Comms training sows seed of understanding

Asian business owners now have a better appreciation of policing in the Canterbury district, thanks to a recent visit to South Comms.

A series of visits have taken place. Small groups of the Asian business community are invited to spend time at South Comms to gain first hand experience of how police work. "This has helped enhance mutual understanding, and provides practical and useful tips to help them when dealing with the Police, as well as with emergency situations," says Inspector Kieren Kortegast: South Comms Centre Manager.

Constable Liying Cai running a training session

The programme begins with an introductory talk explaining the way Comms operates, how a 111 call is handled and patrols are dispatched. The group, assisted by the Shift Commander, then takes a tour through the Centre and watches the call-takers and dispatchers doing their job.

Finally the group takes part in a training session based on a script of a 'typical' emergency conversation. It follows, step-by-step, a robbery or shop-lifting scenario, to ensure the group is familiar with the order and type of questions asked, why they are asked, and the sort of responses which are helpful for Comms and the frontline police response.

Feedback so far from the small business owners has been very positive. They've said their views and perceptions of police have changed," says Kieren.

They had expected staff to be unfriendly and unhelpful, but found the opposite. They also feel much better equipped to deal with an emergency and to communicate in English over the phone.

"Already these interactive visits are fostering increased understanding and breaking down barriers. As these people are all influential members in their community I am sure that what is learnt in these sessions will be shared by word of mouth amongst the wider Asian community, to the benefit of us all."