nswpoliceshop

Lessons Life Has Taught Me -  The story of former NSW Police Commissioner, John Avery

Author:  Roger Coombs

Paperback | 236 pages

'There's a phrase borrowed from a Chinese proverb that serves to remind us that our current good fortune owes much to the past.

When you drink the water, give thanks to those who dug the well.

In our long policing history in New South Wales, few have 'dug the well' with such distinction and foresight as John Avery. While his vision transformed the organisation he ran form 1984 to 1990, it was a vision that continued to be realised for many years that folllowed. It's a vision that's still being realised today. Central to that vision are the notions of an educated police force and a police force that is accountable is one in which the community can have confidence. And then we get to a word absolutely critical to achieving that community confidence - and that word is integrity. John Avery understood that these essential ingredients - accopuntability, community, confidence and integrity needed to be so much more than elements of a framed statement sitting on a Commissioner's office wall. John Avery came into the role during difficult days and undertook the even more difficult task of reform.'

- Andrew Scipione APM