Indeed ONTHEBEACH, our nurses, teachers and the emergency services, generally, are not that well remunerated unfortunately. There exists little doubt, that most of those employed in these types of industries, do have some degree of personal commitment, to the community at large ?

Though to be candid, most police have a somewhat laissez-faire, 'couldn't give a stuff' attitude to community needs. Rather they seek to construct a protective barrier around themselves, their squad and those personnel within that squad (squad dynamics). This is done in order to ensure they perform their duties, as quietly and orderly as possible ? As not to draw any adverse attention from those involved in internal scrutiny. Obviously any regulatory aggravation, is the last thing, longer serving coppers like to involve themselves in ? Sort of - 'don't rock the boat'.

If you were to say, the community expects far more from their police ? Of course, that's inarguable logic ? In defence of the average copper, the force is not run on the most democratic lines. Further, it's a generally held belief amongst police, that you're employed pursuant to an adversarial administration ? Where the bosses are against you; the crooks are against you; the courts and the public are against you; so in reality, you're very much on your own ?

o sung wu,

Through membership of international service organisations I count many police in my acquaintanceship. Once they were encouraged to join service organisations. It was for their own good to rub shoulders with others with similar high moral standards as themselves and to always know that there are many like them around.

I know many who do voluntary work and raise money for particular charities. They still put their best foot forward so to speak.

I'm very pleased to hear of the many positive comments you have, of serving police acquaintances, who try to uphold those high values so necessary in our country today. Many of my former colleagues are so jaded, disillusioned, and generally burnt out, it would be hard to get a positive word out of most of them, particularly about their many years of service in the job ?

I suppose when you cut through all the crap, the complaints, and baloney, whinging et al, they've had to endure over the years, perhaps then you might receive a better more balanced appreciation of the job. Until then, I'd very much doubt it I'm afraid ? When negativity is the order of the day, it's jolly hard to re-energise the troops without tending to raise their collective suspicions ? A road less travelled for most, unfortunately, very hard to understand for those on the outside, I would've thought ?

Thanks ONTHEBEACH.

o sung wu,

I was half-listening to one of supposedly on-site reports that is actually done in a studio, the ABC most likely but I didn't check, and the subject was OMGs, a then topical issue because the tattooed thugs had surrounded a police station on the Gold Coast and had previously been involved in their usual violence in a food place somewhere.

What pricked my ears was the shaken admission by a female journalist that she had been threatened by one of the thugs. Apparently she and her camera man had been invited to do an interview and she had been monstered a bit in the process. Not unusual you would say and if they had meant it she wouldn't have returned. She was so shaken up and in fear that she blurted out a bit, enough, to indicate what had gone down. She then clammed up and changed the subject, guess why.

To me her 'awakening' demonstrated what is wrong with many media commentators and experts on here as well.

You are right, police do cop it from all sides. It is very pleasing that some retired members come forth such as yourself, and a new thing, some young serving officers are getting involved on public forums where it is safe to do so.

Labor's misogynistic attack on Bishop is a confected attempt to try and divert attention away from their complete lack of ideas.

Labor after promising to get rid of the carbon tax has blocked its removal again along with the mining tax. I am sure that will go down well in WA.

The noalition would have you believe the mining tax raises nothing so what is the problem.
The carbon tax only exists in legislature. Where the problem is for Abbott is his big mouth. With pledges in blood.
AT odds with the world over sri Lanka now, shows a lot about their way of thinking.
This lot are for to heavily weighted on the right, Middle ground is where they should be.