Oaths of Office
Dear Victoria Police,
I have been perusing various Acts that I believe the police here in Victoria are bound by
and have noticed that the oath of office for policemen and women is thus: "I [insert name] [swear by Almighty God/do solemnly and sincerely affirm] that I will well and truly serve our Sovereign Lady the Queen as a police officer in Victoria in any capacity in which I may be appointed, promoted, or reduced to, without favour or affection, malice or ill-will for the period of [insert period] from this date, and until I am legally discharged, that I will see and cause Her Majesty's peace to be kept and preserved, and that I will prevent to the best of my power all offences, and that while I continue to be a police officer I will to the best of my skill and knowledge discharge all the duties legally imposed on me faithfully and according to law."
However this oath differs from the one prescribed by the Constitution of the Commonwealth 1900 which is : I, A.B., do swear that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Victoria, Her heirs and successors according to law.
SO HELP ME GOD!
So my questions are: which Queen is being referred to in the former oath?
When and under what authority was the change made from the Constitutional oath?
In what year was the order given to change and what person gave the orders for this oath to be altered?
Are the Police bound by the Constitution of the Commonwealth 1900 and all of its provisions?
Are the Police bound to the Common or Law of the Land?
Do police operate under an ABN?
Could you supply a copy of all the supporting, applicable and relevant documents please.
Yours faithfully,
John Andrews
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OFFICIAL: Sensitive
Good afternoon,
At the outset, I should explain that the role of the Freedom of Information Officer for Victoria Police is to receive and process requests made under the Act on behalf of the Chief Commissioner and to provide responses to those requests in terms of the provision of documents. This does not extend to the provision of information, the answering of questions, or the creation of documents.
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Regards,
Freedom of Information Division
Governance and Assurance Department | Victoria Police
telephone: (03) 9247 6801| DX: 210096
address: Level 7, Tower 1, 637 Flinders Street, Docklands VIC 3008
OFFICIAL: Sensitive
-----Original Message-----
From: John Andrews <[FOI #6370 email]>
Sent: Tuesday, 2 June 2020 1:14 PM
To: FREEDOM OF INFORMATION-MGR <[Victoria Police request email]>
Subject: Freedom of Information request - Oaths of Office
Dear Victoria Police,
I have been perusing various Acts that I believe the police here in Victoria are bound by and have noticed that the oath of office for policemen and women is thus: "I [insert name] [swear by Almighty God/do solemnly and sincerely affirm] that I will well and truly serve our Sovereign Lady the Queen as a police officer in Victoria in any capacity in which I may be appointed, promoted, or reduced to, without favour or affection, malice or ill-will for the period of [insert period] from this date, and until I am legally discharged, that I will see and cause Her Majesty's peace to be kept and preserved, and that I will prevent to the best of my power all offences, and that while I continue to be a police officer I will to the best of my skill and knowledge discharge all the duties legally imposed on me faithfully and according to law."
However this oath differs from the one prescribed by the Constitution of the Commonwealth 1900 which is : I, A.B., do swear that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Victoria, Her heirs and successors according to law.
SO HELP ME GOD!
So my questions are: which Queen is being referred to in the former oath?
When and under what authority was the change made from the Constitutional oath?
In what year was the order given to change and what person gave the orders for this oath to be altered?
Are the Police bound by the Constitution of the Commonwealth 1900 and all of its provisions?
Are the Police bound to the Common or Law of the Land?
Do police operate under an ABN?
Could you supply a copy of all the supporting, applicable and relevant documents please.
Yours faithfully,
John Andrews
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We do not accept any liability arising from or in connection with unauthorised use or disclosure of the information contained in this email or any attachment.
We make reasonable efforts to protect against computer viruses but we do not accept liability for any liability, loss or damage caused by any computer virus contained in this email.