Breaking Ranks

Overview

Joe Noonan’s 10 years in the Victoria Police culminated in being seconded onto the Investigation Team for the double slaying of two young policemen in Walsh Street South Yarra. The 1980s in Victoria were some of the most tumultuous years in Australia’s policing history. These stories give a vivid insight into the mind of a most different sort of crime fighter. A straight shooter who doesn't pull any punches and takes more than his fair share. His humour is at times irreverent and almost always self-deprecating but provides a front seat to some of the most dangerous and confronting stories you have read. His real-life description of both events and those involved create a channel to the past without losing any relevance to the present. His uniform years are peppered with some of the most hilarious, tragic and confronting stories of his life on the front line. His rapid rise to detective opened up new levels of danger, controversy and unbelievable tales of policing. Being in the thick of numerous police shootings including Jedd Houghton and Gary Abdullah, living through the aftermath of the Graeme Jensen shooting and life within the Walsh Street Task Force.

Reviews

"An absolute page turner giving great insight and context to a tumultuous time in Victoria Police history. War stories told in a way that make you feel you’re in the room sharing riveting yarns, laughs and awe inspiring anecdotes with mates over a few frothies! I absolutely loved reading these accounts from a bygone era and told in such a riveting way. A great read and highly recommended." —Senior Constable Zorb Safak, Mildura Police Station

Author Biography

Joe Noonan joined the Police Academy in 1981. He progressed through uniform to CIB as the youngest detective that year, passed Detective Training School in 1986 and passed a special sitting of the Sergeants Exams after Walsh Street Task Force. He worked at City West, D24, St Kilda, St Kilda Special Duties, Fitzroy CIB, CIB Major Crime Squad and then seconded to Homicide Task Force for Walsh Street. He resigned after finishing Walsh Street and going back to Major Crime. Joe has also worked in senior management of security and emergency response.