Constable Brett Irwin
Is it just me or does everyone think we should hug a policeman today…
We must never underestimate the danger our police are in, absolutely everyday. It’s part of their job to walk into unknown circumstances, to face violent angry members of the public and to be the meat in sandwich of disputes which have absolutely nothing to do with them personally.
There’s a bit of outrage in Sydney this morning, because riot police have been awarded bravery medals. In Brisbane, some university students are considering laying charges over a clash with police on QUT campus on Wednesday…
It’s easy to criticise the police. I am hanging on to my driver’s licence by the skin of my teeth at the moment, so you can imagine what I’ve had to say about them over the years, but think for a minute about Constable Brett Irwin, shot dead in Brisbane this week on his first night shift.
Around 11 o’clock on Wednesday night, Constable Irwin, was sent to a house in Kuperra, with his on duty partner, to speak to a man who had breached his bail conditions.
It should have taken a couple of minutes to serve a warrant – and they should have been on their way, on to another job.
The man to whom they were going to serve a warrant was well known to police. He was an ex prisoner, on bail after serving time for a violent robbery. A spokesperson for Ferny Grove police says they had never had a problem with the guy. The warrant issue should have been completely routine.
However, when Constable Irwin and his partner got to the house, there was no answer at the front door. The Courier Mail reports Constable Irwin then went round the back of the house, where he was shot in the chest at point blank range. No warning. No argument. No stand off. Just a single deadly shot to the chest. Apparently, Constable Irwin had just enough time to call, “He’s got a gun, I’m hit”, allowing his partner to get away.
It’s a tough gig. I don’t know about you, but I’m a radio announcer, not many of us put our lives at risk every time we turn up for work.
We must never underestimate the danger our police are in, absolutely everyday. It’s part of their job to walk into unknown circumstances, to face violent angry members of the public and to be the meat in sandwich of disputes which have absolutely nothing to do with them personally.
There’s a bit of outrage in Sydney this morning, because riot police have been awarded bravery medals. In Brisbane, some university students are considering laying charges over a clash with police on QUT campus on Wednesday…
It’s easy to criticise the police. I am hanging on to my driver’s licence by the skin of my teeth at the moment, so you can imagine what I’ve had to say about them over the years, but think for a minute about Constable Brett Irwin, shot dead in Brisbane this week on his first night shift.
Around 11 o’clock on Wednesday night, Constable Irwin, was sent to a house in Kuperra, with his on duty partner, to speak to a man who had breached his bail conditions.
It should have taken a couple of minutes to serve a warrant – and they should have been on their way, on to another job.
The man to whom they were going to serve a warrant was well known to police. He was an ex prisoner, on bail after serving time for a violent robbery. A spokesperson for Ferny Grove police says they had never had a problem with the guy. The warrant issue should have been completely routine.
However, when Constable Irwin and his partner got to the house, there was no answer at the front door. The Courier Mail reports Constable Irwin then went round the back of the house, where he was shot in the chest at point blank range. No warning. No argument. No stand off. Just a single deadly shot to the chest. Apparently, Constable Irwin had just enough time to call, “He’s got a gun, I’m hit”, allowing his partner to get away.
It’s a tough gig. I don’t know about you, but I’m a radio announcer, not many of us put our lives at risk every time we turn up for work.
posted by Caroline Hutchinson at 9:53 AM
1 Comments:
That is very nice what you put in you blog. Did you know the Qld police have never given Constable Irwins family any copensation for his death. They can send young men out to be shot and killed but cant compensate the family after. A bit low if you ask me.
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