Organisation: Justice and Community Safety
Job Title: Bail Officer – Probation and Parole
Word Limit: One A4 page maximum per selection criteria
Deliver and monitor client services
A key focus in policing was about ascertaining and meeting the community’s needs and wants. With specific regard to probation, we would take into account the expectations of the victims and members of the public. We were required to provide a service to them and that service was to provide a safe environment where they had confidence in the probation service. For example, if we ensured those granted bail were monitored adequately and all actions or breaches were dealt with immediately, this minimised the chance of reoffending, resulting in a safer community.
There is also a responsibility to those on bail or probation. We provide them with the necessary agencies to assist with rehabilitation, including drug counselling services, alcohol dependency services, and training facilities so they can upskill and become contributing members of society. Sexual offenders are also offered advice and direction regarding attending the STOP program, aimed at assisting them in dealing with their addiction and to stop them from reoffending; this is aimed at making the community a safer place.
I worked in close partnership with police and courts so that those breaching conditions were dealt with swiftly and adequately, providing confidence within the community that they were safeguarded. All agencies worked together with a common focus on service to the community.
During the rebuilding of Christchurch after the earthquakes, there was an influx of out of town tradesmen. The demand for tools was high and we saw an increase in tool theft because of this. The majority of items retrieved during the course of conducting a search warrant were unmarked tools and we had trouble in determining the owners of these items.
Taking advantage of an opportunity to speak to a large group of tradesmen at a breakfast in Christchurch for Blue September, I presented a talk on crime prevention and how they could reduce the chance of being targeted. Building a rapport with the approximately 500 tradespeople at the event, I discussed the issue we were currently experiencing with trade vehicles and construction sites being targeted by a number of prolific burglars. During the talk, I provided advice on crime prevention, security, and the benefits of recording serial numbers and marking tools. I explained that by marking their tools, it would assist police to return the goods if located whilst conducting a search warrant.
Providing this service to the community not only provided the tradesmen with information to assist in the identification and return of retrieved property, it also resulted in less cost to the tradesmen as the majority of them were not insuring their property due to the increased cost of insurance and were obliged to purchase replacement tools from their own pocket.
The key to providing outstanding customer service is to ensure we maintain a policy of open communication. This ensures our clients feel confident that they can communicate with us, they are provided with the information they require, and they trust that you have their best interests at heart. This is the case with all clients, including those on bail, agencies and members of the community. It is important when you speak to those you work with that you request feedback and effectively listen to their needs and respond in an appropriate way that results in assisting and fulfilling their needs.
Use advanced workplace communication strategies and compose workplace documents
I have extensive experience in the police force, 10 years of which were with the Criminal Investigations branch in Christchurch, New Zealand, as a frontline detective. During that time, I was the first point of contact at the counter when members of the community reported a wide range of offences from sexual matters, stabbings, sudden deaths, fraud, assaults, and a variety of other criminal offences.
Depending on the circumstances, I would obtain either a statement or information of the offence and identify the offence accordingly. As a Senior Detective and at times acting Detective Sergeant, I then briefed work colleagues on tasks and requirements that needed to be conducted to ensure all evidence was gathered for a successful prosecution. These directions were often based on meetings in the office or in the field.
For example, whilst acting Detective Sergeant, I received a report of a serious sexual assault that occurred in the Rolleston Men’s Prison. On receipt of this information, I briefed staff according to their skills and experience. We conducted scene examinations as a team and interviewed the victim in relation to the allegation made. Because of our enquiries, we identified further witnesses and, on further investigation, established the act was consensual. Throughout the enquiry, I liaised with the alleged victim in the matter and advised him of the findings. Subsequently, the complaint was withdrawn.
If I was not attending to victims and witnesses first hand, a number of matters were brought to my attention through the statements taken by attending officers, warranting further investigation. I evaluated the information provided by the attending officers in their statements (victim statements) and then created an investigation plan. Sometimes, due to the seriousness and complexity of the investigation, I would prepare detailed written reports seeking legal opinions from lawyers within the New Zealand police as well as guidance from Detective Senior Sergeants or above. All reports had to be clear, concise and refer to all legislative guidelines. Before they could make an informed decision, I needed to make sure I presented all facts in a clear and concise manner and ensured all supporting legislated Acts and sections were included.
New Zealand police maintains its own database where we update each case with a running log; this ensures that anyone who opens the case notes can immediately see case details, including the next step in the investigation and any outcomes of previous investigations. This also contains information regarding everyone assigned to the file on a job sheet that provides a chronological record of the investigation and outcomes. Everyone who accesses the record can see how many contacts we had with the victim, and how contact was made, for example, by letter or phone. All records are made in accordance with police guidelines and under the victim’s notification requirements.
Manage personal work priorities and professional development
As a Detective, I was constantly inundated with files. To determine which file would be actioned first, I looked at the nature of the file, the seriousness of the offence, and the time constraints (including legislative time constraints) I had to work within.
It is a requirement to remain resilient and proactive under pressure, whilst constantly reacting to changes in the work environment and continuously evaluating and prioritising work based on the seriousness of allocated cases. For example, I would construct a to-do list based on my investigation plans and then could be allocated a homicide investigation which would take me away from my case load for two or three weeks.
I needed to balance the time spent working on the homicide, a serious offence, while ensuring I allocated time to fulfil my other case load requirements for courts and other trials I had previously completed. Not providing information by the required date could result in charges being withdrawn, or cases being thrown out, and I needed to make sure I did the best I could for the victims of these crimes. I utilised my ability to determine the steps required to progress these cases based on the following priorities, time constraints, legislative constraints, and the seriousness of the offence.
For example, a bail officer dealing with breaches would look at the nature and seriousness of the breach and the nature and seriousness of the charge the person is on bail for. The seriousness of the breach would dictate the priority of action and the appropriate response.
As a member of the New Zealand police force, I have always been required to work within legislation and familiarise myself with changes within that legislation. I have an exceptional ability in becoming adept with legislation and legislation changes and am able to apply this in practice.
In my career of policing, I wanted to better myself and the skills and services I could provide, so I undertook two and a half years of intensive and demanding in-service training that involved me passing a number of formidable examinations and qualifications courses. I also regularly attended training days and training courses within the profession to ensure my knowledge of new guidelines and practice remained current.
Gather and analyse information
My ability to gather and analyse information is demonstrated by the following example:
I investigated a complex matter involving two sexual assaults. The perpetrator targeted elderly women who were alone. This investigation was made complex due to the offender being very forensically aware and using a number of aids to hide his identity, leaving minimal forensic evidence at the scene.
We were able to extract a small trace of forensic material from the scene. This was not enough for a full DNA profile and was insufficient to run across a DNA database, but did allow for a partial DNA profile.
Our next step was to utilise the services of a criminal profiler who made comparisons between the two sexual assault cases. There were words the offender used in both crimes that were quite unusual words, as well as commonality regarding the method of entry, time of offence, location of offence, nature of offence, as well as other similarities.
From this, an analysis was performed using information from England and Canada, and the profiler was able to say that the characteristics shared between the two offences were unique, so the crimes had to have been perpetrated by the same person.
This person was later arrested committing a burglary. The shoe patterns on the offender’s shoes were similar to the shoe patterns from the scene of one of the sexual attacks. On examination of the offender’s bag, a screwdriver was located; the description of the screwdriver matched the tool markings found in the window frame of the second sexual attack. Due to these commonalities, I obtained a high court order for a DNA profile and analysed the offender’s DNA against the partial DNA profile taken from the site of the first sexual assault.
Due to the DNA profile obtained, it was established that all male relatives on the father’s side had the same profile/characteristics. I then proceeded to conduct enquiries to eliminate other male relatives as suspects in the sexual offence. I had a small team assisting me with the investigation and they approached associates and tried to obtain evidence from them. Throughout the process of the investigation, I regularly updated and maintained the necessary police database to include all relevant information and findings (case notes).
This matter was taken to trial. I presented information and the facts of the case in a clear and logical way that the courts could easily understand, and not be mistaken in any facts that were presented. The trial lasted three weeks and pertained to other burglary matters. The offender was found guilty and sentenced to a term of imprisonment and preventative detention (this means once the offender serves the minimum timeframe they will be re-evaluated, if they are not fit to go into the community they will not be released; if they are released, they will forever be on parole).
Encourage compliance legislation in the public service
It is a requirement to provide the client on bail with the necessary support they require to deal with any financial problems or addictions (drug or alcohol). The importance of making positive steps forward by utilising the appropriate services can assist and direct them toward the correct path. As an Evidence Police Officer or Parole Officer, the consequences of breaches, including the likely outcome, need to be made very clear in order to act as a deterrent.
Any non-compliance with legislative requirements is required to be acted on swiftly and appropriately and those who have breached need to be held accountable at the earliest opportunity. To ensure that trust and confidence returns to the community in relation to the agency effectively carrying out its duties, the community needs to know that those who have breached conditions are held accountable for their actions.
As a senior member of the police and as a Detective, I would oversee investigations and review documentation prior to it being presented to the court. For example, I would review search warrants to ensure they complied with the New Zealand Bill of Rights. As necessary, I would guide and provide feedback to junior staff or work colleagues to ensure documentation met all obligations under legislation to ensure the case was presentable to the courts, was fair, transparent, within the letter of the law, and there were no possible grounds for dismissal.
If I had a junior staff member fail to meet their requirements under the statute when applying cautions or Bill of Rights to the suspect or offender, or when conducting searches under search powers, I would brief them on the requirements and what their obligations were.
Prior to invoking a statutory power or search warrant, I would get the junior officer to talk through their requirements, then clarify what points they needed to emphasise and make sure they complied. There are statements that need to be made to meet these requirements. I would advise them of these requirements under the Bill of Rights. After the execution of the statutory power or search warrant, I would debrief the officer and discuss how they could do better in future. This would provide the opportunity to share and reflect on what happened and provide the opportunity to improve education and compliance.
As a Detective, I worked closely with Probation Officers on a number of occasions for breaches to community work and other conditions. Due to the positive actions of the probation staff and information sharing between the agencies, we were able to quickly apprehend the person and have that person appear before the court at the earliest opportunity. Depending on the nature and seriousness of the breach, as well as the specific charges, bail was able to be re-evaluated and at times opposed, resulting in that person being remanded in custody.
Value diversity, uphold and support values and principles of the public service and contribute to workplace safety
Throughout my career, I have always been accepting of other cultures, as well as being mindful of differing views and opinions. I have always been able to accept these different views and opinions based on things such as cultural beliefs and sexuality, and I always remain open, fair and hold everyone in the same regard. As a police officer, if you hold any prejudice against anyone’s belief, you are tarnishing your ability as an investigator as you are putting your perceived and tainted view on a matter that does not exist.
The most important thing I have learned in my career and life is to always treat people the way I would like to be treated myself. I treat people with respect, dignity and professionalism, regardless of the circumstances I have met them under. I am a firm believer of never judging a book by its cover.
I am aware of the Indigenous community in Australia. In New Zealand, I was mindful of the multiculturalism and the Treaty of Waitangi that was first signed in 1840 and recognised Maori ownership of their lands, forests and other properties, and gave the Maori the rights of British subjects.
Working in the police force, I have dealt with a wide range of victims and offenders from many cultures. I have also engaged with families at sensitive times regarding a death and am mindful of the family’s beliefs and culture. If unsure of a cultural belief, I am prepared to ask so I do not unintentionally upset or cause distress to the family.
While working in the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI), I worked with a multicultural police force that included representatives from fifteen specific nations. In the New Zealand Army, where I worked as a peacekeeper in East Timor, I worked with foreign armies including the Nepalese Army, Irish Rangers and the Fijian Army.
I am always mindful of my safety and the safety of others and take all possible steps to minimise risks to myself and my staff while complying with health regulations and safety policies. This includes ensuring that the staff under my leadership are aware of these regulations and comply with these to protect their safety.
For the police force, this included wearing the correct appointments (e.g. handcuffs, batons, spray), carrying the correct safety equipment (e.g. reflective vest, adequate water, sun hats), and ensuring cars had first aid kits which were fully stocked. These first aid kits were used for officers and offenders, for example, if you sprayed an offender with capsicum spray and they experienced breathing difficulties, you had to have Ventolin on hand.
Qualifications / other requirements
Experience working with offenders is highly desirable
Over a period of 13½ years in policing, I have dealt with offenders through arrest either on the street or in homes. I also have experience working in the watch house processing offenders, fingerprinting, photographing, one-on-one, and regularly granting bail on police bail conditions. I would release on police bail with set bail conditions, for example, must reside at a certain address, must be at home during certain hours, and abide by curfews and non-association clauses, and a notice to appear in court on a set date. On appearance in court, the court would issue court ordered bail conditions, often based on police requests, for example, residential conditions, non-association, non-contact, and at times request the surrender of a passport if the offender was deemed a flight risk.
Working with vulnerable people clearance essential
I have submitted an application for a working with vulnerable people clearance; this application has been made under reference number 01257633.
Current driver’s licence
I hold a current C class driver’s licence issued in the ACT.
