Media Release 1

MEDIA RELEASE

Tuesday 9 December 2008

Policing is a tough occupation in which police officers, by necessity, have to make frequent split-second decisions, Police Association president Mark Carroll said today. He added that, in making those decisions, police officers were always highly scrutinized.

Mr Carroll's remarks come after the conviction of Tim Hughes in the Elizabeth Magistrates Court yesterday, on one count of driving in a dangerous manner in 2005, when he was in the execution of his police duty.

"The Police Association funded Mr Hughes' defence, and we intend to fund his application to appeal the magistrate's decision in the Supreme Court," he said.

"We have decided to pursue this course on the basis of legal advice.

"Clearly, this matter is of the highest relevance to not only our front-line members but also the community, so it is vital that we have absolute clarity on where the legalities lie.

"In due course, the association will discuss yesterday's court decision, as
well as the appeal, with both the Government and Opposition."

Police Association president Mark Carroll will be available for media comment at 1:30pm today in the association boardroom, level 2, 27 Carrington St, Adelaide.


SOURCE: Police Association of South Australia