In loving memory of …. Ali Shee…. Passed away peacefully. Adored ‘Mumma’, Beloved daughter and sister. Much loved ‘Aunty Al’. A fierce and fun-loving friend of many.
In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes donations in memory of Alison to NSW Police Legacy or Love Your Sister (for breast cancer research). A collection box will be at the service.
Funeral Details
Parkview Funeral Home – Ballina
21 Kalinga Street
West Ballina NSW 2478
Date: 6 April 2019
Time: 10:30 am
Ali was also bit of a muso – playing in a Pipe Band
We’re very proud to be supporting Ballina Police Station in their fundraising efforts for Detective Senior Constable Alison Sheehan while she undergoes a combination of radiotherapy, chemotherapy and hormone therapy to fight her rare Cancer diagnosis. Book your tickets to the Wig out for Cancer on Friday 28th of November to show your support. https://wigoutforcancer.gofundraise.com.au/cms/home
Surprise cancer diagnosis put Ali in fight for her life
by rstevens
4th Oct 2014 5:00 AM
WHEN Alison Sheehan went to her GP complaining of back pain following a freak fall at home several weeks before, the last thing she expected was a cancer diagnosis.
But this is the cruel reality facing the 33-year-old mother of one, detective, and children’s cancer fundraising champion.
“She had a number of tests and eventually they diagnosed her with breast cancer and, unfortunately, the legions had spread to her spine and lymph nodes,” friend and colleague Donna Tutt said.
“Ali has been told when she beats cancer she may be faced with a significant disability due to the damage to her spine.”
While Ms Sheehan undergoes treatment at Brisbane’s Princess Alexandra hospital, her partner Adam had to resign from his job as a manager at the Byron Bay Brewery to care for 18-month-old Jack, who suffers EoE, an allergy related inflammation of the oesophagus, which results in difficulty swallowing, chest discomfort and heartburn.
A regular fundraiser for children’s cancer sufferers in the region, earlier this year, Ms Sheehan helped raise money for Jacob Mercy-Ireland who has osteosarcoma.
“Ali cut all of her hair off to raise money and then donated it to “Beautiful Lengths” – a Pantene charity that makes wigs for chemo patients.”
A former constable with Lismore PCYC, Ms Sheehan did a lot of work with youth from the Lismore region before she was transferred to the ranks of Byron Bay detectives two years ago.
“She was the dux of our original class 14 years ago and she was the dux of the detectives’ class as well – so she had a huge career ahead of her.”
To support Ms Sheehan and her fight against cancer, Ms Tutt has organised the Paddle for Ali, on October 26.
“Come and support someone local who has been a huge fundraiser for children’s cancer.”
Participants will paddle nine kilometres along the Brunswick River, from Heritage Park, Mullumbimby, to Banner Park, Brunswick Heads. “Any type of non-motorised watercraft can be used, from canoes, to kayaks, skis and surfboards.”
An event safety briefing will be held at 9.30am, with the paddle to start at 10am.
On arrival at Banner Park, a barbecue and raffle will be held, with all proceeds going toward Ms Sheehan’s fundraising campaign.
People who are unable to paddle can still donate at any Westpac branch.
Next up in our Police Legatee Stories series: NSWPF Probationary Constable Harris Landgraf, who’s been with NSW Police Legacy since the age of just nine years old.
“Three metres deep in the ground, covered in someone’s turds? Nah.”
Harris Landgraf is a country boy, embodying the very best of the open, friendly, and occasionally earthy outlook that entails. Approaching the end of his first year as a NSW Police Force Probationary Constable, his cheery demeanour has served him well in his chosen profession. But how did he get to this point? Let’s go back a little.
Like a lot of kids in his situation, the first that Harris knew about NSW Police Legacy was when they became a sudden presence in his life after tragedy. When Harris was just nine, his stepmother, Snr Cst Renea Landgraf, passed away. At her funeral, he had his first real experience of the love and community of the Police Family.
“There were hundreds of cops… Dad’s best mate Bushy took us there in his highway patrol car. The church was just filled with police officers. Hugs all round. It was pretty emotional.” To the young boy, it made a huge impression. “That’s when I knew the police were going to be a big part of my family.”
Harris’s father was also a police officer, but Harris didn’t initially enter the force, signing up at age sixteen to do a plumbing apprenticeship instead. At the encouragement of our Community Support Manager Leisa Doherty, he applied for, and received, the Kerslake Scholarship – an award given to fund technical education. He was thrilled at the support. “You know, being a young fella, you get five grand put into your account and all I wanted was that big drill set!”
His next big involvement with Police Legacy came through doing the Kokoda Trek in 2019. It was a transformative experience. He loved sitting around at the end of the day with all of these people who shared a similar story. “You’ve always got someone in your corner understanding where you’re coming from”
Another person on the trek that year was then-Commissioner Mick Fuller, who was hugely encouraging of Harris’s desire to become a police officer. On returning to Australia, Harris asked for, and was given “huge amounts” of support from Leisa and then-Chair Det Supt Gary Merryweather, who helped him get into the Police Academy. Leisa also put him in touch with Cain Anderson, another Police Legatee, who was going through in the class above him. The Police Family really swung into action.
Since attesting in December last year, he’s had a wide variety of experiences, and he can’t imagine now wanting to do anything else. “It’s more than just a job; it’s a passion,” he says. His Dad, now retired, has been incredibly supportive. “I’m living his dream,” says Harris. Dad calls every few days to hear the stories, and check in with how Harris is coping with it all. Things are very different to when his Dad was on the job, with police counsellors and all kinds of support services available. And Harris often finds himself checking in with his colleagues, helping them decompress from tough days.
As passionate as he is about his newfound career, he is equally passionate about Police Legacy. With the support of his Inspector, he recently organised a tri-state golf day in the region where he’s stationed, bringing together police officers from VIC, SA, and NSW, and raising more than $9,000 for NSW Police Legacy – a phenomenal feat. And apart from the money, he loves that he’s helped to share the story of why this organisation matters. “People say ‘I give money to Legacy each pay, and what do they do?’… but when I tell my story, and what I’ve been through… people say ‘look at what they’ve done!’”
?, Harris LANDGRAF, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?
Harris LANDGRAF with Commissioner Mick FULLER
Harris LANDGRAF, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?
Leisa DOHERTY, Harris LANDGRAF, Steve LANDGRAF, ?
Connor LANDGRAF, Steve LANDGRAF, Harris LANDGRAF, ? LANDGRAF
The guard of honour that paid tribute to Senior Constable Renae Landgraf. Hundreds of friends and colleagues gathered to farewell the senior constable at St Brigid’s Catholic Church yesterday.
The drums sounded and police officers saluted as they farewelled one of their own yesterday.
Senior Constable Renae Landgraf, nee Spackman, died as a result of health complications last Friday, at the age of 31.
Her sudden death has rocked Dubbo’s police family and the wider community.
Accompanied by his three sons and baby daughter, Steve Landgraf, an officer himself, was surrounded by hundreds of friends and colleagues as he farewelled his beloved wife yesterday at St Brigid’s Catholic Church.
Speaking on behalf of the family yesterday, Nicole Muir, Jodi George and Carly Stephens painted a beautiful picture of Renae’s life, moving from Western Australia at a young age with her family and residing in Narromine, where she completed her schooling and started work.
In 2001 Renae achieved her dream of being accepted into the Goulburn Police Academy, where she later graduated as probationary constable Renae Spackman.
Renae transferred to Dubbo Police Station in 2005, the same year she married her long-time friend Steve Landgraf, which her family remembers as being the happiest time of her life.
In marrying Steve, Renae welcomed with loving arms his two sons Connor and Harris and then in 2007, Renae was blessed with her first child, Ethan.
In February this year Steve and Renae had their second child, baby girl Mackenzie.
Family members said while Renae’s life was short-lived, she was able to achieve all she had dreamed to achieve and that was to become a police officer, a wife and a mother to a son and a daughter.
As a person, friends and family described Renae as being energetic, loving, fun and ambitious.
She was an extremely dedicated, mother, wife and police officer who worked hard and stuck her neck out for other people.
Superintendent Stan Single read a valedictory at the funeral outlining Renae’s police service and a description of her achievements and commendations.
Renae’s police service follows her father Neil’s army service and the policing career of her husband and role model uncle Peter.
Together with police colleagues a large contingent of nursing and medical staff attended the funeral in support of Renae’s mother, Sandra.
Renae will be remembered by her peers and family for her insistence in having all things right.
Her insistency on right and wrong and her compassion, dedication and work ethic are qualities she has imposed upon a number of junior police she has helped train.
Following the service, one section of Brisbane Street was closed off and Renae’s fellow officers, including drummers marched in front of the hearse as it made its way to the New Dubbo Cemetery for the burial.
Officers on bikes led the procession, and marked police cars transported the family.
NATIONAL POLICE REMEMBRANCE DAY TRIBUTE TO SENIOR CONSTABLE RENAE CAROLINE LANDGRAF
Page: 18486
Mrs DAWN FARDELL (Dubbo) [6.41 p.m.]: On Tuesday 29 September ( 2009 ) I attended the National Police Remembrance Day service held in the Holy Trinity Anglican Church, Brisbane Street, Dubbo, at the invitation of Ross Godfrey, Police Chaplain. Similar services were held around New South Wales on that day, which no doubt many other members of this Parliament attended. The Reverend Canon Roger Zohrab, Rector of Holy Trinity Dubbo, carried out the welcome and invocation. Scripture readings and the homily followed by Police Chaplain David Warner, CGS. The solo of Amazing Grace was beautifully sung by David Cooper, RNS Dubbo. Superintendent Stan Single, APM, the Commander of the Orana Local Area Command, addressed the congregation. Police Chaplain David Warner said prayers for the New South Wales police.
Constable Jason Blake, who had not been a member of the police force for very long, read the roll of honour. I will list the names of those members of the New South Wales Police Force deceased during the period 29 September 2008 to 28 September 2009: Sergeant Sean Stephen Lamerton, General Administrative Support Officer Jane Gardiner, Constable Morgan James Hill, Probationary Constable Mason Hammond, Senior Constable Lindsay “Guy” Winkley, Senior Constable Janice Anne Hennessy, Senior Constable Ian West, Constable Gilbert Joseph Roussel and Senior Constable Renae Caroline Landgraf. Renae was one of our own from Dubbo.
Senior Constable Renae Landgraf, nee Spackman, unfortunately lost her life in May this year at the age of 31 as a result of health complications. Her sudden death has rocked the Dubbo police family and wider community. Accompanied by his three sons and baby daughter, Steve Landgraf, an officer himself, was surrounded by hundreds of friends and colleagues as he farewelled his beloved wife at St Brigid’s Catholic Church. In 2001 Renae achieved her dream of being accepted into the Goulburn Police Academy, where she later graduated as Probationary Constable Renae Spackman. Renae transferred to Dubbo Police Station in 2005. In the same year she married her long-time friend Steve, which her family remembers as being the happiest time of her life.
In marrying Steve, Renae welcomed with loving arms his two sons Connor and Harris. In 2007 Renae was blessed with her first child, Ethan. In February this year Steve and Renae had their second child, baby girl Mackenzie. Family members said that, while Renae’s life was short, she was able to achieve all she had dreamed of achieving: becoming a police officer, a wife and a mother to a son and a daughter. Friends and family described Renae as being energetic, loving, fun and ambitious. She was an extremely dedicated mother, wife and police officer who worked hard and stuck her neck out for other people. Superintendent Stan Single read a valedictory at the funeral outlining Renae’s police service and a description of her achievements and commendations. Renae’s police service followed her father Neil’s army service and the policing careers of her husband and role model uncle Peter.
Together with police colleagues, a large contingent of nursing and medical staff attended the funeral in support of Renae’s mother, Sandra. It was a sad and tragic day when Renae passed away. Renae was a vibrant community member. I knew of Renae well and the work she did with the youth in our Dubbo community. Sandra used to attend the National Police Remembrance Day service each year with Renae. She was a true Briton to attend the service on her own this year. It was a tough day for Sandra but hopefully in time it will become easier for her. Renae and Steve’s children Steven, Connor, Harris, Ethan and Mackenzie are in the good hands of their surrounding family and the police force family, as it is known. Our sympathy goes to them all. The National Police Remembrance Day reminds us of the hard work the police perform in our community but it is very tough when it involves one of our own.
Loved brother and brother-in-law of Stuart, Jan, Geoffrey and Trish.
Published in The Age on Nov. 17, 2018
ALLEN.
A Service celebrating the life of Leading Senior Constable Andrew Allen will be held in the Chapel of the Victoria Police Academy, View Mount Rd, Glen Waverley on MONDAY (Nov. 19, 2018) commencing at 11.00 a. m.
A Private Cremation will follow.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in memory of Andrew to Police Legacy.
FERNY CREEK
A Ferny Creek woman, 35, is lucky to be alive after her car rolled and crashed into trees on One Tree Hill Rd last Sunday afternoon. Belgrave Leading Senior Constable Andrew Allen said the woman, who was the sole occupant, had left home and was travelling west towards Churchill Drive when the car left the road and rolled before coming to rest between three large trees. Leading Sen-Constable Allen said the woman was taken to The Alfred hospital by ambulance with “what appeared to be minor injuries”, including some chest pain. Police are waiting to speak with the woman but speed was believed to be a factor. “It was a fine day, there were no other contributing factors at this stage,” Leading Sen-Constable Allen said. Alcohol and drugs have been ruled out.
A FERNY Creek woman, 35, is lucky to be alive after her car rolled and crashed into trees on One Tree Hill Rd yesterday.
Belgrave Leading Senior Constable Andrew Allen said the woman, who was the sole occupant, had left home and was travelling towards Churchill Drive when she lost control on a bend and rolled before coming to rest between three large trees.
Leading Sen-Constable Allen said the woman was taken to The Alfred hospital by ambulance with “what appeared to be minor injuries”, including chest pain.
Police are waiting to speak with the woman but speed was believed to be a factor.
“It was a fine day, there were no other contributing factors at this stage,” Leading Sen-Constable Allen said.
OLINDA Police are searching for information after a white fence was defaced over the weekend.
Leading Senior Constable Andrew Allen said that after 11pm on Friday, 21 August, someone had blotched black paint on a white fence in Hilton Road in Sassafras.
He said the part of the fence was a white pillar with an antique light on top, and that black paint had been blotched on it.
“You wouldn’t call it graffiti as such, it’s just black-on-white,” Leading Sec Const Allen said.
The property is opposite to the Ferny Creek Recreation Reserve.
Anyone who may have seen any suspicious activity is asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
WELBY, Francis Edward – April 8 1954 (detective N.S.W. Police) late of 204 Concord Road, Concord West dearly beloved husband of Madge aged 36 years.
WELBY.— The Relatives and Friends of Mrs Madge Welby of 204 Concord Road, Concord West, are invited to attend the Funeral of her dearly beloved Husband, FRANCIS EDWARD; to leave the Metropolitan Funeral Home, Railway Parade Burwood This Day, after service commencing at 11 a.m., for Rookwood Crematorium
METROPOLITAN BURIAL and CREMATION SOCIETY.
Railway Pde Burwood. UJ2178-9.
WELBY.— Lodge N. J. McDonald, No. 587 U G L of N S W
The Officers and Brethren of the above Lodge are fraternally Invited to attend the Funeral of their late esteemed Bro FRANCIS EDWARD WELBY For particulars see family notice.
IN the Estate of FRANCIS EDWARD WELBY late of Concord West in the State of New South Wales, Constable of Police, deceased Intestate – Application will be made after 14 days from the publication hereof that Letters of Administration of the Estate of the abovenamed deceased may be granted to Madge Aletia Welby the widow of the said deceased and all notices may be served at the undermentioned address.
All creditors in the Estate of the said deceased are hereby required to send in particulars of their claims to the undersigned MERVYN FINLAY & COMPANY Solicitors Newlands House 141 Elizabeth Street, Sydney.
Tim had attended the Pistol Range at Lucas Hts for Firearm Training in his own private vehicle and was returning to Liverpool Police Station to return his firearm when this collision occurred.
It has to be asked whether this collision would have been survivable, for Tim, had he been in a modern police vehicle with air bags.
Tim’s Life Support was turned off on Friday morning due to the horrific and non survivable injuries that Timothy suffered in this collision.
Funds to support Tim’s wife and unborn child. Please follow the hyperlink just above and donate.
Death of NSW Police Force officer, Probationary Constable Timothy Proctor
The NSW Police Force regrets to inform the community of the death of a serving police officer after a crash in Sydney’s south last week.
Probationary Constable Timothy Proctor, aged 29, died in hospital this morning (Sunday 3 February 2019) following a four-vehicle crash at Lucas Heights on Thursday 31 January 2019.
P/Cst Proctor attested as part of ‘Class 333’ on Friday 27 April 2018 and was working in general duties at Liverpool City Police Area Command.
Commissioner Mick Fuller has extended his condolences to the Proctor family on behalf of the NSW Police Force.
“My thoughts are with Timothy’s wife Dianne, his family, friends and colleagues at this incredibly difficult time,” Commissioner Fuller said.
“Timothy was certainly well on the way to a wonderful policing career and was well respected by his colleagues and all who knew him.
“He joined the Police Force after being a volunteer fire-fighter and had a tremendous passion and commitment for all emergency services and the community,” Commissioner Fuller said.
P/Cst Proctor’s family has requested their privacy at this time.
‘Well respected’ policeman Timothy Proctor dies after head-on collision
A NSW police officer who was involved in a head-on crash in Sydney’s south last week has died in hospital.
Timothy Proctor, 29, a probationary constable who worked in the Liverpool region, was driving northbound on Heathcote Road at Lucas Heights about 2pm on Thursday when a Honda Civic crossed to the wrong side of the road and crashed into him and two other cars.
Mr Proctor was cut out of his car and rushed to Liverpool hospital, where he remained in a critical condition until his death on Sunday morning.
NSW Police Commissioner Mick Fuller paid tribute to Mr Proctor’s time in the police force and offered his condolences to the man’s family.
“Timothy was certainly well on the way to a wonderful policing career and was well respected by his colleagues and all who knew him,” Commissioner Fuller said.
“He joined the police force after being a volunteer firefighter and had a tremendous passion and commitment for all emergency services and the community.
“My thoughts are with Timothy’s wife Dianne, his family, friends and colleagues at this incredibly difficult time,” he said.
Police Association of NSW president Tony King said his staff were “providing support on the ground with the family, friends and colleagues at the hospital since this tragedy unfolded and we will continue to support them as they attempt come to terms with the tragic loss”.
“Collisions like this are always difficult but it hits even harder when it one of your own involved,” Mr King said.
In the collision, the Honda Civic was driving southbound in the 100km/h zone when it failed to negotiate a bend, continuing straight and clipping a Toyota Yaris before it hit Mr Proctor’s red Honda Jazz.
The 65-year-old female driver of the Honda Civic was taken to Liverpool hospital, where she remained in a critical condition on Sunday.
Police said a Mitsubishi Triton which had been driving behind the officer was unable to stop in time and was also involved in the crash.
Two teenagers in the Triton and the driver of the Yaris were not injured.
Vision of the crash, broadcast by Nine News on Friday, shows the Civic travelling in the left-hand lane before it drifts across the middle lane and hits the officer’s oncoming hatchback.
Van driver Kamran Rowshanzadeh, whose dash cam recorded the crash, said he initially thought the car was trying to cut into his lane without using its indicator.
“Next thing I know it was actually drifting,” he said.
He was able to swerve around the cars as they impacted in the single northbound lane. “The car literally came off the ground and the back kicked up and I dodged it. It was just so sudden and so quick,” Mr Rowshanzadeh said.
He added that he heard the officer brake at the last second.
Mr Proctor graduated from the NSW Police Academy in April 2018, as part of class 333, and was one of 15 officers posted to the Liverpool region.
Speaking to the Liverpool City Champion shortly after his graduation, Mr Proctor said he was formerly a volunteer firefighter and had worked in IT repairing laptops before deciding to pursue a career in policing.
He said he had grown up in the area and noticed a “bad perception” of police, which he wanted to change.
A group of 15 police recruits who’ve just graduated from an intense 9-months’ training at the Police Academy were welcomed to Liverpool police station last Monday.
The group were part of Class 333 – 164 policemen and 70 policewomen who are set to complete 12 months’ on-the-job training while studying for an Associate Degree in Policing Practice before being ranked as constables.
A couple of Liverpool recruits shared their hopes and dreams, including Hinchinbrook identical twins Marc and Nathan Brown. “You could say we’re inseparable. We took different paths at the end of high school. Nathan did a trade, I did accounting. But I got bored and wanted to do something to help people and something different each day. This is what I’ve wanted to do since I was a kid and it’s definitely a lot more interesting than spreadsheets!” said older twin Marc. “We made the change at the same time but they split us up with me at Liverpool and Nathan at Green Valley. We still might end up together eventually. It’ll be good fun!”
Marc’s background in martial arts inspired him to choose a career where he could be more active. He’s looking forward to tackling community problems such as domestic violence and drugs. “I’m over-the-moon about starting here.”
Brother Nathan, 24, hopes they get to work together. “That was the plan. It ‘d be fun to see the reactions. We know each other and how we react to things. But we’re also pretty competitive – especially at the academy. They kept us apart when they could and it was probably best.”
Nathan has a background in rugby and hopes to work with disadvantaged youth.
Another recruit is Camden resident Clare Leone, 25. Instead of working in general duties for a three-year probationary period after 18-months she’ll transfer to forensics. “I was constantly changing my mind and then uni started and I really loved science and not doing the same thing each day. Whereas with other scientific jobs you’re often stuck in a lab all day. I’ll still be in the NSW Police Force. I’ll be specialising in fingerprinting at Parramatta. I found it really fascinating – not one person has the same fingerprints. To be able to pursue that as a career is really interesting.”
One recruit who began policing a little later is Prestons’Timothy Proctor, 28: “I wanted to be a firefighter and volunteered for a while but it’s extremely selective and that made me look at alternatives. I worked in IT as a laptop repairer but it was limiting and so I pursued policing. When growing up I noticed the bad perception of police due to corruption. I want to change that. I believe growing up here I have a good understanding of the cultural groups, too.”
Two drivers involved in a horror head-on car crash in Sydney’s south remain fighting for life in hospital, as shocking footage obtained by 9News has showed the moment both vehicles collided.
Emergency services were called to Heathcote Road, north of New Illawarra Road in Lucas Heights, about 2pm yesterday following reports four cars had been involved in a serious crash.
Dashcam footage of the incident shows a Honda Civic, travelling south on the road, crossing a lane of traffic and then onto the wrong side of the road.
The vehicle first nudged an oncoming Toyota Yaris before smashing head-on into a Honda Jazz, driven by 29-year-old male probationary police officer Timothy Proctor from the Liverpool City Area Command.
Both the officer and the 65-year-old female driver of the Civic had to be cut free from their vehicles, and remain in critical conditions today at Liverpool Hospital more than 24 hours after the crash.
It is understood the officer had just completed a training exercise at a facility in the area and was travelling in his private vehicle to Liverpool Police Station to drop off his firearm, at the time of the incident.
After being pulled from the wreckage of his vehicle, he was placed into an induced coma at the scene.
Following the initial point of impact, a Mitsubishi Triton driven by a 19-year-old woman crashed into the woman’s Civic.
The teenager, her 18-year-old male passenger and the 63-year-old driver of the Yaris all escaped injury.
“Obviously, police turning up to a police officer injured is extremely upsetting for first responders – and it was a devastating accident,” acting inspector Melissa Thompson told reporters yesterday.
The horror collision forced the closure of Heathcote Road for six hours yesterday afternoon as major crash investigators examined the scene.
Kamran Rowshanzadeh
Witness Kamran Rowshanzadeh, an electrician from Moorebank who was on his way to a call-out job at the time of the incident, said he first thought the Civic was trying to cross into his lane at about 100km/h.
“It was split second, and the next thing I know is the high impact,” he told 9News.
“The car literally came off the ground and the back kicked up and I dodged it.
“I just heard (Mr Proctor) brake at the last second. It’s like 200km/h int a wall.
Three people, including an on-duty police officer, have been hospitalised after a multi-vehicle crash in Sydney’s south.
Just after 2pm today, police, paramedics and fire crews were called to Heathcote Road, north of New Illawarra Road in Lucas Heights, after reports three vehicles were involved in a serious crash.
Seven ambulance crews and a medical team were called to the location and NSW Fire Rescue were required to help free one person trapped.
A police officer aged in his 30s, and a female driver of another vehicle were both taken to Liverpool Hospital in a critical condition.
A third person was taken to Sutherland Hospital.
The officer had just completed a training exercise at a facility in the area and was travelling in his private vehicle.
Traffic is heavy in the area and Heathcote Road remains closed in both directions with diversions in place at Alec Campbell Drive and New Illawarra Road.
Police are warning drivers to expect delays and make alternative arrangements if possible.
The crash investigation unit is currently at the site.
It is with great sadness that another WA Police officer ( male ) has taken their own life overnight. If you know their name please do not divulge it, thank you.
If you need to speak to someone please reach out to anyone be it a friend, relative, Soldiers and Sirens, Soldier On, MHERL even if you reach out through Facebook please just know you can talk to someone. We do understand a number of us have been on the edge before and know what its like.
CURTIS:
The Funeral Service for the late David Harold Wright Curtis of Vitali Crescent, Kalgoorlie will assemble at the main entrance of the Goldfields Crematorium, Memorial Drive, Kalgoorlie for a Cremation Service at 10.30am on TUESDAY (12.2.2019).
IVAN VUKOVICH
Kalgoorlie 9021 2023
Member AFDA
Published in The West Australian on Feb. 5, 2019
Senior police officers lead the funeral procession for Senior Constable Dave Curtis. Picture: Tori O’Connor
‘He loved us so much’: Son of WA cop who took his own life speaks out
Senior Constable Dave Curtis was the sort of cop who would consistently reach out to other officers going through a tough time.
Affectionately known as ‘DC’ by colleagues, he would routinely get in touch with fellow officers who’d been assaulted on the job, making sure they were okay.
He was also known to speak at various police-related and other community events over the years without a microphone – such was the power of his booming voice.
It always got people’s attention.
But Senior Constable Curtis – who first joined WA Police as a cadet in November 1982 – stunned his fellow officers and family by taking his own life in January.
He was just 53.
“The last time we saw one another was at my son’s belated birthday party the weekend before,” his son John Curtis said.
“At the time, he seemed deflated.
“You always offer some assistance or some time to talk, but in this particular circumstance he didn’t see it fit to speak to anyone about it.”
‘He just loved us all so much’
John Curtis said his father told him shortly before he died he would never have to worry about him “doing something stupid”.
“So obviously to get the subsequent news was quite a shock,” he said.
“He’s not the kind of person who would have liked to have burdened anyone with his trouble.
“He didn’t want to shift that burden that he was wearing elsewhere to help himself.
“He loved everyone around him, he didn’t want to cause them any harm or stress.
“He just loved us all so much.”
Senior Constable Curtis’ death is understood to be one of several police suicides across the country in recent weeks and months.
The “tragic and unnecessary deaths” – the Police Federation of Australia says – “demonstrate that holding the thin blue line comes at a very significant cost”.
Senior Constable Curtis’ passing has also once again put a spotlight on the psychological toll policing and other frontline emergency work has on people.
It is for this reason WAtoday has begun a three-part series on the issue starting from today. On Thursday, we will explore the newly restructured police unit tasked with helping officers and their families with mental health issues, and the toll PTSD has on serving and former cops.
‘I’m still stunned by it’
Close friend and fellow WA cop Geoff Stewart said he’d been left rocked by the passing of his mate and colleague.
“The thing I liked the most about him was his integrity,” Superintendent Stewart recalled.
“In all the time I knew him, I never saw him get angry or hear him talk ill of his colleagues. He knew the value of a team.
“DC’s passing has rocked us all and I’m still stunned by it.
“Every police station has a DC. That one individual who is the centre of the place, keeps things ticking and always had the interest of the team at heart.
“Look up country copper in a dictionary and there will be a picture of DC.”
Superintendent Stewart said Senior Constable Curtis was one of several officers stationed at Newman who had to deal with the tragic events of a police air wing crash in the regional town in 2001.
The crash claimed the lives of four police officers.
“That would have left an impact on anyone and I know it did for DC,” Superintendent Stewart said.
Another fellow police officer who knew the 53-year-old said: “He was a typical, old-school, country copper.
“Firm but fair, with a big heart and very community-minded.
“It makes me sad that a strong, resilient man who had given so much and seen so much, got to a point in his life that he could not go on.”
‘We are hurting’
At the time of his death Senior Constable Curtis was a branch official and a director of the WA Police Union.
“He genuinely cared for the welfare of his fellow officers,” WA Police Union boss and close mate Harry Arnott said.
“Around the board table, he always provided a considered, highly-valued opinion.
“A man of few words, when he spoke, people listened and he was a strong voice for regional coppers.
“We are hurting because we have not only lost a great police officer and union man, we’ve lost a great mate.”
A Senate report released in February recommended a range of changes with regard to how governments respond to the mental health concerns of first responders, like police officers and paramedics.
Among the report’s 14 recommendations was a suggestion that compulsory mental health awareness training be introduced in every first responder organisation across Australia.
Research released last year by Beyond Blue found one in three police officers and other emergency service workers experienced high or very high psychological distress compared to one in eight Australian adults.
The research also found police officers and other emergency service workers report suicidal thoughts twice as often as other adults.
John Curtis said he hoped his father’s passing would prompt other people who may have such thoughts, or who are battling any mental health issues to speak up.
This Guest Book will remain online until 8/03/2019.Learn More
Friday, 1 February 2019
CURTIS (Dave):
On behalf of the WA Police Union Directors and Staff, we extend our sincerest condolences to Kerrie and family on the passing of their beloved Dave.
Dave was loved by everyone and our thoughts are with you all at this very difficult time.
It is with great sadness that we inform you of the sudden and tragic passing of a serving WA Police Force officer overnight and we have lost one of our finest.
Dave was a wonderful supporter of the band and was also a member of our Friends of the Band Program.
Sincerest condolences to all Dave’s family and friends.
If you need to speak to someone we urge you to please, please, reach out.
Talk to your colleagues, a friend or loved one or make that call to one of the numbers below or the Helpline for wherever you reside.
Some details on the officer in WAPOL that was lost to the world this week.
PUTP unfortunately has recently lost one of our own but known personally of 3 police related deaths in the last 2 months. We grieve still.
Our thoughts go to family of this officer both blood and in blue.
In memoriam: Senior Constable David ‘Dave’ Curtis, WA Police Force, died suddenly on the night of 30th January 2019
Senior Constable David Harold Wright Curtis dedicated 34 years of diligent service to the community of Western Australia. His larger-than-life personality and his willingness to help impressed many in the Goldfields region and beyond. His presence made a significant impact in Western Australia and his leaving has left our world a poorer place.
Dave Curtis was a wonderful supporter of Police Legacy and many other community initiatives, including his contributions to Polair 64 memorial and events. The support he offered to members following the tragedy at Newman will forever be remembered; he held the community together through very trying times. As the Eastern Region Director, he was a valued Member and contributor to the WA Police Union for more than a decade.
As he leaves behind his loving wife and children, he is reunited with his late father and step-daughter. Dave Curtis will forever be remembered for his many accomplishments, and as a great friend, colleague and a true gentleman. His loss has left us all feeling deeply desolate with grief.
Our hearts go out to his family, friends, colleagues; everyone who loved him. May peace and comfort find them during this incredibly difficult time.
Do not stand at my grave and weep
I am not there. I do not sleep.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning’s hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry;
I am not there. I did not die.
Gone from our sight, but never from our hearts.
FAREWELL TO A ‘GENTLE GIANT’
Jason Mennell Wednesday, 13 February 2019 10:44AM
There was a huge outpouring of solidarity as more than 200 police officers from across the State yesterday joined family and friends to farewell Senior Constable David Curtis at a touching funeral service in Kalgoorlie-Boulder.
At the service he was described by friends and colleagues as a “gentle giant” who always put others before himself.
But underneath his sunny and selfless nature, Sen. Const. Curtis faced emotional turmoil and to the stunned dismay of friends and family he made the decision to take his own life last month at the age of 53.
His death came after 36 years with WA Police, in a career which began at Kambalda in 1982. He went on to serve at Kalgoorlie Police Station, Mt Magnet Police Station and Newman Police Station.
At the funeral service yesterday, an emotional former policeman and State Member for Kalgoorlie Kyran O’Donnell, who knew Sen. Const. Curtis for 30 years, told the Kalgoorlie Miner his friend would be sorely missed.
“We are always there to support each other but we weren’t there for Dave,” he said.
“We didn’t know. It’s just a waste.
“If we can learn by this by learning to identify this in the future, it won’t happen again.”
Mr O’Donnell said he had never seen so many officers at a funeral before and it was a fitting send-off for a “gentle giant”.
“He was one of the nicest guys,” he said. “No one ever had a bad word about him. It didn’t matter whatever you asked of him, he did it. He was one of those coppers he would still be there hours after his shifts, finishing jobs to help others and he wouldn’t even claim overtime.”
The service began with a solemn procession led by police motorbikes and cars travelling down Memorial Drive as officers stood tall on either side of the road with hands held stiffly at their sides.
The vehicles were followed by 12 members of the WA Police Pipe Band who played a selection from the Retreat Slow Marches.
Behind the pipe band, senior police officers marched ahead of the hearse carrying a casket that was flanked by close friends and family members. The procession peeled off into the Kalgoorlie Cemetery where people who could not fit inside the Kalgoorlie Crematorium Chapel stood outside to listen to the service.
During the service the chaplain said the selfless officer must have been facing emotional turmoil before he made the decision to take his own life.
He said the sudden death of Sen. Const. Curtis would have left family, friends and colleagues questioning what they might have done to intervene beforehand, but that they should not be hard on themselves.
A friend of Sen. Const. Curtis, Anita Grace, talked fondly about the officer’s time in Newman.
She said Sen. Const. Curtis was popular with the Martu people in the region and was “a big man with a big smile” who “always had time to chat”.
Superintendent Geoff Stewart who served with Sen. Const. Curtis in Newman said friends and family had been left “stunned” by the tragic news.
“He was a big man and he left a big impact on all of us,” he said.
“It wasn’t only what he did but it was how he held himself. The man had integrity.”
Supt Stewart said a light aircraft crash, which killed four police officers in January 2001 in Newman had left an indelible mark on his former colleague.
WA Police Commissioner Chris Dawson, who was also at the service, told the Kalgoorlie Miner the police force was like a family.
“This is unsurprising for me as commissioner to see this demonstrable show of unity, but we are really here to care and support Dave’s immediate family and recognise his service over many, many years,” he said.
“For us it is a touching, sad and sombre moment but it’s very important that we also celebrate his life and give support to his family, friends and colleagues.”
Thomas Ernest WAIBEL
04/04/2019
Thomas Ernest WAIBEL
AKA TOMMY
Late of Dubbo, formerly of Goulburn
Husband to Sgt Mandy Trindall # ?????
NSW Goulburn Police Academy Class # ? ? ?
New South Wales Police Force
Original NSWPF Regd. # ?????
AFP Regd. # ?????
Rejoinee Regd. # 35490
NSWPF Rank 1st time: Probationary Constable – appointed ???
NSW Constable – appointed ???
NSW Constable 1st Class – appointed ???
NSW Senior Constable – appointed ???
Final Rank = NSW Senior Constable
AFP Rank: ???
Also Served, for a short time, with AFP, Canberra
Apparently Tommy left NSWPF around the 1990’s and joined the AFP ( Australian Federal Police ).
He apparently spent a few years stationed at Canberra City Police Station on GD’s and also as an Intelligence Officer.
Tommy enjoyed his time with the AFP and it is believed he was commended by his superior officers due to implementing new systems to combat stolen goods being sold in Pawnbrokers stores within the ACT.
Tom left the AFP due to personal reasons and rejoined the NSWPF
NSWPF Rank 2nd time: ???
Stations: ?, Canberra City Police Station – AFP – ACT, Liverpool GD’s, Goulburn HWP, Tarago GD’s ( one manner ), Police Academy ( Weapons Instructor, Police Rescue Squad, Goolgowi, Leeton, Griffith, Dubbo – Traffic and Highway Patrol Command – Death
Service 1 – NSWPF: From? ? ?to? ? ? = ? years Service
Service 2 – AFP: From ? ? 1990’s? to ? ? 1990’s? = ? years Service
Service 3 – NSWPF: From ? ? ? to 13 January 2019 = ? years Service
Awards: No find on It’s An Honour
Born: ? ? 1958 – 59
Died on: Sunday 13 January 2019 @ 6pm
Age: 59
Cause: Cancer – Prostate
Event location: Dubbo Base Hospital
Event date: ?
Funeral date: Friday 25 January 2019 @noon
Funeral location: St Peter & Pauls Old Cathedral, cnr Verner & Bourke St, Goulburn
Wake location: Goulburn Workers Club
Funeral Parlour: R J Sydney Craig, Goulburn 48212122
Buried at: Goulburn Lawn Cemetery, Sydney Road, Goulburn
Memorial located at: ?
Wayne FRIEND # 18288, Tommy WAIBEL, Bill WHITE, Howard JONES, Michelle HOBBINS nee LANGEREIS # 22169 Goulburn Police Academy
[alert_yellow] TOMMY is NOT mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance[/alert_yellow] *NEED MORE INFO
TOMMY IS NOT YET mentioned on the Sydney Police Centre Memorial Wall
FURTHER INFORMATION IS NEEDED ABOUT THIS PERSON, THEIR LIFE, THEIR CAREER AND THEIR DEATH.
WAIBEL, Thomas Ernest (Tom) – 13th January 2019, at Dubbo Hospital.
Late of Dubbo, formerly of Goulburn.
Loved partner of Amanda.
Sadly missed by his children, grandchildren and his many friends.
Aged 59 years.
‘Loved And Remembered Always’
Tom’s family and friends are invited to attend his Prayers of Christian Burial commencing at 12-00 noon Friday, 25th January 2019 at S.S Peter And Paul’s Cathedral, Bourke Street, Goulburn.
Interment will follow at he Goulburn Lawn Cemetery, Gorman Road, Goulburn.
298 Sloane St.,
Goulburn Phone (02) 4821 2122
January 25, 2019
It was my privilege to know you and call you my friend. I will never forget the time we travelled to Darwin to say goodbye to “Merro” – another good bloke taken from us too soon. The period we worked together at OSTU are amongst the happiest memories of my life and I thank you for sharing it with me.
My heart goes out to your family you all had so much more to look forward to in the years ahead.
Goodbye my friend.
Laurence Barlow
*
January 24, 2019
Always in my thoughts my friend you will be dearly missed I know where you are going you will be surrounded by former brothers in blue. Another angel to protect us.
On the 13th of January, surrounded by the ones he loved, the world lost a gentleman. A kind soul that filled everyone who ever had the honour of meeting him with happiness. His infectious laugh and his mischievous pranks were like no other. The way he would jump around the room, wake us up with a cup of ice then run away giggling… it’s a memory I will never forget.
His dedication to his job, and his unwavering loyalty to his colleagues, who he considered family, earned him the respect of hundreds of people across the world.
The love he shares with his partner will last until the end of time. An unbreakable bond between two of the kindest souls that gave me hope for the future. A woman I respect and will forever be grateful to for everything she ever did for him and for loving him so deeply.
I had the honour of calling this man my Dad. My hero. My protector. There was nothing he wouldn’t do for me or my siblings. His gentle voice, his patience, the way he protected us so fiercely.
My children and my nieces and nephews had the honour of calling him Poppy Tom. He was always wrestling with them, laughing with them, watching cartoons and laughing harder than anyone else in the room. Watching his strength and love while he carried my baby boy in his coffin had me in awe.
Fly high Dad, and watch over my boy.
Until I see you again. I love you.
Samantha Jane BAGLIN-LIMU
04/04/2019
Samantha Jane BAGLIN-LIMU
AKA BAGGERS & SAMMY
Late of ?
Police Academy Class # ? ? ?
Australian Federal Police Force
Regd. # 10496
Rank: ?
Final Rank = Sergeant
Stations: ?, IDG ( International Deployment Group ),
Service: From? ? ?to9 December 2018 = 15 years Service
Awards: No find on It’s An Honour – but
National Medal – granted ???
Born: ? ? ?
Died on: Sunday 9 December 2018 a.m.
Age: 44
Cause: Depression – Suicide – Service weapon – shot
Event location: vault room of the AFP National Headquarters, Edmund Barton building, Canberra
Event date: Sunday 9 December 2018
Funeral date: Tuesday 18 December 2018 @ 2pm
Funeral location: Victoria Police Academy Chapel, 1 View Mount Rd, Glen Waverley, Melbourne
Wake location: ?
Funeral Parlour: White Lady Funerals, Essendon 93510788
Buried at: Cremated
Memorial located at: ?
SAMMY is NOT mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance * BUT SHOULD BE
FURTHER INFORMATION IS NEEDED ABOUT THIS PERSON, THEIR LIFE, THEIR CAREER AND THEIR DEATH.
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.
Thank you for the page on Lawrence Blake Leonard. I thought you might be interested to know he had a brother in the NSW Police & another in the Queensland Police. I understand William was posted to Moulamein, Broken Hill and then Albury. The following is copied from Trove : Western Herald 1 Jul 1903
Constable William Leonard, brother of Constable J. B. Leonard, of Enngonia, died on Friday last at the Hospital, Albury, from pueumonia. Deceased was a married man and about 37 years of age. Very general sympathy is extended to both Mr and Mrs Leonard, who have each lost a brother within a few days, and also to the young widow and remainder of the family.
William had married Emily Theresa Stevens in Moulamein.
A third brother, Joseph Blake Leonard, joined the Queensland Police. This is from the Daily Mercury, Mackay (Trove) 1939
Many friends will regret the passing of Mr. Joseph Blake Leonard, who was a retired Sergeant of Police, death taking place in Brisbane on Monday last. The late Mr. Leonard spent many years in Mackay, and after serving a short period in the North, went to Gayndah. After his retirement Mr. and Mrs. Leonard built a home at Ashgrove, where Mrs. Leonard died in 1938. Their son, Blake, survives them.
The three were the children of James Leonard, (an assisted emigrant from Woodford Galway in 1850) and his wife Catherine Blake. All three were born at Jerrara, Goulburn, New South Wales. James was a farmer.
?, ?, ?, 
