Late of Palm Beach Queensland formerly of Trangie and Sydney.
Dearly loved husband of Margaret.
Loving father of Julie-Anne Debney
Much loved grandfather of Oliver and Jack
Brother of Janet Bennett.
Francis’ funeral service will be held in St Peter’s Anglican Church, 69 Palm Beach Ave, Palm Beach, QLD commencing at 10.00am, Friday 12th July.
Published in Narromine News on July 10, 2019
July 11, 2019
Shocked to hear of Franks recent passing. We have been close friends since school days at Trangie and later as Police Officers. A very compassionate and generous man a larger than life character who I will miss greatly.
Condolences to the family,
Margaret, Julie Anne and Janet.
Rest in Peace Frank, may God be with you.
Your friend Pat Yeo.
Patrick Yeo, Berry,
New South Wales
July 10, 2019
May Frank forever Rest In Peace: https://www.australianpolice.com.au/francis-michael-pearce/
RIP Sir,
Thank you for your service ????
Please seek help
Thoughts to your loved ones, and the
Thin Blue Line BLUE HOPE
Lifeline Australia: 13 11 14
Beyond Blue: 1300 224 636
Relationships Australia: 1300 364 277
WARNING: Distressing content
An Australian Federal Police officer has died in shockingly similar circumstances to another four members who took their lives in the workplace over the last two years.
The man, from Melbourne, reportedly turned his service weapon on himself in a Canberra motel room overnight while on a work trip in the capital.
News.com.au understands his body was discovered by a colleague.
It brings the total number of AFP officers to have died by suicide at work using their firearms since February 2017, to five.
An AFP spokesperson told news.com.au it could “confirm that a member of the AFP appears to have taken their own life”.
“A brief is now being prepared for the ACT Coroner,” the spokesperson said.
“The AFP is providing support to the member’s family and colleagues.”
The AFP didn’t respond to further questions.
The man — who news.com.au has chosen to not yet identify — was an Air Security Officer (ASO) responsible for the containment or resolution of high-risk security incidents on domestic and international flights.
According to the AFP’s website, the main purpose of an ASO is to respond to threats or attempts of hijack by terrorists or other criminals.
ASO’s are extensively trained in many disciplines including negotiation, defensive tactics, specialist firearm handling and small team techniques,” it reads.
The latest apparent suicide death by a member comes amid an ongoing cultural crisis within the AFP.
The embattled organisation has made efforts to increase mental health support following the spate of workplace suicides but has grappled to tackle the problem. In January this year, AFP Commissioner Andrew Colvin revealed the force was restricting its officers’ access to firearms, in direct response to the suicides.
“There is no one thing that will solve what is a complex problem but we have made changes to our firearms access policies,” Mr Colvin told the ABC at the time.
As part of that new policy, members are now required to provide a reason to check out their weapons while off duty. But for those dying by suicide while on-duty — the tally continues to climb.
One AFP officer, who spoke to news.com.au on the condition of anonymity, described the man who died overnight as a “really good guy”.
The source said he saw his friend last week and that he had “seemed OK”.
“They need a Royal commission into what’s going on. So many members are stressed,” he said.
“In all my 20 years of policing, I have never felt so deflated by an organisation.”
The workplace suicide deaths, once unprecedented, have become a disturbingly frequent occurrence within the organisation in recent years.
AFP officer Sue Jones turned her service weapon on herself in the bathroom at the organisation’s Melbourne headquarters in February 2017.
Since Ms Jones’ death, almost 100 AFP whistleblowers have contacted news.com.au to report a severe mismanagement of widespread mental health issues and a disturbing internal bullying culture within the organisation.
Many of the past and present sworn members who came forward claimed the toxic culture had culminated in the workplace suicides and warned that more deaths were inevitable.
Among them was an agent who, following Ms Jones’ death, made a chilling prediction that has since become a reality.
“It’s like looking at a whole lot of ticking time bombs and wondering which one will go off,” he said of his colleagues. Another four AFP officers have since taken their lives at work.
An independent police advocacy spokesman, who asked not to be named, told news.com.au he was concerned officers might be trying to send a message by taking their lives in the workplace.
An Australian Federal Police officer has died in shockingly similar circumstances to another four members who took their lives in the workplace over the last two years.
The man, from Melbourne, reportedly turned his service weapon on himself in a Canberra motel room overnight while on a work trip in the capital.
News.com.au understands his body was discovered by a colleague.
It brings the total number of AFP officers to have died by suicide at work using their firearms since February 2017, to five.
An AFP spokesperson told news.com.au it could “confirm that a member of the AFP appears to have taken their own life”.
“A brief is now being prepared for the ACT Coroner,” the spokesperson said.
“The AFP is providing support to the member’s family and colleagues.”
The AFP didn’t respond to further questions.
The man — who news.com.au has chosen to not yet identify — was an Air Security Officer (ASO) responsible for the containment or resolution of high-risk security incidents on domestic and international flights.
According to the AFP’s website, the main purpose of an ASO is to respond to threats or attempts of hijack by terrorists or other criminals.
“ASOs are extensively trained in many disciplines including negotiation, defensive tactics, specialist firearm handling and small team techniques,” it reads.
The latest apparent suicide death by a member comes amid an ongoing cultural crisis within the AFP.
The embattled organisation has made efforts to increase mental health support following the spate of workplace suicides but has grappled to tackle the problem. In January this year, AFP Commissioner Andrew Colvin revealed the force was restricting its officers’ access to firearms, in direct response to the suicides.
“There is no one thing that will solve what is a complex problem but we have made changes to our firearms access policies,” Mr Colvin told the ABC at the time.
As part of that new policy, members are now required to provide a reason to check out their weapons while off duty. But for those dying by suicide while on-duty — the tally continues to climb.
One AFP officer, who spoke to news.com.au on the condition of anonymity, described the man who died overnight as a “really good guy”.
The source said he saw his friend last week and that he had “seemed OK”.
“They need a Royal commission into what’s going on. So many members are stressed,” he said.
“In all my 20 years of policing, I have never felt so deflated by an organisation.”
The workplace suicide deaths, once unprecedented, have become a disturbingly frequent occurrence within the organisation in recent years.
AFP officer Sue Jones turned her service weapon on herself in the bathroom at the organisation’s Melbourne headquarters in February 2017.
Since Ms Jones’ death, almost 100 AFP whistleblowers have contacted news.com.au to report a severe mismanagement of widespread mental health issues and a disturbing internal bullying culture within the organisation.
Many of the past and present sworn members who came forward claimed the toxic culture had culminated in the workplace suicides and warned that more deaths were inevitable.
Among them was an agent who, following Ms Jones’ death, made a chilling prediction that has since become a reality.
“It’s like looking at a whole lot of ticking time bombs and wondering which one will go off,” he said of his colleagues. Another four AFP officers have since taken their lives at work.
An independent police advocacy spokesman, who asked not to be named, told news.com.au he was concerned officers might be trying to send a message by taking their lives in the workplace.
In December last year, Sergeant Samantha Baglin, 44, died by suicide in the vault room at the Australian Federal Police national headquarters in Canberra.
In November 2017, AFP member Malcolm Scott, 59, walked into the foyer of the organisation’s Melbourne headquarters and took his own life just before 9am on a Saturday.
Mr Scott’s death followed that of colleague Sue Jones, 53, a mother-of-two who died in shockingly similar circumstances in the bathroom of the same building earlier that year. Mr Scott and Ms Joneshad 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.
In March last 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 Australian National Audit Office (ANAO) also announced an audit into the AFP’s management of mental health within the organisation. It was later revealed that two-thirds of men and women in the AFP experienced potentially traumatic events at some stage in their career.
The ANAO made six recommendations, which the AFP agreed to implement as part of its “new Health and Wellbeing Strategy for the organisation”.
The AFP also engaged the Phoenix Australia Centre to conduct an independent mental health review into the organisation and made 37 recommendations to be implemented over five years.
While the AFP has recently made efforts to improve its mental health support services for staff, many officers want more outside support.
Commissioner Colvin in May last year laid out the increasing workload on the force. The number of crimes involving victims, who might be children, had gone up 200 per cent, while cyber and corruption investigations were also on the rise.
“The demand side is increasing, there’s no question on that,” he said.
But police resources had not increased and this has added to pressure on the force.
In March this year, the AFP announced it had started a partnership with Lifeline, and would roll out a Road to Mental Readiness course over two years in a bid to equip officers with coping strategies and tools to encourage them to address mental health concerns earlier.
At the time, Mr Colvin said a critical element of addressing mental health in the organisation was cultural change.
“We still have a long way to go but if we keep implementing these positive initiatives with partners who are experts in the field we know we will make ground,” he told The Australian at the time.
AFP chief medical officer Katrina Sanders said the AFP’s 6641 members would be asked to use their imagination to prepare for stressful events, taught coping strategies such as how to use breathing to calm down and reduce stress, and given a self-assessment tool to consider their own mental fitness.
“Will it prevent further suicides? That’s also hard to say, we hope so,” she said in March.
“But certainly the research and the evidence around it is it does improve resilience and we know that’s critical to health protection.”
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.”
AFPA president Angela Smith said the matters raised by the whistleblowers were of “significant public interest” and that members had gone public because they were “at their wits end”.
In a previous statement, an AFP spokesman said the commissioner had “made it clear that the health and wellbeing of our people is his and the organisation’s highest priority”.
Yesterday the #fightingptsdvicpol campaign was informed that one of our VicPol members had taken his own life in the afternoon.
Senior Constable Brenton Erkens-Goss, # 42447, of Hamilton Police Station ( Victoria ) hopefully you can now rest in peace.
Brenton represented Victoria Police and attended the inaugural World LGBT Conference for Criminal Justice Professionals in Amsterdam in 2017 .
Constable Brenton Erkens-Goss was one of more than 100 Victoria Police LGBTI Liaison Officers working to build rapport and trust with the LGBTI community and help tackle prejudice-motivated crimes and family violence.
Brenton was supportive in raising awareness for mental health issues, and he recently represented the Fighting PTSD VicPol campaign during the surf to surf running event in Warrnambool with his colleagues.
To his family and work mates, my sincere condolences. Please look after each other during this sad time.
I urge all members and retired veterans to please reach out to family, friends or any of your work colleagues before making that final decision.
Please everyone check in on each other and if anyone needs assistance please utilise the contact number on our website www.protectingtheprotectors.com
Brenton was born in Alice Springs 12 April 1992.
He always had a passion to join the police force after high school but was told he was to young and needed more experiences.
Soon, in 2009, he joined the SES in Rockhampton, Qld, before the family moved down south in 2010 and, there Brenton started with the SES in Mount Gambier, South Australia.
In 2013 while he was still waiting to join the Victoria Police Force, he applied for Protective Services Officer and graduated in squad 15 on September 2013 .
As a PSO, he worked in a few different places – such as Milton, Sunshine and out of the Victoria Police Centre training new PSO‘s.
Finally he joined VicPol and enlisted at the Victoria Police Academy in Squad 15 2016/17 of which he was a Deputy Guard Leader for the Squad’s Graduation day – that being on Friday 12 May 2017.
Brenton worked in Williamstown and then Hamilton before finally going to the drug investigation unit in Portland, Victoria until his death.
Brenton remained with the SES right up until he died, aged 27.
Brenton will be sorely missed by his family and many, many friends.
Police praise officer’s work in forging relationships with LGBTIQ community
30 Jun 2019
Senior Victorian police have praised the work local officer Brenton Erkens-Goss made to forging relationships between the police and the LGBTIQ+ communities following the officer’s unexpected death.
Constable Erkens-Goss passed away on Friday, he took his own life. Prior to joining the Victorian Police, Erkens-Goss had worked as a Protective Service Officer.
Assistant Commissioner Neil Paterson, who is also the executive champion of Victorian Police Pride, praised the contribution First Constable Erkens-Goss made to building relationships between the police and LGBTIQ+ community.
“Brenton was a member of VP Pride and was a proud and out gay man who was truly valued by his work colleagues and the community he served.
“Prior to graduating as a sworn member on 12 May 2017, Brenton spent a number of years as a PSO where his enthusiasm for policing shone through. Brenton was part of the Victoria Police contingent that attended the first World LGBT+ Criminal Justice Professionals Conference in Amsterdam in August 2016.” Assistant Commissioner Neil Paterson said.
“As a member of the local Hamilton community, Brenton made many friends both at the station and in the community.”
Western Region Superintendent Glenn Owen echoed the praise for the officer.
“Brenton worked at Hamilton uniform and was recognised for his investigative talents, recently being selected to work at the Portland Tasking Team. His supervisors and work friends describe him as a highly competent, intelligent and enthusiastic member who was destined to become a detective. Brenton was also well respected in the local community and volunteered as a member of the SES.” Superintendent Owen said.
As one of 100 officers in the Victorian Police trained as a Gay and Lesbian Liaison Officer Constable Erkens-Goss had previously shared his thoughts on the program with east-coast LGBTIQ publication Star Observer.
It has been stated, by family, that Brenton was at his grandmothers 90th birthday party on the previous Sunday and there was simply “no hint” of what was to happen on the proceeding Friday.
It simply leaves you wondering, for the rest of your life, what you could have possibly done to prevent this suicide if there were no, apparent, obvious signs.
Suicidal thoughts are very silent so if you know someone who suffers with depression, tread carefully with how you treat them.
Andrew Goss
20 hrs ·
Over recent times, I didn’t see much of my nephew, Brenton Holt… life gets away from us all.
The older we get – the busier we are.
Life changes and there are more things that take up our time, more layers to our lives.
Just because you don’t see each other as often as you’d like, doesn’t mean you love them any less.
The last time I saw Brenton was last weekend for his Grandma’s 90th Birthday lunch and I am most grateful for that.
He was happy.
Talkative.
He looked well.
We spoke a lot of our roles in the operational field and ‘compared notes’ on “cells procedures” and the strange things we’d both seen.
We laughed????
A lot!!
He told me how much he was enjoying the job and the people he worked with.
I’d never seen Brenton so settled.
I simply did not realise, mate.
I just didn’t see it – at all.
However, I am now reminded again that every day is not a given.
It’s not guaranteed.
If anything, we all need to learn from this.
Check in on your loved ones.
Often.
Then…. they know.
They’re not alone.
To Jessy, Tony, Monica, Steve, Mel, Cathy , Wayne & Daniel, Michael & Pete…. my love and thoughts. No one is ever prepared for this so, look out for each other always.
R.I.P. Brenton ????
You will be missed by so many.????
Victoria Police LGBTI Liaison Officer Senior Constable Brenton Erkens-Goss took his own life on Friday.
One of over 100 Victoria Police LGBTI Liaison Officers, Brenton worked diligently to tackle prejudice-motivated crimes and family violence.
Further, he worked to build rapport and trust with the LGBTI community.
The loss of the officer came about because he ‘tragically succumbed to his inner demons,’ according to a Facebook post.
Last night, Senior Constable Ben Bjarnesen posted on Facebook about the loss.
Ben is Coordinator of the Queensland Police Service LGBTI Support Network.
Absolutely devastated to learn tonight that one of our friends and colleagues from Victoria Police, Brenton Erkens-Goss took his own life yesterday.
He was such a great guy and will be dearly missed by many. Rest In Peace brother.
Fellow Police pay tribute to Senior Constable Brenton Erkens-Goss
Also, in a touching tribute to their colleague, Cop Humour Australia spoke on the loss of Brenton.
“We have received heartbreaking news that Senior Constable Brenton Erkens-Goss of Hamilton Police Station in Victoria tragically succumbed to his inner demons and took his own life yesterday afternoon.
“Brenton was a long time follower and supporter of Cop Humour Australia, which makes this even harder for us. We wish we could have done more for him, or done more to raise mental health awareness and encourage Brenton to seek help.
“Nevertheless, we hope that Brenton is now at peace.”
The page also praised Brenton’s support in raising awareness for mental health issues.
“He recently represented the Fighting PTSD Vicpol campaign during a surf to surf running event in Warrnambool with his colleagues.
“As one of the Victoria Police LGBTI Liaison Officers, Brenton worked hard to build rapport and trust with the LGBTI community, and helped tackle prejudice-motivated crimes.
“Brenton also represented Victoria Police and attended the inaugural World LGBT Conference for Criminal Justice Professionals in Amsterdam in 2017.
“From what we’ve heard and been told — Brenton was a great copper and an even greater friend, and will be missed terribly by many.
“Our sincere condolences go out to Brenton’s family, colleagues, and friends.”
The post then spoke of the importance of seeking assistance.
“Please look after one another during this devastating time.
“If you’re feeling down, please speak to someone — reach out to family, a friend, a colleague, anyone.
“When it comes to the #ThinBlueLine you never fight any fight alone, your blue family will always be there to support you.
“Rest In Peace friend and colleague, for the sun has now set. We will remember.”
Police Liaison Officers
Despite continual progress the relationship between our communities and the police is at times difficult.
However, we must remain mindful of the valuable service provided by LGBTIQ Liaison officers across the country.
If you need someone to talk to, help is available from QLife on 1800 184 527 or online at QLife.org.au, Lifeline on 13 11 14, or beyondblue on 1300 22 4636.
CONSTABLE Brenton Erkens-Goss is hoping to do himself out of a job.
As one of more than 100 Victoria Police LGBTI Liaison Officers (GLLOs), Const Erkens-Goss imagines a future without the need for specialised support – where there is no difference and everyone is treated equally “as a person”.
“We’re not quite there yet but we’re definitely gaining ground,” he says.
After dreaming of becoming a police officer from a young age, Const Erkens-Goss now works to ensure LGBTI interactions with Victoria Police are always fair and respectful.
“Everyone deserves to be treated equally and be able to live in their own skin without having to hide who they truly are,” he says.
The force’s relationship with LGBTI communities hit rock bottom in the Tasty nightclub in 1994. Officers detained 463 patrons for seven hours, subjecting them to strip and cavity searches.
In 2014 then-Acting Chief Commissioner Lucinda Nolan formally apologised; ushering in a new era of policing to rebuild and regain trust.
Const Erkens-Goss says it was hard to hear about the disturbing raid as part of the Academy’s training, but ultimately it was indicative of a different time and a different Victoria Police.
“Originally when I was training as a Protective Services Officer, I hid it (being gay) but now the Academy is very, very supportive,” he says.
The Academy has an LGBTI Student Network and Const Erkens-Goss’ endeavours to implement his learnings from the inaugural World LGBT Conference for Criminal Justice Professionals in Amsterdam to increase inclusiveness among members.
“Victoria Police has definitely changed in the past two years,” he says, ahead of his graduation from the Constable Qualifying Program.
“Some people have never been friends with someone who is LGBTI and (they can have an attitude that comes from) ignorance or fear. It’s hard but if you have a conversation with them they become much more understanding.”
Out in the community, that understanding is also making a real difference to people’s lives.
“In one case recently I helped a trans teenager who was experiencing family violence from her father who was withholding her medication,” Const Erkens-Goss explains.
“I mediated with her dad and helped them get counselling. Her father simply misunderstood how his daughter was feeling and didn’t understand what she was experiencing, through specialised counselling this has educated him.”
But under-reporting of prejudice-motivated crimes and family violence, especially from older LGBTI victims, still concerns Const Erkens-Goss and the LGBTI liaison officers, who can informally discuss concerns, assist through the reporting process or help advise other police colleagues.
Const Erkens-Goss says Victoria Police’s involvement in events like Pride and Midsumma is far from tokenism, and shows the organisation celebrates diversity and is respectful and there to help.
“If someone asked me about joining Victoria Police I’d say ‘go for it!’ Victoria Police is an inclusive organisation with a lot of career progression.”
Hopefully, for Const Erkens-Goss that progression includes a spot in the ranks of the sought-after Dog Squad and the eventual retirement of his LGBTI liaison badge as the blue line becomes just another part of the rainbow.
Portland pair remanded in custody charged with drug trafficking
Jessica Howard
Police have seized quantities of ice, cannabis and heroin during a raid at a Portland property where a child was present.
Portland police Sergeant Martin Flannery said specialist units and uniform members executed search warrants at properties in Portland’s Wellington Road and Patrick Street in the early hours of Wednesday morning.
Police allegedly forced their way into the Wellington Road house after the occupants failed to open the door.
A search of the premises revealed three syringes loaded with methylamphetamine and blood, three green lasers, quantities of a white crystal substance believed to be ice and two white iPhones containing significant drug trafficking conversations.
Police also located inside a vehicle several ziplock bags containing ice, 16 grams of cannabis on top of a child’s baby seat, three digital scales, 6.5 grams of heroin, used needles and $350 cash believed to be the proceeds of crime.
A total of 6.96 grams of ice was found inside the house and vehicle.
Sergeant Flannery said a young child was present at the time of the raid. He said the child’s mother and a man were arrested at the scene.
“This is a real concern for us, the exposure of young children to that sort of lifestyle is very alarming,” he said.
Andrew Ryan, 31, and Bronwyn Noku, 35, of Wellington Road, appeared in Warrnambool Magistrates Court on Thursday.
Mr Ryan made no application for bail and was remanded in custody until June 17.
Court documents obtained by The Standard revealed Ms Noku had admitted to buying 3.5 grams of ice to sell weekly. She told police she sold one point of ice for $50.
Magistrate Franz Holzer said Ms Noku had failed to show compelling reasons why she should be released and remanded her in custody. She will appear in court the same day as Mr Ryan.
Sergeant Flannery said the Wellington Street property had been an address of interest for some time.
“Action was taken on Wednesday as a result of information received from the community, which added to our significant amount of intelligence suggesting there was a high level of drug trafficking occurring at that house,” he said.
“This is an example of the public’s good work in assisting us to remove this sort of offending from our town. Getting these drugs off the streets reduced the harm on the community.
“This has been an ongoing investigation conducted by the Southern Grampians divisional tasking team, with the warrants executed with the assistance of Portland and Hamilton crime investigation units and Portland uniform members. It has been a really positive, team effort.
“The Southern Grampians divisional tasking team has a strong focus on minimising the harm of drugs in the community. We will act on any information and use the full extent of the law deal with it.
“Anyone with information should contact Crime Stoppers or myself, Brenton Erkens-Goss and Victoria Hudson at Portland police station.”
Twenty-three years after the Tasty nightclub storm, the rainbow which emerged is only getting more vivid at Victoria Police.
On paper, Constable Brenton Erkens-Goss has the perfect background to serve the community. He’s volunteered with the State Emergency Service as a road crash rescuer and has spent countless hours talking to and helping commuters as a Protective Services Officer (PSO).
But policing is about more than just what appears on paper.
“I came out to my family when I was 21 when I had my first relationship,” he said.
“They’ve always been supportive and there was a bit of ‘yeah, we know’ when I told people.”
As one of more than 100 Victoria Police Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and gender diverse and Intersex (LGBTI) Liaison Officers (also known as GLLOs), Const Erkens-Goss uses his personal experience to provide specialised support to a community which still struggles with a high level of under-reporting crime.
“In one case recently I helped a transgender teenager who was experiencing family violence from her father who was withholding her medication,” he explained.
“I mediated with her dad and helped them get counselling.
“Her father simply misunderstood how his daughter was feeling and didn’t understand what she was experiencing, through specialised counselling this has educated him.
“I strongly believe that everyone deserves to be treated equally and be able to live in their own skin without having to hide who they are.”
Victoria Police’s relationship with LGBTI communities hit rock bottom at the Tasty nightclub in 1994, when officers detained 463 patrons for seven hours and subjected them to strip and cavity searches.
In 2014, then-Acting Chief Commissioner Lucinda Nolan formally apologised; ushering in a new era of policing to rebuild and regain trust.
Const Erkens-Goss said it was hard to hear about the disturbing raid as part of the Victoria Police Academy’s training, but ultimately it was indicative of a different time and a different Victoria Police.
“Victoria Police has definitely changed,” he said.
“After the Tasty nightclub, the LGBTI Liaison Officer program was implemented to help build rapport and also to have trained and experienced liaison officers to be there to support victims of crime who may identify as LGBTI (to either sit in an interview, take a statement or investigate hate crime) but also as a knowledge bank to other members who may need some assistance.”
Const Erkens-Goss said Victoria Police’s involvement in events like Pride and Midsumma was far from tokenism, and shows the organisation celebrates diversity and is respectful and there to help.
The Academy also has an LGBTI Student Network and Const Erkens-Goss is working to implement his learnings from the inaugural World LGBT Conference for Criminal Justice Professionals in Amsterdam to increase inclusiveness among members.
“I always wanted to be a police officer,” he said.
“To get some practical experience of the realities of the job I worked as a road crash rescuer, which was very challenging but rewarding.”
Const Erkens-Goss also paced the train platforms as a PSO, which he said was great for gathering intel and helping people, before graduating from the Constable Qualifying Program.
And while it’s still early days, he hopes the next stage in his career is retirement – of his GLLO badge, when the need for specialised support is no longer required.
“We’re not quite there yet,” he said. “But we’re definitely gaining ground.”
Image: Const Erkens-Goss at the Police Academy.
Editorial: Anthea Cannon
Photography: John Pallot
GLLO/LGBTI Liaison Officers
Victoria Police has a network of liaison officers (GLLOs) who provide advice to other police and the community.
The group has more than 100 GLLOs who also attend community events and build relationships with youth and LGBTI networks.
In June 1975, there is a Patrick Emmanuel BESSO, Clerk, was working with Department of Mines on 5 February 1974. ( but it is NOT confirmed if this is ‘our’ BESSO )
In August 1975, there is a Patrick Emmanuel BESSO mentioned with the Department of Mines ( but it is NOT confirmed if this is ‘our’ BESSO )
He worked for NSW Probation & Parole in at least 1976.
It is NOT confirmed to be the same person, but there is mention of a Patrick Emmanuel BESSO, who was Medically Retired from Department of Corrective Services, as District Manager, Level 1, on the 25 February 1998.
It would appear that Patrick was around 48 years old when he joined the NSWPF in 2000.
Woman ‘hid pregnancy before dumping baby’ 08 Sep 2006
A WOMAN hid her pregnancy from her partner before giving birth in their bathroom and abandoning the child in a beer carton, a Sydney court has been told.
The 31-year-old Dee Why woman faced Manly Local Court today charged with the attempted murder of her newborn, and one count of child abandonment.
NSW Police told the court the woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons, concealed her growing stomach with baggy clothing before giving birth in the bathroom of the Dee Why unit she shared with her partner.
She briefly put the baby in the toilet bowl before removing it, cutting the umbilical cord and taking the newborn to the unit’s laundry, police said.
The court was told she left the baby behind after wrapping it in a towel, putting it in the beer carton and covering it with a piece of carpet.
Neighbours heard the baby’s cries early on August 27 and alerted police.
Police Prosecutor Patrick Besso said the baby was lucky to be alive.
“Examination of the baby indicated it was in a hypothermic state and if not found it would have died within 15 minutes,” he said.
The hearing before Magistrate Andrew George was adjourned when a policewoman fainted in the courtroom, but has since resumed.
A MAN facing nine charges, including one of malicious damage, was refused bail when he threatened a policeman in Manly Court yesterday.
The 39-year-old Frenchman and builder Laurent Jacques Baroni, threatened to “take the weak one” – motioning to one of the two custody officers – as magistrate Jane Culver tried to assess his bail application.
Mr Baroni faces charges of malicious damage, using offensive language, trespass, custody of an offensive implement, being armed with intent to commit an indictable offence, breach of bail and intimidation of police.
He has been in Australia for four weeks and represented himself in court.
According to court papers, Mr Baroni took a 2m wooden seat paling on Wednesday morning, and used it to smash windows and terracotta pot planters at Out of Africa restaurant on East Esplanade. He then smashed a menu board at Cristals on The Corso and damaged a sandwich stand at the Boardrider Backpacker.
Mr Baroni was in court on Thursday when he first applied for bail, promising Ms Culver he would stay out of trouble and was not a flight risk as his passport and plane tickets had been stolen.
Ms Culver remanded him in custody that night and said she wanted him to be assessed by a mental health worker.
Yesterday, police prosecutor Sgt Patrick Besso said given the “serious nature” of the alleged offences, Mr Baroni should be retained and treated in custody at Long Bay Jail.
Sgt Besso also referred to a “violent and psychotic episode” Mr Baroni had in France in May 2005. It was at that point Mr Baroni threatened the officer and Ms Culver refused bail. Mr Baroni is due back in court on June 22.
Last man seen with nurse was a rapist who admitted hating women, inquest told
December 7, 2010
Mary Louise Wallace … disappeared after she left the Alpine Inn.
The last man seen with missing Sydney nurse Mary Louise Wallace told a parole officer that he “must hate women” after pleading guilty to rape.
Ms Wallace was last seen in the early hours of September 24, 1983, at the Alpine Inn in Crows Nest.
An inquest into her disappearance and presumed death heard yesterday that she left the venue with Robert Adams, who had offered to drive her to her home in Drummoyne.
Philip Strickland, counsel assisting the coroner, told the court in his opening address that Mr Adams had a history of violence towards women and had been convicted of rape in 1976.
Mr Adams‘s probation and parole officer at the time, Patrick Besso, gave evidence today at the Coroner’s Court in Glebe that, during an interview in September 1976, Mr Adams had said “I must hate women” after pleading guilty to rape.
Mr Besso said that Mr Adams had told him that, in the past, he had had sex with women “to get back at them”.
He had also said that the woman he raped in his car outside a club at The Spit in northern Sydney “must have wanted it”.
“As far as I’m concerned, she was just a slut, her boobs hanging out, just a slutty looking girl,” Mr Besso said Mr Adams had told him.
Mr Adams had said that, because the woman had accepted his invitation to sit in his car, she was by implication agreeing to have sex with him, Mr Besso told the court.
He had also told Mr Besso that he felt as if he was “an animal”.
“I have been a fool and I know I must learn to control myself,” Mr Besso quoted Mr Adams as saying.
The inquest is continuing before coroner Paul MacMahon.
The last person seen with missing Sydney nurse Mary Louise Wallace told a parole officer after raping another woman that she “must have wanted it” and that he “must hate women”, an inquest has heard.
Ms Wallace was last seen in the early hours of September 24, 1983, at the Alpine Inn at Crows Nest, in Sydney’s north.
An inquest into her disappearance and presumed death has heard that the 33-year-old left the venue with Robert Adams, who had offered to drive her to her Drummoyne home.
Philip Strickland, counsel assisting the coroner, said in his opening address that Mr Adams had a history of violence towards women and had been convicted of rape in 1976.
Mr Adams’ then probation and parole officer, Patrick Besso, on Tuesday told Glebe Coroner’s Court that during an interview in September 1976 Mr Adams had said: “I must hate women” after pleading guilty to rape.
Mr Adams had said the woman he raped in his car outside a club at The Spit in northern Sydney “must have wanted it”, Mr Besso told the inquest.
“As far as I’m concerned, she was just a slut, her boobs hanging out, just a slutty-looking girl,” Mr Besso said Mr Adams had told him.
Mr Adams had said that by accepting his invitation to sit in his car, the woman was agreeing to have sex with him, Mr Besso told the inquest.
It also heard that in April 1983, another nurse met Mr Adams in Crows Nest and the pair went to the Alpine Inn.
He posed as a police officer and they arranged to meet again for dinner.
After dinner the next day, Mr Adams allegedly tried to force her to have sex in her apartment but was interrupted by the arrival of her friend.
The woman reported the incident to police after she saw a news report about Ms Wallace’s disappearance which featured a photograph of Mr Adams.
Ms Wallace’s colleague Mary Williams on Tuesday told the inquest that police asked her and fellow colleague Lesley Kennedy to meet with the woman.
Police asked them to “talk her into pressing charges against Robert Adams because she was very scared and she didn’t want to, so the police thought we could talk her into it,” Ms Williams said.
Mr Adams was found not guilty of the assault by the District Court in Sydney in 1985.
Ms Williams said she saw Mr Adams with Ms Wallace on the night of her disappearance and presumed he was a friend because he seemed concerned about her intoxicated state.
When Ms Williams told Ms Wallace “we better get you home, I better get you a cab”, Mr Adams insisted on driving her home in his Commodore.
“I did ask her if she wanted to go with him and she said: `Yes, it’ll be alright’,” Ms Williams said.
“I did say to him: ‘Are you alright to drive?, and he said: ‘You don’t have to worry, I’m a policeman’.”
The inquest is continuing before Coroner Paul MacMahon.
The last person seen with missing Sydney nurse Mary Louise Wallace told a parole officer after raping another woman that she “must have wanted it” and that he “must hate women”, an inquest has heard.
Ms Wallace was last seen in the early hours of September 24, 1983, at the Alpine Inn at Crows Nest, in Sydney’s north.
An inquest into her disappearance and presumed death has heard that the 33-year-old left the venue with Robert Adams, who had offered to drive her to her Drummoyne home.
Philip Strickland, counsel assisting the coroner, said in his opening address that Mr Adams had a history of violence towards women and had been convicted of rape in 1976.
Mr Adams’ then probation and parole officer, Patrick Besso, on Tuesday told Glebe Coroner’s Court that during an interview in September 1976 Mr Adams had said: “I must hate women” after pleading guilty to rape.
Mr Adams had said the woman he raped in his car outside a club at The Spit in northern Sydney “must have wanted it”, Mr Besso told the inquest.
“As far as I’m concerned, she was just a slut, her boobs hanging out, just a slutty-looking girl,” Mr Besso said Mr Adams had told him.
Mr Adams had said that by accepting his invitation to sit in his car, the woman was agreeing to have sex with him, Mr Besso told the inquest.
It also heard that in April 1983, another nurse met Mr Adams in Crows Nest and the pair went to the Alpine Inn.
He posed as a police officer and they arranged to meet again for dinner.
After dinner the next day, Mr Adams allegedly tried to force her to have sex in her apartment but was interrupted by the arrival of her friend.
The woman reported the incident to police after she saw a news report about Ms Wallace’s disappearance which featured a photograph of Mr Adams.
Ms Wallace’s colleague Mary Williams on Tuesday told the inquest that police asked her and fellow colleague Lesley Kennedy to meet with the woman.
Police asked them to “talk her into pressing charges against Robert Adams because she was very scared and she didn’t want to, so the police thought we could talk her into it,” Ms Williams said.
Mr Adams was found not guilty of the assault by the District Court in Sydney in 1985.
Ms Williams said she saw Mr Adams with Ms Wallace on the night of her disappearance and presumed he was a friend because he seemed concerned about her intoxicated state.
When Ms Williams told Ms Wallace “we better get you home, I better get you a cab”, Mr Adams insisted on driving her home in his Commodore.
“I did ask her if she wanted to go with him and she said: `Yes, it’ll be alright’,” Ms Williams said.
“I did say to him: ‘Are you alright to drive?, and he said: ‘You don’t have to worry, I’m a policeman’.”
The inquest is continuing before Coroner Paul MacMahon.
Cherished father of Julie (dec), John, Patricia (dec) and Carmel (dec).
Stepfather of Christopher & Courtney.
Adored poppy of Isla & Marlee.
Aged 81 years.
Kelvin’s relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend his funeral to be held at the Chapel of the Broulee Memorial Gardens Crematorium, Broulee NSW, with a service commencing at 1.00pm, Friday 21st June 2019.
Canberra Times (ACT : 1926 – 1995), Thursday 17 November 1983, page 3
Hearing told of SP’s aliases
MELBOURNE: A leading starting-price bookmaker had at least four aliases in NSW and two other names in Queensland, the Royal commission into the Federated Ship Painters’ and Dockers’ Union was told yesterday.
Counsel assisting the commission, Mr Rex Wild, said the man had been arrested and convicted of using premises for betting under three different names in Victoria and NSW between 1973 and 1983. Evidence produced by Mr Wild showed that the man, who lives in Melbourne, leased seven properties in NSW and Queensland from June 1978 to June this year.
The man, who the commission has been told is one of Australia’s biggest SP bookmakers, is facing charges of illegal betting in Queensland.
Although he was identified by three witnesses and sworn in at the commission yesterday, he gave no evidence, and his real name and that of his wife and a
company he operated were suppressed.
The Royal commissioner, Mr Frank Costigan, QC, told the man’s barrister, Dr Cliff Pannam, QC, that he felt “uneasy” about allowing the man to go into the witness box when he was facing charges in Queensland.
Mr Pannam said that should his client be called to give evidence there were several lines of questioning which he would maintain were not relevant to the commission’s terms of reference, including tax affairs.
Sergeant Kelvin John Fleming said that as a member of the NSW special gaming squad he had arrested the bookmaker at Bexley on February 5 and March 5.
The man had given his name and address as Ross James Hunter, of Fleet Street, Carlton, NSW. He had pleaded guilty to charges of place betting and had been fined.
The man had been arrested earlier in November, 1982, in Bexley. Fingerprint tests subsequently had shown an arrest in August, 1980, at an unspecified address under the name Brian Edward Williams.
Rest In Peace Keith, we had lots of fishing trips together and I have many memories. I am a bit shocked to read this, may the family live and love with your memory of a fine chap.
My brother Keith Dowton formerly of Nevertire passed away on the 14/6/19.Keith grew up in Nevertire son of Keith and Kitty Dowton and his 6 brothers and 2 sisters.Attended Nevertire Public School then Warren Central.
Worked on the telephone exchange in Warren before joining the Police force in 1967 and retiring in 2001 .
Commonwealth of Australia Gazette (National : 1901 – 1973), Thursday 9 July 1964 (No.60), page 2767
AS NOTIFIED BY THE POSTMASTER-GENERAL’S DEPARTMENT
New South Wales.
Postman, Fourth Division — William Keith DOWTON,………………
Noel’s family & friends are respectfully invited to attend his funeral to be held at St Raphael’s Catholic Church Cowra, commencing at 10.00am on Friday 14th June 2019.
At this time God offers you his compassion, grace and loyal love. May you find comfort in these words knowing that there is someone who genuinely cares about you. Psalms 119:76
Sincerely, B.B.
June 15, 2019
A man I respected and admired greatly. May he rest in peace and always be remembered.
Goulburn Evening Post (NSW : 1940 – 1954), Friday 20 April 1945, page 3
MRS. M. McKNIGHT
The death is announced of Mrs. Mary McKnight, wife of Mr. James McKnight, of Dee Why.
She was the second eldest daughter of the late Mr. A. H. Wark and of Mrs. Wark, of Young, formerly of Bungendore.
Mrs. McKnight was 33 years of age.
She had been in ill-health for some months.
Besides her husband, she is survived by three children, Denis, Patricia and Noel: her mother, Mrs. M. Wark (Young) : two brothers, Tom and Alex, of Young, and two sisters, Daphne (Temora) and Ada (West Wyalong).
Mr. Walter Flynn, of “Ingledow,” Bungendore, is an uncle.
The funeral was largely attended. Rev. Father Lynch, of Temora, officiating at the church and graveside.
Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate (NSW : 1876 – 1954), Monday 8 December 1952, page 1
Child Shot With Spear Gun
SYDNEY, Sunday. –
A seven-year-old boy was wounded by a spear gun at Dee Why to-day.
He is Noel McKnight, of Redman-road, Dee Why.
McKnight was playing near the rock pools when a man handed the spear gun to a friend in the water. The gun went off and the spear, about three feet long, pierced McKnight‘s buttocks.
Dee Why Surf Club ambulance men removed the spear and Manly Ambulance took McKnight to Manly Hospital, where he was treated and allowed to leave.
From Rick Del Monte regarding the passing of Steve Hearn.
RICK’S MESSAGE.
Could you let the group know that ex-cadet Steve Hearn passed away last night. He had just turned 60 in January of this year and was surrounded by family when he passed.
Steve had not been well having contracted Motor Neuron Disease (MND) some years ago and eventually succumbed to it.
He is survived by his beautiful, caring wife Ingrid and his much loved 10 year old son Brandon.
Kevin Clews and I visited Steve late last year and although he was immobile, he retained his quick wit and brilliant sense of humour.
Funeral arrangements are yet to be confirmed however, I will let you know once details are known in case any of the group wanted to pay their respects.
A truly wonderful bloke, a proud man and a loving husband and father. Another good one gone – a true friend now resting. Thanks mate. Rick
Rick Del Monte
Steve had been battling Motor Neuron disease for the past 9 years and he leaves behind his wife and a 10 year old son.
Steve – now out of pain.
Further information to follow when funeral details are known.
Cal
100619
HEARN, Stephen Duane
Of Mountain Creek, QLD.
Passed away peacefully on 9th June 2019.
Aged 60 years.
Loving Husband of Ingrid.
Dearly loved Father of Brandon, Jes, Nikki, Samantha, Sascha, Ben and Jake.
Loved Son of Stan and Jill.
Loved Brother of Louise and Melissa.
Loved Grandfather, Uncle and Brother-in-Law.
Family and friends are invited to attend the celebration of Stephen’s life to be held at the Gregson & Weight Chapel, 159 Wises Road, Buderim on Thursday 13th June 2019 at 3.30pm.
Not a nice subject guys but can I ask a question that someone could answer? Unfortunately I am suffering advanced cancer with not much chance of recovering.
My question is …is there any assistance out there from the Police Association or RPA for my wife to assist in my pension being transferred over to her when I pass?
Thanking you in advance.
Rick Lettice
Sad that one has to think of these things when you know that the inevitable is coming.
