By DANIELLE GALVIN
IN A matter of minutes, Leading Senior Constable Frank Bailey had saved a young girl’s life recently.
In the early hours one morning, he was called out to intervene in a highly charged situation involving a distressed teen suffering an hysterical psychotic episode.
This is just one example of the oath he took 18 years ago to serve and protect.
On the second floor of a partly constructed building, he would have to talk her down and try to reason with her, in what was an intense stand-off.
It took some adrenaline and the decision that it was safe to proceed.
“It happened in Pakenham,” Leading Sen Const Bailey said.
“She was a young girl, under 18, and the imminent danger of that (situation) causes one to jump in and stop it.”
Leading Sen Const Bailey had to consider his options. He would have to consider the risk to the people at the scene.
“When I approached her, you have to consider the safety of everyone, including the person and the police members,” he said.
“We tried to speak to her, but she didn’t want a bar of that.
“She appeared to be suffering from a mental health issue or was in distress.”
Sadly, incidents of this kind may be on the rise with the prevalence of crystal meth and the ease and accessibility of street drugs.
“There’s definitely an increase, we do certainly get called out to a lot of people suffering mental health problems,” he said.
“I have had many friends that say they wouldn’t do the job for quids.”
But the pay-off is like no other. One part of the mission of sworn police members is to help those in need of assistance, whatever that assistance might be.
The reward of “another day in the office” is saving someone’s life – that’s the satisfaction for a cop who’s seen it all.
“It is rewarding to do something like that,” Leading Sen Const Bailey said.
“It does make you feel like you have achieved something.
“A person never calls the police because they are in a good situation – it’s because they are in trouble.”
It’s not always so emotionally charged – there are lighter moments for the copper, who is based at Emerald.
The team receives a fair amount of thank-yous, in the form of cards, cakes and recognition from the local community. But the biggest reward?
“You can feel happy to know that you have helped someone,” he said.
Leading Sen Const Bailey encouraged anyone to talk to a friend or relative about how they feel if they are feeling down.
“Part of the first step process,”
Visit beyondblue.org.au, call Suicide Helpline Victoria on 1300 651 257 or Lifeline on 131 119 if you are in need of immediate assistance or talk to someone you can trust.
