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AIPM News
Archived news items July - December 2005:
Victoria Police Visiting Fellow Report
Solomon Islands Senior Executive Workshop
2005 AFAC Developing Future Leaders Program
2/2005 AFAC Volunteer Leaders Program
1 December 2005
Victoria Police Visiting Fellow Report
by Steve Pierce
Superintendent Steve Pierce of the Victoria Police has been a Visiting Fellow at the AIPM since the beginning of 2005. He compiled this report of his experiences.
Amongst a variety of other roles the principle role of a Visiting Fellow is to act as a mentor for students attending AIPM programs. Each year the AIPM conducts six management development programs and two executive leadership programs. In the coordination and delivery of each course there is close cooperation with the Visiting Fellows from other Australian agencies, which in 2005 included Superintendents from the Australian Federal Police, Queensland Police Service, New South Wales Police, as well as a senior officer from the Country Fire Authority and a Lieutenant Colonel from the Australian Army. All Visiting Fellows have significant operational and corporate experience as well as postgraduate degrees.
A secondary role of the Visiting Fellow is to represent their home organisation within a multi-agency environment as an advocate for its mission, values and strategic direction. Other roles of a Visiting Fellow include:
- Identifying opportunities where activities within the AIPM may assist with their home organisation in meeting its objectives.
- Highlighting their home organisations’ programs to international visitors.
- Supporting the RAMSI mission through providing leadership development programs to all levels of the Royal Solomon Island Police (RSIP). Visiting fellows have been responsible for the development of the programs and their delivery in both Australia and the Solomon Islands. In 2005 Inspector Gerry Zammit of Victoria Police assisted on several programs as both recognition of the skills of Victoria Police and as a personal development opportunity.
The international exchange program is an important element in ensuring that leadership development within Australasian policing remains vibrant, externally orientated and consistent with international standards. With international Visiting Fellows teaching on AIPM courses, the AIPM’s own Visiting Fellows have the opportunity to travel overseas to participate in leadership development programs.
Most Visiting Fellows are also given specific projects. For example I have been fortunate to have been appointed Project Manager for the AIPM Academic Strategy Project, the objectives of which are to:
- Conduct a detailed review into the future of the AIPM and its ability to deliver executive education for the public safety and emergency services industry.
- Prepare a Strategic Directions Paper providing detailed analysis of future and emerging trends in domestic and global policing and emergency services for consideration of AIPM Management and the Board of Control/Board of Studies.
As a result of this project I was fortunate to travel to the UK to both study and assist on police leadership courses. My initial destination was the Irish Garda (Police) Templemore College located in County Tipperary. As an aside the College was initially built as a British Army Garrison and is the basis of the song “It’s a long way to Tipperary” sung by British soldiers during World War 1. Initial observations indicate that the Garda is a professional organisation similar in size to Victoria Police, but with extra border security responsibilities it has 320 more commissioned officers than Victoria Police. The Garda Siochana College in Templemore provides recruit, middle and senior management programs and utilises external management specialists for these.
The Garda has a degree program it offers to Chief Superintendents, Superintendents and Inspectors. Key themes are centred on accountability, ethics and operational command. I was able to catch up with Superintendent Mary Fitzgerald, a recent graduate of the AIPM and observe her at work at the nearby Templemore Police Station. Duties performed are similar and there is a heavy emphasis on accountability to local council and community. As a local Superintendent, Mary had daily morning meetings with all Inspectors and station OIC’s to assist in combating criminal activities.
From Ireland I travelled to Scotland to participate as an instructor at the Scottish Police College Tulliallan Castle. At the heart of the campus is Tulliallan Castle, built in the early 19th Century. The College is the central police training establishment serving all eight police forces in Scotland, comprising some 14,500 officers. The college provides comprehensive training from recruits to command level, including specialist training. Tulliallan Castle is a 160 year old mixture of Gothic and Italian style architecture set amid some 90 acres of parkland just north of where the Kincardine Bridge spans the River Forth, 30 kilometres from Edinburgh. It was built for Admiral Lord Keith one time senior officer of Lord Nelson, from money received from prize ships, by a labour force said to include French prisoners of war. During the Second World War its history took on a further international dimension when it was used by the Free Polish Army as their headquarters in Scotland.
At Tulliallan I worked with the Leadership and Management Division responsible for all aspects of leadership and management skills. I was an instructor on their intermediate leadership development program (Inspectors) designed for operationally based Police Officers who are about to increase their managerial responsibilities. Working in the Castle was a thrill and I found the participants and staff to be highly professional and very motivated towards continuous learning. An interesting module was ‘Match Commander’ where participants were trained at the Celtic Rangers Football Ground by Police and Ground/Club Management on all aspects of commanding major sporting events and large volatile crowds. Both staff and course participants were extremely keen to learn of Australian policing techniques and there was considerable interaction between us during the course.
Of interest are the modules for senior police executives. Rather than providing everything in large course based blocks, individual modules are provided in subjects such as Executive Leadership, Organisational Development, Research in Action and Critical Incidents for members who identify areas for further development. This approach has proven to be highly popular and courses are all fully booked.
Attending Tulliallan proved highly beneficial both personally and for the AIPM’s Academic Strategy Project with significant learning captured for further examination. It was clearly an honour to participate with these overseas agencies.
The AIPM’s programs, along with the Airlie Leadership Development Centre programs, form an important component in developing Victoria Police’s leadership capabilities from senior managers through to senior executives.
The role of the Visiting Fellow at the AIPM is challenging and enjoyable. The work is intellectually stimulating, every course offers new friendships, substantial research skills are developed and there is opportunity to enhance our global knowledge of Police leadership skills required for the future. Observing the personal growth of all participants and in particular those from our own jurisdictions is a rewarding reflection of the fellows’ input.
24 November 2005
Solomon Islands Senior Executive Workshop
by Warwick Jones
Fifteen of the most senior officers in the Royal Solomon Islands Police gathered in Honiara on Wednesday, 16 November 2005 for a workshop conducted by a team from the Australian Institute of Police Management (AIPM) lead by Mr Tom Rogers. The workshop provided an opportunity for the RSIP officers to discuss several critical leadership related issues, and provide information to the AIPM staff on the future content of leadership programs for the RSIP. The AIPM team consisted of Charmaine Bourke (Aspect Psychology) who examined coaching and mentoring, Dr Stephen Mugford (QQSR) who looked at organisational culture, Andrew Balmaks (Noetic) who ran a session on governance and Warwick Jones who facilitated a discussion on the future of the RSIP.
The Acting Commissioner of the RSIP Graham Emery opened the workshop stressing the importance of creating leadership for the RSIP which is energetic and proactive. He also made it clear that good leadership was essential for a quality police force, which the RSIP is seeking to become. These thoughts were echoed by the workshop participants who in several presentations throughout the day stated the need for the continued enhancement of leadership in the RSIP. The Acting Commissioner also expressed his gratitude to the AIPM for their continued support.
In a session on Governance lead by Andrew Balmaks, the participants clearly demonstrated their understanding of the principles of governance and the numerous challenges they face. They also clearly indicated the significant progress already made. Stephen Mugford then lead a lively session examining the organisational culture of the RSIP. In particular he asked the participants to look at what was working well in the RSIP, and then illustrate these areas with actual stories. This resulted in a series of fascinating stories that clearly demonstrated the progress the RSIP is making. Charmaine Bourke facilitated a thought provoking session on how the RSIP can use coaching and mentoring to improve the workplace performance of their officers.
Tom Rogers stated that the workshop was a vital element of the Senior Executive program to allow the AIPM to design and deliver the best possible leadership program. Mr Rogers said, “It is all about what the RSIP Senior Executive want and what the AIPM can deliver to ensure the best possible leadership and management in the future.” Acting Superintendent John Walenenea, the Provincial Police Commander for Malita supported this view stating “I think what we are doing is a step in the right direction in building a professional and respected RSIP.”
View video of Assistant Commissioner Bob Lehman of the Royal Solomon Islands Police (1.2MB)
View video of Andrew Balmaks (Noetic) (1.7MB)
View video of Charmaine Bourke (Aspect Psychology) and Stephen Mugford (QQSR) (1.2MB)
(Requires Windows Media Player)
22 November 2005
2005 AFAC Developing Future Leaders Program
by Geoff Conway
Dulux - Bunnings were the principle sponsor for the recently completed Australasian Fire Authorities Council (AFAC) Developing Future Leaders Program conducted at the Australian Institute of Police Management at Manly, NSW.
This program, which targets emerging leaders in fire and emergency services from throughout Australia and New Zealand aims to assist them in facing the challenges of a constantly changing environment and increase their understanding of effective leadership techniques.
The program was officially opened by Mr Len Foster AO, Chief Executive Officer of AFAC. In his welcome to the program, Mr Foster commended the participants on their nomination and stressed the importance of building the skills of future agency leaders. In particular he emphasized the challenges that all involved in public safety and emergency management will face in the future, and the need to prepare for those challenges.
Among the twenty-two people attending the program which ran from 7 to 11 November were representatives of fire services, land management agencies, emergency services and ambulance services. AFAC Manger of Learning and Development, Sandra Lunardi indicated that this year’s program was significantly oversubscribed with agencies nominating 47 officers for the 22 places available.
Participants took part in a broad range of development activities including interactive seminars, case studies, and a number of experiential workshops. They also undertook a personality profiling exercise and a major syndicate based project during the program. This syndicate work along with a number of social activities provided opportunities for the development and strengthening of professional networks.
Industry leaders in a number of disciplines presented sessions that ranged from influencing skills and organisational governance to enhancing innovation within organisations. The study of leadership styles and skills was supplemented with a presentation on emotional intelligence and its relevance to the leader’s role.
In his address to the participants and staff at the final dinner, AIPM Executive Director, Jim Hann congratulated the participants on their efforts during the program. He noted in particular the effort made by all involved the syndicate projects with much of the unscheduled time during the week being devoted to this activity.
AFAC Visiting Fellow at AIPM, Operations Manager Geoff Conway said, “This program has been a great success. With people from such a wide range of agencies, the opportunity to gain insights into the workings of other emergency management organisations has been invaluable for the participants.”
The Developing Future Leaders Program is run annually with the next program to be conducted in November 2006.
8 November 2005
2/2005 AFAC Volunteer Leaders Program
by Geoff Conway
Twenty-two participants from fire and emergency services throughout Australia and New Zealand recently completed the Australasian Fire Authorities Council (AFAC) Volunteer Leaders Program at the Australian Institute of Police Management (AIPM) at Manly, NSW. Run over five days, this intensive program brings together people with extensive experience in leading volunteer organisations and provides them with an opportunity for further professional development and networking with peers from diverse backgrounds.
The objectives of the program are to provide current and emerging volunteer leaders with the opportunity to develop leadership capabilities, extend their industry knowledge and form strategic alliances with other services. This is achieved through examining leadership issues; exploring corporate governance roles and responsibilities; recognizing different leadership styles and behaviours and strengthening personal effectiveness and workplace relationships.
The program addresses many of the significant challenges confronting emergency services today including a discussion of contemporary leadership issues, working effectively with the media and developing influencing skills. During the program the participants worked in groups to undertake research for, and deliver a presentation on a major issue confronting volunteer emergency services. These presentations were delivered on the final morning of the program to an audience of their peers, AIPM staff and senior personnel from the emergency services along, Assistant Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons, Rural Fires Service of NSW and AFAC’s Manager of Learning and Development, Sandra Lunardi.
AIPM Executive Director, Mr Jim Hann said, “The AIPM is very supportive of the inclusion of the Volunteer Leadership Program in our annual calendar. The participants worked very hard and achieved many excellent outcomes in the time they were here. They have also provided valuable and positive feedback on the program which is most encouraging.”
Two Volunteer Leaders programs are run by AFAC each year with the generous support a Dulux Bunnings who underwrite many of the costs associated with the program. The program has been delivered by AIPM staff, with the support of guest presenters since 2003. Over the past two years the course has been coordinated by the AFAC Visiting Fellow at the AIPM.
The current AFAC Visiting Fellow, Operations Manager Geoff Conway said, “The effort made by participants over the five days of the program was amazing. The ability of a group of diverse personalities, many of who had never met prior to arriving at Manly, to form such an effective and cohesive team has impressed all staff here at the AIPM.”
The next Volunteer Leaders Program will be run in April 2006.