Steven Isles launches petition to get Mick Isles formally accepted on police honour roll
The family of a North Queensland police officer who never returned home from work is hoping to finally find closure if they win their fight to see his service formally honoured.
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The family of a North Queensland police officer who never returned home from work is hoping to finally find closure if they win their fight to see his service formally honoured.
Steven Isles, son of Ayr Police Senior Sergeant Michael Isles, has launched a petition for his father to be accepted onto the Police Honour Roll after he disappeared while on duty in 2009.
A Coroner ruled in 2012 he died by suicide, and it was this cause of death that excluded him from the roll.
Mr Isles’ fight for change has been backed by Hinchinbrook MP Nick Dametto, who said the current rules were discriminatory and stigmatised mental health.
There are 13 other Queensland families whose loved one has also been excluded from the roll because their death was by suicide.
The Queensland Ombudsman found the blanket prohibition by the Queensland Police Service was also unfair.
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“It pains me to think why someone who has lost their life while on duty isn’t on the roll,” Mr Dametto said.
Mr Isles said the push he took was not only for his dad, but for systemic change.
Despite being hit by a “stonewall culture”, he had no plans to give up/
“My father gave almost 36 years service to the police and we don’t have a gravesite, no ashes, we don’t have anything to recognise my dad,” he said.
“It would mean a lot to have his name etched on the stone wall in Brisbane.”
Mr Dametto sponsored the e-petition which he intends to table at parliament next month.
You can sign the petition here.
Originally published as Steven Isles launches petition to get Mick Isles formally accepted on police honour roll