General News
27 September, 2023
A day of remembrance for Victoria Police
POLICE will mourn those who lost their lives in the line of duty this week as part of Blue Ribbon Day.
POLICE will mourn those who lost their lives in the line of duty this week as part of Blue Ribbon Day.
Blue Ribbon Day, which falls tomorrow (Friday), coincides with National Police Remembrance Day.
It is an opportunity for the community to thank those who protect and serve the community, and to remember those who lost their lives in the line of duty.
For Victoria Police members, including Mortlake’s Leading Senior Constable Adrian Dolman, it is a day to reflect.
Ldg Snr Const Adrian Dolman joined Victoria Police in 2006.
Ldg Snr Const Adrian Dolmanbegan his career with Victoria Police later in life after more than 25 years working in the banking sector.
He said it had become evident banking was “not his cup of tea” and he began to want more.
“It was a fantastic job but it changed after a period; like every career,’ he said.
“I used to love it but you became a bit like a used car salesman, and I always wanted to help people - even in customer service.
“I ended up joining the police force when I was 42.”
After joining the Victoria Police ranks Ldg Snr Const Dolman spent five years working across Melbourne.
The allure of a regional lifestyle drew him to the south west after having been raised in the small town of Millicent, South Australia.
Ldg Snr Const Adrian Dolman joined Warrnambool for around 11 years before transferring to Mortlake 18 months ago.
“It’s been a fantastic job; I’ve loved every second of it,” he said.
Blue Ribbon Day provides an opportunity to remember the 175 Victorian police who have lost their lives in the line of duty.
Ldg Snr Const Dolman recalled his time in Melbourne when he would take part in the large march on St Kilda Road.
He knows 175 police have died while on duty in Victoria, the most recent being 25-year-old Senior Constable Bria Joyce who was killed on April 8 last year.
Ldg Snr Const Dolman said he tries not to focus on the dangers of the job, and relies on training and common sense to stay safe on duty.
“Victoria Police do a great job of trying to ensure we’re able to do our jobs without getting hurt but it’s part of the job, otherwise we just wouldn’t ever leave the station,” he said.
“We try to minimise the risk, we’re obviously trained and armed, but the risks are there.
“You know sometimes there is nothing you can do to control it.
“It never worried me because we try to use common sense in our approach, to minimise the risks, but we accept those risks and try not to think about it.”
Ldg Snr Const Dolman admit he had seen some “awful things” over the years but found there was balance as police also have an opportunity to help.
“I’ve been to a lot of car accidents and had to tell family members when someone has passed away, which is always hard,” he said.
“But a lot of my job is also helping people, when people a having drama we can often help them out.”
Ldg Snr Const Dolman said maintaining a positive relationship with the community was integral to effective policing, which was simplified in rural communities where police officers were better known.
“A lot of our training is designed to strengthen our integrity within the community, and our ongoing training involves things to make sure the community can be happy with the police service,” he said.
“I recently had someone pulled over for drink driving and he understood I was doing my job and acknowledged he made a mistake which cost him his license for 11 months.
“He was nice to talk to and deal with, and I feel most people understand we’re just doing our job – even those who might have made an error in judgement; people know when they have stuffed up, and they’ll cop it.”
Ldg Snr Const Dolman said policing had gone through significant changes over his near18-year-career, including a growing focus on domestic violence.
“We’ve appropriately made a more significant emphasis on family violence which, frankly, we haven’t done appropriately in the past,” he said.
“There’s around one fatality each week in Australia which is family violence related, and we’ve had to work a lot on improving that.”
Ldg Snr Const Adrian Dolman said one of the biggest issues confronting Victoria Police was staffing shortages, but was optimistic ongoing recruitment efforts would position the service well for the future.
“I don’t think it is to anyone’s surprise that one of Victoria Police’s biggest problems at the moment is a shortage of staff,” he said.
“Unfortunately, we are seeing it everywhere; from ambos to nurses and tradies.
“Police are no different but we’re doing a big recruiting drive at the moment to try and get more people in.”
Ldg Snr Const Adrian Dolman encouraged anyone interested in a career with Victoria Police to look in to the possibility.
“It’s a great job, and anyone interested in doing it have a real opportunity at the moment,” he said.
“I haven’t had a minute of regret.”