Welcome to the second edition of the AFPA Dispatch.

I would firstly like to acknowledge the passing of Elizabeth II, and the ascension of His Majesty King Charles III.

Over the last month, there have been a few important meetings I have had or been involved in:

On 5 and 6 September, I attended the Association Forum of Leaders Conference. At the Conference, I met various leaders from other Australian associations, and the focus of the day was very much on member benefits and how associations can improve their value proposition in this area. Presentations also touched on recruitment and retention, COVID, labour issues and legal matters.

On 9 September, I laid a wreath on behalf of the Association at the Pond of Remembrance at the AFP College in honour of those members who have unfortunately passed away.

Last Saturday (17 September), I was at the 2022 Wall to Wall Riders as they arrive in Canberra and gather at the National Police Memorial to pay their respects to fallen members. An all-member email has already gone out with further details for those who would like to attend.

This week (w/c 19 September), I will be at the Police Federation of Australia (PFA) Federal Council in my capacity as PFA Vice-President, and will also be accompanying Vice-President Clare Fitzpatrick, AFPA Executive member Jane Thompson and AFPA Senior Industrial Officer Maria Nazir at the Women’s Advisory Committee.

The PFA Bravery Awards are being held on Wednesday 21 September, and I will be attending along with a few other members of AFPA staff.

I encourage you to read the rest of the AFPA Dispatch reports for this month.

Please see below for a list of Alex’s media appearances as well as the AFPA’s media releases over the last month. If you would like to subscribe to our media releases (we maintain separate databases to avoid spamming our members who do not wish to receive media releases), you’ll find a link at the bottom of every EDM or on the right-hand side of our home page (in the “Quick Links” menu)

Media Releases
8 September Child sex offender given ICO, despite being found unsuitable Read More
31 August AFPA disappointed over politicising of spit hoods Read More
30 August Spit hoods are a necessary safety measure Read More
19 August Do victim rights matter to the judiciary? Read More
15 August ACT Attorney-General needs to start protecting ACT community Read More
Media Articles
13 September Human Rights are put above those of police City News (ACT)
9 September The ACT is on target to record its highest ever number of arrests for breaches of bail conditions The Canberra Times
5 September Spit hoods are a necessary evil to keep police safe The RioACT
2 September Faced with violent, abusive offenders who smear faeces on cell walls and spit blood, police say there is no practical alternative to a spit hood The Canberra Times
1 September Tears, stress, anxiety and fear: police share harrowing details of being spat at on the beat The RioACT
31 August ‘You put your body on the frontline’: police union says spit hoods reasonable in response to grubby act The RioACT
30 August Police Association fully supports spit hoods City News (ACT)
24 August ‘You owe the ACT community an explanation’, AFPA says in wake of sentencing for Sue Salthouse’s killer ABC Canberra
19 August Facing attack over ‘soft’ sentencing in the ACT, Attorney General Shane Rattenbury has sought advice from his directorate The Canberra Times
19 August Australian Federal Police Association outraged by ‘vicious’ alleged attack on Operation Toric officer The Canberra Times
19 August ‘Show some leadership’: Police union challenges Attorney-General for sentencing and bail review The RioACT
16 August Police Association calls for tougher sentencing City News (ACT)
Television and Radio Interviews
12 September ACT close to highest number of breach of bails in history 2CC (podcast)
2 September AFPA says not practical alternatives to spit hoods 2CC (podcast)

As always, stay safe.

In solidarity,

Alex