Adopt-a-cop scheme builds relationships with schools

Seven officers from Palmerston North and Feilding are being ‘adopted’ by Hato Paora College in a scheme that aims to improve relationships between police and students.

Adopt-a-cop is the extension of a programme that has already proved a success in six local primary schools over the past year.

Assistant Commissioner Grant Nicholls and Hato Paora prefect Johnny Marshall hongi as part of the powhiri at Hato Paora College.

Feilding staff, including frontline, CIB and senior sergeants, have been visiting local schools at least once a week. Senior Constable John Samuela, Youth Aid Officer, says he first thought of the idea early last year, when principals in local primary schools were having a lot of trouble with kids playing up in and out of school.

“We thought that it would really help if we became more involved in the school community,” he says. “A number of the boys at Hato Paora have had very negative experiences of police in the past. By being more proactive with these kids, it will help develop a more positive attitude on both sides.”

Last month a powhiri was held at the Māori boys school to officially welcome the adopted officers and other police, including school old boys. The group were met by an impressive haka by all the students.

Officers talked about their path into the police service and the work they do, then joined the boys in sports such as basketball, squash and touch rugby.

As part of adopt-a-cop, police get involved in sports, school events and kapa haka to help build up good relationships with the students.

“Even just hanging out with these kids at morning tea or lunchtime or before and after school can really help build up a relationship,” says John.

John and fellow Youth Aid Officer Senior Constable Scott MacKenzie are also playing a part in Hato Paora’s disciplinary board reviews. Working with staff and the board, they are reviewing disciplinary decisions appealed by parents to see if these need to be taken any further.

The team is also working to make sure students who have been suspended for possession, using or selling drugs take part in a drug prevention programme if they’re reinstated in school. This restorative programme allows them to sign a diversion type contract that usually lasts for two years and includes counselling. A similar programme was established in Ngāruawhāia by Scott, when he worked as their Youth Aid Officer.

Senior Constable John Samuela, the Youth Aid Officer who introduced the Adopt-a-cop scheme into Feilding, shares a smile and a chat with Johnny Marshall, who is interested in joining the police. Photo: Dave Andrews, Palmerston North Photography section

Teachers are working closely with their schools’ officers to keep an eye on children they consider to be at risk.

“A teacher may point out a child they are worried about, and we will assess the situation and advise them as to what action to take, and whether we need to be involved,” says John.

The programme has proved extremely successful among both the children and police.

“The kids love to see us in a completely different light. Some of the officers don’t have kids and were a bit unsure how to handle them at first, but the students just came right up to them asking questions and getting involved. Now they’re really enjoying it.”

Rex Wheeler, Principal of Manchester Street School in Feilding, says the scheme has helped his pupils really get to know police on a regular basis and to view them in a positive light. “We want the children to be involved in the local community and the police are part of that community.

“The cops are frequent visitors to the school, chatting with the children at lunchtime or playing sports with them. Now when kids are out in the car with mum or dad and they see a police car, they’ll actually know the officer by name.”

The next challenge will be rolling Adopt-a-cop out to Feilding High School later in the year or early 2010. With a roll of 1300 children, this will take quite some organising but John is confident the programme will be successful there too.
“We’re already there several times a week dealing with stuff going on, so it will be great to develop a more positive relationship with the school and students,” he says.