Most of the current failures are caused by a lack of understanding of some fundamental principles around service delivery and service efficiency.
An antithesis of sound policing is a current paradigm in vogue, the functional relationship (or lack thereof) the Force has with victims.
A prime example is the case set out below, without the force releasing a statement to justify their anti-victim stance, in this matter that is severely aggravated because the victim also happens to be a retired Police member.
We can only hope for all Victorians, including retired police, that the new Chief Commissioner does not ‘BEAT AROUND THE BUSH!’ on addressing the priority of a victim-centric approach to policing.
On the ‘Current Affair’ program on the 9th of May, an alarming story on the demise of ADAM SOMTAG, a recently retired Policeman who had served this State for over 20 years, was aired.
Adam apparently intervened in an incident when an illegal graffiti artist was defacing a Council sign.
Adams’ instincts kicked in, and he even went to the trouble of filming the incident on his mobile and put the incident on local social media to identify the perpetrator.
His alleged error was not reporting the matter straight away. The delay in reporting was not motivated by any sinister reason but simply to help his former colleagues by handing them the identity of the perpetrator with the report of the damage. A ‘lay down Misere; in police parlance, translates to an open and shut case.
The upshot of this exercising of a civic duty sees Adam now facing a possible criminal charge for grabbing the shirt of the perpetrator as he confronted him.
The camera footage broadcast shows a very minor altercation instigated by the perpetrator. Adams’ actions seemed defensive rather than offensive and were more instinctive self-preservation rather than aggressive.
Victoria Police, for their part, have committed an embarrassing ‘faux pas’.
The Police force has allegedly targeted the former police member instead of the perpetrator.
Disrespecting former police members is far too common. It shows that many serving members within VicPol have no perception of the police conditioning values that retired members retain, the most notable one being their Oath of Office.
The Police Act stipulates that a Police member is bound by their oath of office while a serving member of Victoria Police. Once they retire and are no longer employed by Victoria Police, they are no longer bound by their oath of office.
Well, that is what the legislation says, but most former police officers have not denounced their oath; their part of the bargain. Retired former police officers do not, as a general rule, exercise or attempt to exercise their former authority; however, they report matters, and their previous experience makes them ideal for this task.
It is not only current police who disrespect their former colleagues,
it is rife amongst non-police contractors operating the communication systems, 000. We have had a number of reports of those operators dismissing the fact that a complaint is from a former member when it should add weight to the issue.
After being a police member for many years, an oath is a way of life, imbued in their soul that is reinforced by the community, or at least that part of the community that respect Police, and retired members are continually reminded in all sorts of community interactions that they were a member of the force. It is not uncommon, nor do retired members pursue it, but they are often introduced as former police members in many social and professional situations. Moreover, it is not uncommon for individuals to seek out ex-members for advice on Police related matters.
Retired police are respected more by the community than the Force, which is very sad given that the vast majority of retirees have served the community for long periods and are still and always will be proud of their Police service.
There is a misconception, amongst serving police, that ex-police are generally bitter and twisted, but that is so far from the truth as to be a poor reflection on those who hold that view.
There is no doubt that some former Police officers are bitter and twisted, but they are a high-profile minority creating a false illusion of reality.
The phrase often quoted by former police is, ‘there is nothing more ex than an ex’, indicting the hurt and disrespect usually associated with interactions between former police and the current Force members.
Many of these former police could be a valuable resource to assist the Force in these times of austerity.
A properly constituted Force Reserve could alleviate some pressure on the serving members, reducing work-related stress and improving the Force’s Service Delivery.
It may not be to every former member’s liking or convenience, but there would be substantial numbers who would be, in the right circumstances, interested in taking up part-time positions.
The injection of experience from suitable former police and their experience in living outside the police bubble in the community would be ideal for assisting the new Chief Commissioner to help fix the broken Force.