4FALLEN HEROES:
National Police Remembrance
Day 2013
8SILENCE BREAKER:
A new special caution is
available to police
14TOP COPS:
Queen’s Birthday Honours
recognise our finest
12GANG BUSTING:
Strike Force Evesson paralyses
a Sydney gang
Commissioner Andrew Scipione APM escorts Cain Anderson, who laid a wreath at the Wall of Remembrance for his father, Det Insp Bryson Anderson VA, at the National Police Remembrance Day ceremony
2050 YEARS ON:
The changing face of policing
in NSW
POLICE GAZETTE & PPNs40 Revised Handbook chapters
40 Sponsorship and endorsement
41 Options for mentally ill persons
41 Sporting and social functions
42 Child protection changes
44 Staff changes this month
ON THE COVER:
Wreaths were laid at the Wall of
Remembrance at the National Police
Remembrance Day ceremony to honour
those officers who lost their lives while
serving the NSW community.
CO
NT
EN
TS
29ELDER ABUSE:
Tackling a growing problem in
the community
FROM THE COMMISSIONER
During this time of year, there are so many things to remind
us of the sacrifices made by police officers and their families in the service of our community.
The dignity and ceremony of National Police Remembrance Day, the camaraderie of the Wall to Wall Ride and our annual Blue Ribbon Ball to raise important funds for the families of our fallen officers.
Each of these events not only cements that sense of commitment within our police family and beyond, but also our sense pride in the work we do.
Importantly however, I had an enormous sense of the community’s gratitude in return, when I attended the Pride of Australia Awards conducted by News Limited in late September.
I was asked to present the Heroism Medal which was deservedly bestowed on the late Det Insp Bryson Anderson VA, who so tragically lost his life last year in the line of duty attending a neighbourhood dispute.
Bryson’s widow Donna accepted the award with all the courage and dignity you would expect.
There were many other deserving winners that day, but what struck me as I moved among those deserving people and others gathered at the event, was just how grateful people are and what enormous support our police have across the state.
As Donna Anderson explained, had Bryson returned home safely that fateful day from that particular job, he probably would not have even mentioned it. It was just another day.
There are times we do wonder, as
we deal with those who don’t care about our community or those who seek to criticise from the sidelines, why is it that we keep doing what we do? And why we do it so well?
The answer for me lies in the overwhelming backing and support we get from the very people we protect. That was made abundantly clear to me not only at the Pride of Australia Awards but at every community event I attend.
That support plus the support of our family and friends makes all the difference.
Another community event that reminded me of the importance of what we do was the launch of the Thomas Kelly Youth Foundation in September.
We all know the tragic circumstances of the death of this young man at Kings Cross and the determination of his father Ralph to curb the toll that the abuse of alcohol causes through the violence that police are all too familiar with.
We are already into warmer conditions and already launching operations such as “Simmer” to focus on those problem areas where all those elements of crowds, alcohol and the weather combine.
My message as always is that police will enforce the law, use the powers we have and not take a backwards step in order to reduce the levels of alcohol-related violence that shatter so many lives.
And I know the community will support us in those actions. We should never underestimate that support.
Andrew Scipione APMCommissioner
Australia reflects on the lives lost protecting our communities.
STORY SHAUN FEWINGS POLICE MEDIA UNITPHOTOS REUBEN ENNOR PUBLIC AFFAIRS BRANCH
It should have been a routine call-out – an alleged domestic dispute
between warring neighbours over a bird cage. But while trying to resolve the unfolding feud at a semi-rural property at Oakville in Sydney’s north-west last December, Det Insp Bryson Charles Anderson VA, was fatally stabbed.
The 45-year-old father of three was the 252nd police officer to have died in the line of duty in NSW.
Once again, family, friends and colleagues have honoured those who gave their lives to protect their communities during National
Police Remembrance Day commemorations at the NSW Police Wall of Remembrance in the Domain in Sydney.
Other services have been held across the nation, recognising not only the sacrifices in Australia, but also fallen police officers in New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Samoa and the Solomon Islands.
The Governor of NSW, Her Excellency Professor Marie Bashir AC CVO and Commissioner Andrew Scipione were among the dignitaries at the Sydney event.
Traditionally observed each
year on 29 September, this year the date fell on a Sunday, so National Police Remembrance Day commemorations were held the preceding Friday.
After the ceremony, 13-year-old Blake Brotherson was awarded the 2013 Police Legacy Commissioner’s Scholarship. His father, student police officer Robert Brotherson died responding to a car crash in 2002.
“More than 250 names are now etched onto the Wall of Remembrance,” Commissioner Scipione said.
“It rams home to everyone how dangerous this job can be, yet our brave men and women continue to wake each day and don that blue uniform to protect us all.
“We each praise the bravery and dedication of the fallen in our own ways, but Remembrance Day provides us with the opportunity to honour them as the community for whom they lost their lives.”
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NATIONAL POLICE REMEMBRANCE DAY 2013
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NATIONAL POLICE REMEMBRANCE DAY 2013
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WALL TO WALL:
Bryson’s 14-year-old son Darcy and his widow Donna placed his name in the Commissioner’s Memorial Baton, which was carried by Commissioner Andrew Scipione APM to the National Police Memorial in Canberra
The brothers of fallen NSW police officer, Detective Inspector Bryson Anderson VA, joined Commissioner Andrew Scipione and hundreds of NSW police officers and friends for this year’s Wall to Wall: Ride for Remembrance.
STORY RORY O’CONNOR POLICE MEDIA UNIT
In its fourth year, the charity motorbike ride commemorates the service and
sacrifice of fallen Australian police, and raises much needed funds in support of their families.
With the National Police Memorial in Canberra as a focal point, the ride has now become a much anticipated annual charity event with about 1500 riders taking part.
The show of police solidarity starts at memorial sites across the country where each of the Australian police forces pays homage to and remembers colleagues who have died as a result of their service to the community. From these sites a very special journey begins
with riders travelling to Canberra to meet and join the other contingents of riders from across Australia.
As is the Wall to Wall Ride tradition, the names of any officers who have died on duty in the past year are placed in their respective Commissioner’s baton and transported to Canberra where they are added to the National Wall of Remembrance. Sadly, the name of De Insp Bryson Anderson, killed after attending a dispute in Oakville on 5 December 2012, was placed in the NSW Commissioner’s baton this year.
Despite the extreme sadness Det Insp Anderson’s family is enduring, his wife Donna and brothers Warwick and Damon played an important role in this year’s ride. Warwick and Damon participated in the ride, while Donna spoke at the pre-ride ceremony that
NSW police officers held in the Domain.
Commissioner Scipione said the ride has become one of the most important police events of the year.
“Over the 151-year history of the NSW Police Force, 252 officers have lost their lives while serving the people of this state,” Commissioner Scipione said. “In addition to recognising the ultimate sacrifice our fallen officers have made, it’s vital we do everything we can to support the loved ones they leave behind.
“The Wall to Wall Ride provides the perfect format to do both. In addition to honouring the legacy of our fallen brothers and sisters, it helps us raise money for their families.”
OCTOBER 2013 PoliceMonthly 7
WALL TO WALL: RIDE FOR REMEMBRANCE 2013PHOTOS PolAir; Mick Sara, Forensic Services Group; Michael James, Australian Defence Force
