One year after the Territory LaborGovernment reintroduced school-based police, schools have reported higherstudent engagement and the establishment of positive relationships betweenstudents and police officers.
The refreshed school-based policeprogram was introduced in 10 government schools across the Territory at thebeginning of Term 4, 2018, after it was scrapped by the CLP.
A review of the program undertakenearlier this year outlined the positive impact and relationships which havegrown between the school-based officers, students, staff and families.
Stakeholders who contributed to thereview included North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency (NAAJA), AboriginalPeak Organisations Northern Territory (APONT) and the Northern TerritoryCouncil of Social Services (NTCOSS).
The new school based policing model wasdesigned in collaboration with the Department of Education, the Council ofGovernment School Organisations (COGSO) and the Northern Territory PoliceForce.
The 10 schools who are marking one yearof school-based policing are:
Sanderson Middle School
Dripstone Middle School
Darwin Middle and High Schools
Nightcliff Middle School
Palmerston College
Taminmin College
Casuarina Senior College
Katherine High School
Tennant Creek High School
Centralian Middle School
To view the School-Based Police Program review pleaseclickhere
As noted by the Minister for Childrenand Chief Minister Michael Gunner:
The Territory Labor Government believesthat every child deserves the best start in life.
We brought back the renewedschool-based policing model in 2018 because we know it enables us to identifyat-risk kids, to re-engage them to grow, learn and achieve, and set them on theright track to a bright future.
As noted by the Minister for Police,Fire and Emergency Services Nicole Manison:
We want to ensure the early encountersTerritory children have with police officers are positive experiences.
School-based policing adds to the rangeof health, education, child and family services which were delivering toensure our children have the best start in life.
