Nigel John ATKINS
Nigel John ATKINS
aka ‘ Daisy ‘
Victoria Police
Sergeant
Regd. # 21187
Commenced with VicPol 1978
Stations: Hastings Traffic Management Unit,
Cardinia TMU, Pakenham TMU
Born: ?
Died on: ??
Illness: Suicide
Funeral: Victoria Police Academy Chapel,
Viewmount Rd, Glen Waverley on
MONDAY (Mar. 24, 2013) at 1.00 p. m.
Buried / Cremated at: ?
[alert_red]Nigel is NOT mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance[/alert_red]
DETECTIVES have taken more than 100 statements as part of an investigation into an officer’s suicide.
The wife of veteran traffic officer Nigel Atkins has alleged workplace bullying was a factor in her husband’s death.
Sgt Atkins’ is one of four police suicides — three of which involve bullying allegations — which are the subject of an inquiry by the Coroner.
Sylvia Atkins has been told her husband’s death is the subject of an active Victoria Police investigation being directed by a steering committee chaired by Deputy Commissioner Tim Cartwright. The Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission, WorkSafe and the force’s professional standards command will oversee the probe.
Investigators have taken 120 statements from colleagues and others as part of the probe into Sgt Atkins’ death on March 7 this year.
Mrs Atkins said his troubles began in 2007 when he received an email from a senior officer over his booking of a motorist who was aggrieved at getting a number of vehicle infringements.
The officer, who knew the man charged, questioned whether it was necessary to give him a “hamburger” (charges amounting to “the lot”).
Mrs Atkins said this led to friction with the superior when he stood his ground in a reply.
“Nigel took great umbrage to that. Nigel treated everyone equally,” Mrs Atkins said.
She said there was further trouble the next year when he was the subject of “scurrilous” allegations of misconduct by three colleagues. Sgt Atkins was later exonerated, but he was relieved of his officer-in-charge responsibilities at the traffic unit.
“How humiliating. It was against the principle of natural justice,” Mrs Atkins said.
Mrs Atkins said her husband had said his preparedness to book colleagues for speeding made him a target.
She said he told her of becoming the subject of nasty pranks around the station.
A police pursuit which was the subject of internal scrutiny dogged Sgt Atkins in his final months.
His gold class licence was removed after a review of the chase found he had failed to undertake risk assessments, did not communicate having driven at 160km/h in an 80km/h zone, failed to provide ongoing and adequate information during the pursuit, may have continued travelling at high speed after the pursuit was terminated and that he did not support the force’s pursuit and urgent duty driving policy.
Sgt Atkins agreed in response there were things that could have been done better but that he had conducted the pursuit safely and made the “sound and definitive” decision to terminate it.
A police statement said: “Victoria Police take all allegations of bullying seriously and conduct a thorough investigation into any complaint.”
The force was like his second family
POLICING was a huge part of Sgt Nigel Atkins’ life.
A treasured photograph shows him shaking the hand of respected former Chief Commissioner Mick Miller on the day of his graduation in 1978.
He started off on foot patrols and worked his way through a vast range of the force’s roles.
But his most recent years were spent as a road traffic cop, succeeding in reducing road trauma rates in the areas in which he was put in charge.
Commendations and letters of appreciation from his superiors and community groups were among his prized possessions.
His wife Sylvia speaks with pain and pride when she tells of the things she would never forget about her husband.
“I will always be proud of his leadership, loyalty and dedication to Victoria Police,” she said.
“More importantly, because he did it with great strength and honour.
“He was a great protector. My best friend.” Mrs Atkins said it was her husband’s aim to reach 40 years of service.
Despite having his problems in recent years, he was always eager to get to work, often turning up hours early to prepare.
“It was his second family. Sometimes, you’d think it was his first family,” she said.
IF YOU OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW NEEDS HELP, CONTACT LIFELINE ON 13 11 14.
Obituary:
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– See more at: http://tributes.heraldsun.com.au/notice/28872018
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