- David Moyes
- Dec 17, 2023
- 4 min read
Hello and welcome to Van Life Devotions. I have great respect for our paramedics, fire fighters, and police officers. They are often first responders dealing with confronting and difficult circumstances where quick and wise decisions are needed. Over the years I have met Christians that serve for these services, and I admired not only what they do but how their faith has sustained them under often incredible situations.
Today I want to share about Andrew Scipione, a former police officer who served as Commissioner of the New South Wales Police Force. Andrew was born in London, in 1958 and his family immigrated to Australia when he was an infant. He attended Padstow North Public School and left his high-school, Sir Joseph Banks High School, at the age of 14 due to his father's death. His first job after he left school was as an electrician's apprentice in Revesby. Andrew married Joy, and they have three grown children – one is a teacher and the other two are police officers.
Andrew has had a decorative career. He joined the Australian Bureau of Customs in 1978 before moving to the New South Wales Police Force in 1980. For the next 37 years he worked in several sections. In 2007, Scipione was promoted to Commissioner. When he became Commissioner, the former Police Commissioner Ken Moroney described Scipione as a committed family man and strong Christian who would be viewed by history as an “exceptional choice” for commissioner as, “he is without doubt one of the most decent men and one of the most ethical men I have ever met”.
What a wonderful wrap. Andrew was a young boy living in Padstow and the neighbours next door invited him to attend Boys Brigade that was attached to the local Baptist Church. He then attended the church’s Youth Group and one night was at a Bible Study group that met in the neighbour’s house and that night he asked the Lord into his life. It was so special that he even remembers the chair he was sitting in.
In a Podcast, Andrew reflects back over 40 years of making that decision saying, “And I jump forward 30 or 40 years and realise that over my time in the police force, I’ve made some very important decisions, on behalf of millions of people. But there was no more important decision than I had ever made in my life, or that I will ever make, until I breathe the air of Heaven that I made that night, in that lounge room, in that chair to give my heart to Jesus”.
I can’t imagine the tension and stress that comes with being a police officer, let alone being the Commissioner of the entire state’s police force. During his time as Commissioner, the nation and the state face many terrorist threats, most of them didn’t happen because he and his team worked so hard to prevent them before they happened. At the time well over two-thirds of those in prison were on terrorism-related charges.
Scipione said he decided early on in his career that his leadership style would be modelled on that of Jesus Christ. While studying for a Master’s degree at Macquarie University in Sydney, he had come across Robert K. Greenleaf’s theory about servant leadership – based upon the way Jesus led – and decided to adopt it. He sees servant leadership is about enabling people to reach their goals. It’s about making sure that you’re doing what you can to help them get there. He has many leadership books in his library at home, but the one that’s most important is the one that sits next to his bed and it’s his Bible. It's not surprising then that in 2009, Scipione introduced the first official police Bible, saying "Our officers have a great deal of respect for our chaplains, and what better way to build on that relationship than to share the gospel?” The bulk of the State's 20,000 officers have a Police Bible in their possession.
Speaking to Eternity, Scipione explained that the reason he continued to press hard in fighting crime was the biblical principle of justice. He said, “I stay committed to working through that because it’s the right thing to do. It’s about making people understand that justice is important; not for justice’s sake but also because it’s a biblical principle”.
Scipione was so well respected that the NSW Government extended his term as Commissioner and then he retired in 2017. He was farewelled with a guard of honour and was marched out by 100 of his fellow officers.
In Romans 12, Paul makes references to various spiritual gifts given to believers which includes leadership. He writes, “…if it is to lead, do it diligently…” (Romans 12:8 NIV). Andrew Scipione led diligently and for those who aspire leadership roles, it is to be carried out thoughtfully, with a servant’s heart, and at all times, to be above reproach. And watch as people follow you with respect.
Let’s pray:
Dear God. Thank you for the paramedics, fire fighters, and police officers. Protect them on duty. Bring healing to those who suffer the aftereffects of trauma. Thank you for godly leadership of Andrew Scipione. Help us to lead diligently.
O God, preserve us who travel; surround us with your loving care; protect us from every danger; and bring us in safety to our journey’s end; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
David Moyes
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