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In pictures: Policing in the ’70s

1 min read·August 10, 2018 - 4:00PM
News Corp Australia Network

IT was a decade of murder and mayhem — but also a time when police work would benefit from new technology and career doors would open for female officers.

These pictures from our archives capture different aspects of policing in the ’70s — the major crimes, the demonstrations, the equipment and, of course, the fashions.

1970: Police and workers search through twisted girders and rubble for survivors after the West Gate Bridge collapse in Melbourne. Construction of the bridge over the Yarra had been underway for two years when a 120m section broke away, plunging 50m and leaving 35 men dead. File picture
1970: Police and workers search through twisted girders and rubble for survivors after the West Gate Bridge collapse in Melbourne. Construction of the bridge over the Yarra had been underway for two years when a 120m section broke away, plunging 50m and leaving 35 men dead. File picture
1976: When Victorian man Michael O’Connor walked into the Hambly-Clark gun shop in Rundle St, Adelaide, it was the start of a dramatic siege. O’Connor loaded two shotguns, ordered staff out then fired in the shop and at police. The siege ended when police shot him in the chest, killing him. File picture
1976: When Victorian man Michael O’Connor walked into the Hambly-Clark gun shop in Rundle St, Adelaide, it was the start of a dramatic siege. O’Connor loaded two shotguns, ordered staff out then fired in the shop and at police. The siege ended when police shot him in the chest, killing him. File picture
1975: Taka Nakajima shows of his skills on Hobart Commissioner Eric V. Knowles. The self defence expert was a physical education instructor for Tasmanian police recruits for seven years from 1974. File picture
1975: Taka Nakajima shows of his skills on Hobart Commissioner Eric V. Knowles. The self defence expert was a physical education instructor for Tasmanian police recruits for seven years from 1974. File picture
1971: The tour of Australia by the South African rugby team sparked anti-apartheid demonstrations around the country in 1971. When the Springboks reached the SCG on July 6, protesters were out in force. Meredith Burgmann was able to run on to the pitch with her sister, and was eventually dragged away by police. File picture
1971: The tour of Australia by the South African rugby team sparked anti-apartheid demonstrations around the country in 1971. When the Springboks reached the SCG on July 6, protesters were out in force. Meredith Burgmann was able to run on to the pitch with her sister, and was eventually dragged away by police. File picture
1978-1979: Queensland police’s Kiss-a-Cop campaign was introduced in the late 1970s to foster harmony between police and New Year’s Eve revellers after violent incidents on the Gold Coast and in Brisbane, but was later scrapped amid health concerns. File picture
1978-1979: Queensland police’s Kiss-a-Cop campaign was introduced in the late 1970s to foster harmony between police and New Year’s Eve revellers after violent incidents on the Gold Coast and in Brisbane, but was later scrapped amid health concerns. File picture
1970: South Australian police officer cadet Christopher Hotchkiss puts Mitchell Park Infant School students through their paces as they ride tricycles at a Road Safety school at Thebarton. File picture
1970: South Australian police officer cadet Christopher Hotchkiss puts Mitchell Park Infant School students through their paces as they ride tricycles at a Road Safety school at Thebarton. File picture

MORE PHOTOS: Policing in the ’50s | Policing in the ’60s

1975. A fan cries hysterically as a police officer carries her from the crush during a Bay City Rollers concert at Festival Hall, Melbourne. File picture
1975. A fan cries hysterically as a police officer carries her from the crush during a Bay City Rollers concert at Festival Hall, Melbourne. File picture
1974: “Murder! — Annie gets her gun” read the headline on a 1974 article about the first female member of the SA Police’s Homicide Squad. “Women officers are going to be used in different fields a lot more than they have been,” she predicted. File picture
1974: “Murder! — Annie gets her gun” read the headline on a 1974 article about the first female member of the SA Police’s Homicide Squad. “Women officers are going to be used in different fields a lot more than they have been,” she predicted. File picture
1974: SA police officer Senior Constable R. Harris of Region T highway patrol, operates an amphometer — a device for recording the speed of vehicles. File picture
1974: SA police officer Senior Constable R. Harris of Region T highway patrol, operates an amphometer — a device for recording the speed of vehicles. File picture
1973: Inspector Colin Lehmann gives a press conference at the SA police headquarters after the disappearance and presumed abduction of Joanne Ratcliffe, 11, and Kirste Gordon, 4, from Adelaide Oval — a case which remains unsolved to this day. File picture
1973: Inspector Colin Lehmann gives a press conference at the SA police headquarters after the disappearance and presumed abduction of Joanne Ratcliffe, 11, and Kirste Gordon, 4, from Adelaide Oval — a case which remains unsolved to this day. File picture
1973: Angela Rust (right) and Pam Coleman were the first policewomen in Victoria to hold a licence for pursuit driving at high speed. File picture
1973: Angela Rust (right) and Pam Coleman were the first policewomen in Victoria to hold a licence for pursuit driving at high speed. File picture
1973: Police Inspector Les Bardwell of CIB Scientific Section inspects the damage at the Whiskey Au-Go-Go nightclub in Fortitude Valley, Brisbane. A firebomb attack on the club killed 15 people. File picture
1973: Police Inspector Les Bardwell of CIB Scientific Section inspects the damage at the Whiskey Au-Go-Go nightclub in Fortitude Valley, Brisbane. A firebomb attack on the club killed 15 people. File picture
1979: Mark 'Chopper' Read is led from Russell Street Police Headquarters in Melbourne to the City Watchhouse after being charged with seven offences following his attempt to kidnap a judge at the County Court. File picture
1979: Mark 'Chopper' Read is led from Russell Street Police Headquarters in Melbourne to the City Watchhouse after being charged with seven offences following his attempt to kidnap a judge at the County Court. File picture
1972: Protesters climb the steps of the SA Police headquarters in Angas Street, Adelaide, in a demonstration against police brutality towards Aborigines. File picture
1972: Protesters climb the steps of the SA Police headquarters in Angas Street, Adelaide, in a demonstration against police brutality towards Aborigines. File picture
1971: Detectives are pictured with ransom money after extortionist “Mr Brown” claimed a bomb had been placed on a Qantas flight and would explode when it descended below 6500m. The $500,000 ransom was paid, but police later identified ‘Mr Brown” as Peter Macari, who was jailed and later deported to England. File picture
1971: Detectives are pictured with ransom money after extortionist “Mr Brown” claimed a bomb had been placed on a Qantas flight and would explode when it descended below 6500m. The $500,000 ransom was paid, but police later identified ‘Mr Brown” as Peter Macari, who was jailed and later deported to England. File picture
1975: South Australian police line up a target at the Dean Rifle Range. Detective Senior Constable Len Oliver, left, uses a 12-gauge riot shotgun and Detective Senior Constable I.W. Grose, of Hindmarsh CIB, has a .38 special revolver. File picture
1975: South Australian police line up a target at the Dean Rifle Range. Detective Senior Constable Len Oliver, left, uses a 12-gauge riot shotgun and Detective Senior Constable I.W. Grose, of Hindmarsh CIB, has a .38 special revolver. File picture
1977: Constables Gayle Raven and Margaret Kneale show off the new uniform for women police offices in South Australia. Picture: John Burdett/File
1977: Constables Gayle Raven and Margaret Kneale show off the new uniform for women police offices in South Australia. Picture: John Burdett/File
1970: Svend Sorensen, 10, of Campbelltown, Adelaide, is rescued from the Montacute quarry after getting stuck while climbing with a friend. Police cliff rescue squad member Senior Constable Barry Higgs strapped the youngster to his back Picture: John Guster/File
1970: Svend Sorensen, 10, of Campbelltown, Adelaide, is rescued from the Montacute quarry after getting stuck while climbing with a friend. Police cliff rescue squad member Senior Constable Barry Higgs strapped the youngster to his back Picture: John Guster/File
1975: Officers settle in to their brand new police station in Frenchs Forest, Sydney. File picture
1975: Officers settle in to their brand new police station in Frenchs Forest, Sydney. File picture
1970: Detective Sergeant R.P. Giles talks to a shaken Monica Schiller shortly after she had been freed from prison escapees who had taken her hostage. The three men were recaptured in a dramatic confrontation with police on the Birdsville Track. Picture: Ray Titus/File
1970: Detective Sergeant R.P. Giles talks to a shaken Monica Schiller shortly after she had been freed from prison escapees who had taken her hostage. The three men were recaptured in a dramatic confrontation with police on the Birdsville Track. Picture: Ray Titus/File
1975: Police motorcyclists jump through a ring of fire at the Sydney Royal Easter Show. File picture
1975: Police motorcyclists jump through a ring of fire at the Sydney Royal Easter Show. File picture
1978: When police commissioner Harold Salisbury was sensationally sacked by former SA Premier Don Dunstan it sparked public outrage. Here the Leader of the Opposition, David Tonkin, addresses a protest at Parliament House. File picture
1978: When police commissioner Harold Salisbury was sensationally sacked by former SA Premier Don Dunstan it sparked public outrage. Here the Leader of the Opposition, David Tonkin, addresses a protest at Parliament House. File picture
1971: The Ashes was being played at Adelaide Oval when a seagull was temporarily stunned by a rocket-like leg glance from Australian opening batsman Keith Stackpole. England's Bob Willis handed the unfortunate bird to Police Cadet Tony Walsh. File picture
1971: The Ashes was being played at Adelaide Oval when a seagull was temporarily stunned by a rocket-like leg glance from Australian opening batsman Keith Stackpole. England's Bob Willis handed the unfortunate bird to Police Cadet Tony Walsh. File picture
1974/1975: In the aftermath of Tropical Cyclone Tracy there was a shortage of police cars in Darwin. Police helped solve the problem by commandeering this one from a used car yard — you can see the price on the windscreen. The officers simply stuck a sign on the side of the car and drove off. File picture
1974/1975: In the aftermath of Tropical Cyclone Tracy there was a shortage of police cars in Darwin. Police helped solve the problem by commandeering this one from a used car yard — you can see the price on the windscreen. The officers simply stuck a sign on the side of the car and drove off. File picture
1970: Police inspect the Chrysler Valiant car where the bodies of Raymond Hill, 24, and his girlfriend Irene Rees, 19, were found shot near South Newcastle beach, NSW. The case remains unsolved. File picture
1970: Police inspect the Chrysler Valiant car where the bodies of Raymond Hill, 24, and his girlfriend Irene Rees, 19, were found shot near South Newcastle beach, NSW. The case remains unsolved. File picture
1975: Half way through the decade it was time for the fashion police amid claims platform shoes were causing car accidents. In Victoria, Traffic Commissioner Mr L.J. Newell said: “With their lack of sensitivity, it is difficult to co-ordinate pedal movements. They can slip off pedals or jam between the pedals. In some cases, the woman might misjudge the height to her shoes and hit her knees on the dashboard when shifting feet to the clutch or brake pedal.” File picture
1975: Half way through the decade it was time for the fashion police amid claims platform shoes were causing car accidents. In Victoria, Traffic Commissioner Mr L.J. Newell said: “With their lack of sensitivity, it is difficult to co-ordinate pedal movements. They can slip off pedals or jam between the pedals. In some cases, the woman might misjudge the height to her shoes and hit her knees on the dashboard when shifting feet to the clutch or brake pedal.” File picture
1977: Convicted bank robber Carl Synnerdahl, who faked blindness and fooled the authorities for two years, is recaptured after his escape from Cessnock jail in New South Wales. File picture
1977: Convicted bank robber Carl Synnerdahl, who faked blindness and fooled the authorities for two years, is recaptured after his escape from Cessnock jail in New South Wales. File picture
1976: Officers do a preflight check below the wing of a Cesna 185 as the Victorian police sky patrol prepares for take off at Moorabbin airport. File picture
1976: Officers do a preflight check below the wing of a Cesna 185 as the Victorian police sky patrol prepares for take off at Moorabbin airport. File picture
1970: Constable Jan Cordell working undercover in Sydney. File picture
1970: Constable Jan Cordell working undercover in Sydney. File picture
1975: A police officer keeps watch at a pro-Gough Whitlam rally in the City Square, Melbourne, in the aftermath of the Dismissal. Governor-General Sir John Kerr dismissed the Labor Prime Minister on November 11. File picture
1975: A police officer keeps watch at a pro-Gough Whitlam rally in the City Square, Melbourne, in the aftermath of the Dismissal. Governor-General Sir John Kerr dismissed the Labor Prime Minister on November 11. File picture
1970: Child killer Derek Percy, 21, is photographed by detectives as he shows them how he kept a knife in his car seat. Percy was under arrest at the time for the murder of Yvonne Tuohy, 12, in Warneet, Victoria. File picture
1970: Child killer Derek Percy, 21, is photographed by detectives as he shows them how he kept a knife in his car seat. Percy was under arrest at the time for the murder of Yvonne Tuohy, 12, in Warneet, Victoria. File picture
1972: Police at the scene of a bomb blast that destroyed the Adriatic Travel Agency in George Street, Sydney. Picture: Barrie Stark/File
1972: Police at the scene of a bomb blast that destroyed the Adriatic Travel Agency in George Street, Sydney. Picture: Barrie Stark/File
1970: South Australian detectives John Ramsden and Len Oliver try on new fibreglass helmets and bulletproof vests, while holding a tear gas gun and shell. File picture
1970: South Australian detectives John Ramsden and Len Oliver try on new fibreglass helmets and bulletproof vests, while holding a tear gas gun and shell. File picture
1976: Detectives inside the Victoria Club, Melbourne, display weapons similar to those used during the Great Bookie Robbery in the hope of identifying the culprits. Six armed men raided the Queen St club, with estimates of their haul varying from $1.3 million to $15 million. File picture
1976: Detectives inside the Victoria Club, Melbourne, display weapons similar to those used during the Great Bookie Robbery in the hope of identifying the culprits. Six armed men raided the Queen St club, with estimates of their haul varying from $1.3 million to $15 million. File picture
1973: The night before he was due to race at the Adelaide International Raceway, Allan Moffatt’s Ford Falcon GTHO was stolen. Police found it abandoned near Eagle on the Hill. File picture
1973: The night before he was due to race at the Adelaide International Raceway, Allan Moffatt’s Ford Falcon GTHO was stolen. Police found it abandoned near Eagle on the Hill. File picture
1978. Originally started as a protest march, the first Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras saw clashes with the police and 53 arrests. File picture
1978. Originally started as a protest march, the first Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras saw clashes with the police and 53 arrests. File picture
1976: Senior Constable First Grade John Reed, of Ceduna, uses the two way radio at Nullarbor Station, South Australia. Picture: Neon Martin/File
1976: Senior Constable First Grade John Reed, of Ceduna, uses the two way radio at Nullarbor Station, South Australia. Picture: Neon Martin/File
1977: Convicted Faraday State School kidnapper Edwin John Eastwood is back in custody after escaping jail and carrying out a second school kidnapping at Wooreen Primary School in South Gippsland, Victoria. Eastwood was shot in the leg after leading police on a high-speed chase. File picture
1977: Convicted Faraday State School kidnapper Edwin John Eastwood is back in custody after escaping jail and carrying out a second school kidnapping at Wooreen Primary School in South Gippsland, Victoria. Eastwood was shot in the leg after leading police on a high-speed chase. File picture
1976: Homicide squad detectives rake the ground as they search for clues at the site where the bodies of murdered Sydney nurses Lorraine Wilson and Wendy Evans were found near Toowoomba. The women had been holidaying in Queensland when they disappeared two years earlier. File picture
1976: Homicide squad detectives rake the ground as they search for clues at the site where the bodies of murdered Sydney nurses Lorraine Wilson and Wendy Evans were found near Toowoomba. The women had been holidaying in Queensland when they disappeared two years earlier. File picture
1972: English singer Joe Cocker is led away by police at Melbourne’s Russell St police HQ after being arrested after a fracas at his hotel during his first Australian tour. The singer had earlier been arrested for possession in Adelaide and was deported after the Melbourne incident. File picture
1972: English singer Joe Cocker is led away by police at Melbourne’s Russell St police HQ after being arrested after a fracas at his hotel during his first Australian tour. The singer had earlier been arrested for possession in Adelaide and was deported after the Melbourne incident. File picture
1979: South Australia Police media officer Mr G.J. Lough demonstrates using an Alco-tester bag to test blood alcohol levels. File picture
1979: South Australia Police media officer Mr G.J. Lough demonstrates using an Alco-tester bag to test blood alcohol levels. File picture
1972: Melbourne-based Constable Barbara Saunders was Australia's first woman trainee fingerprint expert. File picture
1972: Melbourne-based Constable Barbara Saunders was Australia's first woman trainee fingerprint expert. File picture
1975: Police divers search an area of Sydney Harbour for the body of missing heiress Juanita Nielsen, who disappeared after leaving her Kings Cross home on July 4 that year. The social activist and newspaper publisher’s body was never found. File picture
1975: Police divers search an area of Sydney Harbour for the body of missing heiress Juanita Nielsen, who disappeared after leaving her Kings Cross home on July 4 that year. The social activist and newspaper publisher’s body was never found. File picture
1970: A dramatic scene in Adelaide as police and protesters clash at a Vietnam Moratorium march. Events were held around the country in a campaign to withdraw Australian troops from Vietnam and end conscription. File picture
1970: A dramatic scene in Adelaide as police and protesters clash at a Vietnam Moratorium march. Events were held around the country in a campaign to withdraw Australian troops from Vietnam and end conscription. File picture
1971: Senior Constable L.E. Oliver, of the forensic science squad, examines a single-shot .22 calibre rifle after a mass murder at a home in Hope Forest, South Australia. Two women and eight children died. Clifford Bartholomew was convicted over the murders of his wife Heather, their seven children, his sister-in-law and her infant child. File picture
1971: Senior Constable L.E. Oliver, of the forensic science squad, examines a single-shot .22 calibre rifle after a mass murder at a home in Hope Forest, South Australia. Two women and eight children died. Clifford Bartholomew was convicted over the murders of his wife Heather, their seven children, his sister-in-law and her infant child. File picture
1979: Police investigating the Truro murders examine the spot where a woman's shoe was found. Seven young women and teenagers from Adelaide were killed in a seven-week period from 1976 to 1977. Skeletal remains were found in bushland near Truro. File picture
1979: Police investigating the Truro murders examine the spot where a woman's shoe was found. Seven young women and teenagers from Adelaide were killed in a seven-week period from 1976 to 1977. Skeletal remains were found in bushland near Truro. File picture
1973: Sgt Henry Huggins, of the Victoria Police forensic laboratory's field investigation unit, matches a plaster cast in his lab with a heel print found at the scene of a robbery. File picture
1973: Sgt Henry Huggins, of the Victoria Police forensic laboratory's field investigation unit, matches a plaster cast in his lab with a heel print found at the scene of a robbery. File picture
1977: South Australian police officers Glenn Jeffries and James Tappin, both 21, were on a call-out when they were confronted by gunman John Raymond Black. Both constables were shot — one in the chest and the other five times — but survived. This image shows where the window of their police car was shot out. File picture
1977: South Australian police officers Glenn Jeffries and James Tappin, both 21, were on a call-out when they were confronted by gunman John Raymond Black. Both constables were shot — one in the chest and the other five times — but survived. This image shows where the window of their police car was shot out. File picture
1974: Police and postal investigators search through bags of mail and parcels scattered by bandits in their raid on a mail contractor's truck in the Beerburrum State Forest, Queensland. File picture
1974: Police and postal investigators search through bags of mail and parcels scattered by bandits in their raid on a mail contractor's truck in the Beerburrum State Forest, Queensland. File picture
1978: Police attend the scene of a bomb blast outside Sydney’s Hilton Hotel. The explosion killed rubbish collectors Alec Carter and William Favell and policeman Paul Burmistriw, who was guarding the entrance to the hotel lounge, died later in hospital. File picture
1978: Police attend the scene of a bomb blast outside Sydney’s Hilton Hotel. The explosion killed rubbish collectors Alec Carter and William Favell and policeman Paul Burmistriw, who was guarding the entrance to the hotel lounge, died later in hospital. File picture
1978: The scene inside Melbourne’s Manchester Unity building after three jewellers were shot dead in a diamond robbery. No one has been charged with the St Patrick’s Day killings, but convicted double killer Alex Tsakmakis, who was bashed to death in jail, is suspected of the crime. File picture
1978: The scene inside Melbourne’s Manchester Unity building after three jewellers were shot dead in a diamond robbery. No one has been charged with the St Patrick’s Day killings, but convicted double killer Alex Tsakmakis, who was bashed to death in jail, is suspected of the crime. File picture
1973: A demonstrator is removed by police during a green ban protest at The Rocks in Sydney. File picture
1973: A demonstrator is removed by police during a green ban protest at The Rocks in Sydney. File picture
1971: The computer helped revolutionise policing. Here a Victorian policeman uses a new computer to assist patrol vehicles to identify stolen cars. File picture
1971: The computer helped revolutionise policing. Here a Victorian policeman uses a new computer to assist patrol vehicles to identify stolen cars. File picture
1978: New South Wales police rescue officers train with a cliff rescue device near The Gap, Sydney. File picture
1978: New South Wales police rescue officers train with a cliff rescue device near The Gap, Sydney. File picture
1979: A Keystone Cop has fun with Police Cadet Wayne Overmayer at the John Martin's Christmas Pageant in Adelaide. Picture: Peter Watkins/File
1979: A Keystone Cop has fun with Police Cadet Wayne Overmayer at the John Martin's Christmas Pageant in Adelaide. Picture: Peter Watkins/File
1977: Tram conductress Barbara Biggs who refused to join the union is escorted to work by Victorian Police. File picture
1977: Tram conductress Barbara Biggs who refused to join the union is escorted to work by Victorian Police. File picture
1970: A policewoman has her hands full looking after lost children at Moomba, Melbourne. File picture
1970: A policewoman has her hands full looking after lost children at Moomba, Melbourne. File picture

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