Mr JOHN WATKINS

(Ryde—Deputy Premier, Minister for Transport, and Minister for Police) [2.32 p.m.]: I know all members of this House will join me in offering heartfelt condolences to the family, friends and police colleagues of Senior Constable Peter Gordon Wilson. As the House is probably aware, Senior Constable Wilson, a police officer from the Brisbane Water Highway Patrol, died tragically on Saturday night while undertaking highway patrol duties on the F3. The death of Gordon, as he was known, is a distressing reminder to all of us of the dangers of police work. In working to keep the community safe, this dedicated officer paid with his life. There are few jobs that require people to face up to that kind of risk on a daily basis. We honour and admire all those in New South Wales who pull on the uniform every day, and I place on record my thanks to them all.

I understand that Gordon Wilson was a popular man, not only among his colleagues in the Brisbane Water Highway Patrol but in the community generally. He was an avid soccer enthusiast, and in recent weeks had devoted himself to organising a charity game between local police and firefighters. The game was to be a curtain raiser to a Central Coast A-League fixture, the proceeds of which Gordon had arranged to go to the children’s ward of Gosford Hospital. Gordon spent considerable time helping to organise the game using his characteristic energy, good humour and leadership to motivate others to take part. The game will be a huge success. It will also be a fitting tribute to a man who cared for his community, both on and off the job. On behalf of the people of New South Wales I say thank you to Gordon Wilson for his dedicated service. He will be laid to rest with full police honours on Friday at Gosford Anglican Church. On behalf of the House I extend sincere condolences to Gordon’s family, friends and colleagues. Their loss, personal and profound as it is, is felt by us all.

Mr CHRIS HARTCHER

(Gosford) [2.34 p.m.]: On behalf of all members of New South Wales Coalition, and on behalf of the citizens of Gosford, I pay tribute to Senior Constable Peter Gordon Wilson, who died last Saturday night on the F3 while serving the community. Senior Constable Wilson was born in Scotland and is survived by his fiancée, two daughters and a son. The children are aged between eight and 14. Known as Gordie, Senior Constable Wilson was attached to the highway patrol in the Brisbane Water Local Area Command and was stationed at Gosford. I did not have the privilege of knowing him personally, but he was well known to the shadow Minister for Police, the Hon. Michael Gallacher. Only three weeks ago Mike Gallacher met Peter Wilson at a function at the Mingara Recreation Club which was held in honour of the national servicemen who served our country.

That night Peter Wilson spoke extensively to Michael Gallacher about how proud he was of his family and of his involvement in Scottish highland dancing. He talked about the upcoming highland dance festival on the Central Coast, which is due to take place in 2007, and his involvement in organising the festival, which will be attended by thousands of people from all over the world. He spoke also of his great pride and support for the Hibernian Soccer Team, which is based in Edinburgh. I note that the New South Wales Commissioner of Police has said that a charity golf day, which had been organised by Peter, will still go ahead. We have all lost a fine police officer. The people of the Central Coast and the community of New South Wales have lost a fine man. May he rest in peace.

Members and officers of the House stood in their places.

Senior Constable Wilson, 41, had dated girlfriend Kylie McFarland on and off for seven years and the pair had recently chosen a wedding ring.

Before he went to work last Saturday, the couple went through their normal routine, which made her feel more secure about the dangers he faced as a highway patrol officer, Ms McFarland told more than 1000 mourners at the Gosford Anglican church today.

He kissed her and told her he loved her before she said “take care and stay safe”.

The Scottish-born officer was killed later that day while making speed checks on the F3 at Somersby, north of Sydney, when he was hit by a four-wheel drive vehicle.

Today’s congregation, which included police officers from as far away as Tasmania, was told it was his favourite stretch of road.

When he died in Gosford Hospital later that night, his 11-year-old son Callum turned to Ms McFarland and said he also wanted to be a police officer.

Ms McFarland today said she felt most pained for his children, including Caitlin, 14, and Amy 8, and his parents Bill and Elma and sister Hazel.

As for herself, she would miss the little things.

“No one can say my name like he can,” she said.

NSW Police Commissioner Ken Moroney, who visited Ms McFarland on Sunday, Police Minister John Watkins and Opposition police spokesman John Gallacher were among the mourners.

The congregation was told Snr Const Wilson, known as Gordy to his mates, served 12 years with the Royal Air Force before moving to Australia.

He became a probationary police constable in February 1998 and joined the highway patrol about four years later.

Mr Moroney posthumously awarded Snr Const Wilson the NSW Police Medal for his work during a collision involving 34 cars in Calga in October 2004.

“Senior Constable Peter Gordon Wilson was the type of professional police officer that we could ill afford to lose,” the commissioner said.

Uniformed officers, who stood with their heads bowed during the service, later lined the closed street outside the church.

Snr Const Wilson’s colleagues acted as pall bearers and wept openly as his casket was driven from the church past hundreds of officers, who saluted as it passed.

http://www.news.com.au/national/officer-was-set-to-wed-mourners-told/story-e6frfkp9-1111112540666

[divider_dotted]

A highway patrol officer knocked down and killed while conducting speed checks has been posthumously awarded the NSW police medal.

Senior Constable Peter Gordon Wilson, 41, was operating speed checks on the F3 at Somersby, north of Sydney, when he was run over by a four-wheel drive vehicle on Saturday.

The Scottish-born officer and father of three died later in Gosford Hospital. He had been in the force for 10 years.

Police Commissioner Ken Moroney announced that Const Wilson would receive the honour during the officer’s funeral in Gosford.

More than 1,000 people packed into the Gosford Anglican church to farewell the policeman, who was known as Gordy.

Const Wilson’s fiancee Kylie McFarland and one of his two daughters, Caitlin Wilson, gave eulogies during the service.

Mr Moroney presented the medal to Const Wilson’s son Callum and his parents, who were flown in from Scotland.

The congregation, which included officers from Surry Hills in Sydney’s inner city to Tasmania, was told the award was presented for his excellent work during a collision involving 35 vehicles in Calga on October 22, 2004.

“Senior Constable Peter Gordon Wilson was the type of professional police officer that we could ill afford to lose,” Mr Moroney said.

“I’m honoured to announce that I have, with agreement from the minister of police, (given) the posthumous award for the NSW police medal to Peter.”

With hats under their left arm and heads bowed, many uniformed officers listened to Ms McFarland recount the routine she shared with her fiance before he went to work.

She said they would spend time together before he kissed her and told her that he loved her. Her reply would be “take care, stay safe”.

Such a routine, she said, made her feel more secure about his role as a highway patrol officer.

Ms McFarland thanked police, including Mr Moroney who visited her on Sunday morning, for attending the service.

Their 11-year-old son Callum, she said, had turned to her at Gosford Hospital soon after his father died and announced that he too wanted to be a police officer.

At the conclusion of the service, uniformed officers and detectives dressed in black suits stood on either side of the closed road outside the church and saluted as Const Wilson’s coffin was driven to the cemetery.

http://www.theage.com.au/news/National/Mourners-gather-for-officers-funeral/2006/11/17/1163266748974.html

[divider_dotted]

Australia remembers its fallen officers

Senior Constable Peter Wilson passed away on 11 November 2006 – New South Wales Police Force

Senior Constable Peter Gordon Wilson joined the New South Wales Police Force as a student police officer on 18 May 1997 and was promoted to constable in early 1999 and a senior constable in 2002.

Senior Constable Wilson was dedicated to ensuring road safety and the implementation of associated traffic law enforcement programs. He was an outstanding example to others to follow in the best traditions of professional policing, courage and commitment.

Senior Constable Wilson was awarded the prestigious New South Wales Police Medal in recognition of his integrity and diligence, not only to the police force but to the people of New South Wales. After 10 years in the service, Senior Constable Wilson was killed on duty by a motor vehicle in November 2006.

His enthusiasm, professionalism and personal efforts as a very dedicated highway patrol officer will never be forgotten by the New South Wales Police Force.

[divider_dotted]

Coroner recommends overhaul of police radar checks

Updated 26 Aug 2009, 7:22amWed 26 Aug 2009, 7:22am

Photo: The coroner said hand-held radar checks are ‘extremely dangerous.’

Map: Somersby 2250

The death of a New South Wales police officer in a roadside accident three years ago has prompted a coroner to recommend an overhaul of the way radar speed checks are carried out.

Forty-one-year-old senior constable Peter Gordon Wilson was killed when he was struck by a four-wheel-drive while carrying out hand held radar checks in November 2006.

The accident happened on a blackspot of the F3 on the New South Wales central coast.

In handing down his inquest findings today, deputy state coroner Hugh Dillon said police speed checks on foot are extremely dangerous and that should have ben recognised by management well before the accident.

Thirteen recommendations have been made including the elimination of speeding operations by police on foot on multi lane roads, where the limit is greater than 80 kilometres an hour.

 http://www.abc.net.au/news/2009-08-25/coroner-recommends-overhaul-of-police-radar-checks/1404376

[divider_dotted]

[divider_dotted]