A gifted, dedicated and tenacious investigator, Detective Sergeant Berlinda Jane CUSH tragically took her own life on this day in 2008. We remember your infectious laugh and amazing smile around the Boondall CIB office…
You are missed and loved each and every day.
Blue HOPE stands ready.
Policewoman’s suicide shocks workmates
CourierMail
POLICEWOMAN shot and killed herself with her own gun at a suburban police complex yesterday. The tragedy has stunned workmates.
Acting Detective Senior Sergeant Belinda Cush, 37, walked into the Queensland Police complex in Wecker Rd at Mansfield, picked up her police-issue Glock pistol, fired a shot into a chair and then turned the weapon on herself.
Queensland Police Union president Cameron Pope said she greeted colleagues when she arrived at the Prostitution Enforcement Task force just after 8am but then did not speak to anyone before the shooting.
“There is nothing that we have seen or that I am aware of that could have prevented this incident,” Mr Pope said. “There has not been a single issue raised that I’m aware of that was an indicator to this incident.”
He said her workmates were struggling to cope with the tragedy, the reasons for which remain a mystery.
” Several police were actually there when it happened, ” he said. “Between the service and the union, counselling is being provided to any number of persons who require it and that’ll be monitored closely to make sure that all the officers who’ve suffered from this can get as much treatment as possible. ”
Det Snr-Sgt Cush worked in various ” high-profile areas of the service ” and was very well-respected, he said.
” I spoke to her officer-in-charge this morning and he was very distressed about the matter and he was very glowing in his description and praise of her, ” Mr Pope said.
” She was very highly regarded by members of the service and certainly her superior officers. There were a lot of platitudes coming out for this lady. ”
In addition to the police chaplains, Mr Pope said officers had a number of support services to assist with the daily demands and stresses of police work.
” In every police establishment there is what’s called a peer support officer who police can approach about any issue. There’s also human support officers who check the daily occurrence sheets and follow up officers involved in major incidents and of course there’s the police chaplains who do a wonderful job, ” he said.
In the past 10 years, there have been two other incidents of police officers taking their own lives at work at Ipswich and Smithfield stations.
” It’s not a prevalent problem, thank goodness, ” Mr Pope said.
The Prostitution Enforcement Task force is one of several ” specialised ” units that operates out of the police building in Wecker Road, and it investigates complaints about illegal prostitution.
A QPS spokesperson said the circumstances of Det Snr-Sgt Cush’s death were being investigated, but it was considered non-suspicious. A report will be completed for the coroner
Readers seeking support and information about suicide prevention can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or SANE Helpline on 1800 18 SANE (7263).
Government Gazette of the State of New South Wales (Sydney, NSW : 1901 – 2001),
Friday 21 September 1979 (No.130), page 4775
ANY person having any claims upon the estate of GERARD PETER JOHNSTON, late of Randwick, who died on 11th January, 1979, must send particulars of his claim to the administrators, Francis Norman Johnston and Kathleen Therese Johnston, c.o. Laurence & Laurence, 54 Carrington Street, Sydney, on or before 4th December, 1979. The administrators will distribute the assets in the estate, having regard only to the claims of which at that date they have notice. Letters of administration were granted in New South Wales on 27th June, 1979. LAURENCE & LAURENCE, Solicitors, 54 Carrington Street, Sydney, N.S.W. 2000 (D.X. 115).
RIP Sir,
Thank you for your service ????
Please seek help
Thoughts to your loved ones, and the
Thin Blue Line BLUE HOPE
Lifeline Australia: 13 11 14
Beyond Blue: 1300 224 636
Relationships Australia: 1300 364 277
WARNING: Distressing content
An Australian Federal Police officer has died in shockingly similar circumstances to another four members who took their lives in the workplace over the last two years.
The man, from Melbourne, reportedly turned his service weapon on himself in a Canberra motel room overnight while on a work trip in the capital.
News.com.au understands his body was discovered by a colleague.
It brings the total number of AFP officers to have died by suicide at work using their firearms since February 2017, to five.
An AFP spokesperson told news.com.au it could “confirm that a member of the AFP appears to have taken their own life”.
“A brief is now being prepared for the ACT Coroner,” the spokesperson said.
“The AFP is providing support to the member’s family and colleagues.”
The AFP didn’t respond to further questions.
The man — who news.com.au has chosen to not yet identify — was an Air Security Officer (ASO) responsible for the containment or resolution of high-risk security incidents on domestic and international flights.
According to the AFP’s website, the main purpose of an ASO is to respond to threats or attempts of hijack by terrorists or other criminals.
ASO’s are extensively trained in many disciplines including negotiation, defensive tactics, specialist firearm handling and small team techniques,” it reads.
The latest apparent suicide death by a member comes amid an ongoing cultural crisis within the AFP.
The embattled organisation has made efforts to increase mental health support following the spate of workplace suicides but has grappled to tackle the problem. In January this year, AFP Commissioner Andrew Colvin revealed the force was restricting its officers’ access to firearms, in direct response to the suicides.
“There is no one thing that will solve what is a complex problem but we have made changes to our firearms access policies,” Mr Colvin told the ABC at the time.
As part of that new policy, members are now required to provide a reason to check out their weapons while off duty. But for those dying by suicide while on-duty — the tally continues to climb.
One AFP officer, who spoke to news.com.au on the condition of anonymity, described the man who died overnight as a “really good guy”.
The source said he saw his friend last week and that he had “seemed OK”.
“They need a Royal commission into what’s going on. So many members are stressed,” he said.
“In all my 20 years of policing, I have never felt so deflated by an organisation.”
The workplace suicide deaths, once unprecedented, have become a disturbingly frequent occurrence within the organisation in recent years.
AFP officer Sue Jones turned her service weapon on herself in the bathroom at the organisation’s Melbourne headquarters in February 2017.
Since Ms Jones’ death, almost 100 AFP whistleblowers have contacted news.com.au to report a severe mismanagement of widespread mental health issues and a disturbing internal bullying culture within the organisation.
Many of the past and present sworn members who came forward claimed the toxic culture had culminated in the workplace suicides and warned that more deaths were inevitable.
Among them was an agent who, following Ms Jones’ death, made a chilling prediction that has since become a reality.
“It’s like looking at a whole lot of ticking time bombs and wondering which one will go off,” he said of his colleagues. Another four AFP officers have since taken their lives at work.
An independent police advocacy spokesman, who asked not to be named, told news.com.au he was concerned officers might be trying to send a message by taking their lives in the workplace.
An Australian Federal Police officer has died in shockingly similar circumstances to another four members who took their lives in the workplace over the last two years.
The man, from Melbourne, reportedly turned his service weapon on himself in a Canberra motel room overnight while on a work trip in the capital.
News.com.au understands his body was discovered by a colleague.
It brings the total number of AFP officers to have died by suicide at work using their firearms since February 2017, to five.
An AFP spokesperson told news.com.au it could “confirm that a member of the AFP appears to have taken their own life”.
“A brief is now being prepared for the ACT Coroner,” the spokesperson said.
“The AFP is providing support to the member’s family and colleagues.”
The AFP didn’t respond to further questions.
The man — who news.com.au has chosen to not yet identify — was an Air Security Officer (ASO) responsible for the containment or resolution of high-risk security incidents on domestic and international flights.
According to the AFP’s website, the main purpose of an ASO is to respond to threats or attempts of hijack by terrorists or other criminals.
“ASOs are extensively trained in many disciplines including negotiation, defensive tactics, specialist firearm handling and small team techniques,” it reads.
The latest apparent suicide death by a member comes amid an ongoing cultural crisis within the AFP.
The embattled organisation has made efforts to increase mental health support following the spate of workplace suicides but has grappled to tackle the problem. In January this year, AFP Commissioner Andrew Colvin revealed the force was restricting its officers’ access to firearms, in direct response to the suicides.
“There is no one thing that will solve what is a complex problem but we have made changes to our firearms access policies,” Mr Colvin told the ABC at the time.
As part of that new policy, members are now required to provide a reason to check out their weapons while off duty. But for those dying by suicide while on-duty — the tally continues to climb.
One AFP officer, who spoke to news.com.au on the condition of anonymity, described the man who died overnight as a “really good guy”.
The source said he saw his friend last week and that he had “seemed OK”.
“They need a Royal commission into what’s going on. So many members are stressed,” he said.
“In all my 20 years of policing, I have never felt so deflated by an organisation.”
The workplace suicide deaths, once unprecedented, have become a disturbingly frequent occurrence within the organisation in recent years.
AFP officer Sue Jones turned her service weapon on herself in the bathroom at the organisation’s Melbourne headquarters in February 2017.
Since Ms Jones’ death, almost 100 AFP whistleblowers have contacted news.com.au to report a severe mismanagement of widespread mental health issues and a disturbing internal bullying culture within the organisation.
Many of the past and present sworn members who came forward claimed the toxic culture had culminated in the workplace suicides and warned that more deaths were inevitable.
Among them was an agent who, following Ms Jones’ death, made a chilling prediction that has since become a reality.
“It’s like looking at a whole lot of ticking time bombs and wondering which one will go off,” he said of his colleagues. Another four AFP officers have since taken their lives at work.
An independent police advocacy spokesman, who asked not to be named, told news.com.au he was concerned officers might be trying to send a message by taking their lives in the workplace.
In December last year, Sergeant Samantha Baglin, 44, died by suicide in the vault room at the Australian Federal Police national headquarters in Canberra.
In November 2017, AFP member Malcolm Scott, 59, walked into the foyer of the organisation’s Melbourne headquarters and took his own life just before 9am on a Saturday.
Mr Scott’s death followed that of colleague Sue Jones, 53, a mother-of-two who died in shockingly similar circumstances in the bathroom of the same building earlier that year. Mr Scott and Ms Joneshad worked on the same team within the Melbourne branch, according to colleagues who spoke to news.com.au. Both deaths were later deemed to be non-suspicious.
In March last year, the high rate of suicide deaths and mental health conditions experienced by first responders — including emergency service workers and volunteers — prompted a federal Parliament committee to launch an inquiry into the role of the Commonwealth and the states to address the issues.
The Australian National Audit Office (ANAO) also announced an audit into the AFP’s management of mental health within the organisation. It was later revealed that two-thirds of men and women in the AFP experienced potentially traumatic events at some stage in their career.
The ANAO made six recommendations, which the AFP agreed to implement as part of its “new Health and Wellbeing Strategy for the organisation”.
The AFP also engaged the Phoenix Australia Centre to conduct an independent mental health review into the organisation and made 37 recommendations to be implemented over five years.
While the AFP has recently made efforts to improve its mental health support services for staff, many officers want more outside support.
Commissioner Colvin in May last year laid out the increasing workload on the force. The number of crimes involving victims, who might be children, had gone up 200 per cent, while cyber and corruption investigations were also on the rise.
“The demand side is increasing, there’s no question on that,” he said.
But police resources had not increased and this has added to pressure on the force.
In March this year, the AFP announced it had started a partnership with Lifeline, and would roll out a Road to Mental Readiness course over two years in a bid to equip officers with coping strategies and tools to encourage them to address mental health concerns earlier.
At the time, Mr Colvin said a critical element of addressing mental health in the organisation was cultural change.
“We still have a long way to go but if we keep implementing these positive initiatives with partners who are experts in the field we know we will make ground,” he told The Australian at the time.
AFP chief medical officer Katrina Sanders said the AFP’s 6641 members would be asked to use their imagination to prepare for stressful events, taught coping strategies such as how to use breathing to calm down and reduce stress, and given a self-assessment tool to consider their own mental fitness.
“Will it prevent further suicides? That’s also hard to say, we hope so,” she said in March.
“But certainly the research and the evidence around it is it does improve resilience and we know that’s critical to health protection.”
One AFP source, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, previously told news.com.au that the organisation “needs intense scrutiny that the agencies can’t cover up”.
“We have an expression in our job: TJF — this job’s f***ed,” the source said.
“Morale is in the toilet. We know we have no support and no backing from most of the management.”
AFPA president Angela Smith said the matters raised by the whistleblowers were of “significant public interest” and that members had gone public because they were “at their wits end”.
In a previous statement, an AFP spokesman said the commissioner had “made it clear that the health and wellbeing of our people is his and the organisation’s highest priority”.
Today we farewell our friend Sam Baglin-Limu aka “Baggers”.
There are still answers sought and comprehending how this all happened.
But today is not for that, today is to remember our friend, work mate, AFP agent in different roles, wife, daughter, sister, advocate, carer, support officer for others trauma, many, many roles she did.
Sam you will be missed, you will always be loved. We will continue through our work to give you a voice. You’ve left us too soon, our hearts broken, as yours must have been to for this to happen.
Sammy’s funeral is today at 2pm, in Melbourne.
An AFP remembrance service was also held at the AFP national headquarters in Canberra at the same time.
Rest now Sammy, your shift is over, your duty done. ❤
BAGLIN-LIMU, Samantha Jane
BAGLIN-LIMU.
The Funeral Service to Celebrate the Life of Samantha Jane Baglin-Limu will be held at the Victoria Police Academy Chapel, 1 View Mount Road, Glen Waverley on TUESDAY (Dec 18, 2018) commencing at 2.00 p.m.
Private Cremation will follow.
No flowers by request.
In lieu, donations to Beyond Blue would be appreciated.
Envelopes will be available at the Service or donate online to www.beyondblue.org.au
AFP has ‘blood on its hands’ over agent’s death
EXCLUSIVE
WARNING: Distressing.
A FEDERAL agent who provided crucial support to family members of flight MH17 victims has died in an apparent workplace suicide at the Australian Federal Police national headquarters.
Sergeant Samantha Baglin, 44, was found dead in the vault room at the Edmund Barton building in Canberra on Sunday morning. It comes just six weeks after Superintendent Richard Roberts also took his own life in the same place and less than two years after another two AFP agents separately died by suicide at the Melbourne headquarters.
Friends of Sgt Baglin told news.com.au that the AFP “has blood on its hands” over its alleged failure to provide adequate support for members suffering from mental health issues.
An AFP spokesperson confirmed in a statement to news.com.au “that on Sunday, 9 December 2018, a member of the AFP appears to have taken her own life”.
“A brief is now being prepared for the ACT coroner,” the spokesperson said.
The AFP did not respond to further questions regarding the matter.
Several AFP sources told news.com.au that Sgt Baglin was involved in the organisation’s Safe Place – a cultural reform initiative led by AFP commissioner Andrew Colvin amid widespread revelations of internal bullying and a spate of workplace suicides.
Those who knew Sgt Baglin described her as kind, with “a heart of gold”, and said she would make others “laugh to the point where we would suffer cramps”.
Sgt Baglin married just over a year ago but battled with work-related PTSD.
Former AFP agent and Australian of the Year finalist Katie Tonacia told news.com.au she was “shocked” and “devastated” over the loss of her close friend.
The pair met through Ms Tonacia’s organisation Picking up the Peaces, which provides support to uniformed service personnel struggling with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), almost a decade ago.
“None of us saw this coming,” Ms Tonacia said.
“But she was upset in terms of a few things occurring in the workplace, and the fact she did this at work is such a statement to all of us.”
According to Ms Tonacia, Sgt Baglin was “desperate to see change within the organisation and wanted to see mental health education implemented”.
“If she’d identified as mentally unwell to the AFP it would have gone against her in her career and she loved her career,” she said.
“The stigma and lack of education about mental health at the top level of management just below the commissioner is rife and that’s why she came to us in 2009.”
Ms Tonacia’s husband David is medically retired from the AFP. He told news.com.au that the organisation “has blood on its hands” over its alleged failure to provide adequate support for members suffering from mental health issues.
Sgt Baglin had an extensive policing career both in Australia and as part of the AFP’s International Deployment Group in which she served on overseas missions. She had also operated as a family liaison officer for the AFP and worked closely in Perth with the Maslin family, who lost their three children and their grandfather, in the flight MH17 disaster in 2014.
One close friend of Sgt Baglin’s, who spoke to news.com.au on the condition of anonymity, said she was “such a big-hearted and sensitive person” who “loved being a cop and loved helping people”.
“It was like a therapy for her to help other people in dealing with trauma,” he said. “She was especially good at it.”
Samantha Jane BAGLIN-LIMU
Ms Tonacia told news.com.au that Sgt Baglin had recently expressed frustrations to her about the AFP having only two in-house qualified psychologists for the entire organisation of some 6000 members, as previously revealed by news.com.au.
“Wherever there’s smoke, there’s fire and by God it is blazing at that building right now,” Ms Tonacia said.
“The AFP has failed (Sgt Baglin) and so many others because they don’t trust the system.
“There needs to be a royal commission so we can get to the bottom of it and get all of those responsible out. We won’t let her death be in vain.”
Another AFP whistle-blower said it was “petty managerial and micro-managerial bulls**t breaking people devoted to their jobs” in the AFP.
“We can’t attribute all bad things to the AFP’s culture but one thing is for certain, had (Sgt Baglin) been a kindergarten teacher, or run her own business, we wouldn’t be talking about this,” he said.
“There is nothing worse than coming back to the office after a day of dealing with death or whatever, only to be counselled for not ticking the correct box in a case report, or something similar that is easily corrected and carries no operational consequence.”
One AFP source told news.com.au he was a friend and former colleague of Sgt Baglin’s and that “she didn’t deserve this”.
Six weeks prior to Sgt Baglin’s death, Superintendent Richard Roberts also walked into the AFP national headquarters and didn’t come out alive.
The Australian Federal Police Association revealed Supt Roberts “appears to have taken his own life” on October 27.
An AFP spokesman also confirmed at the time that “a member of the AFP” had died, in a statement to news.com.au. The AFP did not respond to further questions.
News.com.au understands Commissioner Colvin “spoke to troops” to inform them of Supt Roberts’ death in an email and video to colleagues nationwide. It’s a process he is likely to repeat sometime today.
The latest AFP workplace suicide is the fourth incident in which an officer appeared to take their own life inside one of the organisation’s buildings since the start of last year.
In November 2017, AFP member Malcolm Scott, 59, walked into the foyer of the organisation’s Melbourne building and took his own life just before 9am on a Saturday.
Mr Colvin said at the time that it was “with great sadness I can confirm one of our police officers has died in Melbourne”.
“The male officer was found by colleagues in the AFP’s Melbourne Headquarters in La Trobe Street,” he said.
Mr Scott’s death followed that of colleague Sue Jones, 53, a mother-of-two who died in shockingly similar circumstances in the same building earlier that year. Mr Scott and Ms Jones had worked on the same team within the Melbourne branch, according to colleagues who spoke to news.com.au. Both deaths were later deemed to be non-suspicious.
An independent police advocacy spokesman, who asked not to be named, previously told news.com.au he was concerned officers might be trying to send a message by taking their lives in the workplace.
‘THIS JOB’S F***ED’
One AFP source, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, previously told news.com.au that the organisation “needs intense scrutiny that the agencies can’t cover up”.
“We have an expression in our job: TJF – this job’s f***ed,” the source said.
“Morale is in the toilet. We know we have no support and no backing from most of the management.”
The source described the company’s external Employee Assistance Program as inadequate.
“If the Employee Assistance Program they always reference was adequate we wouldn’t have members falling like flies.”
There are more than 6000 AFP members – 3481 of those are in sworn roles – nationwide.
An AFP spokesperson previously said the organisation “acknowledges first responders are at higher risk of trauma-caused mental injury than almost any other profession”.
According to the AFP in 2017, the organisation employs two social workers, “5.6 full-time equivalent” psychologists and “4.4 full-time equivalent nurses” – all based in Canberra.
But AFP members outside of Canberra do not have face-to-face access to qualified psychologists through the organisation. They are instead given a number for an employee assistance program with over-the-phone support from any one of 658 outsourced psychologists and 132 registered social workers through Davidson Trahaire.
A Confidant Network made up of volunteers and AFP members is also in place to “provide guidance to staff on options for professional support if needed”. According to the AFP, it also employs seven chaplains across the country.
“There is also one part-time family support officer based in Canberra, who is available for families of members deployed with International Operations and ad hoc government response to large-scale disasters such as the downing of MH17,” an AFP statement read.
But many AFP agents have criticised the services, labelling them ineffective and impersonal. They say they need face-to-face access to qualified psychologists so they don’t have to “retell (their) stories to a different person every time (they) call”.
“We need someone to talk to in person who is qualified in psychology and who understands the nature of issues AFP agents deal with … it’s not that complicated,” a sworn member said.
In March this year, the high rate of suicide deaths and mental health conditions experienced by first responders – including emergency service workers and volunteers – prompted a federal Parliament committee to launch an inquiry into the role of the Commonwealth and the states to address the issues.
The inquiry is expected to release its report on the matter in February 2019.
It came after almost 100 past and present AFP agents contacted news.com.au to report widespread mental health issues among first responders within the organisation, mismanagement of the issue and a disturbing internal bullying culture.
News.com.au exposed the issues in an investigative series, which prompted the Australian National Audit Office (ANAO) to audit the AFP’s management of mental health within the organisation.
The report, released on March 7 this year, found that the “AFP lacks a comprehensive and consolidated organisational health and wellbeing framework to enable effective management and support of employee mental health”.
“While the AFP offers a variety of mental health support services, there is no evidence that these services are effective and they are not supported by sound governance, risk management, evaluation or an articulated business rationale,” the report read.
“The AFP does not currently have in place mechanisms or sufficient data to appropriately align resources with key mental health risks.”
The ANAO made six recommendations, which the AFP agreed to implement as part of its “new Health and Wellbeing Strategy for the organisation” by mid-May this year.
The AFP also engaged the Phoenix Australia Centre to conduct an independent mental health review into the organisation. It released its report earlier this year and made 37 recommendations to be implemented over five years.
But for some, it’s already proven too little, too late.
If you or someone you know needs help call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636
For more information on how to support others who might need help and what warning signs to look for, visit: Conversations Matter
AFP officer workplace suicides: Headquarters scene of second tragic death
A SECOND workplace suicide has rocked the Australian Federal Police after another member died at the Melbourne Headquarters.
AN AUSTRALIAN Federal Police officer who is believed to have taken his own life inside the Melbourne Headquarters over the weekend was the second to do so in the building this year.
It was the latest in a string of apparent workplace suicides that have rocked the embattled organisation.
News.com.au understands that AFP member Malcolm Scott, 59, walked into the foyer of the building and died by suicide just before 9am on Saturday.
AFP Commissioner Andrew Colvin said it was “with great sadness I can confirm one of our police officers has died in Melbourne … as a result of a gunshot wound”.
“The male officer was found by colleagues in the AFP’s Melbourne Headquarters in La Trobe Street,” Mr Colvin said.
Independent police advocacy and support group Blue Hope spokesman Mark Kelly said: “It’s tragic and does point to problems in the AFP.
“We’ve been contacted by a lot of members who have been struggling with PTSD.”
Mr Kelly said he was concerned officers might be trying to send a message by taking their lives in the workplace.
The circumstances in the lead up to Mr Scott’s or Ms Jones’ deaths are not yet publicly known. But the tragic incidents have highlighted an increasingly fragile workforce in an organisation that has now seen two members go to work and die there in within nine months of each other. According to AFP whistleblowers, the deaths are symptomatic of a stressed workforce that has been overexposed to a toxic — and dangerous — culture.
Ms Jones’ death prompted close to 100 current and former AFP agents to contact news.com.au about the organisation’s extreme bullying culture and its mismanagement of the issue.
Many of those who came forward said they or their loved ones had contemplated or attempted suicide because of poor treatment at the hands of the organisation and a lack of internal support.
“It’s like looking at a whole lot of ticking time bombs and wondering which one will go off,” one AFP source told news.com.au in February this year.
It was a prediction those who spoke out publicly believed would come to fruition.
There are now grave concerns from within the AFP community that some struggling members with access to firearms may not only be a risk to themselves, but also to others.
Several AFP officers who contacted news.com.au said “things have only become worse” in recent times.
“Anytime another story comes out it turns the spotlight on AFP and then the sharks come out,” one source said.
“The AFP only cares about managing their image, it’s toxic.
“There needs to be an inquiry.”
An AFP spokesman on Tuesday said members of the organisation “were shocked and saddened following the incident on Saturday — with our deepest sympathies extended to the officer’s family and colleagues”.
“The AFP recognises that policing is in inherently difficult job that can place the mental and physical health of members at risk,” the statement read.
“This is why the AFP has a range of systems and protocols in place that recognise the seriousness of mental illness, and to provide necessary support to affected members.”
Mr Scott had served in the AFP’s International Deployment Group (IDG) in East Timor and Papua New Guinea before returning to Melbourne.
Prior to that Mr Scott served as a member in Victoria Police. He was also a popular footballer who had played 10 games and kicked 26 goals for St Kilda in 1979-1980 and later played one game for Sydney. He was a country footballer with the Sebastopol, North Ballarat and Bacchus Marsh clubs.
Bacchus Marsh Club president Adam Sutherland described Mr Scott as a “special member of the Cobra family being a player, Captain, Coach, Mentor, Leading Goal Kicker, and member of the Team of the Era”.
“He is also a BFL Hall of Fame member, and decorated North Ballarat and Sebastopol player and member. Malcolm was also a very community-minded person, performing many community roles over many years, most recently of course as a member of the Australian Federal Police to do his bit to help make and keep our country safe,” Mr Sutherland said.
One of many tributes to Mr Scott that poured in on social media described him as “a great guy who touched the lives of thousands”.
“A respected veteran police officer and admired AFL coach, he quietly commanded respect, and his deeds and mannerisms made him a stand out as a true gentleman,” it read.
“His memory will live on in the hearts and minds of all those who had the privilege to meet him.
“Our sincere condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of this great officer, footballer and humanitarian.”
Victoria Police is preparing a report in relation to Mr Scott’s death for the state coroner.
“The AFP will closely consider the circumstances surrounding this recent incident as well as any recommendations from the coroner to determine if any further support or operational changes are required,” a statement from the AFP read.
One police welfare advocacy group spokesman told news.com.au: “The most important thing is that AFP should constantly be under a strong spotlight, we must never lose interest, assume that things got better, or fall for the plane-pulling stunts.”
If you need help call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636.
For more information on how to support others who might need help and what warning signs to look for, visit: Conversations Matter.
Ballarat football fraternity mourns great mentor Malcolm Scott
Tim O’Connor and Kim Quinlan
DEDICATED: Malcolm Scott, right, with Wayne Cracknell during the 2001 VCFL championships.
RESPECTED: Sebastopol coach Malcolm Scott during a 2001 match against Lake Wendouree. Picture: Lachlan Bence
GONE TOO SOON: Malcolm Scott was also a much-respected and long-serving police officer.
Ballarat’s football fraternity has vowed to rally behind the family of Ballarat Football Netball League Hall of Fame member, Malcolm Scott.
Scott, who had an illustrious playing and coaching career with Sebastopol and Bacchus Marsh clubs in the BFNL, died suddenly at the weekend.
Bacchus Marsh club president Adam Sutherland confirmed Scott’s passing to The Courier on Saturday evening.
Sutherland also posted on the Cobras’ Facebook page, informing their members of his death.
“Malcolm you have gone too soon but will live on in the hearts and memory of the Cobra family,” part of the post read.
The former St Kilda and Sydney player was a well known figure in the region’s football circles for his decorated career in the BFNL. He was also a long time member of the police force.
Scott coached the Sebastopol Football Club in 1983-85 and again in 1999-2001 and the club’s football department member Chris Parker told The Courier on Sunday the Scott family would be well supported by the entire football fraternity.
“Prue (Scott’s daughter) plays a big part in the Sebastopol FNC’s netball side and the club will rally around her, her mother and brother as much as we can,” Parker said.
Parker, who played at the Sebastopol club under the guidance of Scott as coach, described him as a great mentor.
“Malcolm led by example. He was a terrific player and coached a young side … he was an excellent mentor to the lot of us. He was a big influence on the young guys and was well-respected at the same time,” Parker said.
Parker also described Scott as eccentric. “He would often say or do something that you were not expecting.”
Scott was also modest about his football achievements. While researching Scott’s career before his induction into the BFNL Hall of Fame, Parker asked the Sebastopol coach about his AFL playing career, which included 11 games with St Kilda.
“That’s not worth mentioning,” was Scott’s reply.
Parker said while Scott’s formal involvement with the Sebastopol FNC finished several years ago, he still liked to watch matches throughout a season.
“He will be sadly missed around the club,” Parker said.
Scott’s football achievements included:
– North Ballarat FC junior player, played over 100 junior games with premierships in all grades
– North Ballarat FC senior player, played over 100 senior games
– North Ballarat FC premiership player (1978,79,82)
– Sebastopol FC senior player, played over 50 games
– Sebastopol FC coach (1983-85, 1999-2001), runners-up (1985 & 2000)
– Sebastopol FC life member (2002)
– Bacchus Marsh FC senior player, played over 100 games
– Bacchus Marsh FC Team of the Era member (2016)
– Bacchus Marsh FC leading goal-kicker five times
– Coached junior football teams at Bacchus Marsh and Sebastopol
– Coached senior football teams at Ballan and Learmonth
– Premiership player with the Avoca FC (1996). Also won league goal-kicking award
– Tony Lockett Medalist for most goals kicked in a BFL season (1987, 1990)
– Played 20 matches with the Ballarat FL senior interleague side. Member of the division 1 championship teams (1981-83)
– Represented the VCFL at the state championships (1984)
– Ballarat FL interleague coach of VCFL Country Championship Division 2 winning side (2001)
– Picked in the best team ever for the Sebastopol FC, Bacchus Marsh FC and North Ballarat FC
For help and support call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or beyondblue on 1300 224 636
Sadly, another Australian Police Officer has suicided.
That member was with the Australian Federal Police ( AFP ) in Canberra.
By all accounts, he was a good person and had only hours prior, posted on Facebook and appeared happy.
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AFP suicides: Another police officer has walked into work and not come out alive
EXCLUSIVE. The third Australian police officer in less than two years appears to have taken his own life at work. WARNING: Distressing.
WARNING: Distressing
FOR the third time in less than two years, an Australian Federal Police officer has walked into their work building, and not come out alive.
The Australian Federal Police Association has named Superintendent Richard Roberts as the man who “appears to have taken his own life” at the AFP national headquarters in the Edmund Barton Building, Canberra, yesterday.
An AFP spokesperson also confirmed that “a member of the AFP” had died, in a statement to news.com.au.
“A brief is now being prepared for the ACT Coroner,” the spokesperson said.
The AFP did not respond to further questions regarding the matter.
News.com.au understands the AFP commissioner Andrew Colvin this morning “spoke to troops” to inform them of the tragedy in an email and video to colleagues nationwide.
It’s the third incident in which an AFP officer appeared to take their own life inside one of the organisation’s buildings since the start of last year.
In November 2017, AFP member Malcolm Scott, 59, walked into the foyer of the organisation’s Melbourne building and took his own life just before 9am on a Saturday.
Mr Colvin said at the time that it was “with great sadness I can confirm one of our police officers has died in Melbourne”.
“The male officer was found by colleagues in the AFP’s Melbourne Headquarters in La Trobe Street,” he said.
Mr Scott’s death followed that of colleague Sue Jones, 53, a mother-of-two who died by in shockingly similar circumstances in the same building earlier that year. Mr Scott and Ms Jones had worked on the same team within the Melbourne branch, according to colleagues who spoke to news.com.au. Both deaths were later deemed to be non-suspicious.
Independent police advocacy and support group Blue Hope spokesman Mark Kelly previously told news.com.au he was concerned officers might be trying to send a message by taking their lives in the workplace.
“It’s tragic and does point to problems in the AFP,” he said.
“We’ve been contacted by a lot of members who have been struggling with PTSD.”
‘THIS JOB’S F***ED’
One AFP source, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, today told news.com.au that the only thing he believed “would fix the (organisation’s) welfare system is a royal commission”.
“It needs intense scrutiny that the agencies can’t cover up,” he said.
“We have an expression in our job: TJF — this job’s f***ed.
“Morale is in the toilet. We know we have no support and no backing from most of the management.”
The source described the company’s external Employee Assistance Program as inadequate.
“If the Employee Assistance Program they always reference was adequate we wouldn’t have members falling like flies,” he said.
“(Some soft drink companies) have a more functional and workable welfare system than we do.
“It’s not just the AFP; I know of many people from state forces and other emergency services who are struggling and getting no support.”
In March this year, the high rate of suicide deaths and mental health conditions experienced by first responders — including emergency service workers and volunteers — prompted a federal Parliament committee to launch an inquiry into the role of the Commonwealth and the states to address the issues.
The inquiry is expected to release its report on the matter in February 2019.
It came after almost 100 past and present AFP agents contacted news.com.au to report widespread mental health issues among first responders within the organisation, mismanagement of the issue, and a disturbing internal bullying culture.
News.com.au exposed the issues in an investigative series, which prompted the Australian National Audit Office (ANAO) to audit the AFP’s management of mental health within the organisation.
The report, released on March 7 this year, found that the “AFP lacks a comprehensive and consolidated organisational health and wellbeing framework to enable effective management and support of employee mental health”.
“While the AFP offers a variety of mental health support services, there is no evidence that these services are effective and they are not supported by sound governance, risk management, evaluation or an articulated business rationale,” the report read.
“The AFP does not currently have in place mechanisms or sufficient data to appropriately align resources with key mental health risks.”
The ANAO made six recommendations, which the AFP agreed to implement as part of its “new Health and Wellbeing Strategy for the organisation” by mid-May this year.
The AFP also engaged the Phoenix Australia Centre to conduct an independent mental health review into the organisation. It released its report earlier this year and made 37 recommendations to be implemented over five years.
But for some, it’s proven too little, too late.
‘THE SHOCK AND SADNESS IS VERY REAL’
Tributes have flowed in on social media for the AFP officer who died in Canberra yesterday.
“I work with him, truly great guy and a real gentleman,” one person wrote.
“The shock and sadness is very real here today. RIP mate.”
Another wrote: “Another tragic loss, thoughts go out to family, friends and colleagues. So terribly sad, please always talk, share you concerns and fears, we need to always be there for one another.”
The widow of NSW Police homicide detective Ashley Bryant, a father who took his own life in 2013, also weighed in on the tragedy — as well as an apparent suicide of a NSW paramedic the day before — in a public post on social media.
“I think that it’s important that we don’t assume those suffering from a psychological injury have not asked for help,” Deborah Bryant wrote.
“In many cases, they have indeed sought help and have been surrounded by family, friends and colleagues who have given all the support they can give.
“We need to acknowledge that disclosure of a psychological injury does not automatically make it better. It is a fight that is fought day by day, and all too often minute by minute.
“If we as a society truly want to stop these suicide deaths or indeed the many more ‘living deaths’ of our Service Personnel, then we need to rally our governments to provide the foundations of support unique to what our service men and women suffer.
“A good start would be dedicated mental health facilities, so that when they seek treatment they are not sitting in the same room as criminals and drug addicts.
“We also need to collectively demand our governments provide income support directly, rather than through privatised runners, so that our service men and women can continue to support their families and be given time to heal without the burden of unnecessary and emasculating demands to ‘prove’ they are worthy of this support.”
Condolences to the Serving Member, their mates and family.
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IGGLESDEN
(Darren Lloyd):
Passed away tragically on 15.10.2018 aged 50.
Loved and adored son of Margaret, Gary and Elsa.
Much loved brother and brother-in-law of Sharon (dec), Ryan and Sonia, Lisa and Scott, Glen and Kylie. Loving and supportive uncle to Stacee, Jayden, Cassidy, Connor, Lachlan, Katie and Hollie.
We have so many happy memories,
You will be forever in our hearts.
Darren IGGLESDEN
This Guest Book will remain online until 21/11/2018.Learn More
Add a message to the Guest Book
Thursday, 25 October 2018
IGGLESDEN (Darren): Our heartfelt condolences, love and prayers to Margaret, Gary, Ryan, Lisa and families. No words can explain how much you will be missed Igy. So grateful to have had you in our lives all these years. So many wonderful memories that will always be cherished.
RIP Mate.
Love Fieldsy, Linda, Tayla & Jordan.
~
Barry, Linda, Tayla & Jordan Field,
Spearwood, Western Australia
Wednesday, 24 October 2018
Deepest sympathy to Margaret, Ryan, Lisa and families on the tragic loss of Darren. He will be sadly missed by all who knew and loved him. Much love always Christina, Wayne and family
~
Darren Igglesden,
Perth, Western Australia
Tuesday, 23 October 2018
Our deepest sympathy to Margaret, Gary, Ryan, Lisa and Families. Iggy you will be missed so much as we did so much together . Its hard making friends, its very hard keeping friend for a long time but the hardest thing of all is saying goodbye to a friend. Mates forever, love Gibbo Leeanne Jett and Gibson family
~
Derek Gibson,
Perth, Western Australia
Sunday, 21 October 2018
All our love and condolences to Darren’s family , friends and colleagues. So sorry for the loss an amazing guy. Continue to watch over those that love you Darren as you did everyday. May you RIP Iggy
Heartfelt love and thoughts to you all from Leon,Katie,Kayla , Alanna & Theo xx
~
Katie Lombardo,
Perth, Western Australia
Sunday, 21 October 2018
Darren was a neighbor and friend your being missed already. RiP my friend
~
Frank Williams,
Spearwood
Thursday, 25 October 2018
IGGLESDEN (Darren ): To all Darren’s family and work colleagues. Our thoughts are with you. Iggy worked with us for quite some time, he was a top operator, driver and mate. R.I.P Iggy. Phil Joseph.
Wednesday, 24 October 2018
IGGLESDEN (Darren ): Our heartfelt sympathy to Margaret, Gary, Ryan, Lisa and families on your sad loss of Darren. Thinking of you all.
Love Ed, Sev, Susan, Caroline, Joy and families.
Published in: The West Australian
IGGLESDEN (Darren):
Our deepest sympathy to Margaret, Ryan, Lisa and families on the loss of Iggy. He will be sadly missed by all of us.
Pat and Margaret McKenna.
Published in: The West Australian
Monday, 22 October 2018
IGGLESDEN (Darren ): Deepest sympathy to Darren’s family and work colleagues. Remembering the days we worked for Drillex. Tony O’Meara
Published in: The West Australian
Monday, 22 October 2018
IGGLESDEN (Darren ): Our deepest sympathy and love to Margaret, Gary, Ryan, Lisa and families. Iggy you have been our friend forever and can’t imagine our lives without you in it. Our hearts are broken but take comfort you will remain in our hearts forever.
Mark, Darnelle Lombardo and family
Published in: The West Australian
Saturday, 20 October 2018
IGGLESDEN (Darren):
Our condolences to the Igglesden family, please accept our deepest sympathy for the loss of Darren. Our wonderful, caring and respected colleague. We cannot begin to imagine what you are all going through. May time heal your hearts and memories comfort you. Fremantle District Office, Cockburn Police.
Published in: The West Australian
Saturday, 20 October 2018
IGGLESDEN (Darren):
Iggy, how lucky I am to have known someone who was so hard to say goodbye to. Leanne McKenna
Published in: The West Australian
Saturday, 20 October 2018
IGGLESDEN (Darren):
The Commissioner of Police and all members of the Western Australia Police Force regret the passing of our colleague First Class Constable Darren Igglesden Registered Number 14703. Deepest sympathy to family and colleagues.
Published in: The West Australian
Saturday, 20 October 2018
IGGLESDEN (Darren):
Deepest sympathy to Margaret and all your family. Hard to believe your loss. Thinking of you all.
Colin, Pat, Della, Dale and family.
Published in: The West Australian
Friday, 19 October 2018
IGGLESDEN (Darren ): Condolences to the Igglesden family on the sudden loss of Darren. He will be sadly missed and never forgotten. RIP Iggy
The Alvey Family
Published in: The West Australian
Friday, 19 October 2018
IGGLESDEN (Darren):
Our deepest sympathy to Margaret, Ryan, Lisa and families on your sad loss of Darren. Gone too soon.
Murray, Veronica and family
Published in: The West Australian
Wednesday, 17 October 2018
IGGLESDEN (Darren ): To all of Darren’s family, friends and work colleagues, the Freeman family offer our sincere condolences. A cherished family friend who will be deeply missed by all. The Freeman Family
Published in: The West Australian
Friday, 19 October 2018
IGGLESDEN (Darren):
Margaret, Ryan, Lisa, Gary and families, our heartfelt sympathy. Lorraine, Ian and Richard
Published in: The West Australian
Friday, 19 October 2018
IGGLESDEN (Darren):
My deepest sympathy to Margaret, Gary, Ryan, Sonia, Lisa, Scott and families. Such a wonderful, kind hearted man Darren was. He will be sadly missed by many. We are all so sorry for your loss and send our deepest condolences to all family. Always here for you. Love Veronica and family
Published in: The West Australian
Friday, 19 October 2018
IGGLESDEN (Darren):
Much loved brother to Lisa and brother-in-law to Scott. Loving uncle to Stacee, Jayden and Connor. Our lives are never going to be the same. Wonderful memories we have that we will never forget. You are so loved, our hearts are so broken.
Your memory is the greatest treasure,
To have and to hold in our hearts forever.Our deepest sympathy to Darren’s fellow colleagues.
Published in: The West Australian
Friday, 19 October 2018
IGGLESDEN (Darren):
Our lives have changed forever. You were always there in times of need. Your love for your niece Cassidy was unconditional. We will never forget all the good times we shared, times that will never be the same. Our love and thoughts to the WA Police Department and Darren’s fellow colleagues.
Think of him as living,
In the hearts of those he touched.
For nothing loved is ever lost,
And he was loved so much.Your loving brother Ryan, sister-in-law Sonia and Cassidy
Published in: The West Australian
Friday, 19 October 2018
IGGLESDEN
(Darren Lloyd):
21.4.1968 – 15.10.2018 My beautiful son Darren, you have broken my heart. What am I going to do without you? We have so many happy memories, you will be forever in my heart. I will love and miss you always. Deepest sympathy to all his work colleagues.Love from Mum
Published in: The West Australian
IGGLESDEN:
The Funeral Service to celebrate the life of Darren “Iggy” Lloyd Igglesden (First Class Constable 14703) of Beeliar will commence at the Main Entrance of FREMANTLE Cemetery, Carrington St, Palmyra on FRIDAY (26.10.2018) proceeding to the West Crematorium Chapel by 11.00am.
West Australian police are investigating the death of an officer at a station in Perth, which has been temporarily closed.
Police say it appears the officer died as a result of a self-inflicted gunshot wound at Cockburn Police Station this morning.
It’s the third case of a West Australian police officer taking their life on the job in the past 10 years.
The WA Police Union and Medically Retired WA Police Officers Association have long called for more support, saying many first responders reported having suicidal thoughts after witnessing traumatic events.
In July 2015, Detective Sergeant Scott Blanchard took his own life while travelling with workmates to Kalgoorlie for a police operation involving Gypsy Joker bikies.
Deputy State Coroner Evelyn Vicker recently handed down her findings following an inquest into his death.
“I recommend WA Police health and welfare division use the police intranet to emphasise to serving members that their families should be made aware of the availability of its services,” she said.
In December 2008, Senior Sergeant Elliot Watt shot himself in the armoury of the Collie Police Station.
It was the first day back at work for the father of four after three weeks of annual leave and he had just assumed the role of acting officer in charge.
Readers seeking support and information about suicide prevention can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14, Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467 and beyondblue on 1300 22 4636.
West Australian police are investigating the death of an officer at a station in Perth, which has been temporarily closed.
Police say it appears the officer died as a result of a self-inflicted gunshot wound at Cockburn Police Station on Monday morning.
It’s the third case of a West Australian police officer taking their life on the job in the past 10 years.
The WA Police Union and Medically Retired WA Police Officers Association have long called for more support, saying many first responders reported having suicidal thoughts after witnessing traumatic events.
In July 2015, Detective Sergeant Scott Blanchard took his own life while travelling with workmates to Kalgoorlie for a police operation involving Gypsy Joker bikies.
Deputy State Coroner Evelyn Vicker recently handed down her findings following an inquest into his death.
“I recommend WA Police health and welfare division use the police intranet to emphasise to serving members that their families should be made aware of the availability of its services,” she said.
In December 2008, Senior Sergeant Elliot Watt shot himself in the armoury of the Collie Police Station.
It was the first day back at work for the father of four after three weeks of annual leave and he had just assumed the role of acting officer in charge.
‘I know what they’re going through’: Commissioner opens up on police suicide
WA Police Force Commissioner Chris Dawson has revealed how he attended the suicide of a colleague as a young 20-year-old officer.
The state’s top cop said work across the community needed to be ongoing to ensure those who wished to speak up and seek help for mental health issues were not seen as being weak.
Mr Dawson made the comments on Thursday morning on Gareth Parker’s 6PR Morning Show.
He was speaking in the wake of the tragic death of a WA police officer who died at Cockburn police station on Monday.
First Class Constable Darren Igglesden, 50, is believed to have taken his own life shortly after reporting for duty at 6am.
Mr Dawson said he visited the police station on Wednesday where he spoke openly to First Class Constable Igglesden’s colleagues.
“I’ve dealt with suicides before,” Mr Dawson said on Thursday.
“I attended a suicide of one of my colleagues as a 20-year-old, so I personally understand what they are going through.
“When it’s one of your own, it hits that much harder.
“It probably galvanises you to the reality that you are mortal and while police put on uniforms and we get given powers and authorities … you’re not immune from the frailty of human life.
“The approach taken now … is that we talk openly about it. That will continue through not just today and tomorrow but in the time ahead.”
Mr Dawson said the agency was putting much greater emphasis on following up with officers who have attended confronting incidents.
“We also need to address any sort of perceptional culture that it is a sign of weakness if you ask for help,” he said.
“We are doing a lot of work … for officers that are exposed to scenes and incidents that do have a higher level of risk and stress attached to it.”
At a press conference on Monday Mr Dawson said First Class Constable Igglesden’s death had come as a complete shock to his family, friends and workmates.
Blue Hope, a not-for-profit group whose aim is to highlight police officers’ mental health issues nationally, posted to its Facebook page on Tuesday a photo of the 50-year-old in his police uniform.
“We will probably never know why Darren took his own life but what we are absolutely sure of is the fact that WA, this country and in fact the world is now less one hero,” the post read.
IGGLESDEN:
WA POLICE UNION Members are invited to attend the Funeral Service for our late serving member Darren Lloyd Igglesden 14703 at Fremantle Cemetery on Friday (26.10.2018) at 11.00am.
WA Police officer dead from apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound at Cockburn station
Updated
WA Police are investigating the death of an officer at a police station in Perth’s southern suburbs.
Key points:
Officer apparently shot himself at Cockburn Police Station with his police-issue firearm
WA Police Commissioner Chris Dawson said the force was in shock at the news
Death comes after state coroner calls for more support services
It is understood First Class Constable Darren Igglesden, 50, died from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound at Cockburn Police Station on Monday morning.
In a statement, WA Police said support services were being offered to other officers.
The station has been temporarily closed, and the public has been asked not to attend the station until further notice. They have instead been redirected to nearby Fremantle or Mandurah stations, both of which operate 24 hours a day.
‘Popular member of the force’
Police Commissioner Chris Dawson extended his condolences to the family of Constable Igglesden and colleagues at Cockburn Police Station.
“It appears Darren has drawn his service-issued pistol from the police armoury this morning (Monday), shortly after 6:00am,” he said.
“He was found deceased by colleagues within the Cockburn police building.
“Darren’s death has come as a complete shock to his family, to his friends, and indeed the entire police force.
“At this difficult time I extend my condolences to Darren’s family, his friends, his work colleagues and everyone who knew him.
“A coronial investigation is now underway and so we should let that full investigation be completed, but there does not appear to be any other persons present at the time Darren lost his life.”
Commissioner Dawson said Constable Igglesden was a popular member of the police force.
“Constable Igglesden has been with the WA Police Force for six-and-a-half years, he joined us at about 44 years of age, he has had a varied career in the private sector prior to joining police,” he said.
“Well liked, well respected, a very popular member of the police force.”
Coroner called for more police support
The tragedy comes nearly a month after WA Deputy Coroner Evelyn Vicker released her findings into the suicide of police officer Scott Blanchard, who shot himself while on duty at Kalgoorlie in July 2015.
Ms Vicker found that while Detective Sergeant Blanchard appeared to be coping well with his job as a police officer, he had become “obsessed” that health problems he had were undiagnosable and “consequently took matters into his own hands …”
The inquest into Sergeant Blanchard‘s death heard details of the WA Police Service’s Health and Safety Division, which provides services such as confidential psychological counselling, peer support programs and chaplaincy services to officers and their families, to try to help them manage stress or issues that may arise as a result of their employment.
“At this difficult time I extend my condolences to Darren’s family, his friends, his work colleagues and everyone who knew him.
“A coronial investigation is now underway and so we should let that full investigation be completed, but there does not appear to be any other persons present at the time Darren lost his life.”
Commissioner Dawson said Constable Igglesden was a popular member of the police force.
“Constable Igglesden has been with the WA Police Force for six-and-a-half years, he joined us at about 44 years of age, he has had a varied career in the private sector prior to joining police,” he said.
“Well liked, well respected, a very popular member of the police force.”
Coroner called for more police support
The tragedy comes nearly a month after WA Deputy Coroner Evelyn Vicker released her findings into the suicide of police officer Scott Blanchard, who shot himself while on duty at Kalgoorlie in July 2015.
Ms Vicker found that while Detective Sergeant Blanchard appeared to be coping well with his job as a police officer, he had become “obsessed” that health problems he had were undiagnosable and “consequently took matters into his own hands …”
The inquest into Sergeant Blanchard‘s death heard details of the WA Police Service’s Health and Safety Division, which provides services such as confidential psychological counselling, peer support programs and chaplaincy services to officers and their families, to try to help them manage stress or issues that may arise as a result of their employment.
Police Minister Michelle Roberts said she believed the culture within the organisation was changing.
“I think the police force has changed dramatically over the last 10 years or so, in terms of encouraging officers to come forward and to show some additional care for themselves and their fellow officers,” she said.
“It used to certainly be the case that the attitude was ‘toughen up’ and to show any emotional vulnerability was seen as some kind of weakness. That’s not the attitude that’s been taken by police in recent years.
“We have had some shocking and tragic incidents in recent times where officers have had to turn out to shocking scenes, and sometimes they go to road crashes where they see shocking scenes, so we need to know that they have got the support there.
“And I have certainly received assurances from the Commissioner of Police and others that we have got good supports in place. Sometimes, though, people need to avail themselves of that support.”
Constable William Eiffe memorial unveiled by Oxley police at Bendemeer Cemetery
Breanna Chillingworth
A PERMANENT memorial to recognise a fallen officer has been unveiled near Tamworth on the 150th anniversary of his death.
Constable William Eiffe died from a gunshot wound to the thigh on January 24, 1867, and is buried in an unmarked grave in the Bendemeer cemetery.
Oxley police together with Tamworth Regional Council – who helped to construct the memorial – commemorated his career in the force in a service on Tuesday morning.
”It’s a great part of the local history to have this recorded and I think it brings some interest in the local cemetery and the history of Bendemeer,” Oxley Acting Superintendent Jeff Budd said.
“And, hopefully for centuries to come, people will be able to come here and look at this and remember what has happened in our past.”
The Singleton-based officer was on a police escort on the night before his death when he was accidentally shot in the leg.
“On the evening of Wednesday the 23rd of January, 1867, there was a gold escort moving through the Moonbi Ranges, approximately seven miles from Bendemeer,” Oxley Sergeant Josh McKenzie said.
“A rain show had caused members of the escort to retreat into the carriage, another member of the escort had handed his rifle to Constable Eiffe, he rested the rifle across his thighs with the butt resting against the side of the coach.
“It is thought that the shaking and bouncing of the carriage has caused the rifle to accidentally discharge, shooting Constable Eiffe in the thigh.”
Constable Eiffe was left at Shepherds Hut nearby and the coach returned to Tamworth.
Memorial service: Oxley Acting Superintendent Jeff Budd lays a wreath at the unveiling of the plaque at the Bendemeer cemetery. Photos: Breanna Chillingworth Memorial unveiled: Oxley Acting Superintendent Jeff Budd with Sergeant Josh McKenzie in Bendemeer.
Memorial service: Oxley Acting Superintendent Jeff Budd lays a wreath at the unveiling of the plaque at the Bendemeer cemetery. Photos: Breanna Chillingworth Memorial unveiled: Oxley Acting Superintendent Jeff Budd with Sergeant Josh McKenzie in Bendemeer.
Paying tribute: Senior Oxley police, along with officers from Kootingal, Walcha, Nowendoc and Tamworth, pictured with Tamworth councillor Phil Betts.
Memorial unveiled: Oxley Acting Superintendent Jeff Budd with Leading Senior Constable Ron Stoltenberg and Cr Phil Betts.
William EIFFE Memorial William is actually buried in an unmarked grave.
“Dr Scott of Tamworth was taken to the hut but unfortunately Constable William EIFFE died from the effects of the gunshot wound at noon on the 24th of January, 1867.”
Acting Superintendent Budd said the service was a reminder of how far the force had come in 150 years.
It is thought that the shaking and bouncing of the carriage has caused the rifle to accidentally discharge.
Sergeant Josh McKenzie
“One of the things that would be a tragedy today is for this to occur and his family to not be supported,” he said. “In the days of Constable William Eiffe, his wife and four children would have been destitute without the support we have today and we should be grateful for that.”
Of Note: Searching NSW State Archives & Records on 14 May 2018:
There are NO surnames of FYFFE
There are NO surnames of EFFE
There are NO surnames of EIFFE
There were no Williams born in 1834
There is no Registered number 1154 on that website. There is 1153 ( Beatty ) and 1155 ( Moloney ) but no 1154
A wildcard search on ‘FFE‘ didn’t reveal any similar names or anyone born in 1834 on THAT website.
Danny Webster notes on 24 January 2017:
He is sometimes referred to as “Fyffe” and “Effe”, however the Registers of Police Employment 1847–1885 provides the spelling as “Eiffe”, his registered number as 1154, the fact that he was married at the time of appointment and that he was a former soldier.
The New South Wales Police Gazettes of 5 March, 1862, 3 April, 1867 (£100 gratuity awarded to his wife), and 3 July, 1867 indicate “Eiffe”.
His death was registered at Armidale as “Eiffe”.
He is incorrectly listed in the official New South Wales Police Honour Roll as William “Effe”.
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This was originally recorded as:
Constable William FYFFE
Accidentally Shot
Tamworth
24 January, 1867
On 16 January, 1867 Constable Fyffe was performing gold escort duty on a coach travelling between Bendemeer and Tamworth. It is thought that the shaking of the coach caused a rifle to accidentally discharge, shooting the constable. The wounded constable was left in a shepherd’s hut while the coach continued to Tamworth to obtain medical assistance. Dr Scott of Tamworth provided assistance for the constable, however the wound was to prove fatal and he died the following Thursday. He is sometimes referred to as William Effe.
The Sydney Morning Herald dated 25 January, 1867 reported that news from Tamworth had been received that ” Last evening, Constable Fyffe, on gold escort duty, was accidentally shot in the thigh whilst riding in the coach on Moonby Ranges, seven miles from Bendemere. His rifle accidentally discharged, it is supposed, by the shaking of the coach. He was left at a shepherd’s hut. The escort proceeded to Tamworth, and on its arrival there Dr. Scott was immediately started off. Fyffe died from the effects of the wound at noon today. He has left a wife and large family at Singleton.
The constable was born in 1834 and joined the police force on 11 August, 1857. In 1862 he became a member of the newly-formed New South Wales Police Force. At the time of his death he was stationed at Singleton.
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Alexander David ADAMS
| 24/04/2020
Alexander David ADAMS
Late of ?
Victoria Police Force
Regd. # ?????
Rank: Sergeant – Suspended
Stations: ?, St Kilda – Suspension
Service: From? ? ? to? ? ? = ? years Service
Awards: No find on It’s An Honour
Born: ? ? ?
Died on: Wednesday 22 December 1982
Age: ?
Cause: Suicide – shotgun
Event location: ?, Frankston, Victoria
Event date: Wednesday 22 December 1982
Funeral date: ? ? ?
Funeral location: ?
Funeral Parlour: ?
Buried at: ?
Memorial located at: ?
[alert_yellow]ALEXANDER is NOT mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance[/alert_yellow] *NEED MORE INFO
[divider_dotted]
FURTHER INFORMATION IS NEEDED ABOUT THIS PERSON, THEIR LIFE, THEIR CAREER AND THEIR DEATH.
Canberra Times (ACT : 1926 – 1995), Wednesday 15 December 1976, page 16
NOTES FOUND, COURT TOLD
MELBOURNE, Tuesday. – – A cache of notes found in the home of a Melbourne man was thought to be valuable evidence in relation to the Victorian Club robbery, an armed robbery squad detective told the Melbourne City Court today.
Detective-Senior Constable Alexander Adams said he went to the man’s home in Kett Street, Nunawading on July. 14, looking for a man known as Stanley Ernest James.
He said Mr James was wanted for questioning in connection with the Victorian Club robbery in April this year.
Detective Adams said Mr Daniel Hacking opened the door of his home wearing pyjamas when he went with other police to Kett Street at 10.35pm on July 14.
He said he found large bundles of money in a plastic bag in a set of drawers in a built-in wardrobe. He said Mr Hacking told him he was looking after the money for his brother-in-law, Mr Stan James.
Mr Hacking and his wife were charged with having unlawfully possessed $11,400 in notes of various denominations reasonably suspected of being stolen, and with having handled the same amount of money, knowing it was stolen, between June 1 and July 14 this year.
Mr Hacking was committed for trial on the second charge. He pleaded not guilty and was allowed bail of S500 with a similar surety.
The charge of having unlawfully possessed the money was adjourned to a date to be fixed.
Charges against Mrs Hacking were dismissed.
Mr Norman Leung Lee, 28, of Kerferd Street, Essendon, appeared in the Melbourne City Court today on a charge involving the robbery of $1.3 million.
Mr Lee, a dim sim maker, is charged with armed robbery on Mr Norman Paragree. an armed guard, of $1,387,540 at the Victorian Club in Queen Street on April 21.
Mr Lee is also charged with having received $124,000 in cash between April 21 and October 5.
Mr Lee was recently granted bail in the Supreme Court.
Mr L. T. Griffin CSM respited his bail today and adjourned the charges to March 24 next year.
Canberra Times (ACT : 1926 – 1995), Wednesday 3 October 1979, page 14
Sergeant pocketed bail: witness
MELBOURNE: A Sydney man told the County Court in Melbourne yesterday that a St Kilda policeman had pocketed $500 that he had given to him for bail money in 1977.
Mr John Mitchell Purvis, of Rose Bay, told the court he thought he had “been had” after the policeman refused to give him a receipt for the money.
Mr Purvis was giving evidence before Judge Ravech at the trial of a suspended policeman, Sergeant Alexander David Adams.
Sergeant Adams has pleaded not guilty to having obtained $500 by deception, having stolen $500 and having received a secret commission of $500.
The Crown prosecutor, Mr J. T. Hassett, told the jury that the charges were alternative counts and related to an incident alleged to have occurred on August 3 at the St Kilda CIB office.
Mr Hassett said that Mr Purvis had owned a milk bar in Elwood in August last year and Sergeant Adams had been one of a number of policemen who questioned him about stolen property found in his shop.
He said Mr Purvis had been taken to the Prahran police station to be charged with receiving stolen property and had asked Sergeant Adams on the way about bail.
Mr Hassett said Sergeant Adams asked him, “How would $500 suit?” Mr Purvis had later been released on bail on his own undertaking, which meant he did not have to lodge any bail money.
Mr Purvis said that Sergeant Adams asked him to come to the St Kilda CIB the next day and he thought he was going there “to pay bail money”.
He went to the CIB office the next morning and gave Sergeant Adams $500 in cash.
“I took the money out and gave it to Adams and asked for a receipt”, he said.
“He said, ‘You’re not getting a receipt’. He took the money and stuck it in his pocket”.
Canberra Times (ACT : 1926 – 1995), Thursday 23 December 1982, page 8
Shot officer ‘on charge’
MELBOURNE: A Melbourne police sergeant who was found dead in a car at suburban Frankston yesterday morning had appeared in the Melbourne City Court on Tuesday on a blackmail charge.
Police said that Sergeant Alexander David Adams had been found with a gunshot wound to the head. A shotgun and a note were found near his body.
Police said that Sergeant Adams had been suspended from duty and had entered no plea at his court appearance yesterday.
On behalf of Bruce’s sons, Simon, Joshua, Paul and Myself we would like to invite you to Bruce’s funeral to celebrate his life with us.
Tuesday 1st May 2018 at 10.30am
Mt Thompson Memorial Gardens and Crematorium – East Chapel
329 Nursery Road, Holland Park.
Post from Mark Kelly, Director Blue HOPE
It is with great sadness that I announce the death of Bruce Cooper who tragically died by suicide on the morning of Saturday, 21 April 2018.
He was 59 years old.
A 20-year veteran police officer, Bruce served with pride for 10 years with the NSW Police Force and another 10 years with the Queensland Police Service before leaving the job in 2008.
Policing took its toll on Bruce. He struggled with chronic PTSD for a long time and, like many who struggle with PTSD, Bruce tried to numb the pain with alcohol. Bruce was a fighter though; he fought his way back and had control over alcohol for a long time. The nightmares, painful memories and horrific images however, would not relent.
I first met Bruce in 2016, when he hit a hurdle and relapsed. His amazing wife Michelle reached out and we decided together that I would drop by to say G’day. I arrived unannounced and met a man who was in immense pain and struggling badly. At first, he was reluctant to talk so we just sat together watching television while he sized me up out of the corner of his eye.
Trusting people was hard for Bruce. He’d been let down many times in his life and aside from a couple of close friends and his family, he didn’t easily let people in. He was also a fixer; a man of great skill who could build and repair just about anything he turned his mind to. Cars, trucks, motorbikes, things around the house. You name it, Bruce could fix it.
Sadly, when it came to his own demons, Bruce couldn’t find a fix and he was reluctant to ask for, or accept help. So needless to say, he was a bit cross at me and Michelle when I showed up that day.
[blockquote]He was also embarrassed and as he told me later, “bloody ashamed”.[/blockquote]
We didn’t speak much at first. I’d share a bit and he’d open up a little bit and after a while the rapport that so often occurs between coppers started to build. Bruce was still wary though. He was also embarrassed and as he told me later, “bloody ashamed”. It’s hard to admit that you’re not ok and it can be even harder to admit that you need help. Eventually though, Bruce started to talk. We talked about his life, his sons, his grandchildren and his love for Michelle (his “Shelle Machine”). We talked about cars, motorbikes and eventually we started to talk about the job. That was hard for Bruce. He had seen and experienced a lot as a police officer. Police see some awful things, but I think Bruce got more than his share.
So, we sat together for hours; hours became days and thankfully, in time Bruce got some help. He entered a treatment program and was placed into the care of some great mental health professionals. Bruce and I became friendly, talking and texting occasionally. He’d often tease me about the day we met and the blue shoes I was wearing that day. He was a funny bugger. He seemed to be doing pretty well and, in the Winter of 2017, he and Michelle came to a Blue HOPE car show to say Hi. We hugged, and I was struck by how well he looked. He had spark and it seemed that the future looked pretty bright.
[blockquote]“It’s too fucking hard”, “It hurts so much”[/blockquote]
Unfortunately, towards the end of 2017, Bruce relapsed after a death in the family. I called in to see him and was shocked to see how much pain he was in. The Bruce I knew was still there, but the demons had resurfaced and taken hold. Everyone who knew and loved Bruce was rallying around him to encourage him to get back into treatment, but he didn’t want to go. “It’s too fucking hard”, “It hurts so much”, he told me. His pain was unfathomable. He wanted to get better. He wanted to beat PTSD. He wanted the nightmares and images to go away. He wanted to help others. Bruce had so much to offer the world but first he needed to get help.
We all had countless conversations about options and eventually, Bruce started to attend his appointments again. After a rough few weeks things were starting to look up. We spoke from time to time, I’d see him on social media and he’s touch base regularly via text, signing off with his traditional gorilla emoji. He seemed ok; but he wasn’t.
During the morning of Saturday 21 April, I received a call from Michelle saying that Bruce was in crisis; asking if I could come. He had somehow come into the possession of an old firearm and was talking about hurting himself. The police were immediately called, and I raced over to offer what assistance I could.
When I arrived, police, ambulance and tactical units were in attendance, all carefully positioned out of Bruce’s view. Thankfully, I was allowed through the cordon to speak with the police in command, provide a briefing to the negotiators and most importantly provide support for Michelle. I did not have the opportunity to speak with Bruce. Sadly, before anybody could make contact with him, Bruce took his life.
It’s important that I thank the members of the Queensland Police and the QLD Ambulance who were present. The QPS negotiation team in particular were incredibly professional, caring and supportive to all present. All emergency services personnel present should be commended for their incredible efforts to save Bruce.
To Bruce… Coops, I’m sad and I’m angry but I’m also thankful that you are no longer in pain. I’m sorry I couldn’t do more. For what it’s worth, I’m a better man for having known you. Rest well mate.
Finally, to everyone who is reading this.
If you are struggling, know this. Recovery starts and ends with you. You might have all the help in the world at your fingertips but unless you accept responsibility for your own recovery and surrender yourself to the healing process, recovery will elude you. It’s not enough to just show up for appointments; you have to get your hands dirty and do the hard work. This can mean going to hospital, accepting psychiatric and psychological treatment, taking the meds and persisting with recovery groups. Don’t just turn up. Engage with it. Your life depends on it.
Yes, it will be a grind. In fact, it will seem unbearable at times but all of the people that I know who are doing well (myself included) know that this is the only path. It’s hard and it’ll take time but it’s worth it. Not only for you, but for your family.
No police officer I have ever met was diagnosed with PTSD as a result of being a coward. If you were strong once, you can be strong again. I promise you that it can be OK.
Blue HOPE stands ready to help.
Thanks for taking the time to read about this terrific man.
Today we remember Bruce Cooper who died by suicide on this day 2 years ago in Brisbane.
Indelibly marked by trauma in his early life, Bruce channelled his life experience into something better; joining the NSW Police Force where he served for 10 years before moving to Queensland where he served a further 10 years with the Queensland Police Service.
I first met Bruce briefly in 2002, when we were both in the job, but our paths didn’t cross again until 14 years later when his wife Michelle re-introduced us during his struggle with trauma, PTSD and alcohol addiction. After a while, we became good friends and the next couple of years were a mix of happiness, hope, sadness and frustration as Bruce improved in clinical programs, only to relapse sometime later. He did his best, but trauma and addiction had their hooks in him. He had so much love and support in his life. Honestly, if love and support alone could have saved him, Bruce would still be alive today.
I wish it was that simple.
Despite the efforts of those who loved him and tried to help, Bruce lost his battle. Many people worked so hard to save Bruce that awful day. We waited nearby, as incredible members from the QPS tried valiantly to reach out to him; we tried to help them with as much information that we could provide …. we prayed and we waited. We honestly thought that he would be recovered safely but that wasn’t to be. We all failed to get through…. and Bruce took his life. The rest is indescribable, so I won’t try. It wasn’t really Bruce in that moment; it was his pain, his trauma and his addiction that took him away. He loved us and we loved him, and we live in hope that he is now in a better, more peaceful place.
Today, Michelle and I visited Bruce at his resting place. We sat and we chatted. We reflected on his life and we thought about the meaning that this tragedy can have for others. What can we learn?
What I know is this. When you are faced with the impossible, the pain and the struggle you have to decide what is important. You have to decide what kind of person you are. All the support and love in the world can be available to you, but you have to make the choice to accept it and engage with it. Taking your life, ultimately robs the world of your potential to be more. You have so much to give, even if you don’t realise that now. Ask yourself, “What will my legacy be?”
Most importantly, suicide leaves a trail of destruction in its wake. When I look at my dear friend Michelle, I see an amazing woman who is trying to rebuild her life as best she can; in her own way, in her own time, and on her terms. Grief permeates every aspect of life, but I know she will prevail. As CS Lewis wrote, “Her loss was like the sky; spread over everything.” I was honoured to climb Mt Kilimanjaro with Michelle late last year so I know she can do anything. She is an incredible person.
I asked Michelle today, what she thought about trying to help someone who is struggling. She said very simply, “reach in and keep reaching in. It will be frustrating. Sometimes you will hate them, and they will often give you the shits, but you’ve got to keep trying.” She is not one to give up and I am immensely proud of her.
I have mixed feelings about Facebook posts about the death of police members. They are often polarising. Some people appreciate them and others dislike them. Today though, I write in the hope that someone, somewhere will draw strength to continue. It’s not too late. Two years ago, when I wrote about Bruce I said, “you have to get your hands dirty and do the hard work”. That remains true. So much help and support is available; you just have to accept it and commit to getting better for yourself and your loved ones. It will be hard and often unbearable, but it is worth it. The decision is yours and yours alone.
I apologise for the lengthy post and I appreciate you taking the time to join me in reflecting on the life of Bruce and all of the brothers and sisters we have lost to suicide. If you know someone who has lost a family member or friend to suicide, reach out to them today and tell them that you are thinking of them.
If you know someone who is struggling, “reach in, and keep reaching in”.
IGGLESDEN (Darren ): Our deepest sympathy and love to Margaret, Gary, Ryan, Lisa and families. Iggy you have been our friend forever and can’t imagine our lives without you in it. Our hearts are broken but take comfort you will remain in our hearts forever.
IGGLESDEN (Darren ): To all of Darren’s family, friends and work colleagues, the Freeman family offer our sincere condolences. A cherished family friend who will be deeply missed by all.
