The initiative is designed to impart knowledge and understanding of modern policing to prominent members of the community, such as civic or religious leaders, business luminaries, academics and cultural identities. The group visited the NSW Police Academy at Goulburn, the Traffic and Highway Patrol Command, Police Headquarters, and Parramatta Police Station.
They experienced various aspects of police work, including driver training and road-safety strategies, police custody, sexual and gender diversity, social networking, weapons training and bias crimes. In addition, officers from the Dog Unit, Forensic Services Group and Crash Investigation demonstrated their day-to-day operations. Participants had the opportunity to speak with officers – from constables to commanders – to get a better understanding of what they do every day.
NSW Police Deputy Commissioner Catherine Burn said the aim of CAPP is to engage with the community and create effective two-way communication between different groups and the police. “By exposing them to the realities of policing, we hope to challenge preconceived perceptions and provide a new appreciation of the challenges and rewards of operational policing.
“The visits and demonstrations generate important conversations not only between police and participants but also between the participants themselves. Our ultimate goal is to strengthen our relationships and our understanding of the needs of the communities we serve,” Ms Burn said.
Five participants in CAPP provided the following feedback.
Benjamin Heenan – Law student, University of NSW
The police form a vital part of our society, often being called into action during tough and strenuous circumstances. I wanted to learn more about how they were trained to approach different situations and what impact that had on various communities. The force views itself as an organisation that engages with the community and keeps them safe, not one that is out to get them when they do something wrong. The senior command is dedicated to strengthening diversity within its ranks. Officers do not seek to escalate violent situations, they merely respond to the level of aggression present at a scene. The focus they placed on service to the public surprised me, not merely the identification of crime and detention of criminals. I would consider joining the police force. I think it would be a diverse career where you could have significant impact on a range of different people and communities.
Marnee May – Program Co-ordinator, SISTER2sister
I was nominated for CAPP by one of the directors on the board of Life Changing Experiences Foundation. She has done the five-day version of the program and highly recommended it. I was really excited to be selected, as I knew it was quite a rare opportunity. CAPP gave a great insight into some of the vast roles our police force performs every day. We not only met police officers working on the streets, we were also able to have small experiences of what their everyday jobs are like. It was interesting to learn about all the different departments and the skills required to become a police officer. I was surprised by the passion all the officers, regardless of their role or rank, had for their jobs. It takes a special person to apply to become a police officer, because every person we met was committed to making the community a better, safer and more connected place. When I was eight years old, I had dreams of becoming a Mounted Police officer, but I think I was more interested in the idea of riding a horse all day. I was so inspired by the officers I met, and could easily see how appealing it would be to join the police family. However, I’m not sure I would make the cut in the long run. Plus the gun holsters are really uncomfortable!
Christina Emmanouel – Acting Chief Human Resources Officer, Civic Disability Services
I agreed to take part in the program because our policing system is integral to how our society functions; it is important that people have an understanding of how it operates. It is also humbling to be considered an influential member of the community, so I am willing to assist positive and constructive initiatives such as CAPP in any way I can. It seems obvious, but we tend to be desensitised by the media to threats that members of the force regularly face. It only took a few role-play scenarios at CAPP to make real how confronting and hazardous the duties of police officers are. I was surprised by the complexity of the NSW Police Force operations. Would I consider joining the police? Never ever! While I didn’t uncover a career goal, I walked away from CAPP feeling comfortable placing my safety in the hands of a capable force.
Chris Allatt – Year 10 student, St Agnes Catholic High School
I learned that being a police officer isn’t just about being someone who enforces the law, but also being available to help people in the community. I always thought police officers were so tough and hard, but all of the officers I met were so friendly and helpful. I was already hoping to be a police officer and now I’m sure that’s the path I’d like to take.
Valiece Banning – Student at St John Paul II Catholic College
I took part in CAPP because I want to join the NSW Police Force in the future. I learned that the police can help in many different ways. For example, they can help you with your car if you are stuck on the side of the road, as the Highway Patrol Team explained to the group. During my visit to the three Local Area Commands, I was surprised that to become a detective you have to serve as a regular police officer for a couple of years before you can apply.
