Wynnum OIC urges officers to show discretion on Anzac Day

A Queensland Police senior sergeant has urged his officers to use discretion with COVID-19 fines ahead of Anzac Day.

A POLICE senior sergeant has urged his officers to use discretion as Brisbane residents prepare to commemorate Anzac Day despite social distance restrictions because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Only virtual services will be going ahead this Saturday for one of the biggest days on the calendar for Australian and New Zealand residents.

Anzac Day services on Brisbane’s bayside usually attract more than 10,000 people and Wynnum Police senior sergeant Wayne Richter said he understood how important the day was to a lot of people.

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“The rules for mass gatherings and social distancing will still apply for Anzac Day,” he said.

“However in saying that my officers are fully aware of the emotional significance in remembering the sacrifices of others.

Crowds at the Wynnum RSL ANZAC ceremony. Picture: Richard Walker

“We want to positively influence people to comply with the Public Health Directions and I have endorsed my officers to show discretion to those that want to lay wreaths at cenotaphs and only take enforcement action when the directions are disobeyed wilfully, recklessly or selfishly.”

Senior Sgt Wayne Richter. Picture: AAP/Renae Droop

Wynnum’s Arthur Rennick, who served in Vietnam from February 1969 to February 1970, said he believed commemorating Anzac Day should take a back seat while everyone fights through the current pandemic.

With the whole country basically on lockdown, people have come up with different ideas to mark the day to recognise those who fought for their country over the years, such as observing a minute’s silence at the end of your driveway.

Vietnam veteran Arthur Rennick. Picture: AAP/Sarah Marshall

However, Mr Rennick said people should not feel bad if they did not commemorate the day this year.

“People can mark or celebrate the day if they want to but I think our focus right now should be on looking after each other and getting through this fight that we’re all in at the moment,” he said.

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“I know I probably won’t be – I just think celebrating Anzac Day isn’t really the priority at the moment.”

Snr-Sgt Richter said he encouraged the community to get behind the virtual Anzac Day Service available on the RSL Queensland website.