School based policing starts again in NT

The Territory Government’s school-based policing program has recommenced, developed in collaboration with NT Police, Department of Education and Council of Government School Organisations (COGSO) the program focuses on positive youth engagement and the delivery of safety education.

Working alongside the afterhours Youth and Community Engagement Constables, School Based Police will be able to identify and proactively work with at risk youth to ensure they are getting all the support they need to stay on the right track. 

A report on the progress and effectiveness of the new model will be undertaken in Term 1, 2019.

Police, Fire and Emergency Services Minister, Nicole Manison said: “School-based policing adds to the range of health, education, and child and family services this government is delivering to ensure our children have the best start in life.

“We want to ensure that a child’s first encounter with a police officer is a positive one.”

Education Minister, Selena Uibo added: “We have overwhelmingly heard that Territorians want police returned to our schools. This refreshed and reinvigorated model of school-based policing will help our kids build positive relationships with police and will enhance existing measures to identify children at risk of disengagement.

Ten central locations were selected as hubs for the program. They include:

• 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