1 June 2009

Let my pipers go!

| johnboy
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Vicki Dunne is going in to bat for five members of the AFP’s Pipes and Drums Band who have been blocked from taking leave to participate in the world famous Edinburgh Military Tattoo.

Vicki has written to Chief Police Officer Michael Phelan asking him to reconsider:

    “It is also quite a feather in the cap of the AFP itself to be able to send ambassadors of the AFP and Canberra to a prestigious and world-renowned festival such as the Edinburgh Military Tattoo, which is broadcast on television world-wide.

    “Importantly, it’s also recognition of the considerable personal time they put in to the activities of the band, often above and beyond the call of duty.

    “And yet, the applications were rejected because they don’t meet the guidelines. It would be hard to imagine that any guidelines could cover every situation, especially one as unique as this. Surely the guidelines offer some flexibility a situation like this.

Is it such an unreasonable request?

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No, the represented their country, something a little larger than their organisation.

I’d support them all the way if the required framework didn’t exist for them to do what they want to do but it does. They can take rec leave, leave without pay, as well as other provisions. No doubt they are doing it the hard way and trying for something they aren’t entitled to. In fact they probably don’t want leave at all, but want it to be ‘work’.

Those people that went o/s for sport were also representing at the biggest event their sport had outside the Olympics, a world champs

“As I said though, this is costing each of us in excess of $3500 plus personal leave taken,and the preparation time of course. AFP is assisting by freighting uniforms and drums/equipment for the band.”

Sorry, they are getting help from the AFP, and taking personal leave. There is no issue here. As wonderful as they are, in a time of fiscal restraint such as this in the public sector (and it costs to replace people) bigger questions would be asked.

Just take leave and stop whingeing

“I know of people in the AFP who have made national sporting teams (in an Olympic sport) who travelled overseas to compete.”

I’m pretty sure these people don’t represent the AFP at the Olympics vg. These guys are representing the AFP at the biggest piping event in the world. Maybe a bit of support wouldn’t go astray.

YapYapYap said :

What sort of leave were you denied gump?

:} thats grump,not gump! 🙂

I’m a civvie not a police officer so don’t know the criteria or discretionary elements of the leave requested. also agree senior officers have decisions questioned in the media won’t readily change their minds now!!! As I said though, this is costing each of us in excess of $3500 plus personal leave taken,and the preparation time of course. AFP is assisting by freighting uniforms and drums/equipment for the band.

Promotional value for the AFP of course is priceless if that’s a word that can be used in this context.

I would add (2 post nutbag) that an ideal way to try and make your point with the ACT’s most senior Police officer isn’t to

a) use an MLA who is not in government; and
b) do it through the press

If they weren’t inclined to grant you special circumstances in the 1st place I’ll give you the tip, they are less inclined now.

grump said :

yes there’s mostly civlians but there are 5 police officers in the band going (pipers and drummers). we all are paying our own way and give time outside our employment for police ceremonial occasions eg funerals

Why can’t you just take regular holiday leave? I know of people in the AFP who have made national sporting teams (in an Olympic sport) who travelled overseas to compete. Paid their own way and took holiday leave to do it. None of them went to an MLA about it.

I see no special circumstances here, sorry

What sort of leave were you denied gump?

yes there’s mostly civlians but there are 5 police officers in the band going (pipers and drummers). we all are paying our own way and give time outside our employment for police ceremonial occasions eg funerals

YapYapYap said :

Hardly surprised that this has Vicki up in arms – she reminds me of a bagpipe; round, full of hot air and very unpleasent to listen to.

Does that mean a fat scot slobbers all over her after a few pints?

neanderthalsis said :

Agreed, let them go. A few years ago there was a police Pipes/Drums band from South Aus, so there is a precedent.

Unless maybe he wants to keep them here and redesignate them to crowd/riot control. I always thought 100 men in skirts marching towards the barricades emitting an horrific wailing sound would put the wind up the most ardent anarchist.

The Qld Police have one too, there was a story about them on The Shak last year. OMG!! I needed a cold shower after that . . .

I’d be very interested why they aren’t just taking rec leave. Methinks they are applying for something special they aren’t entitled to

Let them go, it would be an experience of a lifetime. There is enough grumpy officers around, lets cheer some of them up.

Hardly surprised that this has Vicki up in arms – she reminds me of a bagpipe; round, full of hot air and very unpleasent to listen to.

They are actually the Canberra City Pipes and Drums but don the AFP regalia at appropriate ceremonies. Nowhere near enough people interested/able in the AFP to have their ‘own’ band

Only two?

In that case I know exactly half of the AFP contingent.

as do I..

neanderthalsis12:52 pm 01 Jun 09

Agreed, let them go. A few years ago there was a police Pipes/Drums band from South Aus, so there is a precedent.

Unless maybe he wants to keep them here and redesignate them to crowd/riot control. I always thought 100 men in skirts marching towards the barricades emitting an horrific wailing sound would put the wind up the most ardent anarchist.

Vicki might like to go back to the people who made the request to her and ask exactly how many people in the AFP Pipes and Drums are actually members of the AFP. They aren’t full of ‘officers’

Out of the whole band I know that 2 are actual cops. If this was such a big policing issue they would go through the Police Association

Phelan doesn’t process their leave applications. Be interested to see what ‘guidelines’ they don’t meet. All they have to do is apply for rec leave like the rest of the organisation.

The Edinburgh Military Tattoo is arguably one of the biggest achievements/events for pipers, it would be a shame not to let them go.

Well, I guess Phelan must be just another stuffed shirt, like his old mates at the ADF… only a little more stuffed…

Its a bit harsh of the AFP to deny these Officers the opportunity to perform in one of the biggest uniformed band events in the world.After all, they will be playing for the Australian Federal Police, the key words in that establishment being “Australian” (for Australia), “Federal” (for the Public Service), and “Police” (Implies uniformed). Secondly, what is the point in having a band if you cant show off your wares to the world, abut via so called peace keeping missions.

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