Not a nice subject guys but can I ask a question that someone could answer? Unfortunately I am suffering advanced cancer with not much chance of recovering.
My question is …is there any assistance out there from the Police Association or RPA for my wife to assist in my pension being transferred over to her when I pass?
Thanking you in advance.
Rick Lettice
Sad that one has to think of these things when you know that the inevitable is coming.
2009 aboard Norwegian Sun with Joy Lettice.
2011
2013
May 2015
101218 at Broadbeach, Qld
Barry Charles CARVER
| 10/06/2019
Barry Charles CARVER
AKA ?
Late of ?
NSW Redfern Police Academy Class # 144
NSW Police Cadet # 2826
New South Wales Police Force
Regd. # 16678
Rank: NSW Police Cadet – commenced 1 May 1972
Probationary Constable – appointed 9 November 1974
Constable – appointed 9 November 1975
Detective Constable – confirmed ? ? ?
Final Rank = ?
Stations: ?, Phillip St – 4 Division – ( 1978 – Cst 1/c ), Waverley Detective ( early 1980’s ),
Service: From 1 May 1972 to? ? ? = ? years Service
Awards: No find on It’s An Honour
Born: Wednesday 9 November 1955
Died on: Saturday 31 December 2011
Age: 56
Cause: Cancer – Type ?
Event location: ?
Event date: ?
Funeral date: ? ? ?
Funeral location: ?
Wake location:?
Funeral Parlour: ?
Buried at: ?
Memorial located at: ?
BARRY is NOT mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance *NEED MORE INFO
Funeral location: TB
FURTHER INFORMATION IS NEEDED ABOUT THIS PERSON, THEIR LIFE, THEIR CAREER AND THEIR DEATH.
Barry was at Phillip Street Police Station as Cst1/c in 1978.
He was a real larrakin, loved a drink.
He was from the bush – Moree.
His best mate was Cst/c Dave Langton ( # 17306 ). He was also from the bush – Goodooga near Lightning Ridge.
They shared a house around Bondi somewhere and both were big and strong and worked on the door of a nightclub around Bondi Junction and didn’t take any shit from anyone.
At the time of publishing, nothing further is known about this man, his life or death.
Further information and photos sought.
Cal
080619
Lyn TOWNSEND
| 10/06/2019
Lynette Irene TOWNSEND
Wife of Retired NSWPF member Supt. Lloyd Townsend # 9234
AKA LYN
Late of Dubbo
New South Wales Police Force
Rank: Police wife
Final Rank = ?
Stations: ?
Awards: No find on It’s An Honour
Born: ? ? 1945 – 1946
Died on: Wednesday 5 June 2019
Age: 73
Cause: Heart attack
Event location: ?
Event date: ?
Funeral date: Tuesday 11 June 2019 @ 10.30am
Funeral location: Chapel of the Western Districts Memorial Park, Boothenba Rd, Dubbo, NSW
Wake location:?
Funeral Parlour: Abbey Funeral Home, 6881 8988
Buried at: Buried
Memorial located at: ?
[divider_dotted]
FURTHER INFORMATION IS NEEDED ABOUT THIS PERSON, THEIR LIFE, THEIR CAREER AND THEIR DEATH.
Lyn’s funeral service will be held in the Chapel of the Western Districts Memorial Park, Boothenba Road, Dubbo commencing at 10.30am Tuesday 11th June 2019 followed by a private burial.
Former Queensland Police Service Senior Constable Tony Gamer, following a long term illness, sadly took his own life at Wishart on 6 June 2019.
A former member of the QPS Special Emergency Response Team and more recently the QPSRailway Squad, Tony served within the QPS since 1990, before his medical retirement in 2018.
Tony will be remembered as an incredibly reliable and talented Police Officer who is survived by his fiancé Kaylea and daughter Sophie. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family, friends and colleagues who are all struggling with this profound loss.
via: Blue HOPE stands ready.
They take the oath and to you they’ve sworn,
with or without your praise or scorn,
to place the life of you and yours,
above their own, to uphold the laws.
They see it all, the best and worst
and their visual memories can be a curse.
Still they do their best to quiet the mind,
to reach within and strength and valour find.
They will knowingly step into harm’s way
to protect and serve you each and every day.
We only ask them that if the burden feels too much to bear,
please reach out there are so many that do care…
We bow our heads and offer gratitude and praise,
sadly too often the highest price of life itself is paid.
We were extremely fortunate earlier today, to attend an amazing tribute to the late Senior Constable Tony Gamer on the Raby Bay foreshore.
Whoever it is upstairs pulled all the right levers, resulting in a perfect ‘winters’ day where those who knew and loved Tony turned out in droves to honour this incredibly talented, diligent and highly respected man.
Addressing Tony’s father, QPS Rail Squad’s Senior Constable Jeff ‘Manta’ Rae summed his colleague and great mate up perfectly:
‘To Mr James Gamer… I want you to know that your son was very much an Officer and a gentleman and the service he provided to the community can never be measured or truly recognised but he will be long remembered and not replaced.’
We can’t begin to understand the grief and profound loss that Tony’s family are currently enduring, however, what became abundantly clear today (and in fact since our initial notification) was the boundless love Tony clearly had for partner Kaylea and daughter Sophie, and indeed his entire family.
Additionally, should it be necessary, we are certain that as Sophie grows, she will be forever able to turn to her extended blue family for reminders and reassurances that her father was very simply a fine man, loved and respected by all.
Blue HOPE stands ready.
Photos by: Blue Hope
William Deane MANSELL
| 10/06/2019
William Deane MANSELL
AKA Billy & Booga
Late of ?
NSW Redfern Police Academy Class # 144
NSW Police Cadet # 2791
New South Wales Police Force
Regd. # 16613
Rank: NSW Police Cadet – commenced 7 February 1972
Probationary Constable – appointed 9 October 1974
Constable – appointed 9 October 1975
Detective
Senior Constable – appointed 9 October 1983
Final Rank = Detective Senior Constable
Stations: ?, Parramatta Drug Squad,
Service: From 7 February 1972 to5 March 1990 = 18+ years Service
Awards: National Medal – granted 15 November 1991 ( Det SenCon )( posthumously )
Born: Sunday 9 October 1955
Died on: Monday 5 March 1990
Age: 35
Cause: Brain Tumour & Cancer – Bowel
Event location: Hospital – Sydney
Event date: ?
Funeral date: ? ? ?
Funeral location: ?
Wake location: ?
Funeral Parlour: Olsen’s Funerals, Sutherland
Buried at: Cremated
Ashes: Woronora Memorial Park, 121 Linden St, Sutherland
Grave location: Crematorium area: KK – Rose Garden – 28 – 0051
Memorial located at: ?
BILLY is NOT mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance *NEED MORE INFO
FURTHER INFORMATION IS NEEDED ABOUT THIS PERSON, THEIR LIFE, THEIR CAREER AND THEIR DEATH.
Government Gazette of the State of New South Wales (Sydney, NSW : 1901 – 2001), Friday 13 July 1990 (No.88), page 6660
NOTICE of intended distribution of estate.— Any person having any claim upon the estate of WILLIAM DEANE MANSELL, who died or the 5th March, 1990, must send particulars of his claim to the Executrix, care of Saville & Walkom, Solicitors, 29 Gymea Bay Road, Gymea 2227, within two (2) calendar months from publication of this notice. After that time the executrix may distribute the assets of the estate having regard only to the claims of which at the time of distribution she has notice. Probate was granted in New South Wales on the 24th May, 1990. [9913]
Granpa Paul and Granma Vina with Nathan, Kimara and Preston at their 21st.
Paul Shiels and Nick Pavlov
Paul Loftus SHIELS – 2017
Paul Shiels and his partner, Vina, in earlier years. 1985
Paul Loftus SHIELS Tracy Lee RIP Shielsy, another good man taken too early. Will always remember you for the joker you were. Even in this picture you were laughing at a ‘funny’ between us. Hope you meet up with BJ and share some laughs. with Sasha Wabash, Paul Shiels and Tony Hayward.
Paul Petith June 2 · Drover (Paul Shiels 2nd from left), George Weissel and Dave Whiteman.
Pete Guru-Gf Clarkey May 26 · Welfare visit today to see Paul The Drover Shiels. You cant keep a good man down. He is in good spirits, showed his strength of character, was very positive and gave us youngsters some sage advice on life. We left him in the care of the beautiful nurses and went for ride down to the Headlands Hotel for lunch and raised a glass to his health. Cheers Drover! Thanks to Frosty for organising. feeling inspired with Roger Rhm, Stephen Hopkin, Glenn Frost, Paul Shiels and Ricky Gee at St George Hospital.
Vina, Prithi and Yougan with Paul Shiel’s at the hospital still cracking a joke or two and giving sound advice on friendship.
Cheers all.
Geoff Snellgrove is with Paul Shiels.
Today we lost a great Australian, Paul Shiels – The DROVER.
For decades whilst society slept easy he went to work as a Police Officer/Sergeant in Australia’s most dangerous area, Darlinghurst then Kings Cross.
He looked after his mates, he looked after young police like myself and mentored them (not so sure his methods were always strictly by the book or all that helpful????). He was a character through and through, quick to joke and loved a yarn over a nice cold beer.
This ones for you, You will be missed by many my friend. Rest well.
Mary Cousemacker ❤️????❤️????.
He grabbed Rochelle and I out of the station tour on our very first day. Put us in the car with him and drove us around to all the dirtiest syringe filled alleys which were the favourite druggy haunts. I nearly shit myself and nearly didn’t come back for my next shift He was like a second dad. You could always depend on him
For anything. Having a glass of red for him tonight. ????❤️???? God speed Shielsy love always Slats xxx
Grandpa Paul was a very wise and happy man. There was never a moment in the past 7 years have I seen him upset or negative. He has such a positive energy being around him makes you happy. He was like the grandpa I never had.
Growing up overseas without my grandparents left an empty space but grandma Bina and Grandpa Paul were more then grandparents they were just very nice people.
Thanks to both of them I am who I am today and I hope no matter where grandpa is now may god give him happiness and peace.
Esther MckayI’m so incredibly sad that Bob has left us, what an amazing man he was and such a champion for supporting injured serving and former police. He was a very special friend and colleague and was instrumental in paving positive change during his many years on the committee of the pptsg. If it wasn’t for Bob we would not have been registered as a non for profit with approval by NSWPolice. Thank you Bob, your legacy will live on for many years to come. ????????????
Bob has been a long time stalwart of the Police Post Trauma Support Group and worked tirelessly as the Treasurer.
In 2013 he was named Citizen of the Year in Penrith Local Council area due to that tireless work.
In August 2016 he was admitted to Hospital with a ‘superbug’ in his heels and in December 2016 Bob had been in the Hospital system for 8 months due to a major operation on one of his legs.
Bob had been in Nepean Hospital 6 weeks ago, in April 2019, feeling fairly crook and only 5 weeks ago was palliative.
Bob is now out of pain and we thank him, and others, for their great efforts in looking after current and former Police who suffer from PTSD.
Please revisit this Memorial Post in the coming days for Funeral details.
Cal
31 May 2019
Esther McKay & Bob WALSH with his Citizen of the Year award.
Bob WALSH ( and other citizens of Penrith ) with his Citizen of the Year award.
Bob WALSH with an ‘Appreciation’ Certificate from the Police Post Traumatic Group on 25 December 2018.
Retirement Presentation Board for Bob Walsh
Adam James HAHN
| 10/06/2019
Adam James HAHN
AKA Hahny
Late of Garden Suburb
“possible” Relation in ‘the job’: Anthony William HAHN, NSW Police Cadet # 1581, NSWPF 10374 ( joined 1960 ) ?
NSW Goulburn Police Academy Class # 237
New South Wales Police Force
ProCst # 60490
Regd. # 25809
Rank: Commenced training at Goulburn Police Academy on Sunday 19 June 1988 ( aged 18 years, 9 months, 14 days )
Probationary Constable – appointed 9 September 1988 ( aged 19 years, 0 months, 4 days )
A much loved brother, son-in-law, brother-in-law, uncle, nephew, cousin and great mate to many.
The family and friends of Adam are warmly invited to attend a celebration of his life, to be held in The Chapel, 444 Pacific Hwy Belmont (parking via Henry St), on Friday 31st May, 2019, service commencing at 3pm.
Published in The Newcastle Herald from May 25 to May 29, 2019
Thanks for the laughs mate, for your honesty and integrity, for the gutsy determination that drove you. Always enjoyed being with you, work or sport. When I think of you / I smile RIP.
My thoughts and prayers to Rache and your beautiful children.
Colin Chaffey,
Jewells,
New South Wales
May 25, 2019
One of the funniest people I have ever met. And just a real great bloke.
South Cardiff footballer Adam Hahn has been remembered as a ‘likeable, genuine bloke’
Max McKinney
A father of three who died while playing in an over-35s soccer match at the weekend has been remembered as “one of the most likeable, genuine blokes you would come across”.
Adam Hahn suffered what is believed to have been a heart attack about 10 minutes before the end of his South Cardiff team’s match at Kurraka Reserve in Fletcher on Saturday.
The 49-year-old collapsed without warning on the field and – despite the best efforts of those on the scene, including a nurse who used a defibrillator and later paramedics – could not be revived.
The incident has rocked South Cardiff Junior Football Club, which the over-35s side are a part of, and shattered players and those associated with the team.
“He was just a character,” team-mate Ian Nesbitt said.
“A very intelligent man, but just a character.
“A larger than life sort of fella – he was only a little bloke. He was just one of the boys, loved drinking VB like it was going out of fashion.”
Mr Hahn, a Garden Suburb resident who ran a handyman business, leaves behind a wife and three children.
He grew up Windale, and spent many years working as a police officer, and later, police prosecutor. He was also a regular writer to the Herald’s letters page.
Mr Nesbitt, who was on the bench at the time, said his team-mate had shown no signs of any medical problem before the tragic incident.
“I was actually discussing who to pick as man of the match, and Adam’s name came up so I was kind of focused on him,” he said.
“And he just simply fell to his knees and then fell flat on his face, and that was it. He wasn’t even running, he was standing still.
“There wasn’t too many people who saw it. I ran out onto the park, I kind of knew something was going on. We initially thought he was having some sort of seizure.”
Players commenced CPR, and an off-duty nurse who was at the fields assisted in administering Maryland Fletcher Football Club’s defibrillator before paramedics arrived, but it was to no avail.
Mr Hahn had been part of the South Cardiff over-35s team for the past 11 years.
Grieving team-mates gathered at the club’s training ground on Wednesday night to mourn his loss and offer support to each other.
Macquarie Football has arranged for a group counselling session to be held for affected players and officials this Saturday
“There are blokes struggling,” Mr Nesbitt said.
“It was pretty harrowing with that scene, and just wondering what the hell was going on, on Saturday.
“We thought it might benefit to get everybody together as a group … there were a few tears and a chance for everybody to talk about it.
“There were a lot of guys who weren’t saying anything on Saturday, so the idea was to try to get that out and encourage everybody to either talk to your wife, talk to your family, talk to us, talk to your mate.”
South Cardiff Juniors president Cindy Redpath said the club’s teams would wear black armbands during this weekend’s matches as a tribute. A minute’s silence will also be held before each game.
“There’s a lot of people that are quite affected, very upset,” she said.
“It’s been a tragic, tragic event.
“He was one of the most likeable, genuine blokes you would come across. It’s a big shock.”
Ms Redpath said a gala day was being planned for later this year as a fundraiser, but a 100-club raffle would be held during Saturday’s matches with all proceeds going to Mr Hahn’s family.
Yesterday was a day full of highs and tragic lows.. 2 minutes before Mel came into check point 4, I received a call letting me know about the sudden tragic loss of a great mate and team mate Adam Hahn (Hahny) who died playing the game he loves during our soccer game.
Having to stay strong for Mel while trying to come to terms with the news was one of the hardest things I have ever had to do.
My thoughts and condolences go out to Rachel, Eli and Seth. Words can’t possibly express what you are going through at this sad and tragic time..
To my Southy O35 Brothers, knowing how I’m feeling not being there, would be nothing in comparison to the traumatic experience you guys dealt with at the game.
Hahny you were one of the good ones mate. Your quick Witt and stories were legendary mate. Our conversations and great laughs are going to be sorely missed.
The team has lost a larger than life character and will find it hard to go on without you mate. But we will. It’s what you would want.
Vale Hahny “you Goober”
Cheers mate. Green Dream
Colin Thomas GIBBONS
| 10/06/2019
Colin Thomas GIBBONS
AKA Gibbo, Col
Late of Mudgee
NSW Redfern Police Academy Class # 106
New South Wales Police Force
[alert_yellow]Regd. # 11906[/alert_yellow]
Rank: Probationary Constable – appointed 4 April 1966
Constable – appointed 4 June 1967
Senior Constable – appointed ? ? ?
Final Rank = ?TBA
Stations: ?, South Coast District ( 1967 ), Mudgee ( 1977 – 1981 ), Cronulla, George St North, Bega, Eden, Batemans Bay
Service: From? ? pre April 1966?to4 April 1985 ( Resigned ) = 19 years Service
Awards: National Medal – granted 15 November 1982 ( SenCon )
Born: Wednesday 15 October 1941
Died on: Thursday 30 May 2019
Age: 77
Cause: Pancreatic Cancer
Event location: Dubbo – Lourdes Private Hospital
Event date: Wednesday 29 May 2019
Funeral date: Friday 7 June 2019 @ 11am
Funeral location: St Luke’s Anglican Church, Bayly St, Gulgong, NSW
Wake location: Gulgong RSL
Funeral Parlour: Macquarie Valley Funerals & Monuments, Mudgee 6372 2331
Good evening caught up with an old Mudgee stalwart Colin Thomas Gibbons at Lourdes Hospital at Dubbo Col is in a bad way and his family are with him worked at Mudgee during early 80’S and he was one of the last old school coppers when telling hoodlums to get home their reply was yes Mister Gibbons he was very active with The Mudgee VRA and his family were overwhelmed today to have the Commissioner of the VRA MR Mark Gibson visit Col and his family today and I thank you Sir for your visit. May our thoughts and prayers be with Col and his family
Col Gibbons / Gibbo / Dad / Pop / Grandpa
“A silent #Mudgee legend gave his time to save many a life as a #police office and active member of the volunteer #rescue squad today bids us farewell” Over the past months our dad has fought the biggest fight of his life. A fight that sadly came to an end this morning with his true loves, mum and his kids by his side. Next week will give us all the opportunity to celebrate Cols amazing life and I encourage all those that know our family to come along and show your support to mum (Ella) Saraha-Jane, Johnny, Susan, Sharron (Gibbo) and our extended family.
God Bless You Big Fella – May You Continue to protect us from above
Bam Bam played NSW Police Football and was widely known and liked and was a great bloke.
He suffered a heart attack in his sleep.
Inquest into the death of Brenton Hasler at Tweed Heads on the 30 November 2006.
Finding handed down by Deputy State Coroner MacMahon on 30 January 2008.
On Thursday 30 November 2006 police were conducting an operation on the Pacific Highway at Sextons Hill near Banora Point in northern New South Wales. The operation was directed, in part, at detecting unregistered and wanted vehicles.
Automated Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) equipment was being used to assist in this process. S/C Mahaffy was the ANPR operator and S/C Hamilton positioned himself some 225 meters further north along the Pacific Highway at a stopping site. The stopping site was just south of Terranora Road. The operation commenced at about 0830.
S/C Bowmer was also to assist in the operation.
The traffic was very heavy and on his arrival S/C Bowmer decided to facilitate traffic flow by arranging for the traffic lights at the intersection of Terranora Road and the Pacific Highway to be turned off and the traffic managed manually.
S/C Bowmer parked the police vehicle he was driving at the ANPR stopping site near that of S/C Hamilton. As this was occurring a rider was travelling on the Pacific Highway on a Honda VFR 750 motorcycle. He was negotiating through the traffic and was overtaking vehicles on the nearside on the incorrect side of the edge line. This was contrary to the motor traffic laws.
S/c Mahaffy, who advised S/C Hamilton, observed this.
As a result S/C Hamilton stopped what he was doing and walked onto the road and directed the rider to stop. The rider refused and accelerated away.
S/C Hamilton yelled to S/C Bowmer to stop the rider and S/C Bowmer having returned to his vehicle followed him. By this time the rider was out of sight.
S/C Bowmer proceeded along the Pacific Highway looking for the rider. After examining a number of side streets S/C Bowmer observed a bike on Darlington Drive, Banora Point, just off the Pacific Highway. He exited the Pacific Highway and followed it.
The bike rapidly increased speed and S/C Bowmer decided to commence a pursuit and did so with lights and sirens operating. Shortly before the intersection of Lochlomond Drive and Darlington Drive the bike left the road and collided with a tree.
S/C Bowmer came on the scene shortly thereafter and provided assistance to the rider. CPR was commenced and an ambulance was called.
On arrival the ambulance officers found the rider to be unconscious, without pulse and not breathing. CPR was continued and he was taken to Tweed Heads Hospital however the rider was declared to be life extinct shortly after his arrival at the hospital.
Elizabeth Alice Hasler subsequently identified the deceased as being her husband Brenton Craig Hasler.
On 2 December 2006 an autopsy was performed at the Department of Forensic Medicine, Newcastle, by Dr. K. Lee, a senior specialist forensic pathologist. Dr Lee found that the cause of Mr. Hasler’s death was multiple injuries.
Legislative Provisions.
The role and function of a Coroner is contained in section 22, Coroners Act, 1980 (the Act).
That section, in summary, provides that at the conclusion of an inquest the coroner is to establish, on the basis of the evidence available, the identity of a deceased person together with the date, place and the cause and manner of their death.
Life Extinct Certificate, Dr. B Beal, Tab 1. 5 Identification Statement, Tab 2. 6 Autopsy report, 2 April 2007, 10.at Tab 66.
Section 13 (1) (a) of the Act provides, in addition, that a coroner has jurisdiction to hold an inquest if it appears to the coroner that a person has died a violent or unnatural death.
Section 13A (1) (b) also provides that a coroner who is the State Coroner or a Deputy State Coroner has jurisdiction to conduct an inquest where it appears that deceased died, or there is reasonable cause to suspect that the person has died, as a result of or in the course of a police operation. Section 13A (2) provides that where the jurisdiction to hold an inquest arises under both section 13 and section 13A an inquest is not to be held except by the State Coroner or a Deputy State Coroner.
On the facts as set out above it is apparent that Mr. Hasler’s death was one that came within the meaning of section 13(1)(a) in that it occurred as a result of injuries he sustained in circumstances that appeared to come within the definition as a result of or in the course of a police operation, in this case a police pursuit.
As such either the State Coroner or a Deputy State Coroner is required to conduct the inquest into his death.
Issues for Inquest:
In this inquest the identity of Mr. Hasler together with the date, place and direct cause of his death are not in dispute.
On the evidence available I am comfortably satisfied that Brenton Craig Hasler died on 30 November 2006 at the Tweed Hospital and that the cause of his death was multiple injuries sustained by him when the motorcycle he was riding left the road and collided with a tree.
The manner, or circumstances, of Mr. Hasler’s death was, however, the subject of examination in the course of the Inquest.
The issues inquired into during the course of the inquest were as follows:
• Was Mr. Hasler the rider of the motorcycle that failed to stop when directed to do so by S/C Hamilton?
• Were the circumstances sufficient to justify the commencement of a pursuit?
• What was the applicable police policy?
• Did S/C Bowman comply with the policy, as he understood it, during the course of the pursuit and should he, at any time, have discontinued the pursuit?
• What caused Mr. Hasler to lose control of the motorcycle and did the manner in which S/C Bowman conducted the pursuit cause, or contribute to, that loss of control of the motorcycle?
• Following Mr. Hasler suffering his injuries was assistance provided to him in timely manner?
• Were the NSW Police critical incident guidelines complied with?
• Are there any recommendations that should be made in accordance with section 22A?
The Evidence:
During the course of the inquest evidence was taken from the following witnesses
• Senior Constable Brett Andrew Mahaffy (the officer operating the ANPR equipment on the Pacific Highway),
• Senior Constable Troy Anthony Hamilton, (the officer who directed the rider of the motorcycle to stop),
• Michael Francis Murphy (a truck driver in traffic near the ANPR site at the time that the motorcycle rider was directed to stop),
• Sergeant Mark Anthony Garner (a police officer in traffic near the ANPR site at the time that the motorcycle rider was directed to stop),
• Bruce Roy Austen, (who was driving on Darlington Drive in the opposite direction to that of the Mr Hasler and Senior Constable Bowmer and saw the motorcycle lose control)
• Kellie John, (who saw the collision of the bike with the tree from her lounge window which overlooked the park in which it occurred),
• Mark Raymond Rabjones (who saw the incident from his driveway and provided assistance to Mr. Hasler following the collision)
• Senior Constable Paul Bowmer (the officer who conducted the pursuit of the motorcycle rider),
• Inspector David Richard Driver (the officer responsible for the investigation of the death of Mr. Hasler in accordance with the critical incident guidelines).
In addition statements from witnesses not called to give evidence, relevant police policy and guidelines, maps, vehicle inspection reports and diagrams were also made available.
Was Mr. Hasler the rider of the motorcycle that failed to stop when directed to do so by S/C Hamilton?
S/C Hamilton, after the rider of the bike failed to stop as directed, followed in the direction the rider had taken. He subsequently arrived at the site where Mr Hasler had been injured. During evidence he was asked whether Mr. Hasler’s bike was the bike ridden by the rider that had failed to stop as directed. He thought that it had been and explained why he had come to that conclusion.
Sergeant Garner, who had seen the bike on the Pacific Highway and had also seen S/C Hamilton direct it to stop. Sergeant Garner also attended the crash site and had the opportunity to observe Mr. Hasler’s bike. He also was of the view that the bike was the same as that he had observed on the Pacific Highway and gave his reasons during the course of giving evidence.
I accept the evidence of S/C Hamilton and Sergeant Garner on this point and am satisfied that Mr. Hasler was the rider who failed to stop when directed to do so by S/C Hamilton at the ANPR stopping site that morning.
Were the circumstances sufficient to justify the commencement of a pursuit?
Mr Hasler was directed to stop by S/C Hamilton and failed to do so. He then accelerated away. S/C Hamilton gave him the direction to stop as a result of information he had received from S/C Mahaffy. S/C Hamilton then yelled to S/C Bowmer stop the bike after which S/C Bowmer followed the bike. S/C Bowmer did not know why S/C Hamilton wanted the bike to be stopped and gave evidence that when he was able to stop the rider he intended to administer a random breath test while waiting for S/C Hamilton to attend.
There was some debate during the course of the inquest as to when the pursuit of Mr. Hasler commended and I will return to that debate later however on the evidence it is my view that Mr. Hasler’s failure to stop as directed by S/C Hamilton was sufficient to justify efforts to be taken to apprehend him notwithstanding the fact that the officer doing so might not initially know the reasons for S/C Hamilton’s request that they do so.
In any event I accept S/C Bowmer’s evidence that he observed Mr. Hasler accelerating his motorcycle in Darlington Drive to a speed that was well in excess of the speed limit applicable. I consider that at that point S/C Bowmer had sufficient cause based on his own observations, subject to the application of the relevant protocols, to seek to apprehend Mr. Hasler.
What was the applicable police policy?
The guidelines for police pursuits are contained in the NSW Police Safe Driving Policy (the Policy).
The policy deals with the qualifications and experience of police officers authorised to engage in a pursuit and the vehicles that may be used. The evidence, which I accept, is that S/C Bowmer was appropriately qualified and experienced and his vehicle was also appropriately classified to conduct a pursuit. The Policy, at Part 6, deals with Urgent Duty and Pursuits. An urgent duty is defined as being duty ‘which has become pressing or demanding prompt action’.
A pursuit is defined as commencing ‘at the time when you decide to pursue a vehicle that has ignored a direction to stop’
On the commencement of urgent duty or a pursuit the relevant officer is required to make certain notifications to senior officers at VKG and thereafter undertake those duties or the pursuit in accordance with any instructions given by the appropriate senior officer.
Evidence was given at the inquest that the Policy underwent and adjustment by the introduction of a Coded System of Safe Driving from 11 November 2005
That system made it permissible for an officer to perform urgent duty ‘without first informing police radio in the execution of a traffic stop.
However, should the driver of the other vehicle attempt to avoid apprehension or appears to be ignoring requests to stop, and a decision is made to pursue the vehicle – then a pursuit has commenced’.
At inquest there was a difference of opinion as to how the relevant policies were to be applied to the circumstances that occurred 30 November 2006.
One view, that held by Counsel assisting and Inspector Driver was that when S/C Bowmer left the ANPR site with the intention of stopping Mr. Hasler a pursuit had commenced and, as a consequence, the obligations provided for in the guidelines came into force. The other view, the one held by S/C Bowmer and apparently other officers, was that he (S/C Bowmer) was able to commence urgent duty until he approached the motorcycle for the purpose of a traffic stop. If, having indicated to the vehicle that it was to stop, he formed the view that other vehicle was attempting to avoid apprehension or appearing to ignore his request to stop, he would have to decide, as he did in this case, if he was going to commence a pursuit. He was of the view that it was only at that time that he would have had to advise VKG that he was in pursuit. In this case the motorcycle rider had refused to stop.
I accept that S/C Bowmer did not know this however it must have been implicit in the circumstances of the ANPR operation and in S/C Hamilton’s call to ‘stop the bike’. That was the basis of S/C Bowmer’s actions in following him.
It was clearly the intention of S/C Bowmer to stop the rider. To follow him to administer a random breath test whilst awaiting S/C Hamilton’s attendance seems to me to be somewhat artificial. I consider that on a reasonable interpretation of the policy the pursuit commenced at the time S/C Bowmer left the ANPR stopping site with the view of stopping the bike.
On that interpretation he was at that time obliged to inform VKG of the pursuit and to implement the other instructions contained in the policy.
As I indicated during the course of the inquest I am not, nor do I intend to be, critical of S/C Bowmer in respect of his interpretation of the policy. It is clear from the findings of other Coroners and the various interpretations placed on the policy during the course of this inquest that the issue of the interpretation of the policy has been a live one for some time.
The introduction of the Coded System of Safe Driving in November 2005 does not, in my view, clarify the obligations of officers that find themselves in such situations. Indeed it is my view that it probably makes it more confusing by adding another element to the equation. The policy needs to be clear and unambiguous so that officers responsible for its implementation are able to act with confidence in situations that they are required to face in their duties. I propose to make a recommendation pursuant to section 22A on this subject.
Coded System of Safe Driving ,2. See Decision of SDSC Magistrate Milledge in William Spence 1 July 2004 and DSC Magistrate Pinch in Colin John Holmes 29 November 2004.
Did S/C Bowman comply with the policy, as he understood it, during the course of the pursuit and should he, at any time, have discontinued the pursuit?
S/C Bowmer gave evidence that having entered Darlington Drive he observed the motorcycle ahead of him and formed the view that the rider was exceeding the speed limit. He also formed the view that the rider had probably seen him and was seeking to avoid apprehension.
At that time S/C Bowmer decided to commence a pursuit. He attempted to contact VKG to advice of the pursuit but was initially unsuccessful but was able to do so some 9 seconds later.
From the VKG records it would seem that there was a period of 21 seconds form the first attempt to advise of the pursuit to the time that S/C Bowmer advised VKG of Mr. Hasler’s collision and of the need for an ambulance.
The shortness of the pursuit is also emphasised by the recordings contained in the in-car video recordings from S/C Bowmer’s vehicle. The pictures in that recording commence at 9.15.37 with a view of Mr Hasler’s motorcycle 160-180 meters ahead of the police vehicle about to take a left hand bend. The motorcycle is then out of sight. At 9.15.51 a splash of water is observed (as Mr. Hasler’s motorcycle passes through a storm water drain).
The inquest has had the opportunity to traverse the route that was travelled and to observe that part of the pursuit that was recorded on the in-car video. We have also had to evidence of a number of witnesses who observed aspects of the pursuit. A police pursuit is, in its nature, dangerous. It is required to be conducted with skill by the officer involved in order to ensure the safety of the general public who might be in the area (particularly-as in this case where it is a residential area), the police involved in the pursuit and, of course, those that are being pursued.
As far as the manner in which S/C Bowmer conducted the pursuit is concerned the evidence establishes to my complete satisfaction that it was performed in a competent fashion and during its short duration no event occurred that would, in my view, have required it to be terminated. There was, as I have indicated above, some delay in S/C Bowmer accessing VKG to advise that a pursuit had commenced however this was minimal and had, as far as I can see, no bearing on the course of the pursuit.
Counsel assisting has suggested that whilst she does not criticise S/C Bowmer she suggests that looked at in hindsight and taking into account all the now known circumstances perhaps the commencement of the pursuit by S/C Bowmer was not appropriate. I feel however that I must try and put myself into the circumstances that existed on 30 November 2006. I cannot second-guess S/C Bowmer. It seems to me that S/C Bowmer’s do not warrant any criticism whatsoever.
having regard to S/C Bowmer’s understanding of the policy, and having regard to the circumstances in which he found himself, I am satisfied that the NSW Police Safe Drive Policy was complied with.
Following Mr. Hasler suffering his injuries was assistance provided to him in timely manner?
What caused Mr. Hasler to lose control of the motorcycle and did the manner in which S/C Bowman conducted the pursuit cause, or contribute to, that loss of control of the motorcycle?
Mechanical defect did not contribute to the incident see evidence of Graeme Bruce Lawrie expert vehicle examiner ‘there was no mechanical defect or failure with the vehicle that may have been a contributing factor towards the collision.’
Mr Hasler lost control of the motorcycle when he was unable to negotiate the bend in Darlington Drive. (See evidence of Michio Justin McMillan).
‘It is obvious from the physical evidence available that the motorcycle rider, Hasler, has not anticipated or negotiated this bend. Hasler has braked hard and after skidding the motorcycle has left the road and mounted the raised concrete cutter onto the grass.
’ Mr Hasler was travelling at a great speed. I accept the calculations of S/C Craig Stewart Norton that the motorcycle was travelling at between 129km/h and 135km/h as being indicative of that speed.
Also: Bruce Roy Austin, ‘very, very fast’ Kellie John from her lounge-room: ‘I could hear the bike coming, I assumed it was a bike, it was very loud and so I turned around to look out my window because I was thinking – I could hear them coming very fast and I was thinking how are they going to slow down to go through the roundabout’
S/C Bowmer’s pursuit did not contribute to the loss of control. Statement 21/03/2007 para 2319 Statement 28/12/2006 para 13 and 14. McMillan statement 28/12/2006 para 12. Norton statement 12/01/2007 para 8. Austin 6/11/2007 89 23 John 6/11/2007 98 at 35
I have had the benefit of observing the in-car video and hearing the evidence of those who were present. It is undisputed that S/C Bowmer was travelling some distance behind Mr Hasler and at a slower speed.
It is not suggested, and I find that it was not the case, that S/C Bowmer’s driving or the manner in which he conducted the pursuit contributed to Mr Hasler losing control of the bike.
I am satisfied that the cause of the collision was due to the motorcycle being ridden at excessive speed for the conditions and that on reaching the bend in the road Mr. Hasler was unable to negotiate it thereby losing control, mounting the gutter and thereafter continuing for some time until colliding with a tree.
Were the NSW Police critical incident guidelines complied with?
The relevant policy is the Guidelines for the Management and Investigation of Critical Incidents. That policy was tendered in evidence.
In accordance with the policy Inspector David Richard Driver was appointed to investigate the circumstances of Mr Hasler’s death. That investigation was a detailed and thorough one and a number of recommendations were made that go to police procedures that should be given serious consideration. The investigation identified a number of non-compliances with the guidelines. These are identified in Inspector Drivers report. They did not, in my view, affect the integrity of the investigation of Mr. Hasler’s death. It is, however important that such guidelines be complied with strictly in all critical incident situations as compliance ensures that the best evidence is available for any review that subsequently takes place and, at a minimum will free officers involved from any unjustified criticism.
Formal Finding:
Brenton Craig Hasler died on 30 November 2006 at the Tweed Heads Hospital. Mr. Hasler’s death resulted from multiple injuries he received when the motorcycle he was riding left the road at speed and collided with a tree during the course of a police Section 22A Recommendation:
To the Commissioner of Police:
1. That the NSW Police Safe Driving Policy and the Coded System of Safe Driving be integrated and reviewed and clarified with a view to ensuring that ambiguity as to the obligations officers who are required to engage in traffic stops, urgent duties and pursuits are removed.
2. That consideration be given to the inclusion of a knife in the equipment carried by highway patrol vehicles to assist officers who find themselves needing to free persons who might be trapped in motor vehicle collisions or other such situations.
