A SENIOR Bendigo policeman raised concerns on Monday that the public had lost respect for authority.
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''The words respect and consequences mean nothing... there's more disregard for the law. People no longer respect the authorities for doing their job,'' Sergeant Mark Holloway said.
He added the challenges facing the police force of today were far greater than when he first stepped onto the beat 42 years ago.
These are interesting observations for a man who has dedicated a large part of his life to keeping our community safe.
Sadly, they're spot on.
There was a time not that long ago that police officers, particularly those in rural areas, worked with the full respect of those they served.
Rural stations were vital to the fabric of their towns with the officers often called on to carry out important roles at not only a professional but community level.
Growing up in the tiny Sunraysia town of Merbein, our local policeman had total respect - he was the law of our land and we knew it.
So where did such respect go? Why do people no longer show respect for authorities? Why is the law something people have grown to disregard instead of honour?
Pretty important questions for any community to answer.
Our police officers put their lives on the line every day - that very fact should earn them respect.
Sergeant Holloway made his comments on a day designed to remind us all of those dangers - National Police Remembrance Day.
We live in safer times because of the laws these officers uphold.
Education of young people about the importance and respect these officers deserve starts at home.
Everyone has a role in bringing back that waning respect.