border patrol

Somehow the Customs inspections staff in Australia seem to be confused about the fact that while they are charged with an important duty they are not required to cease being polite and courteous.

Wouldn't it be nice if they had the attitude of "To Serve and Protect"

I read (yet again) about a sad case of some poor tourist getting their Iced Tea mistaken for drugs. I'm certain they were harassed badgered and treated with the presumption of guilt by the investigating officers. If the "Border Security" mockumentary is anything to go by.

As an Australian who travels frequently I can say that there are far too many officers in the Customs Staff who need sincere attitude re-adjustments and perhaps some education in Chemistry and Physics. They seem to forget that the tools of investigation that they use not magic and are strictly indicators.

Its all the more tragic that this person will receive only $5000 in compensation for spending 5 days in custody (which must be horrible in itself) and probably missed much of her intended travel time.

More galling is that she is yet to get any apology.

This is in my opinion a central issues, the officers who made the call should be required to show personal responsibility for their actions and apologize. If not then really, what mechanism prevents them from becoming arrogant and aloof.

According to the SMH

The AFP and Customs and Border Protection last night said the incident was 'regrettable' but it had acted immediately after full testing to drop the charges.

how magnanimous of them they dropped the charges. No I'm sorry, no we'll look into our procedures, nope; just move on.

The average Australian has really little idea on what goes on, holding some ideas in their heads about how our guys are perfect and doing a hard job while everywhere else are idiots and incompetent. For instance while everyone was busy screaming about the treatment of Schapelle Corby not much was said about Tikka Honda.

Recent accusations about the Victorian Police and their behavior towards Somali (probably bad) boys in Victoria suggests attitudes and behavior more consistent with the Rum Rebellion colonial troops than a modern democracy.

I think we need to move out of our Colonial past and modernise ... unless we're after more slams from the rest of the world about us being racist.