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Fair Cop
Honest and engaging, this memoir reveals the remarkable rise through police ranks of Australia's first female chief commissioner. A police officer for more than 35 years, Christine Nixon shares the pressures of a life in the public eye and coping with difficult aspects of the job, such as losing a colleague in the line of duty. Documenting a cultural shift in policing as well as in the role of women in Australia, this narrative portrays Nixon’s eight year tenure as being characterized by her tough anticorruption stance, her frequently acrimonious relationship with the police association, and her high approval ratings with the Victorian public. Written from a unique point of view, this account explores one woman’s personal and professional life.
- GenresNonfictionBiography
362 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 2011
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
October 9, 2011
This book took me a very long time to read. There was an immense amount of detail, but it was very enjoyable.
Christine Nixon is one very amazing woman! She achieved an incredible amount of things in her professional and public life, many things beginning from an early age (1972 when she first joined the police force in NSW) that were extremely new, and often unwelcome, by the male police population, for women. She was integrating herself into a man's world and many of them didn't like it!
Her 40 years involved in public life, in her rise through the ranks of the police force, see her make many changes for the better, including weeding out the terrible corruption in the police force in NSW, then again in Victoria. When she became Australia's first female Chief Commissioner of Police, the underworld was in the middle of a bloody war, and terrorism was just rearing it's ugly head (9/11).
We get to see into her private life as well, and her life with husband John, who was and still is, an immense support for her in everything she did. She achieved much in her life, from Harvard in the US to time in Britain with the Police Force there.
We also hear about the terrible events of Black Saturday, the intimate story of her days when she was grilled at the Bushfires Royal Commission, and her appointment as head of the Victorian Bushfires Reconstruction and Recovery Authority.
Christine Nixon was definitely a Fair Cop, an honest, caring and above all, extremely hard working woman, devoted to society's most vulnerable, and that included the police who worked for her.
A thoroughly enjoyable read, one I would recommend.
Christine Nixon is one very amazing woman! She achieved an incredible amount of things in her professional and public life, many things beginning from an early age (1972 when she first joined the police force in NSW) that were extremely new, and often unwelcome, by the male police population, for women. She was integrating herself into a man's world and many of them didn't like it!
Her 40 years involved in public life, in her rise through the ranks of the police force, see her make many changes for the better, including weeding out the terrible corruption in the police force in NSW, then again in Victoria. When she became Australia's first female Chief Commissioner of Police, the underworld was in the middle of a bloody war, and terrorism was just rearing it's ugly head (9/11).
We get to see into her private life as well, and her life with husband John, who was and still is, an immense support for her in everything she did. She achieved much in her life, from Harvard in the US to time in Britain with the Police Force there.
We also hear about the terrible events of Black Saturday, the intimate story of her days when she was grilled at the Bushfires Royal Commission, and her appointment as head of the Victorian Bushfires Reconstruction and Recovery Authority.
Christine Nixon was definitely a Fair Cop, an honest, caring and above all, extremely hard working woman, devoted to society's most vulnerable, and that included the police who worked for her.
A thoroughly enjoyable read, one I would recommend.
September 18, 2023
Whilst this book was interesting, I found it to be too long. No doubt Christine Nixon had a hard gig being the first female police commissioner, she was scrutinized over every little thing, which I'm sure if she was a male she would not have experienced at the same level. This is an interesting story about how she started out in her career. I feel that she did have luck on her side though, and had some fantastic sponsors who helped, supported and coached her, which provided her with benefits and opportunities. All the corruption in the police force is not surprising, which she exposed some. But you cant tell me that that is still not around, people have just gotten more savvy and smarter to get around it. The Black Bushfire catastrophe in how it was managed, there are a few things you think should have been managed, but at the same time when you are trying to deal with that in the moment, maybe you dont think 100% clearly, but you also have a team around you that you trust so you can take a moments break recharge. Overall, Christine will go down in history and her time managing the force will be a case study in the future.
August 15, 2022
I remember back when Christine Nixon faced the Black Saturday Bush Fire Royal Commission and thought at the time how unfairly she was treated and was bemused at the media focus on her quick dinner out that night. At no time was she not able to be contacted - and as the Royal Commission found, the main errors and issues discovered were primarily those committed by the CFA, not Victoria Police.
So I was keen to read her account, not only of the Royal Commission but also about her career and the road she took to become Commissioner in Victoria. This book did not disappoint - she pulls no punches, readily admits when better decisions could have been made but there is also recognition (and fully deserved) of the positive changes she made to Victoria Police, not to mention her contribution to policy, procedures and management of NSW Police.
A fascinating book that clearly shows, firstly how hard it is to be a police officer and secondly, if you are female, how much harder the decision to follow this career path is.
Excellent book.
So I was keen to read her account, not only of the Royal Commission but also about her career and the road she took to become Commissioner in Victoria. This book did not disappoint - she pulls no punches, readily admits when better decisions could have been made but there is also recognition (and fully deserved) of the positive changes she made to Victoria Police, not to mention her contribution to policy, procedures and management of NSW Police.
A fascinating book that clearly shows, firstly how hard it is to be a police officer and secondly, if you are female, how much harder the decision to follow this career path is.
Excellent book.
September 25, 2019
4 and a half stars
First, I am a woman. Much has been and will continue to be made of the fact that I am the first woman chief commissioner... The female gender has brought its fair share of brains and imagination to policing, and femininity has, I hope, helped to encourage the caring and compassionate values and ideals that have always been imbedded in the core of good policing.
Don’t get me wrong. Don’t misconstrue caring for others, wanting to help the disadvantaged, the needy, the distressed, the victim, as being soft on any account. Don’t think the feminine virtues mean being indifferent to those who cheat, steal from and commit violence on others. That kind of softness has never been associated with femininity- ask any mother!
First, I am a woman. Much has been and will continue to be made of the fact that I am the first woman chief commissioner... The female gender has brought its fair share of brains and imagination to policing, and femininity has, I hope, helped to encourage the caring and compassionate values and ideals that have always been imbedded in the core of good policing.
Don’t get me wrong. Don’t misconstrue caring for others, wanting to help the disadvantaged, the needy, the distressed, the victim, as being soft on any account. Don’t think the feminine virtues mean being indifferent to those who cheat, steal from and commit violence on others. That kind of softness has never been associated with femininity- ask any mother!
November 22, 2020
More like 3 1/2 stars
January 24, 2012
Fair Cop is a remarkable biography for a number of reasons. Unlike many reviews of a person’s career, Christine Nixon fills in very important details about why her career was so different from many of the people she was working alongside in the police in two states. This helps those who want to follow in her footsteps gain much more from her experience than merely considering how they might achieve something in their own careers by having a shallow look at an inspirational course carried out by someone else. It plants all kinds of seeds about pathways which are useful for any young person to consider as they approach their own career choices – not just within one specific industry. It also shows how interests and hobbies, friendships and other community contacts, can also help increase the choices and information one has in making life choices.
Many may consider such an approach as specifically for young women to gain the most possible from the strong mentorship that a book of this calibre can give them. I would suggest it is a non-partisan mentorship, which makes it even more powerful. It totally cracks open the sense that a mentor is only someone you meet in person who takes you under their wing and shares their insider secrets. Nixon shows that there are no real secrets. That power is available for those who are ready and willing to reach out sensibly for it for themselves.
But being the first female chief commissioner of police for Victoria, Christine Nixon is very mindful of a number of issues facing women both in leadership and even within their careers in very male dominated domains. With the direct insights into this profession provided by her father, Nixon was both empowered to follow in his footsteps and in a sense rebelling against him in the same act – deciding to join the police in her teenage years. At every stage of the journey she used the experience of the people around her to increase her own understanding and opportunities to learn even more. At times she put forward her own ideas and energy toward new processes and procedures. At other times those around her advised her of opportunities which would increase her networks through international as well as local studies and placements.
Nixon very intelligently raises political and social questions which any member of the community can work through and arrive at their own conclusions. There is food for thought about political processes and attitudes which are fed to us by media, politicians and pressure groups. Being better informed about what lies behind the public face of these issues empowers all of us to ask better questions of our representatives and to demand better outcomes from them. Each of us will find our own approaches but have more options available in who we can work with to begin such discussions, let alone follow through with programs and projects.
It is so refreshing to read a book about leadership which doesn’t refer back to the ancient Greeks. Even better, one that regards the role of Mother – in any household – as the best and most immediate model we all have as a flexible, compassionate but disciplining leader for us in our own lives. By this example alone, Christine Nixon gives all of us the opportunity to bring much greater change to benefit the whole community than any long-winded political campaign. I suggest you read this book with a notepad near by – or perhaps that should be two. One for quotes and references and words of wisdom. The other for you own thoughts and plans this book will inspire.
Many may consider such an approach as specifically for young women to gain the most possible from the strong mentorship that a book of this calibre can give them. I would suggest it is a non-partisan mentorship, which makes it even more powerful. It totally cracks open the sense that a mentor is only someone you meet in person who takes you under their wing and shares their insider secrets. Nixon shows that there are no real secrets. That power is available for those who are ready and willing to reach out sensibly for it for themselves.
But being the first female chief commissioner of police for Victoria, Christine Nixon is very mindful of a number of issues facing women both in leadership and even within their careers in very male dominated domains. With the direct insights into this profession provided by her father, Nixon was both empowered to follow in his footsteps and in a sense rebelling against him in the same act – deciding to join the police in her teenage years. At every stage of the journey she used the experience of the people around her to increase her own understanding and opportunities to learn even more. At times she put forward her own ideas and energy toward new processes and procedures. At other times those around her advised her of opportunities which would increase her networks through international as well as local studies and placements.
Nixon very intelligently raises political and social questions which any member of the community can work through and arrive at their own conclusions. There is food for thought about political processes and attitudes which are fed to us by media, politicians and pressure groups. Being better informed about what lies behind the public face of these issues empowers all of us to ask better questions of our representatives and to demand better outcomes from them. Each of us will find our own approaches but have more options available in who we can work with to begin such discussions, let alone follow through with programs and projects.
It is so refreshing to read a book about leadership which doesn’t refer back to the ancient Greeks. Even better, one that regards the role of Mother – in any household – as the best and most immediate model we all have as a flexible, compassionate but disciplining leader for us in our own lives. By this example alone, Christine Nixon gives all of us the opportunity to bring much greater change to benefit the whole community than any long-winded political campaign. I suggest you read this book with a notepad near by – or perhaps that should be two. One for quotes and references and words of wisdom. The other for you own thoughts and plans this book will inspire.
September 6, 2011
Even taking into account the idea that a biography, particularly biography from someone with a very recent high public profile, will have a certain "take" on events, FAIR COP is an extremely worthwhile read. Adore or abhor Christine Nixon she is a woman who achieved astounding heights, and therefore had a long way to fall (be it that she jumped, was pushed, or deserved to trip).
FAIR COP takes the reader back to Nixon's childhood and then through family life with her policeman father, and very forthright mother, to joining the NSW police force. It tracks her career, her education and her achievements up to the point at which she retired as Commissioner of the Victorian Police force and ultimately headed the Bushfire Reconstruction Authority formed by the state government following the 2009 bushfires.
The book constructs, chapter by chapter, Nixon's life and advancements in her career, as well as the factors that formed her policing philosophies. There's even some glimpses into her personal life - her choices regarding family, her marriage and her home life, as well as what it is like for her husband to be married to such a high profile wife in a world which still seems to have a percentage of ... well idiots ... who behave like the fools that they are at the very thought (yes - this reader is biased) of an individual woman, making choices, setting an agenda, believing in change. It answers some of the stupid and mindless commentary during her tenure as Police Commissioner (some of us could care less what her weight is like / how tall (or not she is) and all the other mindless crud that leaks from the dark recesses of these idiot's caves). More importantly, it discusses her philosophy, how she formed her attitude to community policing, and what happens when you attempt to affect change - not just in her case, but earlier in the NSW force as well. It covers her relationship with Police Member Associates (NSW and Victoria), it talks about the scandals around her media advisor and certain high profile police members, as well as the fight to limit corruption and the Victorian Underworld murders.
And of course it touches on the Bushfire Royal Commission and the revelation that she was both at the hairdressers early in the morning, and ate dinner in the evening. It also looks at the management structure she'd carefully constructed, it looked at her analysis of what she did / didn't do wrong, and it discusses what she would change. (For what it's worth, and living in a rural area of Victoria, the Royal Commission seemed to be a lot less about discovering what could be done better and more about looking for blame, all of which resulted in a series of recommendations that, frankly, are underwhelming. Interestingly the management structure that Nixon had implemented being compatible with those recommended by external experts).
Whilst allowing for the fact that the book is written with Christine Nixon, by journalist Jo Chandler (and interestingly started way before the end of her tenure as Police Commissioner), there's an honesty about the book which is fits with Nixon's persona. If nothing else FAIR COP seemed like a fair chance for Christine Nixon to finally put her side of the story.
FAIR COP takes the reader back to Nixon's childhood and then through family life with her policeman father, and very forthright mother, to joining the NSW police force. It tracks her career, her education and her achievements up to the point at which she retired as Commissioner of the Victorian Police force and ultimately headed the Bushfire Reconstruction Authority formed by the state government following the 2009 bushfires.
The book constructs, chapter by chapter, Nixon's life and advancements in her career, as well as the factors that formed her policing philosophies. There's even some glimpses into her personal life - her choices regarding family, her marriage and her home life, as well as what it is like for her husband to be married to such a high profile wife in a world which still seems to have a percentage of ... well idiots ... who behave like the fools that they are at the very thought (yes - this reader is biased) of an individual woman, making choices, setting an agenda, believing in change. It answers some of the stupid and mindless commentary during her tenure as Police Commissioner (some of us could care less what her weight is like / how tall (or not she is) and all the other mindless crud that leaks from the dark recesses of these idiot's caves). More importantly, it discusses her philosophy, how she formed her attitude to community policing, and what happens when you attempt to affect change - not just in her case, but earlier in the NSW force as well. It covers her relationship with Police Member Associates (NSW and Victoria), it talks about the scandals around her media advisor and certain high profile police members, as well as the fight to limit corruption and the Victorian Underworld murders.
And of course it touches on the Bushfire Royal Commission and the revelation that she was both at the hairdressers early in the morning, and ate dinner in the evening. It also looks at the management structure she'd carefully constructed, it looked at her analysis of what she did / didn't do wrong, and it discusses what she would change. (For what it's worth, and living in a rural area of Victoria, the Royal Commission seemed to be a lot less about discovering what could be done better and more about looking for blame, all of which resulted in a series of recommendations that, frankly, are underwhelming. Interestingly the management structure that Nixon had implemented being compatible with those recommended by external experts).
Whilst allowing for the fact that the book is written with Christine Nixon, by journalist Jo Chandler (and interestingly started way before the end of her tenure as Police Commissioner), there's an honesty about the book which is fits with Nixon's persona. If nothing else FAIR COP seemed like a fair chance for Christine Nixon to finally put her side of the story.
February 8, 2012
Interesting autobiography that despite the 365 pages of written word I don’t think I really got a good impression of Christine Nixon’s inner workings.
In fact, I got a really restrained feeling - that she was measuring every utterance. I understand why she had to pick careful paths around some instances, but I really would have appreciated knowing how stressful, joyous, frustrating, fulfilling, teary, emotional and disheartening her career had been at times.
I thoroughly loved her retellings of some of the cases she was part of as a young officer, and how Vic Police were able to destabilize gangs and corruption. However, her stories around policy changes were... less than thrilling; you could rip out a good quarter of the book and not miss a beat. Sometimes I just wanted her to give a good serve to some of the people she had worked with (name and shame!).
I did, however, appreciate how she set the scene with her management of such a large Australian organisation; the academic work she had laid. The ability she had to admit fault over several instances and bring in worldly experts to give their opinions and procedures; something I think can be done more.
Something readers will appreciate is that Christine comments on the media’s selection of news they choose to present. Sometimes the agendas of the editors, publishers and influential “friends” have more weight than we give credit to. Still, I came away with more knowledge on the Black Saturday fires than before.
A diplomatically written book, Fair Cop is a nice read for those who want to take a good look at leadership. Well written, I can’t really fault it than to say that it lacked a little “juice”.
In fact, I got a really restrained feeling - that she was measuring every utterance. I understand why she had to pick careful paths around some instances, but I really would have appreciated knowing how stressful, joyous, frustrating, fulfilling, teary, emotional and disheartening her career had been at times.
I thoroughly loved her retellings of some of the cases she was part of as a young officer, and how Vic Police were able to destabilize gangs and corruption. However, her stories around policy changes were... less than thrilling; you could rip out a good quarter of the book and not miss a beat. Sometimes I just wanted her to give a good serve to some of the people she had worked with (name and shame!).
I did, however, appreciate how she set the scene with her management of such a large Australian organisation; the academic work she had laid. The ability she had to admit fault over several instances and bring in worldly experts to give their opinions and procedures; something I think can be done more.
Something readers will appreciate is that Christine comments on the media’s selection of news they choose to present. Sometimes the agendas of the editors, publishers and influential “friends” have more weight than we give credit to. Still, I came away with more knowledge on the Black Saturday fires than before.
A diplomatically written book, Fair Cop is a nice read for those who want to take a good look at leadership. Well written, I can’t really fault it than to say that it lacked a little “juice”.
November 27, 2011
An engaging and frank account of Christine Nixon's life and rise through police ranks. I admire her management style, philosophy and general outlook and life, as well as her sense of humour! Particularly interesting to see her develop & pursue this leadership style throughout her career with the police and beyond. Well worth reading.
January 29, 2016
Although this topic is of most interest to Australians that lived through the era of police corruption, gangland wars and the Victorian bush fires, the stories and lessons learned have applicability to the effective functioning of law enforcement in all regions. This is a fascinating tale of one person's pursuit of effective policing in a complex context.
January 5, 2012
Far too much detail and facts. I needed more heart & personal insight.
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September 10, 2013Interesting historically and from the gender point of view.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews