A Day to Honour
Australian Police
December 2006
by Bev Holmes-Brown
admin@Link-Zone.net
 You
could "feel the love" of the Sunshine Coast
Police when Col Stringer spoke to a gathering
of the Coast's officers in Nambour recently.
For the second year running, Sunshine Coast
Pastors & leaders hosted a Police Appreciation
morning to honour and thank the ones who
keep their community safe.
With
a son and daughter in law in the Police
force, and a profound understanding of the
need for honour in a society, Col was the
perfect speaker for this event.
He
began with his own experiences of panic,
fear and lawlessness when, for a brief time,
his home town of Darwin was thrown into
chaos and confusion:
 As
victims of Cyclone Tracy's devastation in
1974, Col and Jan Stringer were among the
many who were helpless and at the mercy
of the 217km winds and torrential weather
that disintegrated homes and severed all
services. 1
Darwin
was bombarded by "extreme winds for over
five hours," and Col & Jan lost their home.
The
ABC reported that some suburbs had barely
a house left standing, and there were real
fears of a breakdown in civil order and
public health. 2
iIn
those days, Col owned a gun shop and it
was here that his family found refuge.
He
told of the looting and pillaging of properties
that overwhelmed authorities were ill equipped
to handle, his fear for his family's safety
and of the random gun shots echoing throughout
the area that kept them on edge.
He
knew that it was only a matter of time before
his stock became the target of thieves and
kept a loaded gun at his side, readying
himself to defend his family, whilst also
dreading the prospect of facing another
human down the barrel of a gun.
"If
you think we don't need the Police in our
society," Col said, "you need only to live
without them for a time to find that's just
not true!"
 In
2003, Governor General, Michael Jefferey
addressed an audience in Canberra with the
exact same sentiments.
"The
rule of law is fundamental to the survival
of the nation and its continuing prosperity.
When it's eroded or ignored, we invariably
see widespread corruption, crime and - if
it remains unchecked - anarchy." 3
Of
course, the magnitude of devastation that
Darwin experienced would test the resources
and abilities of any town or city, and it
would be almost impossible for civic leaders
to anticipate all of the needs ahead of
time.
Still,
any breakdown of authority and consequent
lawlessness, even for a short time as in
Darwin's case, highlights the fact that
our society is peaceful and safe because
of this body of men and women.
They
draw a line in our community that separates
good and evil. By their very presence they
say to the instigators of crime "you will
not threaten the safety of our community."
And, they say to our families, "we will
protect your freedoms and your homes."
Col
Stringer describes himself as a man who
grew up in a time of honour. An honour that
had been passed down through generations
of grandfathers and fathers who believed
that a man's word was his bond and a promise
was a promise.
It
was, as Col said:
"A
time when a teacher's threat to contact
a student's parents meant something!"
When
you'd get a clip round the ear if a policeman
visited your door. You'd say, "but Mum,
I didn't do … " and she'd say, "You must
have …" as she belted you!
It
was a day when the Police were esteemed
and their value and was understood."
Our
Police force spends every hour of every
day embroiled in society's struggles. Their
task is enormous, ranging from cases of
theft to domestic abuse; from terrorist
threats to heart wrenching abductions.
In
guarding the frontlines of our communities
they are often first on the scene when lives
fall apart, witnessing the worst that society
can offer.
When
Col and Jan became Pastors in Darwin they
had a number of young police officers in
their congregation. Col told of how they'd
been spat on and abused by those who knew
nothing of honour.
"The
hatred and abuse that is copped by our Police
is a shame to this land," he said.
If
you read Andrew Bolt's recent Herald Sun
column, which graphically described the humiliating
scenes of contempt for authority, and the
unacceptably outrageous behaviour Melbourne
Police were subjected to during the recent
anti-capitalist riots and G20 protests you
would certainly agree.6
The
Police stood their ground whilst:
- hooligans on the roof gave them a long,
humiliating drenching with a hose
- being spat on
- being
bitten
- being
hit with rubbish bags and pelted with
garbage
- being
rammed with plastic barriers
- protestors
smashed a police van
- louts
vandalized their gear
- having
insults screamed in their faces
- protestors
kicked police horses
Col
is right when he says that such abuse is
a shame to this land.
If
ever there was a day for the Australian
Church to recognize their mandate to pray
for our police it is this day!
He
spoke further on this matter of honour,
a topic on which he has written extensively
on in a book of the same name, and why he
believes it is so important to God.
"The
word honour means, 'value, precious, to
glorify, a price paid or received, to
magnify … the Lord thinks so highly of
honour that he mentions it almost two
hundred times in scripture. The word appears
in fifty verses in the New Testament,
in all the gospels, eleven epistles and
the book of Revelation." 4
He
told of our responsibility to honour the
authorities God has placed over us, in particular
our Police force, explaining that the admonition
of Romans 13:1-2 is fundamental to our survival
as a nation:
"Let
every soul be subject to the governing
authorities. For there is no authority
except from God, and the authorities that
exist are appointed by God. Therefore
whoever resists the authority resists
the ordinance of God, and those who resist
will bring judgement on themselves.
When
we understand that the Police are a God-ordained
authority, given to us for our benefit,
striking fear into the hearts of those who
plot evil, then we begin to understand the
purpose of honour and the importance of
prayer.
Acting
Inspector Paul Mellick of the Victorian
Christian Police Network has also taught
on the God-given role of the police in our
society. In December 2005, when asked, "Why
Emphasise Prayer for the Police, shouldn't
we also be praying for the Firemen and Ambos?"
he explained the difference in roles:
"…
Although Police, Fire and Ambulance are
all emergency providers, police are unique
in that they are a governing authority
as opposed to a service provider.
Fire and ambulance provide service as
do the police. However, police also have
a mandate under legislation to enforce
the laws that govern a state, territory
or nation."
…
"Fire and ambulance officers are not rulers
but civil servants. Clearly, there is
a difference. Although their role is vital
in any community and they should be covered
in prayer at all times due to the high
risk nature of their work, they do not
have a governing authority over others..
The
law gives police the power to take liberty
and in the right circumstances even life." 5
There
is a growing awareness, amongst Pastors
and leaders on the Sunshine Coast, of the
need to be encouraging congregations to
understand the role of our Police.
The
Sunshine Coast's Police Appreciation morning
is supported by the Nambour ministers fraternal,
and other Church leaders around the coast.
Last
year they gave a 100 Christmas cakes, which
were distributed, to the stations in the
Sunshine Coast Police district in a gesture
of thanks. This year they gave an offering
to the Queensland Police Legacy Scheme (QPLS),
which was received by Inspector Greg Tutt.
QPLS
is a charitable organization which takes
care of the families of deceased officers,
and officers who are found to be terminally
ill, educating their children up until their
first degree and also, amongst other things,
making sure that each of them receives one,
all expenses paid holiday a year.
The
work of QPLS is very close to the heart
of all Police who carry the continual burden
as husbands, wives, fathers and mother's
that one day they might not come home. Knowing
that their families will be looked after
is of tremendous comfort.
If
you would like to know more about the Queensland
Police Legacy Scheme you can call their
office on (07) 3236 2276.
If
you would like to know more about Col Stringer's
teaching on Honour, information on obtaining
this book is found at the link below.
If
you would like to pray for your local police
and and are not sure how you should pray,
the following guideline, which was created
by the Christian Police Association in the
UK should help: 7
PRAY
FOR PARLIAMENT : That they might resist
the temptation to legalise sin. That they
may pass laws that are right and not just
political
PRAY FOR SENIOR POLICE OFFICERS : That God may guide them as they liaise
with politicians and community leaders.
That they might have concern for officers
of all ranks
PRAY FOR OFFICERS ON PATROL AND SUPPORT
STAFF : That they might build confidence
with the public. That they might have
wisdom in all situations.
PRAY
FOR OFFICERS MAKING ON THE SPOT DECISIONS : Especially when making a wrong decision
might lead to the escalation of a difficult
situation. For those engaged in public
order or other potentially violent situations.
PRAY FOR THOSE SUFFERING STRESS : After dealing with sudden death, accidents
or the victims of violent crime. When
dealing with major disasters or the death
of a child or young person.
PRAY FOR INTEGRITY TO RESIST CORRUPTION : Through contact with those of a criminal
disposition. Through temptation when in
a position of trust.
PRAY
FOR THE ABILITY TO RELAX WHILST OFF DUTY : Officers are human beings and need
to rest. For others to recognise that
officers have a life to lead outside the
Police Service.
PRAY
FOR THE FAMILIES OF POLICE OFFICERS : That they might know peace when their
loved ones are on duty. That they might
have understanding when those they love
are under stress.
 Bev
Holmes-Brown lives on the Sunshine Coast
of Queensland, Australia with her husband
Arthur and two children. In 2001 she
began Link-Zone, a Christian resource
website with a mandate to “unite Christians
in specific interest areas.”
Link-Zone seeks to promote the work
of Aussie frontliners, seeking out resources
and tools that will bless and equip
the Body of Christ, as well as providing
information that helps believers understand
today’s battles.
The site is a work in progress and is
updated daily.
www.Link-Zone.net
Email: admin@link-zone.net |
LINKS
:
1.
National Archives Fact Sheet 176
http://www.naa.gov.au/fsheets/FS176.html
2. The Big Blow of Cyclone Tracy, 30 years
on ABC Northern Territory
http://www.abc.net.au/nt/stories/s1255740.htm
3.
Speech by His Excellency Major General Michael
Jeffery AC CVO MC (Retd) Governor-General
of the Commonwealth of Australia At a Police
Remembrance Day Commemorative Service, Canberra
Monday, 29 September 2003
http://www.gg.gov.au/speeches/rtf/2003/sp030929.rtf
4.
Honour - Key to the Power of God, by Col
Stringer
ISBN No. 0 646 27372 8
Col Stringer Ministries Inc, PO Box 3554,
Robina Town Centre,
Queensland 4230, Australia
or PO Box 15277 Jacksonville, Florida, 32239
5277
This book is also available from:
http://www.linkzone.ichristian.com.au/product_details.php?id=8737
5. Why Pray for the Police by Acting Inspector
Paul Mellick
Victorian Christian Police Network
Article Source: Pray For Australian Police
Website
http://www.link-zone.net/police/indexfs.html
6.
Our Cops go Girlie by Andrew Bolt Herald
Sun, November 22, 2006
http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,20798653-25717,00.html?from=public_rss
7.
How to Pray for the Police - The Leicestershire
Branch of the Christian Police Association
prayed the above prayer points at their
National Day of Prayer for the Police Service
in May 2004
Prayer Guide Source: Pray For Australian
Police Website
http://www.link-zone.net/police/indexfs.html
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