VICTORIA Police has launched a new schools engagement program, but the local partnership between police and young people has been a constant in the Swan Hill region for more than a decade.
Veteran Swan Hill police officer Leading Senior Constable Andrew Downes said he is usually greeted by his nickname – “Downsey” – by youth down the main street.
His enduring affection for teenagers is set to continue after Victoria Police confirmed this week that the police in schools program would be re-launched.
The former police in schools program – axed in 2005 – was a major proactive child and youth engagement initiative to assist police to better engage with young Victorians who were still at school, and to restore respect for police and the community.
As the youth resource officer, “Downsey” spoke to students about a raft of dangers in the community, including drink driving, consuming drugs and cyber safety.
He said the benefit of police in schools was not just for police, but the whole community.
“Remembering, the young people that we engage with will be the drivers, leaders and workers of our community going forward,” Sen-Constable Downes said.
“Young people, in general, are very tech-savvy and, as a result, get much of their information from online.
“Depending on your go-to site, some of that information may not be quite correct, or it leaves out many important details.
“This is where police, and certainly members from the community engagement unit, attend schools and give factual information.
“This then enables the young person to make an informed decision.”
Chief Commissioner Shane Patton said the new model would involve specialist and frontline police officers working with schools to deliver crime prevention and safety messages to primary and secondary students across the state.
“The launch of the new model is part of Victoria Police’s broader focus on community engagement to build strong connections with young people and their families that help to keep the community safe,” he said.
“Police will be equipped with appropriate information and guidance on what engagement activities are most effective with schools to ensure interactions between police and students reflect good practice and address their specific issues.
“Police will draw on advice on how to interact with children and young people in the school setting, and resources on topics such as cyber bullying, road safety, drugs and alcohol use.”
Chief Commissioner Patton said community engagement was the “cornerstone” of policing.
“Our relationships with young people and their families are central to this,” he said.
“We want to have a positive impact on young people early in their lives.
“We don’t want our first contact with young people to be when they’re in trouble.
“Our ongoing engagement with schools and the local community highlights our commitment to strengthening relationships with young people and their families based on mutual respect and trust.”
Sen-Constable Downes said he greatly valued the police in schools concept.
“We certainly need enforcement, to keep our community safe,” he said.
“But we also need to be proactive and engage with the community in a way that we are in this together.
“You give that respect to the students when you walk into their classroom and you then get it back.”
