As the whole community reels from the shocking news of the wanton slaughter of two of Victoria’s finest and the severe wounding of their colleague at Porepunkah, in Northeast Victoria, there is substantial disquiet on social media about the Police Force’s media response.
The operational response from Victoria Police after the tragedy was as expected, and while the devastating news impacts everybody in the State and wider Australia, one group does it substantially harder: other Police.
The new Chief Commissioner, Mike Bush, spoke well to the media; however, it was questionable protocol that the Secretary of the Police Association, Wayne Gatt, should have also been given that privilege. Putting the Union Boss on the same level as the Chief Commissioner will have its critics and drawbacks as Bush evolves into the Chiefs’ role.
Accompanying the Chief Commissioner should have been the Officer in Charge of the operation. As there were ten members assigned, some planning would have been necessary, given that risks were already perceived, hence the necessity of swearing out and justifying the issuing of a warrant by a judicial officer. The local Area Commander, who should be in charge of such operations in the area, should have been present. A large portion of responsibility may rest with that officer.
The Commander didn’t need to speak, given the emotional impact of losing members under their command and their responsibility; however, it would be far more appropriate than the Union Boss, who has no operational responsibilities in this circumstance.
With social media abuzz with criticism of Gatt’s appearance, particularly from former members, it was a tactical error on the part of the Chief to allow this; it diluted his role.
All former Police will be disappointed that the Chief did not include them; however, the fact that the Union Boss didn’t include them either was not surprising given the Police Association’s long antipathy towards former members. The Chief, however, needs to be cut some slack; it is a horrific issue to deal with, as he is probably only just coming to terms with his new role.
Gatt, however, should have had the maturity and experience to hold his own press conference.
Again, the Force has failed to acknowledge the thousands of former Police officers who are just as impacted as the serving officers, some more so, particularly those who were involved in similar incidents during their service in the past.
The Shire of Mansfield, in their press release, were the only one, so far, to acknowledge former Police and the impact on them. Not surprising for Mansfield, as it is the only Town in Australia that has built a monument to fallen police in the town’s centre.
Ironically, Mansfield, also in the North-East of the State, had three police officers shot on the 26th of October 1878, in an ambush, but none survived.
The substantial monument in the centre of Town that everybody arriving and leaving must circumnavigate is a testament to the view that the community holds of the Police, both serving and former.
As the saying goes in Police parlance, ‘There is no more ex than an ex’ is a truism that the Force must deal with.
The silence that has fallen over the Force, referred to by Bush and Gatt, does not stop at the Police Station’s front door but extends into the former police community just as strongly.
One day, we can only hope that a Police executive will realise the value that the former Police continue to serve in the community long after they have handed in their batons.
There is a high degree of probability for all the rhetoric that the Force has espoused over the years about the value of a Police career and the bond of policing, it does not complete the circle, as once Police leave the Force, they are discarded, something not explained to new aspirational applicants who want to join the Force; callously you are only looked after when they need you.
Proud former Police, and that is by far the majority, do not hide from their former career and therefore are often sought out within their social groups and their community for advice on Police-related matters. Former police are overrepresented in leadership roles in the community, giving them significant influence.
Although their Oath of Office no longer binds them, the removal of that obligation is legislative and does not account for a career spanning 20-40+ years of living by that standard.
‘You can take a police officer out of policing, but you can’t take the policing out of police.’
At this time of grieving, it is opportune that the Force be reminded of the whole of the Police family and act accordingly.
The whole of command standing behind him – NO politicians, NO Union just command members from A/C through to D/C
I thought the new commissioner presented like a ventriloquist dummy or an ai robot.
As for the police association being present. Maybe the CFMEU should have been there…after all the unions run Victoria.
What has occurred is a tragedy.
Victoria police members should be respected and cherished.
Andrews politicised every institution in Victoria. The damage he has done to respect for institutions is far greater than those who serve us realise.
We have another political appointment as commissioner ideology like those who put him there. First time we here from him he had the personality of a goldfish.
Vale to the members and solidarity to all past and present and future.
The police association would be better suited standing up to the politicisation of the force. Police are accompanying so called authorised officers now on enforcement of people collecting firewood ..next it will be entry to farms.
This government is using an armed police service to enforce ridiculous laws by authorised officers who frankly are overblown and unwelcome. People feel persecuted. This manifests itself in the type of deranged irrational conduct we have seen this week.
Police should be policing crime and not be used as a propping up force instrument has become the norm during and since covid.
He’s no sovereign citizens he’s a motivated deranged murderer. But nutters don’t need excuses as the police already have enough risk without Allen Andrews and co creating more.
Condolences to the families of the slain VIC POL Officers – murdered in the line of duty.
Also, thank you to all other VIC POL Officers for your courage & bravery.
No surprises here – both VIC POL Chief Commissioner and the Head of the Police Association are heavily loaded and laced, political appointments.
The death and serious injury of Police [and other employees], associated with their work, affects a very wide circle of people who are often left to grieve unsupported and unrecognised. They include immediate Workmates, distant present and past Workmates, Managers at all levels, “Business Associates” and families of all those. The immediate post-trauma care afforded to them is a measure of respect, and the later welfare “care” demonstrated is a measure of the sincerity of that respect. It also may indicate the determination and commitment of authorities to prevent future similar traumas. Care shortfalls suggest that Union involvement is valid. This calls for collaboration not competition.
Heartfelt condolences to the frontline police members that were tragically killed while serving the community.
I too was more than bemused to see Wayne Gatt front the media with the Chief Commissioner.
I do wonder upon reflecting last night’s revelations by Moira Deeming under parliamentary privilege, the involvement in the coverup of the Bike Boy scandal by the President of TPAV, is TPAV a full on Labor controlled association?
Labor has stacked the ship, every appointment by Labor must be treated with caution.
I am gutted by the senseless and wanton murder of these brave people. I hope the injured member recovers well and is able to return to operation duty. I rather hoped that the new CCP would be courageous enough to speak for himself and both serving and retired members, rather than the apolitical stance he seems to have taken. I was fervently hoping Vic Police would regain its independence from Government; alas it seems, it has not.
Might I please offer a correction and a suggestion? The Police Association is a public company limited by guarantee. The Company Constitution specifically restricts representation to current serving, financial members. Those members elect all office bearers of the Association – it is NOT a union, it is a company providing professional representation and welfare services for those members. It currently has twelve personnel on the ground in Porepunkah, who have been there since day one, seeing to members welfare and providing legal and other advice. It is a company that provides far greater support to its members than government or the Force do, or can. The Force budget is public money and it is a shrinking resource. Governments are not known for largesse with their work-forces.
This press conference was a chance to be seen to be working together with the Chief Commissioner, hand in hand, to support our police and their families. I am sure if Mr. Bush disagreed with that format he would have done the press conference alone.
Might I suggest that we all focus on something that might just make a difference rather than criticising those who are already actively helping, as best they can within their constitution which, of course, is monitored and governed by both APRA and ASIC.
The one thing that the government must now do is to follow the lead of other Australian jurisdictions and introduce mandatory life imprisonment with no parole after a conviction for the murder of a police officer.
Please, everyone – this is a time to band together, not fall apart.
Greg Davies is absolutely right, and not for the first time – now is a time for the policing community to be united and not throw stones at one another. This unity was perfectly exemplified by CCP Bush and Police Association Secretary, Wayne Gatt standing shoulder-to-shoulder as a show of solidarity during the immediate aftermath of Tuesday’s tragedy. That’s what good leaders do. Of course, such a show of unity by the leaders in the policing community is not unprecedented – Mr Gatt similarly spoke to the media, together with the Chief Commissioner and Police Minister of the day in April 2020 soon after four members were killed in the Eastern Freeway tragedy. This is mature leadership in action and something we have seen across the nation in wake of similar tragedies. Rank and file members draw much strength by seeing all their leaders banding together in the face of unimaginable tragedy. To the CAA, perhaps it’s time you took a leaf out of their book.