ENTRY TO THE TASMANIA POLICE FORCE
His application, probationary period and first year
1959 - 1960
Thomas Henry Lello's police records begin with a small slip of paper, an 'Extract on Search, No. 9793', dated 3rd June 1957, written in a round childlike hand by the officer who copied the details from the record. The form is very slightly dog-eared, and the stamp is smudged where a drop of liquid has fallen. It cost two shillings. Bearing the Registrar General of Tasmania's official stamp, it states that Thomas Henry Lello was born 'at Hobart on 12th May 1936. Other particulars Parents Allen and Blanch Olive Lello Formerly Bennett. Folio 1223/36H'.
On 5th December 1958 Tom signed, with a curiously elaborate 'H' to his middle name, a six-page Application for Appointment to the Tasmania Police Force. He gave his address as Main Road, Austin's Ferry. The declaration form set out the statement: 'I am of good character and I am conversant with the educational and physical requirements. I believe I possess such qualifications, and am fitted to become a member of the Police Force.' Tom signed in the space below. Notes in the margin record the passing of the form from one officer to another on the same date.
Tom declared on the next sheet in a clear and literate hand that he was married, had 'Total exemption' from National Service Training, that he was educated at Devonport State and High Schools, had no certificates, and was 15 years 9 months when he left Class B (the third year in Secondary High). At the point of application he stood 5 feet 9½ inches in his socks, weighed (stripped) 11 stone 12½ lb, had a chest of 40 inches (Inspiration) and 38½ (Expiration). He was at the time working as a Field Assistant at the Public Works Dept. He cited the name of Const. G K Byers of 12 Waterloo Cres. Battery Pt as someone in the Police Force whom he knew.
Tom was not in debt, and held a 'Motor vehicle licence No. 2-40043 original licence obtained at Forth 1st March 1955'. His only qualification was that he had the 'ability to handle survey instruments.' He engaged in 'Swimming', but not in Club competitions. He answered 'Yes' to the question 'Can you swim?', and 'No' to questions about membership of social organizations such as the Boy Scouts, &c, and 'knowledge about First Aid'.
Page 4 shows that he began work in January 1954 as a labourer in the Public Works Department with short gaps when work ran out, advancing to 'chainman' on 4th October in the same year until promoted on 16th July 1958 top the position of 'field assistant'. He carefully noted across four columns that 'I was employed as a farm labourer on Mr. A. Lello's property at Forth Tasmania.'
Tom's 'Declaration with regard to health' stated that he had no family history of 'cancer, asthma, gout, diabetes, fits, epilepsy, insanity, or any other nervous disease', and none had committed suicide. One aunt, however, had died of tuberculosis. (Tom was plainly unaware of the health record of his paternal parents and grandparents.) He had undergone surgery '(see below)', and had suffered 'Scarlet Fever, chicken pox, asthma (slight), pleurisy, mumps and whooping cough.' He added 'HAVE broken left arm and have had a badly sprained ankle whilst attending school'.
His form was completed by an Inspector whose signature is illegible from 'Training Section' 8-12-58. In an attachment, I E Yaxley, the Education Officer in Hobart declared that Tom's 'examination in Education' yielded the following results: SPELLING 90%, DICTATION 95%, ARITHMETIC 60%. The Superintendent of Police, with an illegible flourish, countersigned a typed form that reiterated all of the details of Tom's application form, adding that he was 'of good physique, smart appearance and intelligent' and giving details of his marriage, including the number of the certificate, the name of the Officiating Minister, and details of his wife's father's occupation and residence. His referees were K P Wicks of 5 Chappel Street, Glenorchy, A W Nicholls, 94 Derwent Park Road, Glen, and M G Monaghan, Public Works Department, Hobart.
This suite of papers continues with a complete set of finger prints and a request to PC Byers for a reference. His prints were checked out as a 'Police Applicant please', and declared 'not known'. On the reverse of this sheet, he was described as of 'Fair' complexion, with 'Fair' hair and 'Brown' eyes, Tom's thumb prints were set alongside his own handwriting, giving his date of birth, his age (22), and his current address. The 'H' on his signature is one curl less elaborate than on earlier forms.
Constable G K Byers, No. 572, handwrote a reference on Tasmania Police headed memo paper, dated 12th December 1958. He said he had known Tom for about two years and that he had met his parents who were 'very decent people and are held in high regard in their district. Lello's wife is from a respectable and well known family ..... personal friends of mine.' Byers added that he found Tom 'genuine and straight forward in his ways, and is well liked at his present job as field assistant in the surveying field.' He believed Tom, 'from the abovementioned facts and Lello's keen attitude ... will be a suitable for appointment'.
Tom's application was signed by the Inspector at the Southern District Training Section on 18th February in 1959, stating that he had been considered by the Board of Selection the day before and was being recommended to be urgently medically examined in Hobart. By the time Tom saw the Government Medical Officer on 24th February 1959, he had lost 2½ lbs in weight over Christmas and ½ inch to his 'Girth' of chest.
The medical report stated that Tom had 'clear' skin and joints, a spine with 'free movement', and 'free movements' generally. He was of 'good' Muscularity, with normal hands and feet , 'nil' Varicele and Varicose Veins, Enlarged Glands &c. and Piles. He had a 'Clear' Nose and Tongue, but suffered from Gingivitis. The comment on his Teeth stated 'Cleaning & filling necessary'. His Tonsils were 'Small', his liver and spleen 'Clear'. Tom had 'Nil' Hernia, a 'Not enlarged' heart, with 'clear' sounds and 'regular' rhythm. His pulse rate was 78, and his blood pressure 84/126. His lungs were 'Clear', his urine showed no albumin or sugar, his nervous system was 'Normal', as was his hearing. He had 6/6 vision in both eyes for distance and near. His colour vision was 'Normal', and he had no Squint or Disease.
On 4th March 1959, the Inspector at the Training Section forwarded Tom's application, Constable Byer's reference and the medical report to the Commissioner's Office, stating that the applicant was to be instructed to 'report at Police Headquarters on the 17th March 1959 at 9 A.M., for appointment as a Police Constable. N.B. The Board of Selectors finally considered the applicant on the 3rd March, 1959, and recommends his appointment as Constable.'
On the 17th March 1959 in Hobart, Thomas Henry Lello swore The Constable's Oath and signed on a form, bearing his service number 584, that he had done so on. He began his training on the same day. Four months later, Tom's first child was born. Just a month before this on 18th June, Tom emerged from his basic training with his First Aid examination still to sit, and an overall mark of 72% in the Passing Out Examination. He could 'swim, row a boat and drive all kinds of motor vehicle'.
The statement of his Final Examination results dated 1st July 1959, showed a leap in his results to 80.8%. His top mark, 91%, was in English, his lowest in Civics (71). His Arithmetic had improved to 74%. He was stated to be 'Of above average ability. Most conscientious and industrious. Potential good. Conduct satisfactory.' Out of a class of 10, Tom came first, a good start to his career.
His probationary report, dated 30th March 1960, written by his Superintendent, said Tom had shown 'keeness [sic] and has carried out his duties in a very satisfactory manner... his approach to the public is favourable, his attitude in Court impressive, favourable reports have been received from the officers and sub-officers who have observed his work.' The Superintendent recommended the confirmation of his appointment.
The general report for his first 9 months in post as Constable T H Lello (No 584) stated that he had taken 9 days' sick leave during May, and a later 'Efficiency and Conduct Report noted sick leave from 1st September to the 6th, and from 26th November to 28th in 1959. He had arrested 26, 15 by Summons, 40 Convicted, Nil Dismissed and 3 Committed for Trial. On 30th March 1960, his Superintendent wrote that Tom had 'so far carried out his duties satisfactorily, and his conduct has been good'. On 18th July, he wrote that Tom's general conduct was good, efficiency good, and that this constable 'is showing promise and will develop with further experience. He is very keen, courteous and displays initiative in the discharge of his duties. He has had limited experience but has progressed very well in the Service. He has a good knowledge of his duties and his relationship with the public is very good. A promising young Constable.'
The Deputy Commissioner added at the foot of the report 'Seen. Good report.'