Just as long as there is REVENUE from 'speeding' motorists.
From the Herald Sun newspaper with the headline:
FREE TO KILL
UPDATE: HUNDREDS of people gathered in Melbourne’s east to remember Gisborne man Tim Jellis, who died in a tragic hit-run car crash in Taylors Lakes last month.
As family and friends filled St Stephen’s Presbyterian Church in Surrey Hills for a thanksgiving service, Victoria’s top roads cop defended the force’s controversial no-pursuit policy which has been linked to 25-year-old’s death.
Mr Jellis was driving to a friend’s house in Taylors Lakes when the stolen Audi smashed into his car, killing him instantly on October 24.
The Herald Sun revealed police had spotted the Audi three times just days before the fatal crash but were unable to pursue the vehicle due to the no chase policy.
Assistant Commissioner for Road Policing Doug Fryer defended the policy, but conceded it was unpopular among members.
“We know some of our members are frustrated and it's a little unpalatable for them to not chase the bad guy,” Assistant Commissioner Fryer told 3AW.
“But you look back to why we’ve done this ... we’ve had 14 deaths in a four-and-a-half year period (from police pursuits).”
“It’s very much an attempt to strike a balance between public safety and arresting an offender such that police will pursue only in the most serious cases where there is imminent danger to public safety,” he said.
Tim’s parents Peter and Glenyce Jellis do not blame police, but have raised serious concerns for the policy.
“The police are only really doing what they can,” Peter said.
“If they did pursue and there was another accident or another fatality, then the police wouldn’t be following their instructions — it is really a catch 22 if they’re in the right or wrong.”
Friends and family travelled from interstate and overseas to pay their respects to the generous, caring and humble Tim Jellis — nicknamed ‘smiley’ for his infectious grin.
Brothers Andrew and Mark Jellis and family friend Dennis Wright gave eulogies at the service.
Mr Wright said Tim loved Jesus and his AFL football, particularly the Bombers.
He said one wall of his bedroom displayed his favourite bible versus, while another was dedicated to Essendon.
Tim was also passionate about his pet dogs Nelly and Fletch and living in the bush.
In lieu of flowers the family accepted donations from the Presbyterian Inland Mission.
“It’s very much an attempt to strike a balance between public safety and arresting an offender such that police will pursue only in the most serious cases where there is imminent danger to public safety,” he said.
Victoria Police would not respond to questions over sightings of the stolen Audi days before the deadly crash.
“It would be inappropriate to comment any further as the matter is before the courts,” spokeswoman Anthoula Moutis said.
Three teens have been charged with culpable driving over the fatality. But officers have voiced their anger at the new pursuit policy.
The Herald Sun has been told that soon after the restricted pursuit policy was enforced, offenders drove into an inner-suburban police station carpark and did burnouts.
Officers were forced to watch from inside the station, unable to pursue the offenders.
Ram raids were also escalating, a senior officer said.
“I think it’s the start of anarchy, ultimately.”
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