Crime in the suburbs

I RECENTLY had to complete our annual fitness test. Well when I say annual, it was my first time, as this is something that has only just been implemented this year by WAPOL. It's not exactly difficult, but it's a step in the right direction for raising the fitness levels of police. A number of officers are quite negative about it, I for one, think it's a good idea and I applaud the Commissioner for implementing the scheme (and if he is reading this I will be expecting my promotion any week now).

It appears the public certainly appreciate the Commissioner's efforts with this one too as I am sure they would much prefer to have their police being fit and svelte, with an ability to chase baddies without appearing to collapse after the initial 20 metres of a foot chase.

However, I do concede that fitness alone does not make a good police officer and public expectation should be far more than someone who can complete a basic fitness test in three minutes. From my experience, the ability to listen, show respect, display fairness and demonstrate a bit of Sherlock Holmes in tracking down the baddie is greatly appreciated.

I realise that as police officers we are never going to please everybody all the time with our efforts, however I can honestly say that the majority of police give their all and are enthusiastic about completing their tasks, even if the fitness test isn't one of them.

Detective Sergeant Gary Thwaites BRENTWOOD Major Crime Squad detectives charged a 66-year-old Brentwood woman over the death of her 62-year-old sister in Hilton last Thursday. Police say the victim received fatal injuries at her home in Nicholas Crescent between 9pm on June 24 and 1.30am on June 25. The woman was charged with murder and appeared in Fremantle Magistrates Court last Friday. MURDOCH POLICE are looking for a man, who they believe can help them with a fraud investigation. At about 4.10pm on Wednesday June 3, police say the man used the stolen credit card to fraudulently purchase several items from a service station on South Street. The card was also used at other stores in the area to fraudulently purchase items. The man has a slim build, is aged about 20 to 25 years, and was wearing a white baseball cap, a grey long-sleeved shirt, black pants and sneakers. Anyone who knows him should contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. KARDINYAPolice would like to speak to a man identified as involved in an incident where a car was stolen from Kardinya and then used to commit further crimes in nearby suburbs. On Thursday, May 21, a house on Kirk Road was burgled and a black Holden Commodore Utility with the registration number 1CVP 136 was stolen. Later that day, the vehicle was used during a robbery in Booragoon, where a woman's purse was stolen and the victim injured. The stolen vehicle has not been found and has been used to commit further offences across the metropolitan area. Police say the man is dark skinned, 20-25 years old, with a slim build and about 175cm tall. He was wearing black sunglasses, white sneakers and a black cap. Anyone who knows him should contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.