Peter Spence
Peter outlined his history; he was born in Father was Dairy Man for Traralgon area. Mother worked in hospital.
Prior to his present role Peter worked mainly for Vic Police in CIB.
He commenced employment in 1971 started as a Junior Police Cadet at age 16. Because he had done Leaving, was sent initially to the Forensics Dept. whilst there he trained in examining handwriting reviews!
Peter then attended the Police Academy training and graduated as a Constable in 1973.
After Gough Whitlam’s dismissal in 1975, he was assigned to protection services
Peter described his time in the protection service with great stories and form there was assigned to other roles in investigation unit of Vic Pol.
One such interesting experiences including a fellow who blew up his house while trying to kill ants.
He was keen to get into Criminal Investigation Branch and had to front 2 very grumpy Superintendents as part of his interview process. This process was designed to see how you acted under pressure.
So into CIB, locked up many criminals in Sandringham area.
Then onto Detective Training School...3 months. The unit had very high standards with a huge level of discipline needed to undertake various investigation. His previous training came to the fore.
In 1978 he moved into Consorting Squad. At age 24! One such arrest was extraditing notorious criminal Barry Quinn brought back from WA.
After several years he transferred to the Homicide Squad (1979-1983). Again, whilst there he was involved in several high level investigation including one involving Les Kane alleged involvement with the Victoria Club Robbery. Interesting the bulk of money has never been found.
Kane himself was murdered in his own Wantirna unit by 3 men who eventually went to Court but acquitted. One of those accused of Kane murder was Raymond (Chuck Bennett) who ultimately was shot dead by Brian Kane.
He instrumental in putting away well-known criminal figure including Jas & Mark Moran for their first jail term.
In the years 1983-84, Peter spent his time in a teaching role for Detectives.
Peter is in the process of writing a book on his role with the Vic Police.