Citizens’ Academy’ schooling community on criminal justice system

A Victorian-first program is schooling ordinary people on the criminal justice system in a bid to strengthen relationships between police and the community. Here’s how it works.

Acting Supt Adrian Healy, who is leading the initiative which aims to educate the community on criminal justice system.

Police are schooling ordinary people in law and order as part of a “Citizens’ Academy”.

The Victorian-first program — based on an initiative in the UK — sees the group visiting a prison, meeting police and going to the courts.

The four-month course will culminate with a special graduation ceremony in May.

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More than a dozen people of various cultural backgrounds from Wyndham in Melbourne’s west had to apply to be part of the course, which comprises eight sessions stretching as long as a day.

Acting Supt Adrian Healy, who is leading the initiative, told the Herald Sun:

“It’s designed for the participants to get a close intimate understanding of the criminal justice system here in Victoria.”

“It builds connections with them and police,’’ he said.

The program aims to educate the community on the criminal justice and the role of police in society. Picture: Nicole Garmston

“The program is about not only educating the individual but that individual will then go back to their community and have an effect.

“It’s a community safety initiative.’’

Participants have so far been schooled in how to report crime, toured Wyndham North Police Station, visited Sunshine Magistrates’ Court and sat in on state parliament.

Future classes will include going to a prison and local legal service.

Mother-of-four Shemsiya Waritu, among those undertaking the Wyndham Citizens’ Academy, said law enforcement in Australia was vastly different from her homeland of Ethiopia.

“It’s interesting to hear police say they are here to help,’’ she said.

“That is not what we know — anyone in power is there to hurt you.

“Whenever I see police I panic.

Acting Supt Adrian Healy talking with community leaders. PIcture: Lawrence Pinder

“I have never been close to police like this. I am getting out of my comfort zone.”

Nas Mohamud, who moved to Australia from Somalia, said some people in her community didn’t even know how to contact police.

“It’s very frightening and scary I think for a lot of us to feel confident to speak to a police officer,’’ she said.

“I want to learn about the Australian justice system and take it back to my community.

“Police and justice back home is completely different to how it is here.”

The academy will have two more intakes later this year and could be introduced elsewhere if successful.

Wyndham Council and the Justice Department are also involved.

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