In mid 1995 then Deputy Commissioner Bill Aldrich wanted a review of the firearms, accoutrements and training which was presently available to police. He also wanted recommendations about the future of this neglected area in policing. He also wanted a review in the use of force options and this led to the acronym COPS being adopted "Consider all Options and Practice Safety"
The then Commissioner's Inspectorate was asked to conduct this review. As I had just transferred to the Inspectorate and with my knowledge of firearms I was tasked with managing this project.
Victoria police had recently undertaken such a review under Project Beacon. I knew that we could out shine them so I called our review Project Lighthouse.
Next was the selection of people to assist me. Luckily, Snr Sgt Steve Grant had just been transferred to the Inspectorate, he was to be my right man together with research officer Peter Kolesnik. In October 1995 the first committee meeting was held.
One the aims was to standardise firearms, batons and handcuffs. It also proposed to commence "Train the Trainer" courses in early 1996 and to commence training operational police later in that year.
The success of any project is the selection of a committee of expert police in the various specialist areas we had to canvas. Some of the committee members included Snr Sgt Bill Turner, Operational Skills instructor and Sgt Steve Streenstrup, SERT. Members of the committee traveled to Victoria to review the success of Project Beacon.
Project Lighthouse committee met on a regular basis and weekly up dates were forwarded to command.
As the committee progressed Glock firearms, extendable batons and Chubb Lipp restraint handcuffs were recommended for issue to all police and "Use of Force" policy was formulated together with a total budget for the project was submitted in early 1997.
Having followed the recent Rolfe trial the use force options today certainly outweigh the simplistic approach we took 25 years ago.
After the first draft was presented to command in February 1997, a request was made to also review the use of shotguns, protective body armour, neck restraints and training facilities. Other issues including the use of OC spray were also considered
In June 1997 the 120 page all encompassing report was presented to command and accepted for implementation if funds became available. Command then considered how the multi million dollar project would be approved by government. In early 1998, the government approved the availability of funds and the report became a reality.
With the appointment of then Supt Ian Stewart to implement all recommendations allowing the QPS to progress and become a well equipped and trained professional entity.
On his retirement Deputy Commissioner Bill Aldrich said his greatest achievement in the QPS was the implementation of Project Lighthouse. I felt justifiably proud of the efforts of all committee members and their contribution.
