Cops’ class move to give students life lessons
Police officers will work in Victorian schools under a new program aimed at crime prevention and building trust with the young.
Education
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Police will work with schools next year to give advice on crucial youth issues under a plan by Chief Commissioner Shane Patton.
Cyber safety issues like sexting and online predators, drug and alcohol use and how to deal with family violence will be key elements of the new Schools Engagement Model, to be launched on Friday.
There will also be a road safety component.
Specialist frontline members will be in the classroom to deliver what Mr Patton says are vital crime prevention and safety messages, as well as building trust with the young.
The visits will start from next year for primary and secondary school students.
“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,” Mr Patton said.
The model has been instigated as part of Mr Patton’s wish to build police-community links and connections with the young and their families.
Officers assigned to the model will be given specific instruction and guidance on how best to get their message across and address issues raised by students.
There will be a consistent approach statewide under a model developed after consultation with teachers, police, youth workers and students.
Mr Patton said it was about building relationships based on mutual respect and trust.
“This new model ensures every interaction with police is having the greatest impact on our young people,” Mr Patton said.
“It sets us on a path that will see schools getting the best out of their police now and into the future.”
Wheelers Hill Secondary College assistant principal Judy Anderson said the school had worked with police for years and it had built “authentic and positive” relationships.
Ms Anderson said the Schools Engagement Model would have great benefits more broadly.
“The launch of the SEM initiative marks a great day for policing and schools and I am hopeful that this can only have a positive impact upon all the communities within Victoria moving forward,” she said.
More information about the Schools Engagement Model is available on the Victoria Police website.
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