Vic Police want gay recruits
Victoria Police is targeting the gay and lesbian community in its largest ever campaign to attract new officers.
Launching the two-year advertising campaign, Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Simon Overland told Sydney Star Observer a more diverse police force would be better equipped to deal with crime prevention.
“We’re very focused on trying to reduce crime, increase public safety, reduce the road toll, I think this will help because it’s about building trust with the community,” he said.
“It’s about improving cultural awareness and understanding, breaking down language barriers, so obviously the more representative we are, I think the greater our ability to do those things and we’d all expect that to flow onto better outcomes for the entire community.”
The $6 million recruitment campaign is looking to attract 1700 new officers over the next five years and has targeted people with culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
From this week the Victoria Police Academy will increase its recruitment intake to fortnightly rather than monthly and fast-track some of the recruitment process waiting time.
Despite a difficult past, the Victorian GLBTI community and Victoria Police have enjoyed a relatively harmonious relationship over the last decade since the appointment of the first full-time Gay and Lesbian Liaison Officer in 2000, with former police chief commissioner Christine Nixon and Overland marching in Victoria’s annual Pride March.
Overland urged those GLBT people who may have encountered homophobia or have had bad experiences with police in the past to be open minded.
“If they have had that experience I’d ask them not to judge us on the basis of that experience, we’re not perfect but we certainly aspire to be a very open and tolerant organisation and I think you’ll find the vast majority of people are open and tolerant,” he said.
“If someone has had a bad experience, please don’t judge us on that, come and find out more about the organisation, find out about the opportunities we are offering, come and meet some of our liaison officers, some of our people involved in recruiting and then make a judgment on the basis of more information.
“Don’t exclude us on the basis of one bad experience.”
info: Those interested in finding out more about entrance requirements or the application process should visit www.policecareer.vic.gov.au or SMS “Ready” to 132 001.
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We dont need freaks in the police. The police is a job of high integrity, courage, honour and discipline. Homos should not be welcome.
To Luke
Gee, did u just cum down from ur medication or something? The 21st century is unfolding as one of the most bloodthirsty centuries ever for human rights abuses(let’s leave out the vic police and the shooting of a 15 year old mentally disturbed boy, Tyler Cassidy by 4 officers at point blank range!)Tell me, do u live under a rock? … are u happy with stop and search police powers without a warrant? Wake up and smell the coffee.
JackAlison. You are under the table of reality. Come out into the light and see that much has changed – and continues to change, as the 21st Century continues to unfold.
History will be the final judge of Law Enforcement in this country. I make no further comment.
dude
u have’nt provided me and this audience with any facts, I’ve given u many. ‘Ramblings?’ I don’t think so. Like I said I don’t accept tokenism and crumbs at the table, you on the other hand view any encouragement, however faint, as a ringing endorsement of acceptance?!
JackAlison said,
“wot a load of twaddle
how old ar u ?60 goin on 3?”
JackAlison, greetings to you. Actually, I’m sufficiently mature, also experienced in recognizing a person’s written ramblings, partly as hate and showing serious anger problems, as your earlier writings indicate. Do you actually fit the above description?
lol
wot a load of twaddle
how old ar u ?60 goin on 3?
JackAlison said: “How the Vic Police Academy is fag central because one lesbian feels wanted ?! You’re so willing to accept any encouragement and ‘crumbs at the table’ from the authorities. I find it really sickening and mawkish.But hey, reading ur posts in ur case inferiority and superiority usually go together.”
Oh dear! Now the intelligent readers of this page really do know just how sick you truly are. I do feel sorry for your problems and suggest proper medical help – urgently.
“…..now all readers know it. ” All our readers know what?!?
How the Vic Police Academy is fag central because one lesbian feels wanted ?! You’re so willing to accept any encouragement and ‘crumbs at the table’ from the authorities. I find it really sickening and mawkish.But hey, reading ur posts in ur case inferiority and superiority usually go together.
It is so good to hear that news, but anyway, now all readers know it. My best wishes for your future in Vic/Pol, a Law Force with an even better future.
Being a lesbian at the academy as a recruit at the moment I can tell you first hand you won’t have homophobic trouble here. I’ve experienced nothing but support and professionalism from my seniors and peers.
It brings to the new meaning:
“If you can’t beat them – join them”!
JackAlison: If what you report from Sunday’s Age Newspaper is ALL correct then, I totally agree with you, those Officers should be charged to the full extent of the Law. Further, I do agree, Victoria does need an independent watchdog not run by Police, a watchdog our State Government refuses to implement.
WE all agree, bad police and bad policing are not what Australian society requires. Victoria has about 11 thousand Officers, the vast majority do not want to serve alongside those few that must and are being exposed, removed and where necessary, charged. Further, your opinion of me as Pollyanna, delusional and one of the dots, tells the public more about you then me. Try to reduce your anger, then more can be achieved to bring about improvements.
I know it is frustrating when things go wrong, you have to remember there are thousands of police in Victoria. Not everything will go right all the time.
People should join the police if they want make a difference to our community, and the general community. You could well be in a situation where you decide how everything will be handled.
Until more of us join the police then how are they to know what is the best way to treat our community. We must be part of the police service to have a meaningful impact. The police are open to change, are calling for us to join the police so we can become part of the solution. They are clearly wanting a diverse police force.
To LUKE BRYANT
What the hell’s wrong with you? Are you some sorta Pollyanna apologia for VIC. Police? OK….this just in from the Sunday Age, READ IT AND WEEP!
“……Police face criminal charges over death
ANDREA PETRIE
August 2, 2010
SEVERAL Victorian police are likely to face criminal charges over the treatment and subsequent death of a man after he was released from Dandenong police station this year.
The 53-year-old Chinese man died at Dandenong Hospital about 11.40am on May 13, some 15 hours after being discharged from the police station.
The Age understands homicide squad investigators have seized video footage from outside the station that shows about five police dumping the visibly ill man in a puddle upon his release while the temperature was about 12 degrees and raining.
It shows the officers standing over the man laughing and gloating about the state he was in and some policewomen can also be seen holding their noses because of the stench caused by the man soiling himself while in custody.
One of the officers is believed to have brought a police divvy van from the back of the station so she could sit inside with the heater on and continue watching the man lying on the ground. He died of what is believed to have been hypothermia.
His death was made public two weeks later by an interpreter who had been called to the station after the man was locked up for drunkenness about 3.20pm.
She said when she arrived about 7.45pm and looked into his cell, he had soiled himself and she saw “blood everywhere”.
She said he had begged police to take him to hospital or get medical help, but they repeatedly ignored him.
The interpreter, known only as Jay Jay, said police told her ”he was dying anyway”.
Police have confirmed they have CCTV footage from inside the station that shows the man crawling from his cell bleeding and in agony.
When paramedics arrived about 9pm, they found the man conscious, bleeding and breathing rapidly.
Assistant Commissioner Luke Cornelius said at the time there was no evidence the man had suffered any physical trauma due to mishandling or use of force by police.
He added that it appeared the man had died because of ”a long-standing and pre-existing medical condition”, believed to be cirrhosis.
Mr Cornelius said the officer ”ultimately accountable” for custody at Dandenong station had been switched to other duties, and further disciplinary action would be decided by the head of the Ethical Standards Department, who is overseeing the investigation, pending the outcome of the investigation.
The Age has been told that criminal charges are being considered for those involved, with manslaughter yet to be ruled out. Some police could also be sacked for their involvement….”
It is yet again one of the most appalling displays of lack of humanity. And you truly think things have changed for gays. My god , you ARE DELUSIONAL! Vic. Police is one of the only forces in the country WITHOUT an independent watchdog NOT run by police. You join the dots!?
PS. What really matters to the G/L community is Police doing a professional job in the service of the community. To paraphrase a remark by the American politician, Barry Goldwater, while referring to the US Military: “You don’t have to be straight to be in the Police Force; you just have to be able to shoot straight.”
Dave. Thank you, I know I said I would not comment further, but I must! Yes, we ALL recognize so many bad things that happened years – many years ago, but as you seem to agree, we must move forward, supporting new police in the years ahead charged with respecting diversity, including that in the G/L community. There is a brighter future ahead for the upright G/L community by supporting those in the Force wishing to give us, as G/L people, respect and correct service when required. Again, thank you Dave.
In the case of Michael Neal,(spreading HIV in VIC.2004) the Department of Human Services were not administering the law. This person should of been locked up long before the police had to raid the offices of DHS. Later many heads rolled within the Department. I am grateful this person was taken off the streets.
In 1990’s I was picked up at a beat in Melbourne and taken to the St Kilda Police Station. I was bashed by a lot of police. I was called fagot and you name it. I was then charged with loitering for the purposes of prostituion. I complained to speak to someone senior and they put a double dildo on the table.
In court they colluded and lied. They said I was a regular at the Park. I got a Good Behvior bond but had difficulty working for the next 10years whenever a police check was required. I was not doing the beat, I did not even know what they were back then.
This police Station was later raided by ASIO. A large amount of Cash was found in the roof of the police Station.
To people like me Christine Nixon was a breath of fresh air. Simon Overland has done a lot to restore the faith of many in the community.
Over the years I have met socially other police. I have found it was really just a small bunch of rotten apples that have ruined the reputation of the police. There was always, even back then, many good hard working police, who did countless hours of good work for the community, even our community.
An older friend of mine was picked up in the 60’s at a beat and taken to a room where a Seargent expected a confession to be beaten out of him by a younger officer. The Seargent left them alone in the room. The officer just spoke about the weather. My friend was not charged and could go after. I cannot imagine the risk the policeman took going against his Seargent. But people did. They always stood up for us. For the few that were bad apples there were so many doing the right thing. I guess sometimes we never saw that.
Few people can stand up make a difference. Being a police officer you can. Being from our community can help your community. I would encourage anyone thinking of it to take the plunge and make a difference to lives of so many people. If we want as a community police to reflect who we are then we should stand up and be counted.
jackalison, are things any better in 2010? not really.
Carry on ranting about the past guys, it achieves nothing.
I have no further comment.
LUKE BRYANT
“…..Your statement, “The police and the medical profession have colluded in the past” is a very serious accusation…”
In the celebrated case of Michael Neal,(spreading HIV in VIC.2004) Vic. Police raided Health dept. files and took confidential medical files NOT only of Michael Neal but a swag of other confidential files from patients they had no business touching and that were completely unconnected with this case. A clear breach of privacy, confidentiality and human rights and does nothing to encourage gay ppl to get routinely tested if they can’t trust the medical profession!?
and world wide… the case of police colluding with the medical profession is well known. The British government recently apologised for the the suicide of WWII code breaker, Alan Turing who in 1952 was ‘convicted’of having a gay relationship. He was given a choice of a prison sentence or chemical castration. He was chemically castrated and committed suicide.
Just think for a moment of what it was to be gay 30 years ago. It was a criminal offence and it was classed as a psychiatric disorder. The culture of the time also concluded that gay ppl were paedophiles, ‘don’t let them near the children.’ Undergoing shock therapy for this ‘disorder’ was very common, just ask the leader of the Greens, Bob Brown. AVERSION THERAPY IS STILL USED ON GAY PPL TODAY largely supported by Christian groups. The police do NOTHING about investigating this breach of human rights and stopping the use of such quasi-brainwashing practices with vulnerable young gay teenagers and their crazy parents. These groups operate in Victoria, Australia and world wide with legal impugnity.
Yet again I ask you to consider how many lives have been ruined by both professions? We will never know, because like all dysfunctional behavior that can’t be spoken of, it has been covered up.
And finally your comment ,“…..but one should remember, police had a legal duty to uphold the Law….”
“I was just following orders.” is the oldest excuse in the book used by all law enforcement thugs and war criminals.
Luke Bryant; “Yes, there were police that went too far, but please, the past IS past, today is different in Victoria”.
Time does not erase criminal liability.
Luke Bryant’s argument is that Victorian Policemen exceeded their authority by committing criminal misconduct and because they were never held to account for that criminal misconduct the passage of time should erase their liability for the offences they committed.
Wrong, wrong, wrong.
Offenders should be brought before a court of law indicted for the offence/s they are alleged to have committed.
The court should then allow a jury to examine the facts of the matter and determine the guilt or innocence of those charged with criminal offences.
This is the real world Luke, not your world.
JackAlison: I am deeply aware of legal correction needed in this country that Governments have still not addressed. Your statement, “The police and the medical profession have colluded in the past” is a very serious accusation. If you have provable information, I suggest you take your evidence to the Equal Opportunity Commission; they can and will investigate and if required, act.
Current Police Training at the Victoria Police Academy. An important part of the Introduction to Contemporary Policing is a session called Community Encounters. Community Encounters is a 2 ½ hour session where members of the diverse Victorian community interact with newly appointed Victoria Police recruits in a formalized setting.
To improve relations with the G/L community; Victoria Police GLLO are currently involved in this training and are seeking active support from members of the G/L community that wish to participate, perhaps you may wish to support this far reaching program by discussing your past experiences with recruits. The Dept. wants them to learn and not repeat past mistakes.
chillisauce100 said: “Michael’s suggestion is valid and relevant” Not so! Further, I did not suggest or imply, “…that the communities should forgive and forget criminal misconduct by agents of the government, specifically the Victoria Police.” I said, “There is a long history of G/L confrontations with Police, but one should remember, police had a legal duty to uphold the Law so, place the blame for their actions on politicians and yes, religions bigots. Yes, there were police that went too far, but please, the past IS past, today is different in Victoria.
You also state: “Chief Commissioner Overland is asking potential recruits to the Victoria Police to ignore and forget the past.” This is not so, read above and learn.
Does this article mention poor pay, conditions, ridiculous over time and having to put up with violent drunken party goers. Is that suitable employment for a gay person?
Assault and battery is a criminal offence.
Chief Commissioner Overland admits by inference that Victorian policemen exceeded their authority when dealing with gay people suspected of committing offences.
There is no sound reason why the communities, gay and straight, should ingnore and forget the excesses committed by Victorian Policemen.
Michael’s suggestion is valid and relevant.
Is the Victorian Police Force examining its serving members for signs of homophobia and a reluctance of those people manifesting homophobia to do something about their condition?
Chief Commissioner Overland is asking potential recruits to the Victoria Police to ingnore and forget the past.
Chief Commissioner Overland is asking the victims of the excesses committed by Victoria Police to ingnore and forget their experiences.
No society can tolerate, excuse or forget criminal misconduct by agents of the government.
The admission by inference by Chief Commissioner Overland is evidence that the excesses took place and good reason for an inquiry into those excesses.
Micheal is not out of line by making his suggestion.
Luke Bryant’s suggestion that the communities should forgive and forget criminal misconduct by agents of the government, specifically the Victoria Police, is anti-social, anti – democratic, unlawful, and seeks to prevent the examination of corrupt conduct by agents of the government.
Chief Commissioner Overland and the Victorian Government should set up a standing commission to investigate the conduct of the Victoria Police and one of the terms of reference should be to discover whether or not it is safe for homosexuals to join the Victoria Police.
Luke Bryant,
Don’t brush history under the carpet. ‘Moving foward’ is popular spin. Be aware that protection of sexuality is NOT federally mandated in this country. The police and the medical profession have colluded in the past to appalling human rights abuses against gay people.And yes we may forgive BUT NEVER FORGET.
Michael. Your language and current approach to problems past does nothing to help the G/L community. Further, the retention of past memories, expressed as today’s attitudes are not required to produce good 21st Century Police Officers. Michael, if you are an adult, not an adolescent, my advice (if you are interested) is simple – mature sooner rather than later.
get rid of the old fuck wits in the police fist and then we may come and join the police service.
The Victorian Chief Commissioner of Police, Simon Overland is highly commended for his actions regarding the recruitment of Gay and Lesbian people as future Officers. Yes, it is true, there is a long history of G/L confrontations with Police, but one should remember, police had a legal duty to uphold the Law so, place the blame for their actions on politicians and yes, religions bigots. Simon Overland, Sir, I read the word “tolerance” in your recruiting article and must disagree. Years back I once used the word “tolerance” in reference to public attitudes toward the G/L community. A Police Officer from our Network (GALPEN (Vic) Inc) quickly responded, “No! It is not “tolerance” we require, it is “acceptance” How right she was and is today. Sir, I wish the Victoria Police every success in this forward looking recruiting drive that should make our State safer – under Police protection, congratulations.
Luke Bryant.
Whatever medication Simon Overland is on, I WANT SOME OF IT!
The Victoria police were notorious for special branch agent provocateur entrapments at beats, taking great delight in making phone calls to relatives, and outing gay men who were married 20 to 30 years ago. There were beatings, harassments, lives completely ruined and a great deal of pain metted out by the boys in blue all in the name of public morality. The most notorious case was the Dr. Duncan murder in Adelaide where police were aquitted of the drowning of this poor man. There are many more incidents which we will never know of because of the times back then. What is needed in this country is a federal apology and a stringent legal human rights bill that covers sexuality so that young gay people never have to go through this sort of harassment ever again.