NSW Police and Australian Defence Force (ADF) COVID-19 compliance and welfare checks are helping those in need – and in some cases – saving lives.
Over the weekend, officers working across the South West Metropolitan Region have called for ambulances, organised care for children and delivered hampers, essential groceries and nappies as part of their Operation STAY AT HOME taskings.
In six separate instances across Campbelltown and Cumberland Police Area Commands, officers requested the help of NSW Ambulance paramedics after finding residents struggling to breathe, suffering shortness of breath, or vomiting.
In one of those instances, officers attended a home at Auburn to find a man lying face down and struggling to breathe. They immediately moved the man into a recovery position, cleared the house, and opened windows to assist with airflow, as they called for NSW Ambulance paramedics to assist.
Police also arranged council hampers for two families with young children, and an elderly man, who they found were running low on essentials.
In Campsie, police found a family in need of nappies, which were also organised and delivered.
South West Metropolitan Region Commander, Acting Assistant Commissioner Brett McFadden said these are some great examples of why police compliance and welfare checks are so important as the virus continues to take hold in Sydney's south and south-west.
"There's a very good chance that the efforts of police saved the life of the man they found in Auburn this weekend," Acting Assistant Commissioner McFadden said.
"Police, ADF personnel and NSW Ambulance paramedics are the very definition of frontline workers and are putting their own health at risk to save others in Sydney's most virus-riddled parts. For that we are very proud of them.
"We want the public to know that our officers are there for those in need and will continue to be as we keep up compliance and welfare checks through this difficult time."
The NSW Police Force launched operation STAY AT HOME on Monday 16 August 2021 in order to boost the enforcement of Public Health Orders and check on the welfare of those exposed to COVID-19 across the state.
