergeants areas of concern – Street gangs forming, petty crime,
families with a history of domestic violence. Target areas for car crews to be aware of.
The Sub-District Leaders should meet once per month with the Divisional Inspector for a round table open discussion on progress in the Sub-/District. The Inspector can furnish the monthly reports on the Department’s measurements, so all are aware of the success of the strategies. Sergeants should be open about all personnel in the station, identify the jewels coming through the system along with those that need closer training.
From these meetings, Members would be identified from their personalities and ear-marked for tasks like
Special Duties (more hardened) who may be tasked for street gangs etc.
The Inspector should be trained in the understanding of Leadership programs and any other training models available to all Members to enhance their capabilities to be more effective, be very close to HR Resources. No-one should be promoted to Sergeant or Senior Sergeant without the completion of a Leadership course which should be part of the Sub-Officers course.
I believe this framework to assist at the coal face will provide an opportunity for Members to develop their careers that suit their ‘Police” personality … they can then develop a career path suitable to them and with the internal support I am not going into detail here, but this raises the question of transfers and promotions based on seniority… this needs reviewing.
I am not offering thoughts on the commissioned rank above Inspector as the impact on the Community starts at Station level. If a culture change is focussed on the first two years of a Members entry into the Police Force and the suggested strategies are deployed then we will see a reduction in the statistics as more focus is localised before it gets out of hand as it is today.
by CAA | May 17, 2019 | Library, Uncategorized
17th MAy 2019
It would seem VicPol is no longer an instrument of the people, but a tool of politicians, maybe not of the State parliament itself but, of self-promoting individual politicians; it is no longer a Police Force but a political Service, maybe to be known in future as PolServ?
Once upon a time, when television was not as polished at presenting news topics, that, widely-seen media had a real impact on public opinion. News-readers read the news headlines; reporters reported scene reports.
Now presenters may be directed by their supervisors or moguls, slant “news reports” to the degree they feel is important, or think is best.
To a considerable extent, the same happens in the huge areas of print media and the great mass believe these reports are true and absorb them.
The recent trend to “fake news” is mostly indistinguishable from genuine facts.
Maybe it’s been over the last thirty years, but on television and in the various media things have changed politically, and in many cases, not for the better.
Except perhaps at a major crime scene, former Chief Commissioner S.I. Miller was rarely seen on TV standing beside or behind Sir Rupert Hamer or Lindsay Thompson both outstanding Victorian Premiers or visually associating VICPOL with any other politician.
As with Mr Miller’s predecessor, Mr Reg Jackson and his successor Mr Kelvin Glare, they certainly did not publicly and obviously, appear in circumstances where they were seen to be aligned politically in any way at all.
They were not seen as “tacitly supporting” any politician, as far as we can recall. Absolutely not widely-seen and stage-managed or indications of implied support, political mate-ship or favouritism at all, appeared on TV or the print media during their tenures. Neither was there an apparent implication of master-and-servant relationship, or subservience, involving the CCP and politicians
Mr Miller was also known to say that he had his job to do, and politics had no part in that.
He recognised that his guide was the laws that parliament passed, and not personal intentions or directions of party politicians.
With the first apparently politically-appointed Chief Commissioner the picture became quite different, essentially overnight and has grown markedly sever since. Currently, there seems to be little, if any, of the essential and proper “separation of power” between VicServ and the State Government, and its various subsidiary departments.
Equally, the State Emergency Service members in the 1970s were very rarely seen on TV embedded with various police on any search.
VICSES was an entirely voluntary organisation, intended for the purposes of storm damage, floods and other similar civil disruptions, but VICSES appearances on TV did then imply to the great masses that VicServ owned the SES outright, and they were just another arm of VicServ.
Now those VICSES television appearances strongly suggest they are available for any situation on-demand by VicServ, which was not their original charter or intended purpose at all. Many times having the appearance of VicServ not getting their hands dirty leaving that for VICSES.
Thirty years ago on television there were no political party “noddy-dolls” or “eye-candy” and LGBTQI-faction had not been invented, all to stand behind the politicians implying that they totally agreed with what the politician had said – that yes, it was all a real winner, and everything was all totally correct and above board.
One offshoot of the current media-managed presentations is the clear indication that VicServ has (unwisely) become a political animal.
Last century working police were virtually prohibited from making any form of public comment.
During the periods of the last few CCP’s, senior VicServ management often appeared to elbow out other senior management, to get their own face on TV.
Now members of lower rank have been selected or left, to make public comment on police issues.
We now have comments referring to police activities made in printed media, where we find remarks such as “a spokesperson for VicServ, said today…”, without referencing the source, reliability, rank, position or Department.
In effect, this “spokesperson” is almost a captive journalist, used for commentary aimed to persuade the public to be for” and not” against” matters associated with VicServ.
Reality suffers, the complete truth is no longer a given; problems, therefore, tend to remain unsolved, and party politicians probably breathe a sigh of relief.
Times have changed, and it seems we have become inflicted with a horde of politically-angled “media spin doctors ” in what have become powerful positions, entirely un-elected but in a location to manipulate, manage, promote and direct their interpretations and political views.
What has brought on this loss of Police Management focus on the “separation of powers”?
A new media occupation has arisen, “political influencer”, and while itself it may be relatively new to VicServ, it coincides with excessive interaction for PR purposes between party politicians and Police Management.
Into this unhealthy situation has stepped the current CCP, whether willingly or otherwise.
Given a bout of sick leave, it would seem that the pressures resulting from public criticism of the political involvement has not been welcomed.
Spin doctors have a lot to answer for, but the great masses who avidly follow television are allowing the spin….. and mostly unknowingly and believingly absorbing those manipulated reports.
However, a slight and hesitant change has occurred – media appearances combining the CCP and the Minister have reduced somewhat, and now we may find that a VicServ Media person often appears to be interviewing the CCP, in a more controlled, directed aspect on a specific subject, seemingly uninfluenced, at least directly, by a political person.
Many of the CCPs remarks may still be a subject whitewash, but at least it is much less blatant than standing beside the Police Minister and letting a politician make VicServ statements.
Submitted by John Basham Senior Constable 15560 Police Veteran
by CAA | May 12, 2019 | Library, Uncategorized
13th of april 2019
Contrary to popular belief, in Victoria, the age of criminal responsibility is fourteen years. There is a presumption at law that a child cannot form criminal intent, knowing right from wrong before this age.
From age ten to fourteen the law acknowledges that a child can form criminal intent, but the onus is on the prosecution to convince a court that the child knew right from wrong, the actions of the child alone do not of themselves, constitute having proved the intent.
As with most principles at law, there is quaint Latin phrase to make it sound important “Doli Incapax”, “ incapable of forming the intent to commit a crime or tort, especially because of age (under ten years old).
These principles have been in vogue for many many years and have served this State well, but now apparently there is a push to raise the absolute principle from ten years to fourteen and also another suggestion that it should be a ridiculous, sixteen.
We can only hope that the proponents and agitators for these changes run out of the steam that fuels their hot air.
Proponents of this nonsense can be guaranteed to have never enjoyed the responsibility of parenthood, or if they have, they have not guided a young person through adolescence and cannot therefore understand.
There is also a misconception on just how many young people end up with a custodial sentence; it is only about 4.1% of the children appearing before the Children’s Court. And in this State, at least, children do not end up in Jail, they instead are sentenced to Juvenile Detention. The age that a child or young person may be sentenced by any Court to Detention in a Juvenile facility is up to age twenty.
The jurisdiction of the Children’s Court for criminal matters is therefore from ten years to seventeen years with juveniles over seventeen appearing at a higher court can also be sentenced to Juvenile Detention.
There is absolutely no need or justification to change the current age arrangements save one, and that is the age at which Juvenile Detention is not available. Youths over seventeen should not have access to Juvenile Detention because that is the only part of the arguments proffered that makes any sense.
One of the arguments often touted is that putting a child in jail only makes them worse. The first point is, worse than what? Further, they are never detained in a Jail, but an argument could be raised that a youth of eighteen or nineteen should not be in a juvenile facility.
As a society, we give eighteen-year-olds privileges and responsibilities. They can join the armed services and fight and die for our nation, they can get a gun license, they can vote to shape our nation, buy alcohol, obtain a drives licence own property, even join the police force at nineteen, and they are freed from the restrictions to their freedom that the Family Law places on them. We also collect tax from them as well as making welfare available directly to them should their circumstances warrant.
We treat them as adults in every respect but when it comes to taking responsibility for exercising their newfound privileges and find themselves facing detention as a consequence of a crime they can be offered juvenile detention until aged twenty years.
That option is a complete antithesis of their position in society.
We strongly believe that the Corrections Victoria should be given the freedom and authority to manage persons in detention whether they are juvenile or adult and the Courts should refrain from imposing management sanctions or conditions on Corrections system.
The courts see and deal with those who are ultimately incarcerated; the courts however only see them in a sanitised state managed by the perpetrator’s legal representation. Even the many clinical advisors to the courts are consulting in a clinical environment.
It is only Corrections that deals with these prisoners on a twenty-four hour day, three hundred and sixty-five days of the year, so they are best placed to manage all the vagaries of managing prisoners appropriately.
On the matter of age, or more importantly maturity of prisoners, there should be a seamless capacity to transfer between facilities to best serve the Prisoner and the system and although we have no problem with the courts suggesting strategies for a particular prisoner that is all it should be, a recommendation not a Court order.
The responsibility for prisoner management should be rightly placed with the Office of Corrections.
by CAA | May 10, 2019 | Library, Uncategorized
10th of April 2019
There are many and varied reasons proffered for the dramatic increase in the Road Toll. However, we have noticed there is a remarkable similarity between the spike in the Road Toll and the spike in the crime rate of 2016.
That,” Crime Tsunami”, has left this State with an unacceptably high crime rate with our leaders trying to take solace in marginal falls; it is still far too high when compared to preceding periods and other jurisdictions.
Moreover, that is likely to remain the case until a seismic shift to embrace sound police practises occurs, and the same applies to the Road Toll.
It is more than likely that the Road Toll spike will herald a new and unacceptable level for a long period and Victorians will have to adjust to more carnage. Many more Victorians will die on our roads many of them innocent victims.
Premier Daniel Andrews was quoted as saying the crime spike was six years in the making and he was right. The Road Toll spike has had a similar but longer gestation period, but the outcome of death and injury is substantially greater than the equivalent violence metered out in the crime equivalent.
This State has spent millions upon millions of dollars in trying to engineer its way to a safer road system, it has increased and continues to increase confusing enforcement rules, it has tried to use technology for enforcement, the overall Victorian vehicle fleet is by world standards relatively modern and safer so why this cataclysmic failure?
Both Victoria Police and the Government are missing the critical components in redressing this horrendous road carnage and should revitalise the basics of effective road policing.
We implore the police to take a leadership role to focus on strategic road safety initiatives in partnership with high-level media education and awareness programs. This must be combined with community involvement and a commitment to ensure effective road user discipline to prevent crashes and SAVE LIVES. To do that the Police must be on the road and visibly enforce the law.
Road safety has the same genesis as the crime spike – a visible disconnect between Police and the community.
