Media release
Training for night patrols
Thursday, 8 March 2007
Night Patrol units in the Katherine region will receive nationally accredited training thanks to over $85,000 in funding from the Department of Employment, Education and Training (DEET).
Bill Daw, DEET Field Officer for the region, said it was great news that the training could go ahead.
“Members of the night patrol from Kalano, Ngukurr and Yarralin will receive training that has been tailored to suit their needs and provide employment opportunities in the future. The training units have been tailored to meet the needs of the community and when will give the trainees the chance for further training to gain a Certificate II in Community Services“, said Mr Daw.
Funding has been approved for Kalano - $45,900, Ngukurr -$17,680 and Yarralin - $22,100. Charles Darwin University in Katherine is the Registered Training Organisation coordinating delivery of the training.
Chair of the Katherine Regional Harmony Group, Michael Berto, said he is pleased that people who work in community night patrols will be recognised for the work they do.
“I am particularly thankful for the partnership between DEET and Charles Darwin University to make this happen. Finding better ways to ensure community night patrols operate more efficiently and effectively has been an issue we have discussed at length at Harmony Group meetings.”
Commander Greg Dowd, the NT Police representative on the Katherine Harmony Group executive, said the men and women working in community patrols will be better skilled to do the job.
“Well-trained night patrols help to make communities safe, have the potential to take a significant workload off police and can also be there to assist police when necessary.
“We also look upon well-trained night patrols as a good experience for potential Aboriginal Community Police Officer recruits. The funding will benefit all the communities in the region and hopefully generate interest in other communities establishing their own night patrol.”
Bronte Cooper from Charles Darwin University said the Night Patrol Training package would meet the needs of the participants and the communities involved, “We look forward to initiating the training as soon as possible.”
Rick Fletcher, acting Director of the Kalano Community Association, said the training would provide Community Patrol Officers with the skills needed to play a more effective role in the initiatives put forward by the Katherine Region Harmony Group’s Crime Prevention and Alcohol Management Plans.