Brave and beyond

Firstly, I have to acknowledge the bravery of the first officers on the scene of the Marokopa incident. It was clearly a very dangerous situation that was complicated by the presence of a child. I know I join all our members in wishing our injured colleague a positive recovery. Our thoughts are with him and his family.

Private enterprise not on

The media have been in a frenzy over the Marokopa case and, at times, I reckon they have clearly overstepped. Stay away from officers’ homes. This is non-negotiable. Not acceptable! Their willingness to trample on an individual’s privacy – especially those of the children – is deplorable. Don’t try to hide behind public interest. Wanting to know private information isn’t public interest, it’s the public being nosey and the media trying to promote their own media brands. Big thumbs up to Jill Rogers and the commissioner for fronting the media, saying the rights things and backing the troops. Appreciated!

Optical illusion

Documentary… yeah, nah! Like most of us feel, it’s just not on. “Bad optics”, someone said.

Be gone, ‘Jargonauts’

Speaking of “optics”, it’s a buzzword that keeps getting thrown around these days by the up-and-comers. Just like “leaning in”, “grip it up”, “circle back” and “synergise”. As soon as there’s a briefing or instruction and the speaker starts this up, I turn off. Who are you trying to impress? Use simple English, please, please, please. We are not in a corporate boardroom, we are cops wanting plain language without the fluff. It’s hard enough keeping up with all Police’s abbreviations.

Slips through the net?

In a few past columns I’ve got stuck into the woeful supply of our uniform since it changed to some Aussie crowd that promised the world. Well, I got an email recently from an apparel supplier who also talked up their amazing logistics and delivery system – all online and satisfaction guaranteed. I thought I’d send the info to PNHQ. Unfortunately, the company deals mainly in underwear, particularly lingerie. Seriously, they reached out to me – thinking I represent Police! I wonder if they do Police blue? (Glad to see my Police News column gets global recognition.)

Deflation included

Who left the spikes in the boot? I read that an auctioned Police car had a set of spikes and even a green sticker book in it when it was sold. Now, I've left my half-eaten Big Mac and unfinished Coke in the car (sorry early shift) but spikes after a car was decommissioned? Bloody hell, who's checking these things?

Danger no stranger

Devastating news about the two cops killed in Australia. We serve in a dangerous environment and each and every one of us knows that any shift can end badly. I want to go home at the end of the day, in one piece. We all do. But our job puts us in harm’s way. Just know that most of the country has our back and we are supported by each other. One piece of advice: Every now and then, ignore the news. Sometimes it’s best not knowing.