Former Cairns police officer Rosario Russo, 43, who retired from the service in January, claims he suffered a mental and physical breakdown following years of job-related stress, bullying and threats from his fellow officers.

http://tools.cairns.com.au/yoursay/comment_all.php?article_id=76005

Now what disturbs me is a forum response from the Police Media of Brisbane.

Our full response: The Queensland Police Service makes no apologies for expecting the highest standards of professionalism and integrity from its officers. The community of Queensland deserves no less. Individuals who do not meet the high expectations of the Service or the community can and do face a rigorous disciplinary process. Many officers facing serious disciplinary issues will chose to resign, and a smaller number pursue medical retirement to avoid dismissal or other disciplinary processes. It is not uncommon in these instances for these individuals to express their discontent in public forums. Anyone who has concerns with the way they are treated through the disciplinary or criminal process has a number of avenues of recourse,
including their respective union, the Industrial Relations Commission and the Misconduct Tribunal. If such former officers have information about misconduct, they can report this to the Crime and Misconduct Commission, or the Ethical Standards Command.

** **

Hmmm. Seems common to try and coverup bullying culture from defence, teachers and police. Very worrying. He claims in the article he was cleared of wrongdoing yet in the response they claim he left to avoid getting the sack. I don't trust people behind such responses.

Is this not a public interest issue? Why say it should not be in the public forum? Public service isn't it?

The facebook page supporting the missing policeman Mick Isles has nearly 7,000 members. Mick Isles had returned to work for just 2 days following stress leave.

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?v=wall&gid=136905519398

"The Isles family believes a Crime and Misconduct Commission investigation into false allegations of corruption against Senior Sergeant Isles was the trigger for his disappearance on September 23, two days after he returned to the police force following a long period of stress leave."

http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/missing-policeman-no-longer-alive-20091106-i1iq.html

NO BULLYING CULTURE SAYS POLICE CHIEF.

Queensland's police minister and commissioner deny a culture of intimidation and bastardisation persists in the state's police service.

Their denials follow accusations raised by the families of two officers.

Whistleblower Sergeant Robbie Munn has been ordered off work for 18 months and told to see a psychiatrist after he campaigned against corruption at the Maroochydore police station on the Sunshine Coast.

Sgt Munn reported flaws in the promotion system and exposed cover-ups over the sexual assault by police of female detainees.
http://news.ninemsn.com/article.aspx?id=874673

In a bullying culture it is normal for the victims to be labelled the wrong doers and the bully to prosper. The whole bullying culture in Australia needs to be investigated. No 500 page reports, no handbooks, no more verbalising. Heads need to roll. I think we should start with the Chief of QLD police. How can they deny there is a problem?

It's always going to exist in one form or another. You can't stop it. There's a 'club' in every job, and everyone experiences it at some stage.

Unlike sexual harrassment, "bullying" can be ALOT more subtle, even unsaid. You can't prove it, or stop it.

Personally I think sometimes it can be justified if a copper's 'partner' is inadequate and detrimental to their well being through whatever reason. Sometimes the perceived victim CAN be the cause of their own problems. Not saying it's the rule and not saying it's excusable, but there's usually more than one side to a story.

The Police, the military, the fire service and various other careers have a certain in-house code of ... ethics, let's say. Keep your mouth shut and don't buck the system. The "Grey Man", I think it's called.

quote "Personally I think sometimes it can be justified"

I do not agree.

The cost to the taxpayer is massive, especialy all these allegations of misconduct that are deemed unwarranted. Plus the expense of stress leave that seems excessive.
The damage to people extraordinary.
The reward to bullies just promotes further bullying.
We run the risk of a "going postal" scenario in the workplace that will result in further expense, both human and financial.
Victims of bullies often cannot contribute to the workforce ever again meaning lifelong support on welfare and pensions.
Due to it being well known recruits to the police force could possibly be attracted to the type of culture.

It is becomig epidemic in society at large. Schools, web, private enterprise, public service. At what point do you suggest it is no longer justified? When shots are fired? When it affects your child, your spouse, your brother?

TheMissus
its all part of the conspiracy.
we ,the west, have been bullying and dominating peaceful societies for centuries and continue to do so .
and when they react the are labelled terrirists.
so at least you can say western culture is nothing be consistant in its behaviour at all levels even in the "kindergarden".

how can we raise armies without a bullying mentality,i ask.

Please read the whole comment and try to take in what I'm saying before replying this time.

Sometimes people are 'encouraged' - (as opposed to bullied for no other reason than psycho's in the work place) - to leave for everyone's best interests. For example: the military. I think it's better for a sub-standard officer to be 'bullied' out of a combat position if they are a hazard to everyone. Sometimes that is better than being 'fragged' upon contact with the enemy, don't you?.

Same as if someone who does crowd control might picks fights with patrons and be a hazard for others in the crew.

If a Police Officer is inept then the better option might be for them to be forced out by those sort of means than be left on their own in a hazardous situation. Don't you think?.

I'm NOT SAYING THIS IS ACCEPTABLE OR SHOULD BE ENCOURAGED, but I understand why it happens sometimes.

As for those SPECIFIC CASES YOUR ARTICLE MENTIONS then of course, let justice be done. All I'm suggesting FOR THE SAKE OF DISCUSSION is that the 'victim' SOMETIMES has themselves to blame.