STORIES  Guidelines for STORIES 080524.pdf

On 29 February 1988 I became the Regional Superintendent in charge of the North Coast Police Region which was then based at Gympie in the former police station.

Back a fair few years before 1988, Gympie was a 24/7 station which was part of the Maryborough Police District.  While the local MLA, Max Hodges, when he was a Cabinet Minister and with the Queensland Police Force in his portfolio, Gympie was made a Police District in its own right and when Police Regions were being formed Gympie was the base for the North Coast Police Region.

What this meant was that the District Office and Regional Office staff were all cramped into the previous 24/7 station.  The Regional Office staff consisted of myself and a Clerk Typist while the District Office staff consisted of an Inspector (Graeme Hollands), a Sergeant (Bill Waterson), a Constable and I think two female Public Servants at probably AO2 level.  (I mention here that, prior to the state election in 1989 after which the Labour Party transferred the base of the North Coast Region from Gympie to Maroochydore, I had gained excellent accommodation at the Five Ways in Gympie for myself, the District Officer and a new Regional Crime Co-ordinator, together with supporting staff.).

I inquired about the existence of a Social Club but was advised there was none.  I think it was Sergeant Bill Waterson who took up the challenge of encouraging all staff members – sworn and unsworn – to contribute $2.00 from their fortnightly pay to the Queensland Police Credit Union.  This was done and the Social Club received a fortnightly cheque from the QPCU.  I never saw any details of the finances of the Club, not that I wanted to.  (This was a standard practice throughout the state to enable funds to be raised for social activities).

The following is my recollection of how a large fenced off area and BBQ was built in the large holding yard at the rear of the station.

• ·       I had noticed a pallet of Besser blocks in the enclosed yard.  I inquired through I think Sergeant Waterson who was responsible for the case involving the blocks.  Next thing Plain Clothes Constable Lance Guteridge (who I had known as a Police Cadet and who later rose through the ranks to be the Senior Sergeant in charge of Murgon Station.  He is now retired at Stanthorpe) appeared.  He explained the blocks belonged to a builder in Nambour and that they were no longer required by him as the arresting officer.  I suggested to Lance – rightly or wrongly – that he should contact the builder and advise him he could have the blocks back provided he paid for the cartage.  Lance returned to say the blocks were ours.
• ·       I knew the QBuild Supervisor at Maryborough who had been told by the Director General of Works at that time to ‘look after Early with anything reasonable he requested’.  He asked me what I wanted and I said so many three metre steel posts, so many metres of I think 2 metre high chain wire and I think two 2 metre gates.  He thought for a while and queried if a large truck had damaged the fence and naturally I replied yes.  Soon afterwards everything arrived.
• ·       I distinctly recall going and seeing the manager of then Sellars Concrete at Gympie.  I knew of small amounts of concrete being available at the end of jobs and he readily agreed to have these delivered to the area when required.
• ·       One Saturday morning soon afterwards, I recall going to the station and assisting the Station Cleaner Ted Todd to box out what was to become the pad for the BBQ.
• ·       Ted dug the post holes in my time and in due course the posts were fixed and the pad was poured.  Sellars personnel even helped Ted fix the posts and the pad.
• ·       Then Ted got to work, again in my time, and fixed the blocks to make up a nice BBQ.  All that was required was a plate.
• ·       I had a lot to do with Councils in the South Burnett, most of which were later eliminated by the Beattie Government.  However, somehow I recalled that the late Sergeant 2/c Graham (Podge) Pollock, Officer in Charge of Wondai Station,  had a good relationship with the Shire Clerk of the Wondai Shire Council.  I asked him to inquire about a plate for the BBQ which had to be two foot square (600 mm by 600 mm) or even a bit bigger.
• ·       Graham came back to me and advised the Council could supply the plate but it would cost $25.00.
• ·       In those days Regional Superintendents or District Officers had no ‘slush fund’ and on Sergeant Waterson’s recommendation the $25.00 was taken out of the stamp account.  (Don’t know how that was done but I took the $25.00 over to Wondai and picked up the plate in return for the money). 
• ·       We then had to decide who apart from sworn and unsworn staff would be invited to use the BBQ and of course have a quiet ale or two. 
• ·       This was in the middle of the Commission of Inquiry and also at a time when Thursday Island police appeared adversely in the Sunday Truth newspaper for getting  pallets of liquor brought into TI in opposition to a local publican who had a contact in the Sunday Truth. 
• ·       We decided that the only outsiders would be the Court House staff and the late Keith Jamieson, Hour Glass Jeweller in Mary Street, Gympie.  Keith, probably without authority from head office, had an alarm terminating at the Police Station and in return for this favour he produced a 5 gallon keg each year. He also gave a great discount on prizes/trophies used for bowls and golf charity days.
• ·       Then came the official opening which was planned for, from recollection, a midday lunch.
• ·       Again from recollection, invitations were sent to the eleven retired Police Officers in the district.  Names I can recall are:  Charlie Dwyer, Pat Swan and Bob Gray.
• ·       On the morning of the official opening, I distinctly recall going down to the BBQ area and then noticing in the large trees some orchards, staghorns, etc.  My query of Sergeant Waterson received a reply:  ‘I don’t think I should tell you Super’.  However, he later told me the local Detectives had taken the ‘exhibits’ from the Brooyar State Forest which is roughly midway between Gympie and Kilkivan.
• ·       On reflection, the taking of these ‘exhibits’ could have blown up, considering the Commission of Inquiry was still going.  However, to my knowledge nothing came of this venture by the Detectives.
• ·       It was about two years ago when I was present at a medal presentation at the Headland Golf Club when  Detective Senior Sergeant Daren Edwards and I caught up from when he was a Plain Clothes Constable at Gympie.  We got talking about the ‘exhibits’ and he recounted how the Sunshine Coast Helicopter Pilot had blown up when he found out that they were not really exhibits before taking them across to Gympie.    
• ·       Just prior to the official opening, rain commenced to fall.  Sergeant 1/c Cavill Heywood, who was then the Regional Operations Officer seconded to the SES and based at Gympie, was summoned and quickly provided some cover.  The opening proceeded and a good time was had by all.
• ·       I am not sure if the BBQ and the fenced in area survived the transition to a new police station but I have thought for several years I should put these few words together as I don’t think anyone else would be able to tell the story from go to whoa.    

THE RETIRED POLICE ASSOCIATION

Verse 1

I look around the room, at the many faces that I know

So many stories, myths and legends, recounted blow by blow

Eyes that look right through me, eyes that have seen it all

Retired Police who’ve hung up their guns, but still ready to answer the call.

Verse 2

Years and years of mateship, and the blue might doing right

In a flash its all over, you’re no longer in the fight

Looking for things to do at home, instead of at the station

But there’s a handshake and a knowing look at the Retired Police Association.

Verse 3

They gather in their numbers and the ranks no longer matter

Warriors of justice, sharing memories, beer and chatter

The lines on their faces trace the journeys of their noble path

Going hard into the eye of the storm and dealing with the aftermath.

Verse 4

A lifetime of living, packed into every year

On any given day, laughter, tears and fear

Facing violence and horror and human abomination

Rarely any gratitude, but public condemnation.

Verse 5

But through it all, you found the good, and followed your strong heart

Tolerated uncouth partners, and that awful nightshift fart

The “Ways and Means Act” and obscure legislation

There’s plenty of tall stories at the Retired Police Association.

Verse 6

You remember an old mate, as you silently shed a tear

He’s not here today, to share a laugh and a beer

He never hesitated, but he never made it home

Lying and dying in his blood, frightened and alone

Verse 7

You remember marching out on that sacred acre, like it was yesterday

So proud in front of your family, that you’d chosen the right way

Drunken nights and terrible fights and hurdles in the job

But you never faltered against those who would kill, hurt and rob.

Verse 8

Birthdays and Christmases disappearing like morning mist

Retirement parties, empty homes and grandchildren kissed

You don’t miss the job, but you miss it all the same

You see a grub from yesteryear, and you still remember the bastard’s name.

Verse 9

You talk of how the job has changed and the younger generation

You wonder what it’ll be like when they join the Retired Police Association

Along with war stories, you discuss all your medications

And the Viagra you take for your marital relations!

Verse 10

You’ve lived a life of honour, so stand tall and proud

Let the good times roll, still get messy and loud

Support our young officers, because each one is one of you

The only thing keeping society safe is our band of blue.

Verse 11

I look around the room and my heart swells with pride

For what you did and didn’t do, on your righteous ride

I salute every one of you, the retirement you deserved

Thank-you one and all, with honour you served.

By Senior Sergeant Tim Beard.

Click to view each transcript:

BAUER Len Transcript (Greg Early) 2004

BRAITHWAITE Don Transcript (Greg Early) 2004

COOK Wesley John Transcript (Greg Early) 2005

DUNCAN Alan Beattie Transcript (Greg Early) 2005

GRAY Robert Crawford Transcript (Greg Early) 2004

HAYES Brian Patrick Transcript (Greg Early) 2005

MACDONALD Jock Transcript (Greg Early) 2005.

McDONALD Vernon Alister Transcript (Greg Early) 2004

PEARCE Granville Patrick Transcript (Greg Early) 2005

PLANT Walter Edward Transcript (Greg Early) 2004

POWELL William Transcript (Greg Early) 2005

RAWLINGS Jack Transcript (Greg Early) 2004

SANDERSON John Edward Transcript (Greg Early) 2004

WEBB Brian Patrick Transcript (Greg Early) 2004

‘INTRODUCTION’ to Neil Bradford's next book Four Days, Three Nights on Bell Peak North: My Story, planned for release in the first half of 2023.

 Introduction to Book _Four Days, Three Nights on Bell Peak North: My Story 

Unless named in a ‘newspaper article’ or ‘published book,’ which, in effect, is common knowledge, adding creditability to My Story, I will be referring ‘indirectly’ to others in the book, such as by a rank, rather than a name, as many are no longer living, or in ill health, and I do not see that as the right and proper thing to do.

I know that some are concerned by what I might include in the book, but I have no intention of going down the path of telling all, only just what needs to be said to support My Story.

 

Click to view:  POWELL William Interview Transcription

Please click link to view:

History of the Qld Retired Police Assn - 20 July 2022

The document will be updated when all AGMs have been held

Growing up at Mackay in Central Queensland, between 1946 to 1966, it was not uncommon for some in the family to be dodging a police officer, rather than enforcing the law, so it was a surprise to the majority when I joined the Queensland Police Force.

Continue reading - click on link: Sawyer to Police Officer by Neil Bradford

There are two laws that relate to the role of a forensic investigator:-

1. The Locard Principle, whenever two surfaces come into contact with each other there is always transference of trace evidence from one surface to the other and vice versa and

2. The Theory of Probabilities, the probability of the concurrence of all the events is equal to the continued product of each separate event.

Most forensic evidence is circumstantial and the more circumstances that are presented to the court the greater the chance of a conviction.

We were the only police force in Australia that insisted that staff must have tertiary qualifications which enabled staff to be involved with a greater range of work.

Our laboratory staff became involved the following forensic investigations and examinations:-

1. Major crime scene examinations including murders, attempted murders, rapes, fires, explosions, hit run accidents, break and enters etc

2. Laboratory examinations included identification of inflammable liquids and vapours, comparisons of paint, hairs, fibres. tool marks, shoe impressions, explosive substances, recovery of engine and chassis numbers on stolen vehicles, the interpretation of blood splash patterns, etc. 

The comparison microscope was a very valuable tool in conducting these examinations, together, with other microscopes and various lighting techniques. Our fully equipped laboratory allowed for various chemical identification of unknown samples to be identified together with a range of other procedures which required a chemistry background to undertake.

In the 80s a Memorandum of Understanding was signed with QUT for the use of their scanning electron microscope (SEM) which greatly enhanced our forensic capabilities to analyse minute samples of trace evidence.

After I graduated from QIT (now QUT) in the 60s with a Diploma in Industrial Chemistry I became an Associate member of the Royal Australian Chemical Institute (RACI). In the 80s I was admitted as a Fellow of the RACI for my services to forensic science in Qld. Being the only police officer in Australia to be granted this honour.

In the 60s my boss and I were the only staff members servicing Qld when I left in the mid 90s we had 34 staff and sections on the Gold Coast and in Townsville and Cairns. I was very proud of these achievements and the commitment from by loyal and professional staff who supported me during that time.

In my career I was involved with over 2,000 crimes scenes examinations, including 400 murders and witnessed several hundred PMs, and gave sworn expert evidence excluding ballistic evidence on 500 occasions. These days the role of the all rounder forensic scientist have long gone and I was lucky to be able to experience it.

A roll of honour of all O/Cs of the Scientific Section which was first established by Const Tom Baty as the Technical Section in 1937 is published below. 

  

Photo 1:Budding Forensic Scientist        Photo 2: OIC 1944_1976 - Insp Les Bardwell (1944/76), Const Tom Baty (1937/44), Insp Neil Raward ( 1974/94), Acting A/C Ron Redmond

   

Photo 3: OIC  1976 - 2012     Photo 4: Current OIC Insp Darren Pobar (2016-)  with Neil Raward 

From when I commenced working at the Scientific Section in 1960 until the late 1970s, the section was responsible for preparing displays for the Police Exhibit at the Brisbane Exhibition to raise funds for Police Youth Clubs.

These displays highlighted the work of the Section by providing case histories and forensic comparisons undertaken by the Section. Who can remember seeing a stuffed Alsatian dog there which came from a famous murder investigation in the mid 50s?

Rare types of firearms were displayed and one year Ned Kelly's armour was featured.

Members of the section dreaded this chore as it took them away from their duties as they took a great deal of our time.

We had to set them up and dismantle them, at least we could spend time checking out other features of the show.

The displayed also featured at the Ipswich show for a couple of years.

 Ned Kelly Neil with Const Merv Althaus.

Newspapers had problems in spelling my name correctly.

The headlines in 1968 Courier Mail. 

STARTING PISTOL FIRED IN COURT.

Brisbane barrister Mr C J Bennett invited a policeman in the Magistrates Court yesterday to "shoot him".

For those who missed the court room theatrics of the criminal barrister Col Bennett, you missed a treat. You never knew what to expect in his cross examination. Bennett was also the Labour member of parliament for South Brisbane who passed in 2002 aged 82. He was the last of a long line of colourful legal fraternity who graced our courts

As a member of parliament for many years he loved nothing better than raising unsavoury  stories about alleged police misbehaviour under privilege. Clients would flock to him because of his apparent disdain towards police.

We had many a tussle and he would always open up with the same question.

Witness hast week you gave evidence about a paint comparison this week it is about firearms. You are a jack of all trades and master of none. Why should the court believe you this time?

This case involved the unlawful  possession of a starting pistol. This one was in the design of a semi automatic pistol in which blanks were fed along the barrel in a clip with an ejection port mid way along the barrel. They were legal in NSW, but not in Qld. Bennett conceded that it was a starting pistol, which was harmless and  could not injured anyone.

After much legal argument the Magistrate asked me to show the court how it could harm anyone. I loaded the starting pistol with a blank cartridges and placed a paper clip binder on top of the ejection port and went to a safe corner in the court and fired it. The binder hit the ceiling then bounced around the floor

Bennett then invited me to the fire the pistol at him I  declined saying that if the binder was adhered to the ejection port and fired at close range I could injure him.

Magistrate found him guilty of the offence. What was Col Bennett going to come with at our next encounter.