New South Wales Police Force
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| New South Wales Police Force | |
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| Culpam Poena Premit Comes ("Punishment Follows Close On Guilt") |
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| Established: | 1862 |
| Headed by: | Commissioner Andrew Scipione APM |
| Ministry: | Police |
| Headquarters: | Parramatta, New South Wales |
| Stations: | 500+ |
| Employees: | 18,500 |
| Major units: | |
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The New South Wales Police Force (NSW Police Force; previously New South Wales Police Service & New South Wales Police) is the primary law enforcement agency in the State of New South Wales, Australia. It is an agency of the Government of New South Wales within the New South Wales Ministry for Police. Divided into eighty Local Area Commands (LAC),[1] the NSW Police Force consists of over five hundred local police stations and covers an area of 801,600 square kilometres whilst serving the state's population of seven million people.[2]
Under the Police Regulation Act (1862), the organisation of the New South Wales Police Force was formally established in 1862 with the unification of all existing independent police units within New South Wales. The authority and responsibility of the entire police force was given to the Inspector General of Police.[3] Presently, the Commissioner of Police controls the police force.
The current Commissioner of the New South Wales Police Force is Andrew Scipione, APM, who replaced Ken Moroney AO APM, on August 31, 2007, with Deputy Commissioner Terry Collins APM, and the Cabinet Minister of the State Government responsible for the New South Wales Police Force portfolio is The Honourable David Campbell, MP. As of 2007, the New South Wales Police Force consists of approximately 14,454 officers.[1] However, due to the growing number of violent attacks in the state in 2006, the president of the New South Wales Police Association, Bob Pritchard, commented on January 7, 2007, that the state is "very short of police and that there is a need to increase the number of police officers throughout the state significantly".[4]
[edit] Mission and authority
The motto of the New South Wales Police Force is Culpam Poena Premit Comes. When translated from Latin to English, it means "Punishment Follows Closely Upon Crime". The insignia of the NSW Police Force also depicts this sentiment. Its coat of arms features the state badge of New South Wales, a soaring Australian Wedge Tail eagle carrying a scroll with the word Nemesis, a wreath and the St Edwards Crown, crown of the Queen of Australia.[5] The insignia was first used in 1959 at the South Pacific Police Commissioners Conference in the table placenames of each of the attending commissioners. It was designed for this purpose by then Detective-Seargeant Norm Merchant and subsequently adopted as the official insignia.
The overall mission of the New South Wales Police Force is to protect the community and property of the state of New South Wales. Services provided by the NSW Police Force include:[2]
- Preventing, detecting and investigating crime;
- Monitoring and promoting road safety;
- Maintaining social order; and
- Performing and coordinating emergency and rescue operations.
Further policing duties performed are traffic control, intelligence analysis and anti-terrorist negotiation.
Like all other States of Australia, municipalities and shires in New South Wales have no or very limited law enforcement responsibilities. The Australian Federal Police is relatively unobtrusive and is not very visible in the day to day lives of the residents of New South Wales. Therefore, state police forces—the NSW Police Force included—are much more powerful and ubiquitous than equivalent state or provincial police forces in other federal nations such as the United States or Canada, where the total law enforcement task is more evenly shared among three or four tiers of government. The NSW Police Force is arguably the highest profile police jurisdiction in the country.
Authoritative powers of the New South Wales Police Force are controlled and described by the law as set out by the State Government.
[edit] History
[edit] 1788 - Australia's first Police
The New South Wales Police Force has existed in various forms since the foundation of the colony of New South Wales at Sydney in 1788. In order to protect the infant town against thieves and petty criminals after dark, Governor Arthur Phillip authorised the formation of a nightwatch in August 1789, consisting of eight of the best-behaved convicts.[6] After his appointment as the new governor of New South Wales, Governor Lachlan Macquarie restructured the police force in January 1811, setting up a basic system of ranks and control and recruiting free men into the force instead of convicts. Police units were under the rule of the district magistrates.
Responding to the various forms of crime, a number of independent specialised units were set up. The earliest of these units formed was the Mounted Police. Established in 1825, the Mounted Police was amongst the most important police units created to keep the settlers safe and to guard road transportation. The New South Wales Mounted Police has the distinction of being the oldest continuous mounted police unit in the world. [7]
Other specialist groups formed during this time were the Water Police (formed in 1832), the Border Police (formed in 1839) and the Native Police (formed in 1848).[6]
[edit] Passing of the Police Regulation Act, 1862
As the colony expanded, a more sophisticated form of crime management was called for, which involved unifying all the police units into a single cohesive police force with the centralisation of authority. After a failed attempt made by Act No. 38 of 1850, a unified control of the police finally eventuated in 1862 when the Police Regulation Act (1862) was passed, establishing the New South Wales Police Force. An Inspector General of Police was appointed to assume the authority and responsibility of the entire police force, the first of whom being John McLerie. The Police Regulation (Amendment) Act, passed in 1935, changed the official title of Inspector General of Police to Commissioner of Police with its role clearly defined. In addition, the position of Deputy Commissioner was also created.[8]
By 1872, seventy police stations existed throughout the colony in various sub-districts with a total of 803 police officers. In 1915, the first female police officers were appointed. The number of members of the Police Force increased to 5717 in 1961. The Police Force celebrated its centenary the following year, which now maintains 507 police stations in New South Wales.[9]
[edit] Bushrangers & Villains
After the formation of the New South Wales Police Force in 1862, the majority of crimes the police were faced with were conducted by bushrangers, particularly during the Victorian gold rush years. Constable Byrne, almost single-handed, fought off the Ben Hall gang when they attacked a gold escort at Major's Creek on March 13, 1865. Constable O'Grady was taken ill with cholera when, on April 9, 1866, he left his sick bed to confront the Clarke gang, who were renowned as being the "bloodiest bushrangers" of the Colony of New South Wales and that of Australia. Constable Walker was one of the earliest Australian-born mounted troopers to gain fame. He brought Captain Thunderbolt's enduring "bushranging" career to an end by shooting him near Uralla in New England, New South Wales.
Constable Ernest Charles Day (later the Inspector General of Police) showed courage under fire when he shot and captured Bushranger Hobson. Hobson was later hanged. Day later investigated a string of murders involving a hawker Tommy Moore by tracing his activities to South Australia and solved one of Australia's earliest cases of serial killers..[10]
[edit] Major Events
NSW Police Force officers have been at heart of many famous, and infamous, events in NSW's history including APEC Australia 2007, the 1997 Thredbo landslide, Waterfall train disaster, Grafton bus crash, 1989 Newcastle earthquake, Sydney Hilton bombing, the arrest of serial killer Ivan Milat, the 2004 Redfern riots and 2005 Macquarie Fields riots to name but a few. NSW Police Force were responsible for the security of the 2000 Olympics and jointly responsible for security of the APEC 2007 summit with the Australian Federal Police.
[edit] Passing of the Police Service Act, 1990
In 1990, the Police Service Act was introduced to replace the Police Regulation Act. The New South Wales Police Force was consequently renamed to the New South Wales Police Service, which reflected "community-based policing at the time" of the Greiner Government[11] and the public's responsilibity in crime control, aided by the police.[12] In accordance with the Police Service Amendment (NSW Police) Bill in 2002, the New South Wales Police Service was then renamed again to simply New South Wales Police.[13] The then Minister for Police, Michael Costa, explains:[14]
"NSW Police" is the name on which everybody signed off and it is the name with which we were to come to the Parliament... I do not believe we need the word "service" in the name of the police force. I do not accept the argument that we need the word "service" in a community-based policing approach.
In 2006, the Police Amendment (Miscellaneous) Bill resulted in a name change for the third time, renaming the New South Wales Police to New South Wales Police Force.[15]
The New South Wales Police Force has grown to be the largest in Australia and the highest paid.[2]
[edit] Organisation
The headquarters of the New South Wales Police Force is located at 1 Charles Street, Parramatta 2150. The New South Wales Police Force maintains over 500 local police stations coordinated by their respective Local Area Commands.
[edit] Divisions
The New South Wales Police Force consists of three major divisions: Corporate Services, Field Operations and Specialist Operations.[16]
The Corporate Services of the New South Wales Police Force is headed by the Executive Director (Corporate Services), who is charged with the management of recruitment and education, firearms, records and information process services, Security Industry Registry (SIR), investment and commercial services, safety, business and technology services, human resources, education services, finance and legal services which includes Police Prosecutors.
The Field Operations of the New South Wales Police Force, headed by the New South Wales Police Force Deputy Commissioner (Field Operations), is responsible for managing and overseeing the North West Metropolitan region, South West Metropolitan region, Central Metropolitan region, Southern Metropolitan region, Northern Metropolitan region, Western Metropolitan region, State Crime Command, Traffic Services, APEC Police Security Command and Special Projects.
The Specialist Operations of the New South Wales Police Force, headed by the Deputy Commissioner (Specialist Operations), is responsible for a range of specialist groups of the police force. These groups include Operations Communications & Information Group, Forensics Services Group, Special Services Group, Counter Terrorism and Public Order Management, Public Affairs Branch and Professional Standards Command.
[edit] Local Area Commands (Listed by Vehicle Bonnet Codes)
| AB (Albury) | CB (Canobolas) | DB (Dubbo) | HB (Hawkesbury) | LI (Lake Illawarra) | MR (Marrickville) | RB (Rose Bay) | TL (Tuggerah Lakes) |
| AS (Ashfield) | CC (Coffs/Clarence) | EB (Eastern Beaches) | HI (The Hills) | LM (Lake Macquarie) | NB (Northern Beaches) | RF (Redfern) | TC (Tarcutta) |
| BA (Barwon) | CF (Chifley) | ES (Eastern Suburbs) | HR (Holroyd) | LP (Liverpool) | NC (Newcastle) | RH (Rosehill) | TR (The Rock) |
| BB (Botany Bay) | CI (City Central) | EW (Eastwood) | HS (Harbourside) | MC/MNC (Mid North Coast) | ND (New England) | RM (Richmond) | WG (Wollongong) |
| BK (Bankstown) | CM (Cabramatta) | FA (Fairfield) | HU (Hurstville) | MD (Mount Druitt) | NS (North Shore) | RX (The Rocks) | WW (Wagga Wagga) |
| BL (Blue Mountains) | CN (Camden) | FL (Flemington) | HV (Hunter Valley) | ME (Mudgee) | NT (Newtown) | YS (Yass) | WT (Waratah) |
| BN (Blacktown) | CS (Castlereagh) | FS (Far South Coast) | KU (Ku-Ring-Gai) | MF (Macquarie Fields) | OR (Orana) | SH (Surry Hills) | |
| BR (Barrier) | CT (Campbelltown) | GF (Griffith) | KX (Kings Cross) | MG (Manning/Great Lakes) | OX (Oxley) | SM (St Marys) | |
| BU (Burwood) | CU (Cootamundra) | GL (Gladesville) | LE (Leichhardt) | MI (Miranda) | PA (Parramatta) | SU (Sutherland) | |
| BW (Brisbane Water) | DL (Darling River) | GN (Goulburn) | LH (Lower Hunter) | ML (Manly) | QH (Quakers Hill) | SV (Shoalhaven) | |
| CA (Campsie) | DQ (Deniliquin) | GV (Green Valley) | LL (Lachlan) | MN (Monaro) | PE (Penrith) | TB (Tweed/Byron) |
[edit] Rank structure
- See also: Australian police ranks
The New South Wales Police Force is run in a para-military structure. All sworn members start at the lowest rank of Probationary Constable / Constable and work their way up. Promotion beyond Senior Constable is highly competitive. The following ranks are listed lowest to highest from left as set out in 2002:[17]
| Rank | Constable | Senior Constable |
Incremental Senior Constable |
Leading Senior Constable |
Sergeant | Incremental Sergeant |
Senior Sergeant |
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| Rank | Inspector | Chief Inspector |
Superintendent | Chief Superintendent |
Assistant Commissioner |
Senior Assistant Commissioner |
Deputy Commissioner |
Commissioner |
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[edit] Non-Commissioned Officers
All grades of Constable perform the same basic range of duties, with the rank only reflecting experience. The rank of Probationary Constable is held for the first twelve months of service. Following twelve months of satisfactory service and upon completion of the Associate Degree of Policing Practice via distance education, the Probationary Constable will be confirmed to the Rank of Constable.
Promotion to the rank of Senior Constable can be obtained after five years service and requires the officer to pass an examination which can cover a broad area of policing knowledge. Incremental Senior Constable is obtained after ten years of service.
[edit] Senior-Non-Commissioned Officers
As in the case from promotion to and throughout Commissioned ranks, promotion to the Rank of Sergeant and beyond is based upon a "merit based" promotion system. This comprises for appointment by way of promotions from promotion lists. Appointment to any position by way of promotion is made by appointment of the highest ranked available member from a promotion list for the rank concerned. Members seeking placement on a promotion list must have spent the requisite time at the rank below, which is at least two years, and must successfully complete a pre-qualifying assessment, a promotion examination, an applicant evaluation and must meet the eligibility program. Officers who qualify for a promotion list are given an eligibility mark and are ranked according to order of merit from the highest mark to the lowest. A new promotion list for each rank or grade is prepared each year, and an applicant who does not accept promotion can remain on a list only for three years before having to requalify for the list.[18]
Upon promotion to Sergeant and Senior Sergeant, members are issued a Warrant of Appointment under the Commissioners hand and seal.
A Sergeant normally manages a team during a shift. A Detective Sergeant is normally in charge of a team in a specific part of either Local Area Command Detectives or State Crime Command's many specialised squads.
A Senior Sergeant oversees the Sergeants and traditionally perform more administrative work, coordination of policing operations or specialist work than active patrol duties. Many Senior Sergeants are attached to Regions in Region Training Coordinator, Region Traffic Coordinator, Region Operations Coordinator positions or in Legal Services, Professional Standards, Protocol, Education Services and perform middle management duties.
[edit] Commissioned Officers
Upon Commissioning, Commissioned Officers are issued a Certificate of Commission under the Commissioners hand and seal.
[edit] Designations
If a New South Wales Police Force Officer elects to undertake Criminal Investigation duties, after a period of exams and assignments, and given experience in a criminal investigation office that officer is given the designation of Detective. As it is a designation and not a rank, the Designation comes prior to the Rank, i.e., Detective Constable, or Detective Senior Constable etc. Returning to General Duties (uniform) is common for Detectives, and many Detectives do seek promotion in the General Duties arena. However, they do not have the designation of "Detective" after leaving criminal investigation.
[edit] Positions
Leading Senior Constable (LSC) is a position listed in the Rank structure but it is not a Rank per sae. It is only open for Senior Constables to apply for after a minimum of seven years service and is not a permanent position. If a member transfers to another duty type or station, the officer is then relieved of the position of LSC. It primarily is a position for Field Training Officers who oversees the training and development of inexperienced Probationary Constables or Constables.
[edit] Uniform and equipment
[edit] Working and Service dress
New South Wales Police Force has two uniforms for general duties police officers, one operational (Working Dress) and one ceremonial (Service Dress).
Working Dress of the New South Wales Police Force (known as Operational Dress) consists of navy blue cargo pants with map pockets, ballooned at the bottom, light blue marle short or long sleeve shirt, navy blue baseball cap with blue and white Sillitoe Tartan(fluorescent yellow caps were worn by the (now defunct) seconded Central Business District Street Policing Unit - a High Visibility unit in the City of Sydney), and general purpose boots. During winter a navy blue Polartec jacket is worn through out the state. Ranks are worn on the shoulders by both NCOs and Commissioned Ranks.
Service Dress consists of G.P. Boots, Straight Leg Navy Blue Trousers, Blue Marle Shirt, Antron Cap and Leather Duty Jacket.
During ceremonial occasions, NSW Police Force College Staff, New South Wales Police Force Protocol and NSW Police Force Field Protocol Officers generally wear a Navy Blue Ceremonial Tunic during official occasions such as Attestation Parades (passing out parades), medal ceremonies and funerals etc.
New South Wales Police Force Field Protocol Officers are issued with a light blue/navy blue lanyard to be worn over the right shoulder and tucked into the right pocket during ceremonial occasions.
Full time Protocol Officers and members of the VIP Cyclists are entitled to wear a black basketweave Sam Browne belt during ceremonial occasions.
In line with the name change of the organisation back to NSW Police Force, the shoulder patch for uniforms has been redesigned and is currently being phased in. The new patch features the word New South Wales Police Force, with new colouring to the eagle.
[edit] Specialist groups and special events
New South Wales Police Force Officers are also entitled to wear Mess dress with Mess kit for black tie or formal dinners/dances. The dark navy blue trousers and mess jacket with cobalt blue cuffs, epaulettes (with ranks) and lapels clearly identify them as being members of the New South Wales Police Force.
Specialist units such as the Public Order and Riot Squad, Air Wing, Marine Area Command and the State Protection Group Tactical Operations Unit all have different uniform needs and are outfitted accordingly such as New South Wales Police Force Rescue Squad with their white overalls, Tactical Operations Unit (TOU) with black and Dog Squad with subdued blue. Detectives wear plain clothes.
During ANZAC day marches and United Nations Day marches in Sydney, New South Wales Police Force Officers can be seen alongside their Australian Federal Police counterparts wearing the distinctive United Nations blue beret and full sized medals, if they have served with the Australian Federal Police in United Nations sanctioned peacekeeping operations.
[edit] Arms and Appointments
Members of the NSW Police are issued with the Glock 22 with some specialist sections and plain clothes officers having either the Glock 23 or Glock 29 smaller models available in lieu of the standard model. Members are also issued with a spare magazine for their pistol, Saflock (mark IV & V) handcuffs, O.C. (capsicum spray), expandable baton, Motorola XTS 3000 (UHF) or Tait Orca (VHF) Portable digital radio, and a first aid kit. Members also carry a fixed baton in crowd control environments. Members also have access to Maglite rechargeable torches in every vehicle and covert and overt body armour as required. Specialist tactical officers from elite units such as the State Protection Group and riot officers from the Public Order and Riot Squad have access to a variety of specialised weapons and equipment.
Each police officer is issued an identification metal badge with a Warrant Card. Behind the police badge, a member has a coloured plastic backing card which helps identify a members rank in the force, namely:
Light Blue - Constable & Senior Constables; Dark Blue - Sergeant & Senior Sergeant; Red - Inspector & Chief Inspector; Green - Superintendent & Chief Superintendent; White - Assistant Commissioner - Deputy Commissioner & Commissioner
The above colour coding also occurs on a members name plate. For administrative officers of all grades, the colour on their name plates are gold. Administrative officers are not issued with badges, however, civilian forensic staff are issued with warrant cards .
[edit] Vehicles
NSW Police Force has the largest Government fleet in Australia with almost 3000 vehicles obtained on a lease basis. Most LAC response vehicles include Ford Falcon sedans and Holden Rodeo utilities as caged trucks. Specialist vehicles include the Nissan Patrol and Toyota Land Cruiser 4WD. Highway Patrol vehicles usually consist of a combination of marked and unmarked Holden SS Commodores and Ford Falcon XR6 Turbo or XR8s, as well as BMW road motorcycles and trail bikes for off-road duty. Other specialist sections and units use a variety of police vehicles including Toyota Hi-Ace buses, Iveco prisoner vans, Mercedes Sprinter vans, Isuzu trucks, specialist rescue and bomb disposal vehicles, a Lenco armoured truck and various Suzuki Jimmy Beach Buggies. The Police Aviation Support Branch (Airwing), POLAIR, currently has a fleet of five helicopters, including a Kawasaki BK117 transporter for special operations, and four Eurocopter Squirrel's for general police operations. The New South Wales Police Force are also known for using unmarked vehicles in undercover operations such as RBT, vehicles that have been used in the past have been : Holden Commodore, Ford Falcon, Mitsubishi Magna,
In late 2007 (though trialed at various locations for some time) a program introduced by the NSW Police Service to blend in with the community has seen the addition of Performance & Modified vehicles to their vehicle fleet. Mainly the latest Ford Typhoons, but also included is the Subaru Impreza and other older-styled vehicles. The vehicles are fitted with the latest accessories and are in a range of colours.
 NSW Police Ford Falcon General Duties patrol sedan in current national police markings. |
 Holden VE, used for general duties. |
 NSW Police Holden Rodeo with plasic lockup cage. |
 Ford Falcon XR6 Turbo, Highway Patrol |
 Mitsubishi Pajero |
[edit] Education
[edit] NSW Police College, Goulburn
The New South Wales Police College (formally known as the New South Wales Police Academy) occupies some 40 acres within Goulburn city boundaries. The College is the alma mater of the New South Wales Police Force. The primary function is to educate and train police officers from the newly recruited to the senior executive level, is located at McDermott Drive, Goulburn NSW 2580.
[edit] College Proud Traditions Precincts - Memorial Precinct
Located within the Memorial Precinct, the New South Wales Police College has a number of memorials dedicated to the Proud Traditions of the New South Wales Police Force, namely the walls of remembrance at the College Chapel (The Walls of Remembrance feature those who have died on duty and those who have served in war and peacekeeping operations.); the rose garden and eternal flame, and the NSW Police Force Dog and Horse memorial.
[edit] College Proud Traditions Precincts - Honour Precinct
Located withiin the Honour Precinct is an original ornate marble tablet featuring early losses of New South Wales Police Officers. The tablet is flanked by the New South Wales state flag and the New South Wales Police Force flag.
The Valour Award (VA) roll of honour lists all members of the NSW Police Force to receive the highest NSWPF in-service bravery decoration. The Honour Precinct also houses a framed replica set of all awards issued under the Australian Honours and Awards framework, and a framed replica set of all awards issued under the internal NSW Police Force Honours and Awards framework.
'Heroes' Walk' highlighting 15 stories of members of the NSW Police Force who have been awarded the nations highest gallantry decorations add substance and an emotional link to the otherwise stark surroundings of the college environment;
The George Cross (GC), Cross of Valour(CV), Star of Courage (SC) and George Medal(GM) Rolls of honour are also located within the honour precinct. The Public Service Medal (PSM) and the Australian Police Medal (APM) rolls of honour are also featured here.
[edit] College Proud Traditions Precincts - Heritage Precinct
The College also houses the "In the line of duty - policing in Australia 1788 - 2007 at the New South Wales Police College exhibition" located within the Heritage Precinct. The exhibition is essentially a timeline of Australian Police History in addition to focussing on NSW Police Force history and categorisations such as Training, Investigation, International Deployments and Uniforms.
[edit] Students
The College has a constant stream of recruits. On January 30, 2007 the largest class of police recruits, numbering 799, in Australia were attested on the College Parade Ground. In May, 2007 a further 284 recruits were attested. Students are identified by a light blue hat band and light blue epaulettes with the words "STUDENT" as opposed to rank.
[edit] Qualification
The Associate Degree of Policing Practice is awarded to a graduate of the college by its university provider, Charles Sturt University (CSU).[19]
However, a prospective student can choose to undertake a Bachelor of Justice Studies (Policing) directly with Charles Sturt University on a 'civilian' campus for Session 1 for two years and then move onto the Police College to complete policing oriented subjects (including practical training and experience) before attesting Probationary Constable.[20]
[edit] Entry Pathways
Alternate entry pathways to NSW Police Force are available. Examples are: The 3-year Bachelor of Policing course (offered by the University of Western Sydney (UWS)); or the Bachelor of Justice Studies (Policing) course of the same length offered also by Charles Stuart University (Bathurst Campus). Both of these courses require the final portion to be completed at the Goulburn Police College, alongside common-entry recruits, for the practical components of policing education.
[edit] Charles Sturt University campus
Charles Sturt University has a Campus on the grounds of the New South Wales Police College. The School of Policing Practice, forms part of Charles Sturt University Faculty of Arts. The School also offers the Bachelor of Policing and the Bachelor of Policing (Investigations).
[edit] Attestation Parades
The Attestation Parade of students follows a traditional policing ceremony and is supported by The Banner Party, NSW Mounted Police Unit, VIP Cyclists, NSW Police Force Band, NSW Police Pipe Band and the NSW Police Force Protocol Unit. Students make an Oath or Affirmation of Police Officer (previously called the Office of Constable) and thus begins their association with the NSW Police Force as "members". Following a minimum of 12 months of academic and operational review, Probationary Constables are confirmed to the Rank of Constable.
[edit] Symbols and Tradition
NSW Police Force Banner
On the 29th September, 2006 the Administrator of the Commonwealth of Australia Her Excellency, Professor Marie Bashir AC CVO presented the NSW Police Banner to the New South Wales Police Force at a moving ceremony adjacent to the NSW Police Force Roll of Honour at the Domain in Sydney, Australia.[citation needed]
Later that day, the banner led the NSW Police Force marching contingent at the Dedication of the National Police Memorial in Canberra.
NSW Police Force Flag and Pennants
The New South Wales Police Force has an official flag. It has the NSW Police "Nemesis" logo on a light blue over white bicolour.
The New South Wales Mounted Police unit carries a swallow tailed Navy Blue and Whit pennant on Lances. There is no nemesis logo attached.
The NSW Police Commissioner and the VIP Cyclists have a NSW Police "Nemesis" logo on a light blue over white bicolour pennant on their transportation. The pennant is swallowtailed.
[edit] Honours and awards
Recognition for the bravery and sacrifice of members of the New South Wales Police Force is expressed through honours and awards. The New South Wales Police Force was the first Australian Police jurisdiction to have one of its members awarded the Imperial Honour, namely the George Cross and the Australian Honour the Cross of Valour. Sergeant 3rd Class Eric George BAILEY GC was awarded the George Cross posthumously on the January 12, 1945.
New South Wales Police Force also has the distinction in having one of its members being awarded the highest civilian bravery award, namely the Cross of Valour. In its history, only five people have been awarded that award, with a New South Wales Police Officer being the first Australian Police Officer to receive it. On the May 3, 1996, the then Detective Senior Constable Sparkes rescued a boy trapped in a flooded underground storm water drain following record rainfalls at Coffs Harbour. http://www.itsanhonour.gov.au/honours/honoured/sparkes.cfm
[edit] Australian honours and awards
New South Wales Police Force Officers are eligible for the following National Honours and Awards:
- Australian Bravery Decorations, namely the Cross of Valour (CV), Star of Courage (SC), Bravery Medal (BM) and the Commendation for Brave Conduct.
- Australian Police Medal (APM) (This Medal is awarded for distinguished service);
- Police Overseas Service Medal (This Medal was established in 1991 to recognise service with international peacekeeping organisations by officers of Australian police forces. The Governor-General makes awards of the Medal on the recommendation of the Chief Officer of an Australian police force.);
- National Medal (The National Medal is awarded for diligent long service to the community in hazardous circumstances, including in times of emergency and national disaster, in direct protection of life and property);
- Campaign Medals such as United Nations Medal For Service.
Australian Honours and Awards are worn as left sided decorations.
[edit] Internal New South Wales Police honours and awards
New South Wales Police Force also has a number of inservice Honours and Awards, awarded by the Commissioner of New South Wales Police Force. Commissioner Peter Ryan QPM implemented the New South Wales Police Force Commissioner's Olympic Commendation and the New South Wales Police Force Olympic Citation. This award is significant as the New South Wales Police Force is the only police force in the world to be permitted the Olympic Rings to be attached. It has been widely reported and accepted that the Sydney 2000 Olympics was the "Safest Games in modern Olympic history".
Former New South Wales Police Force Commissioner Ken Moroney AO APM implemented the Commissioners Community Service Commendation and Community Service Citation in 2002.
New South Wales Police Force Honours and Awards are regarded by members of the New South Wales Police Force to be highly prized due to the fact that they are only awarded to members in small numbers. The only award that was given out in large numbers was the Commissioner's Olympic Citation due to the massive contribution by all members of the force.
[edit] Commendations and medals
- New South Wales Police Force Valour Award (VA);
- New South Wales Police Force Commissioners Commendation (Courage);
- New South Wales Police Force Commissioners Commendation (Service);
- New South Wales Police Force Commissioners Olympic Commendation;
- New South Wales Police Force Commissioners Community Service Commendation;
- New South Wales Police Force Medal for Diligent and Ethical Service.
The above in-service decorations are worn 5 mm below the officers' name plate and are right sided decorations.
[edit] Citations
The following in-service decorations are worn 5mm above the officers' name plate and are right sided decorations.
- New South Wales Police Force Unit Citation - metal device, with silver laurel leaf surround, with light blue enamel centre (maximum 3 further awards are indicated by silver stars;
- New South Wales Police Force Commissioner's Olympic Citation - metal device, with silver laurel leaf surround, with navy blue enamel centre and silver Olympic rings in centre;
- New South Wales Police Force Commissioner's Community Service Citation (maximum 1 further award indicated by one silver star) - metal device, with silver laurel leaf surround, with white enamel centre.
[edit] Peacekeeping
In peacekeeping operations, New South Wales Police Force Officers are seconded to the Australian Federal Police and take an Oath or Affirmation of the AFP. They are then appointed to the Rank of Senior Sergeant, Station Sergeant, Superintendent or Commander. Following their service, UN Peacekeeping Veterans are awarded the United Nations Medal for their particular Mission. In addition, under the Australian System of Honours and Awards, police officers serving with peacekeeping organisations are awarded the Police Overseas Service Medal with the relevant clasp for the prescribed area of service.
[edit] Cyprus (UNFICYP)
NSW Police Force members were among the first Australian Police sent to Cyprus in May 1964 as the first United Nations Police Contingent. Other countries to send Police to Cyprus at that time were Austria, Denmark and Sweden. The United Nations Civilian Police (now known as UNPOL or United Nations Police)was established with a 3 month mandate to end hostilities between the Greek and Turskish communities and promote peace on the Island. The operation has been extended for some 42 years.
NSW Police Force members were subsequently withdrawn from Cyprus in 1976, along with all other State and Territory Police following the Turskish invasion of that Island at 0700hrs on the 20th July, 1974. During the invasion and preceding it the Australian Police were subjet to machine gun and mortar fire and Turkish air attack. Some of their personal motor vehiles, motorcycles and personal items at that time were destroyed, lost or stolen. Fortunately there was no loss of Australian lives at that time. Australian police continued to negotiate between the invading Turkish Army, other waring parties and esorted refugees to safety from both sides. (Ref: United Police Association of Australia)
[edit] East Timor (UNTAET & UNMISET)
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Since UNFICYP commenced, a large number of the NSW Police has served in Cyprus alongside other Australian police jurisdictions. From 2002 to 2005, 45 NSW Police Force Officers were involved in UNTAET and UNMISET seconded to the Australian Federal Police for their Tour of Duty in East Timor with the United Nations.
In addition, two New South Wales Police Force Officers have been commended for courage for Peacekeeping in East Timor, one by the Australian Government, and the Australian Federal Police Commissioners Commendation for Bravery (Station Sergeant David McCann OAM - UNMISET)(Reference: www.afp.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/36828/PlatAprilforWeb.pdf) and one by the New South Wales Police Force Commissioner (Senior Sergeant Mark Aubrey Gilpin - UNTAET). Station Sergeant McCann was awarded the Commendation for Brave Conduct for his part in the rescue of 110 vulnerable persons from a village in East Timor after it suffered major flooding. Senior Sergeant Gilpin was awarded the New South Wales Police Commendation (courage) for his part in protecting a member of the community who was being subjected to mob justice. He placed his body in front of the mob, who were armed with machettes and other weapons and managed to extract the victim to safety.
Out of the ten Australian peacekeepers who have died on peacekeeping missions, two were from New South Wales Police Force whilst serving with UNFICYP. Sergeant Ian Ward and Inspector Patrick Hackett died in separate incidents in UNFCYP. 124 soldiers and police gave their lives whilst serving with the United Nations in Cyprus.
[edit] Criticism
[edit] Wood Royal Commission
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For more details on this topic, see Royal Commission into the New South Wales Police Service.
This concentration of policing power in the New South Wales Police is thought to have led to the multi-generational and endemic levels of corruption, graft and vice that were revealed to the public in the 1990s at the Wood Royal Commission, a State-sponsored judicial inquiry into police corruption led by Justice James Wood of the New South Wales Supreme Court. This Royal Commission, which lasted approximately two years, uncovered crimes and institutionalised corruption throughout the NSW Police Service (as it was then known) by a large number of officers, most notably detectives. This unexpected discovery by the Royal Commission led to a widening of its terms of reference to include the investigation of paedophilia and sex crimes outside the Police Service and implicated members of the legal fraternity[citation needed]. However, critics of the Royal Commission argue that it should have had a wider terms of reference, namely the New South Wales Parliament and New South Wales Criminal Justice System but considering the political ramifications that would have resulted, this did not occur[citation needed].
The biggest impact of the Wood Royal Commission was the uprooting of many corrupt detectives in the force (which, despite the almost daily revelations of depravity and criminality, consisted of only a small minority of the total Police Service) and the establishment of the Police Integrity Commission - an independent, permanent tribunal with some judicial powers that now stands as a permanent watchdog over police corruption, but is not part of the NSW Police (unlike the old Internal Affairs Bureau).
[edit] APEC
The NSW Police Force came under strong criticism for its heavy-handed approach to policing the APEC Leaders Summit in Sydney, held 2 September to 9 September 2007.[21] Police officers were further criticised for removing their identification badges while monitoring protests, though an investigation into these incidents cleared the officers concerned of any wrongdoing as they feared the pins on the badges could be used against them. Some believe the badges in question, however, are made of cotton and attached with velcro. This was incorrect as these style of name badges were not issued to all police, including public order police until after the internal inquiry, mentioned above. Most police had the plastic badges with two sharp pins at the rear which can cause damage to the wearer if involved in a struggle. [22][23]
[edit] See also
- List of Commissioners of New South Wales Police
- List of New South Wales Police killed in the line of duty
- State Protection Group
- Public Order and Riot Squad
- Tactical Response Group (TRG) - Former NSW Police unit.
- Special Weapons and Operations Squad (SWOS) - Former NSW Police unit.
- Phillip Arantz
[edit] References
- ^ a b Company Profile of the New South Wales Police. Graduate Careers Australia.
- ^ a b c Profile of the NSW Police. New South Wales Police.
- ^ Archives in Brief 20 - Police service records. State Records NSW. Retrieved on January 7, 2007.
- ^ "NSW Police Association to push for officer numbers boost". ABC News. January 7, 2007. Retrieved on January 7, 2007.
- ^ Hunter, I, The Meaning of the Police Insignia. Retrieved on January 6, 2007.
- ^ a b Police. State records NSW. Retrieved on January 15, 2007.
- ^ www.police.nsw.gov.au
- ^ New South Wales Police Force. State Records NSW. Retrieved on January 15, 2007.
- ^ The NSW Police Force Chronology of the First Hundred Years. The Thin Blue Line. Retrieved on January 15, 2007.
- ^ [Cited: Melrose, A (1911)The trooper police of Australia. London
- ^ Legislative Assembly Hansard, Wednesday, 25 October 2006, Corrected Copy. Parliament of New South Wales. Retrieved on January 15, 2007.
- ^ Van Krieken, R, "Crime, government and civilization: Rethinking Elias in Criminology". Retrieved on January 15, 2007.
- ^ Police Service Amendment (NSW Police) Bill 2002 explanatory notes. Australasian Legal Information Institute. Retrieved on January 15, 2007.
- ^ Police Service Amendment (NSW Police) Bill Parliament of New South Wales. Retrieved on January 15, 2007.
- ^ Police Amendment (Miscellaneous) Bill 2006 explanatory notes. Australasian Legal Information Institute. Retrieved on January 15, 2007.
- ^ Official NSW Police website organizational structure chart.
- ^ Ranks and insignia. The Thin Blue Line.
- ^ "[http://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/prod/parlment/hanstrans.nsf/V3ByKey/LA20060906 .
- ^ Goulburn - School of Policing Studies. Charles Sturt University.
- ^ Bachelor of Justice Studies (Policing)
- ^ Heavy-handed APEC police criticised. 10 Sep 2007. ABC Sydney. (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)
- ^ Probe into APEC police missing name tags - Breaking News - National - Breaking News
- ^ Badgeless APEC police cleared - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)
[edit] External links
- NSW Police website
- Rank insignia of the NSW Police
- www.policensw.com — Unofficial site with much information about the NSW Police
- National Police Memorial website
- Union for NSW Police
- Badge History of NSW Police
- NSW Police Force Media
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| State/Territory authorities: | Corruption and Crime Commission (WA) · Crime and Misconduct Commission (QLD) · Independent Commission Against Corruption (NSW) · New South Wales Crime Commission · Office of Police Integrity (VIC) · Police Integrity Commission (NSW) |
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