Modern policing

It’s been a banner day for Victoria Police, who twice referred briefs alleging child abuse against Cardinal George Pell to the DPP only to have their handiwork sent back with what one can only assume was advice that the case needed a bit more meat on its bones. The last attempt produced advice that, if they were so keen to go ahead, let the judicial stage of the pursuit begin.

And today, Magistrate Belinda Wallington did as many expected and sent Pell to trial after a committal hearing that featured an extended stint in the witness box by ABC reporter and Cardinal author Louise Milligan, with whom the magistrate had earlier appeared during a discussion of child abuse on Jon Faine’s ABC radio show.

A happy day indeed for Victoria Police, and nowhere more festive than in the suburb of Fawkner, where local youths were encouraged to fill balloons with paint and pelt the local police station. This made a pleasant change from recent events in Werribee and, last week, in North Melbourne, where officers made no arrests, not a one, after being barraged by youths of African appearance with less messy but far more unpleasant items — rocks and bottles, for the most part.

Today’s muck-flingers were invited to hurl their rainbow colours at the police station to promote the “inclusion of LGBT communities”. The result is being described as “a mural”, rather than a mess or a burr under the saddle of old-fashioned wallopers who believe police and their facillities should be accorded an ambient respect.

Zeg has been tossing some colours about as well. His thoughts on policing in Victoria can be viewed here or via the link below.