Julia introduced guest speaker Alistair Dickie (Basil) a straight talking, 3rd generation cop who promised to provide an insight into his 39 year career in the NZ Police Force. With a hint of a smile, Julia informed us that as hard as she tried, not a hint of 'filth' could be dug up, Alistair had covered his tracks well.
From a truck driver to Senior Sergeant in Balclutha to Area Commander, Alistair has seen the changing face of the NZ Police Force before his retirement in 2017. As noted, this straight talking, retired Cop didn’t mince his words, water down his stories or leave us in any doubt as to what the daily realities on the job were.These stories were at times so colourful not even a Hollywood scriptwriter could have dreamt them up. However while direct, his tales were delivered with a sense of pride and a hint of humour, of a man who looked for the best solution, usually not the easiest and sometimes ‘old fashioned’ but one that would work best for the community long term. The people mattered to him.
One of the biggest changes Alistair talked about was not, in his opinion, one of the best. He was trained for 3 months at Trentham an ex WWW1 Army camp based around basic discipline that taught the required skills, built character and provided a sense of who you were in uniform, there were no second chances. Now increasingly, modules are completed on the computer at home, practical training held at the Wellington Police College in mufti, while moving with the times tends “to lack discipline.”
Starting on the the beat in Dunedin in 1978, there were no portable radios, GPS trackers, tasers, stab proof vests, pepper spray or extendable batons. You had your trusty wooden baton, communication was meeting at the designated corner on the hour or the Police Radio in the HQ Holden that took a few minutes to warm up. Computers appeared in 1981 and 11 pm closing was all the country knew. On the beat the hard white helmet was worn during the day as you visibly walked curbside. Blue hat worn at night as you hugged the shop fronts devised to see, rather than be seen.
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A positive change in the current job is counselling support. A change desperately needed and not necessarily recognised in the face of such traumatic work such as the Erebus disaster victim identification. Thankfully the Balclutha Volunteer Fire Brigade recognised his need and put into practice their newly learnt techniques, a move that Alistair is forever grateful for.
As part of the Volunteer Fire Brigade, Alistair rescued a boy from burning building receiving the Sir Charles Upham Award for Bravery.
Working in more rural parts of Otago often as the sole Officer in attendance, Alistair believes the availability of helicopters and trained paramedics in Ambulances saves lives. The current Liquor Licensing laws hands responsibility to the Pub owner/manager and has had a huge impact in this area of Police work. Substance abuse never changes just the drug of choice. Drug related crime, domestic abuse and mental health issues are still too high. Behaviour doesn’t change from rural to city, South Island to North Island, consequences impact on all our communities.
Other positive changes are ‘Cops back on the weekend beat” - visibility. Policing is more preventative than reactionary with “Intelligent Policing’ and the increase of the various agencies working together for the better of the community.
Some great questions at the end:
Dairy Robberies: cigarettes still an easy sale on the black market - feeds drug habits or to patch over as gangs are busy recruiting right now.
Political Correctness: Code of Compliance is designed to stop a lot of the behaviour ‘turned a blind eye to’ 20 years ago.
Brigetta thanked Alistair for his insightful talk into the differences over his varied career especially those in the rural areas.
Currently looking for a storage building to house the current stock. Looking into obtaining the leftover books form the Mosgiel Book Sale to boost stock. More information to come.
