Rank: *Terrence was a Rejoinee having only done 1 month as a Probationary Constable
*Probationary Constable – appointed 26 June 1978
Constable – appointed 26 July 1978
Senior Constable – appointed 26 July 1986
Sergeant –
Final Rank = ?
Stations: ?, Newtown ( 1970’s ), Marrickville ( early 1980’s ), Newtown ( Sgt – 1990’s ), ( Coach of the Newtown Jets Police Rugby League Football Club )
Service 1 NSWPF: From? ? ?to? ? pre June 1978? = 4 years Service
Between his 1st & 2nd Service with NSWPF, Terry worked as a Psych Nurse at Callan Park Psychiatric Ward. Terry originally left NSWPF due to the death of his 1st wife having passed away.
Service 2 NSWPF : From ? ? pre June 1978? to 8 November 2001 = total of 27 years Service
Class 159. Group D. Monday 26 June 1978. Back Row: ( L – R ) K.E. MOORE, P.J. NUNN, R.B. McLENNAN, B.R. MORRIS, J.W. NELSON, R.R. NEWMAN, T.J. O”NEILL, S.K. NAYLOR. Middle Row: R.J. MAUDE, P.L. O’BRIEN, R.G. NICHOLLS, M.H. OWEN, S.T. MUSCAT, P.D. PHILLIPS, N.J. NIXON, Robert N. NORVAL. Front Row: M.L. O’KEEFE, P.G. McINNESS, S.J. McGRATH, K.M. RYNNE, B.E. PARKER, Terrence Raymond McGLYNN ( R.I.P. ), C.M. PLUMMER, J.W. NEWSOME ( Missing: M. PETROVIC )
Peter NISSEN ( #18778 ) & Terry McGLYNN
Worked with Terry at Rozelle Psychiatric Hospital prior to us both joining the job. On the left of photo is Jeff Prentice ( # 14115 ) another ex Psychiatric nurse and NSW Police Officer, Terry in the middle and myself ( Phillip Brand # 14273 ) on right.
Terry is in second row in the middle, did not have his moustache then.
The Callan Park Rugby League team, probably late 1960’s.
Terry is in second row in the middle, did not have his moustache then.
TERRY is NOT mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance *NEED MORE INFO
Funeral pamphlet
FURTHER INFORMATION IS NEEDED ABOUT THIS PERSON, THEIR LIFE, THEIR CAREER AND THEIR DEATH.
By all accounts, Terry appeared to be a great bloke and great policeman who had the respect of all whom worked with him.
He apparently joined the NSWPF some time prior to 1978 and Served for probably 4 years before ” pulling the pin ” and working as a Psychiatric Nurse at Callan Park where he was given the nickname of “Maggots” before eventually returning to the NSWPF where he apparently Served all of his Service at Newtown and Marrickville.
Terry Retired in November 2001 and eventually he and his 2nd wife, Fran, moved to warmer climes in far north NSW.
Terry suffered various conditions which required hospitalisation. These conditions caused the removal of a leg and also the removal of multiple large skin cancers off his face.
His funeral was recently attended by around 25 of his former mates from the old Newtown Police days.
May he forever Rest In Peace.
Cal
Raymond JONES
| 26/01/2019
Raymond JONES
AKA RAY, JONESY
Late of Thirroul, NSW
Northern Territory Police Force
Regd. # ?????
Rank:
Stations:
Service: From? ? 1958 to? December 1966 ( * Medical discharge ) = 8 years Service
Awards: Presented a Silver Spoon by the Queens representative for being part of her March 1963 Royal Escort ( Police Cyclist )
* Ray was involved in an On-Duty MVA whereby he was riding his Police Motor Cycle when he was hit by a drunk driver. This MVA, in March 1963, caused Ray significant injuries to his eye sight ( which resulted in him having a wok eye, and pelvic injuries which resulted in one leg being shorter than the other which required him to wear special shoes because of the length difference. Ray, at some stage, then moved to Fairy Meadow, NSW and then Thirroul where the family home was.
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New South Wales Police Force
Regd. # ??????
NSW Parking Patrol Officer
( Brown Bomber then Grey Ghost )
Rank: Parking Patrol Officer
Stations: Wollongong
Service: From? ? ?to? August 1991 = ? years Service
Awards: ?
Born: ? ? ?
Died on: 12 January 2019
Age: 85
Cause: Effects of a Stroke
Event location: ?
Event date: 6 January 2019
Funeral date: Thursday 17 January 2019 @ noon
Funeral location: H. Parsons, 278 Princes Hwy, Bulli
Wake location: ?
Funeral Parlour: H. Parsons, 4284 3163
Buried at: ?
Memorial located at: ?
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FURTHER INFORMATION IS NEEDED ABOUT THIS PERSON, THEIR LIFE, THEIR CAREER AND THEIR DEATH.
Passed away peacefully surrounded by loving family on January 12, 2019.
Beloved husband of Sheila (dec).
Dearly loved father and father in law of Leanne and Scott, Melissa and Richard.
Much loved Grandpa of Lachlan, Mitchel, and Makayla.
Loved brother and brother in law of Alan, Barry, Denise, Edward and their families.
Will be missed by his dog ‘Freddie’.
Aged 85 Years
Forever in our Hearts
Always Loved and Sadly Missed
Reunited with Sheila
Relatives and friends are invited to attend Ray’s funeral service to be held in the chapel, Parsons Funeral Home, 278 Princes Highway Bulli on Thursday January 17, 2019 at 12noon.
In lieu of flowers donations to Dementia Australia Research Foundation
would be appreciated.
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After leaving the Northern Territory Police Force, due to injuries sustained from a Police Motor Cycle MVA, Ray moved to Fairy Meadow and later moved to Thirroul where he and his wife made their family home.
Ray had, at some stage, joined the’ Brown Bombers ‘, who were employed by the NSWPF as Parking Patrol Officers.
A change of uniform in the 1980’s saw Parking Patrol Officers, known by the nickname of ‘Brown Bombers’ ( because of the colour of their uniform ), become known as ‘Grey Ghosts’ because the colour was changed from Brown to a light Grey.
Ray was Stationed at Wollongong ( N.S.W. ) and during his stint at Wollongong, was known far and wide as a nice bloke who wasn’t too hard on those parking offenders ( if you happened to be at your car at the right time of course ).
Ray was seriously assaulted by an irate parking offender in Corrimal St, Wollongong, one day. So much so that Ray ended up in Wollongong Hospital due to his injuries.
Ray was a practical joker too. He just loved putting a Parking envelope under your wiper blade ( with nothing inside the envelope ) just because he knew it was your car.
Ray stay at Wollongong Police Station until he retired in August 1991 – mainly due to the fact that at this time in the NSW Police History, local councils were attempting ( and were successful ) as taking over the duties of Parking Patrol Officers.
Some left the employ of NSWPF and went over to the Councils whereas others, like Ray, were old enough to take Retirement.
Anthony Charles FROST
| 26/01/2019
Anthony Charles FROST
AKA TONY
Late of Shell Cove ( Shellharbour )
NSW Redfern Police Academy Class # ? ? ?
New South Wales Police Force
[alert_yellow]Regd. # 9516[/alert_yellow]
Rank: Probationary Constable – appointed 2 November 1959
Constable 1st Class – appointed 2 November 1965
Sergeant 3rd Class – 5 May 1975
Senior Sergeant – appointed 29 December 1985
Final Rank = Senior Sergeant
Stations: ?, South District, Goulburn ( late 1967 ), Wollongong, Warilla, Kiama ( O.I.C. mid 1980’s ), Broadway ( Ultimo ) late 1980’s – 29 March 1990 – Retirement
Service: From? ? pre Nov 1959?to29 March 1990 = 30 years Service
Awards: National Medal – granted 15 September 1980
1st Clasp to National Medal – granted 7 October 1991
Relatives and friends are invited to attend Tony’s funeral service to be held at Parsons Funeral Home, 4 Princes Highway Dapto on Monday January 21, 2019 at 12noon.
Following the service his funeral will proceed to Lakeside Memorial Park Cemetery, 230 Kanahooka Road, Kanahooka.
Guests are invited to wear something colourful.
Published by Illawarra Mercury from Jan. 16 to Jan. 21, 2019
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Government Gazette of the State of New South Wales (Sydney, NSW : 1901 – 2001), Friday 27 November 1959 (No.138 (SUPPLEMENT)), page 3723
RESIGNATIONS
THE following resignations from the Public Service are hereby notified, the last day of service being indicated within brackets:—
Premier’s Department
Mr. Anthony Charles Frost, Clerk, Police Department, Premier’s Department [ 10th November, 1959 ],
Government Gazette of the State of New South Wales (Sydney, NSW : 1901 – 2001), Friday 18 July 1986 (No.120), page 3400
NEW SOUTH WALES POLICE FORCE
Commissioned Officer Appointments
HIS Excellency the Governor, with the advice of the Executive Council, has approved of the undermentioned Commissioned Officer appointments, effective from the dates indicated:
Appointment to Inspector, Assistant Officer, No. 5 Division
Nothing further, at this time, can be found on Edmund LOWE.
Cal
18 January 2019
Brian Joseph COUPER
| 26/01/2019
Brian Joseph COUPER
AKA ?
Late of Wagga Wagga, NSW
“possibly” related to Police Woman J.D. COUPER, NSWPF P/W 139
NSW Redfern Police Academy Class # 101
New South Wales Police Force
Regd. # 11196
Rank: Commenced Training at Redfern Police Academy on Monday 2 November 1964 ( aged 24 years, 4 months, 9 days )
Probationary Constable – appointed Friday 4 December 1964 ( aged 24 years, 5 months, 10 days )
Constable – appointed 7 January 1965
Constable 1st Class – appointed 7 January 1969
Senior Constable – appointed 7 January 1973
Final Rank = ?
Stations: ?, North East District, Wollongong ( pre 1973 ), School Lecturing, Redfern Police Academy ( pre 1974 ), Goulburn Police Academy – Senior Lecturer ( 1986 ),
Service: From 2 November 1964 to? ? ? = ? years Service
Passed away in Palliative Care at Calvary Hospital, Wagga Wagga.
Devoted and dearly loved husband of Dianne.
Loved and respected stepfather of Scott, Craig and Fiona and
father-in-law of Tony.
Much loved Grandpa of Kirra Leigh, Taneasha and Lochlann.
Highly respected son-in-law of Noel and Anice.
Dear brother-in-law of Gary, Carol & Ray, Susan & Aris and David & Angela.
Loved brother & brother-in-law of Tony & Diana, Marys (dec’d) & Bob. Loved by all his nieces and nephews.
He will be sadly missed by all his family and friends.
He fought a long courageous battle and is now resting peacefully.
A Requiem Mass for the Repose of The Soul of Brian Joseph Couper will be held in Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church, Wagga Wagga on Tuesday, 22nd January 2019, commencing at 10:30am.
Family and friends are respectfully invited to attend.
Published in The Daily Advertiser on Jan. 19, 2019
Brian is described as a “very talented man”.
Other than being a Policeman, he was also a Barrister, a ventriloquist, a radio announcer and all round good bloke. He also studied to be a priest.
His first wife was a plainclothes Police Woman from Wollongong in the 1970’s.
Brian, together with Ray WILKINSON, authored the book ‘ A guide for Senior Sergeant’s and Inspector’s ‘ course in the Unit “Management” in 1986
Brian also penned ‘ The use of case studies in police education ‘ in 1988
Brian also penned ‘ Teacher development course ‘ in 1988
Brian also penned an unpublished paper with Peter SHINFIELD ( # 16630 ) & Paul TROTMAN ( # 13882 ) – ‘ The use of case studies in police education ‘
Brian also penned ‘ Residential police education and its implications for curriculum design ‘ in 1987
‘ Transparent Reflections in a Pool of Blue ‘ is also attributed to Brian
Brian also penned ‘ Economic loss and experimental farms a discussion of the High Court decisions in Perre v. Apand and Dovuro v. Wilkins
Joanna Maria SUCHY
| 26/01/2019
Joanna Maria SUCHY
“the FIRST migrant woman employed by NSWPF”
She was of Polish decent
AKA ?
Late of Mosman
NSW Redfern Police Academy Class # ? ? ?
New South Wales Police Force
[alert_yellow]Regd. # P/W 027 [/alert_yellow]
( which puts this woman in the 8590 – 8670 Male Registered number range who were all “Sworn In’ on the 1 April 1957. Joanna may have lost one weeks Seniority for some reason. This would put her closer between Regd # 8671 – 8672 )
Rank: Probationary Constable – appointed 8 April 1957
Senior Constable – appointed 8 April 1968
Final Rank = Senior Constable
Stations: ?, Special Branch – Retirement
Service: From? ?pre April 1957 to15 August 1987 = 30+ years Service
Awards: No find on It’s An Honour but was Awarded the WD & HO Wills Trophy as “Policewoman of the Year” in 1972
SUCHY, Joanna Maria.
Passed away peacefully on
26 December, 2018
Late of Mosman
Aged 91 years
Beloved daughter of Pawel and Gertruda (both dec).
Joanna is remembered for her ground-breaking service to the NSW Police Force and for her contributions to the Polish community. She will be missed by her many friends.
A Requiem Mass will be offered for Joanna at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Cardinal Street, Mosman on Thursday 17 January, 2019 at 1.30pm.
Published in The Sydney Morning Herald on Jan. 12, 2019
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a tale of Joanna Suchy in the 1970 or 80’s.
Story was that back then she assisted Fred Hanson in Poland during the Second World War.
Hanson was on leave from the Police Force and was with the RAAF.
Not sure if he was shot down or crashed in Poland and Joanna helped in his escape and he told her that if she made it to Australia after the war to look him up and he would make sure she had a job in the Police.
I believe that is why she was always with the Special Branch.
I don’t know if all this is true, but makes for a good story and was told this by one of the Instructors running the Course we were doing.
Paul Cole
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Stephen Edward PEARCE
| 26/01/2019
Stephen Edward PEARCE
AKA ?
Late of Maryborough
NSW Redfern Police Academy Class # 155
New South Wales Police Force
[alert_yellow]Regd. # 17631[/alert_yellow]
Rank: Probationary Constable – appointed 27 June 1977
Constable – appointed 27 July 1978
Senior Constable – appointed 27 July 1986
Sergeant 3rd Class – appointed ???
Final Rank = Sergeant
Stations: ?, Tabulam, Coraki – Retirement
Service: From? ? pre June 1977?to2 July 2004 = 27 years Service
Late of Maryborough. Passed away at the Royal Brisbane Hospital on Sunday, 30th December, 2018. Aged 62 years.
Beloved husband of Ricky. Dearly loved father of Troy, Jackie, Daniel and Ruby. Loving and proud Poppy of Mark, Owen, Bruce and Jacob. Loved brother of Belinda and Uncle to Jasmine and Sophia.
“Gone To The Races”
Family and friends of Steve are invited to attend his funeral service to be held at the Ross Funerals Maryborough Chapel, Cnr of Russell and Stafford Streets, Maryborough on Tuesday, 8th January, 2018 commencing at 10:00 am.
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
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