Youth Education Service history - New Zealand Police

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Youth Education Service 1995 -2002
Road Safety Education 1920-1995
New Zealand Police involvement in primary and secondary education

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Youth Education Service 1995 -2002

1995

Law Related Education Programme (LREP) and Traffic Safety Education merge.
A new Curriculum Statement was developed to reflect the merger.
D.A.R.E. module for parents developed (Dare to Support Your Kids).
Secondary module of Keeping Ourselves Safe launched.

1996

The first programme in the Road Safe Series developed- Safe Wheels for Years 11-13.

1997

The Stop-Bullying Campaign was launched, with sponsorship from Telecom.

1998

Dare to make a Choice

2000

Dare to Drive to Survive

Kia Kaha

Six programmes produced as part of Changing Gear, the road Safe Series programme for years 9-10.

2001

YES Curriculum Guidelines

Yes Handbook - a working book for police education officers

YES training outsourced to Auckland College of Education (ACE)

2002

Kia Kaha programme for secondary schools launched.

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Road Safety Education 1920-1995

From Commemorating 55 Years of Traffic Safety - 1937-1992; Land Transport Safety Authority

Road Safety Education into the 21st Century
- A brief History

1920’s

Road Safety Talks in schools commenced in some parts of the country. These were undertaken by the Automobile Association.

1938

The NZ Transport Department took over the task of road safety talks, under a formal agreement with the Department of Education.
The first road traffic instructor was appointed.

1944

School Patrols were officially introduced, although they had been established on a local basis as far back as 1930’s.

1947

There was considerable concern at the doubling of traffic casualties among school children, compared to the previous year.
The Department employed seven full-time traffic instructors for working in schools. Local bodies and automobile associations also supplied staff for this purpose.
There was an emphasis on supervision by traffic officers outside schools as a complementary and necessary addition to the classroom work.

1948

First cycle code published and issued to schools.

1953

Road Traffic Instruction branch took over class instruction in all but three schools -Petone, Lower Hutt and Levin.
There were still concerns about accidents among school pupils, particularly ‘secondary school scholars.’

1954

The first female officer was appointed to the Department, and took the role of Road Traffic Instructor.
The role of Road Traffic Instructors was described by Leicester Smith :

" Our main duties were the visiting of all primary schools and secondary colleges in the northern region (approximately 1,000 classes). School patrol, supervision and enforcement, and cycle inspection made up most of our duties."

1971

Traffic education became part of the general education curriculum. A programme strategy was worked out over a five-year period from 1970-1980 and introduced to schools from 1976- 1980.
A set of eight objectives were designed for unit work with classes in co-operation with teachers.
The classroom teacher was to take the major teaching role, with the RTI acting as a specialist advisor.
The Ministry of Transport had a positive approach and attitude to traffic education.

1980’s

The " roadshow" began touring schools in Christchurch in April, organised by the Roadshow Trust, partially sponsored by the Ministry of Transport. It aimed at improving driving habits of young people.
In 1983 the roadshow covered 23 centres in a nation-wide tour.
Traffic education was given a high priority. Resource centres were established and Traffic Officers Education provided after school sessions for parents as well as their classroom work.
In 1984, the Safe Play series of pedestrian training programmes were implemented with the support of the Playcentre Federation
From 1982, traffic enforcement and education staff were able to study extramurally for the Diploma in Police Studies from Massey University. The Ministry encouraged officers to take the course by providing up to eight hours study leave per week and refunding the fees of those who passed.

1988

The road safety instruction system that had been the envy of other countries was phased out, largely for reasons of economy.
Of the 108 staff of the RTI section, 40 were reassigned to the enforcement section as Traffic Officers (Education), to train school patrols and assist teachers to plan units of work. They were not supposed to be involved in teaching, apart from occasional appearance to explain the role of the Traffic Officer.
These officers were supported with resources developed by the Road User Standards section (now the Education and Information section of the Land Transport Safety Authority).
Some officers went to the newly established Driver Education branch, designed to fill a gap left in the provision of adult driver education.
The remaining officers entered the newly established Policy/Standards Branch (now Road User Standards) which was formed to provide curriculum and training resources for the two other branches.

1994

Following the merger of the Enforcement Section of MOT and the NZ Police in 1992, TO(E)s became classified as Police Education Officers and worked alongside but separate from their colleagues in the Police Law Related Education Service.

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New Zealand Police involvement in primary and secondary education

1956

First organised contact between police and schools.
Belief that friendly contact between police officers and children in the classroom would be a stimulating and healthy influence.
The scheme was to start in the main four centres (Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin).

1957

Four sergeants and eight constables gave lectures in schools in the four main centres.
Talks were illustrated by film slides and discussed the duties of a police officer.
Role of police officer was as an instructor, therefore no partnership existed between teacher and officer.

1958

‘Juvenile Crime Prevention’ Section established.

School Talks

1968

‘Juvenile Crime Prevention" Section was renamed ‘Youth Aid’ Section.
Significant change occurred with decision to set up permanent School Talks programme therefore distinct from earlier attempts.
Attempt to match Traffic Officers education progress.
Draft of first syllabus for School Talks.

1969

One sergeant (Kim Workman) and three constables appointed to National Police Headquarters to develop a ‘police talks in schools’ programme (School Talks).
This was a result of the Wellington pilot scheme where a syllabus of talks, teaching aids, and project materials were being prepared and tested.
Aim was to develop this scheme under the umbrella of the Youth Aid Section (YAS).
Sergeant Robin Loader was trained for Christchurch Police School Talks, and Sergeant Murray Smith was trained for Auckland.

1970

Special attention given to the preparation of a programme for secondary schools.
Also a strong desire for establishing police links in pre schools.

1971

Visits to schools further developed with talks in schools having doubled in number.
Work in secondary schools restricted to the Wellington area.

1973

In Wellington, officers undertook dual role of School Talks and general Youth Aid services. (This was so they could be more closely identified with the children resident in their particular area).
Difficulties arose with this dual role as Youth Aid duties began taking precedence over School Talks.

1975

Appointment of Constable Hazel Nash as a full time "Curriculum Development Officer’ at Police National Headquarters.

School Talks

Equipment upgraded to slide-projector, coloured photos and slides.

1976

Acting Sergeant W R Hodge commenced as ‘Deputy Coordinator : Youth Aid’ - a role which directed any new developments for School Talks. A year later he became the first National Co-ordinator of Law Related Education.
A new concept of a police-teacher partnership recommended.
Training was improved for School Talks Officers, with the first training course developed through the new partnership with Hamilton Teachers College.
Appointment of Sergeant D Coote as a full time School Talk Officer at Wellington Central.

1977

Evaluation of School Talks by Youth Aid Service (YAS) Deputy Coordinator, instigated by Commissioner Burnside.
Review found there were inadequate curriculum statements; confusion regarding the role of police in schools; frequent cancellation of visits due to other duties taking precedence; the programmes were under-resourced; and not geographically widespread.
Second Youth Aid Education Officer appointed to Wellington Central.
‘Education Aids Officer’ was appointed at Police National Headquarters.
Negotiations were underway with the Department of Education to provide on secondment an educationally qualified ‘Curriculum Officer’ who would ensure that the Police/Education Department educational objectives were being fully integrated. (Chris Ryan was appointed later in the year).
Work commenced on a new curriculum.

1978

Conscious effort to model new law related education curriculum on educational developments.
Positions of ‘Regional Coordinator’ were established in Auckland (Sergeant Murray Smith) and in Wellington (Sergeant D Coote) at a non-commissioned level. (Christchurch came later with Sergeant Robin Loader). Role was to oversee the districts in each region.
Training of law related personnel continued under the auspices of the Hamilton Teachers’ College and formalised a three-tiered training course.
Increased expenditure on equipment for staff.
Senior Sergeant Russell Eddie appointed National Co-ordinator.

1979

Pilot Law Related Education Programme (LREP) syllabus written in conjunction with the Department of Education, and was based upon J Glynn’s philosophy in The New Zealand Policeman.
This change in philosophy emphasised the empowerment of children rather than the concept of police as controllers of crime.
A specific course was designed to train staff for secondary school work at Hamilton Teachers’ College (the third tier of the 1978 training course).
Auckland educational officers held two successful Police Week Projects in large Auckland secondary schools in an effort to increase student’ understanding of the police role in society.

1980

New curriculum for Law Related Education Programmes (LREP) published and introduced in schools throughout the country.
Was closely related to the Department of Education’s social studies syllabus and covered classes from infants to Form 4.
One of the main objectives of the new curriculum was to foster Co-ordinator between teachers and police personnel working in schools.

1981

Owen Sanders appointed as the curriculum development officer.
Role of Law Related Education Officer changed with the introduction of the new curriculum which emphasised working with teachers.

1982

Comprehensive teaching kit sponsored by Commercial Union Assurance Company entitled Play a Part in Crime Prevention produced.
5000 kits printed and distributed widely at the intermediate school level.

Note: The Commercial Union sponsorship continued until 1992, with a number of resources and programmes being produced as part of this. They included Vandalism, Stealing, Kia Kaha, Search and Rescue, Role of Police photopack and Community Support.

1983

The position of Curriculum Officer in Law Related Education Programmes (LREP) (which used to be filled by a seconded teacher) was made permanent (Owen Sanders).
A Pictorial History of the New Zealand Police, sponsored by Commercial Union, was published, and class sets of the book were provided for Police Education Officers and a copy donated to every school in New Zealand.

1984

A teacher (Sue Douglas) joined the staff at Police National Headquarters for a two-year period to assist the Curriculum Development Officer in preparing material for Police Education Officers. At this time Senior Sergeant Bill O’Brien was national Co-ordinator.

1985

Sergeant Morris Cheer was appointed Southern Region Co-ordinator.
A safety programme entitled Keeping Ourselves Safe developed for primary schools and trialed in selected schools.
Diane Davies seconded from teaching to assist with the development of Keeping Ourselves Safe.

1986

Law Related Education Programmes (LREP) became an autonomous unit separate from the Youth Aid Section (YAS).
Appointment of a non-sworn member as ‘National Co-ordinator’ (Owen Sanders).
Sergeant Morris Cheer became the National Administration Officer.

1987

The MacHarmen Ayer Commissioned Public Survey reported 79% of the sample agreed that the police were doing good work with youth in schools.
After seeing first hand the Los Angeles DARE programme, Owen Sanders (National Coordinator), Sue Douglas (Curriculum Officer) and Bill Hodge (Region 1 Coordinator) recommended the development of a New Zealand DARE for implementation in schools nation-wide.
Gill Patterson (now Palmer) was appointed as Curriculum Officer
A new Curriculum Statement containing the aims, objectives, content and approach of law related education programmes published.

1988

The child abuse prevention programme Keeping Ourselves Safe launched in March.

1990

Demand for the Keeping Ourselves Safe kit high.
A draft secondary programme for Keeping Ourselves Safe completed and trialed in selected secondary schools.
D.A.R.E. Foundation of New Zealand chartered in May.
The first module in the drug education programme DARE completed and underwent extensive evaluation by Massey University and the Auckland College for Teacher Education, with positive results.
Huntly Police worked together with Rakaumanga Kura Kaupapa school began the development of the Maori DARE programme which became Tena Kowhiria.
The EEO unit worked closely with Law Related Education Programme (LREP) coordinators in an effort to develop bicultural training modules suitable for Kohanga Reo, Kura Kaupapa and other total immersion institutions.
Commercial Union sponsored a kit for young people on the issue of stealing.

1991

Because demand for the Keeping Ourselves Safe kit was still high, two units were reprinted and 9000 copies were distributed to teachers and schools nationwide.
Junior primary Keeping Ourselves Safe teaching unit rewritten and the teacher in-service preparation programme reviewed.
The first module in DARE (DARE to make a Choice) implemented by 35 Police Education Officers.
The D.A.R.E. Foundation entered partnership with the Child Development Foundation of New Zealand to support D.A.R.E.
Commercial Union sponsored a kit for parents and schools on bullying entitled Kia Kaha (9^th annual resource sponsored by Commercial Union).

1992

Law Related Education Programme Planning Package

Two secondary schools units completed and in the process of publication.
1993 Commercial Union sponsorship funded a roadshow throughout the country promoting the various educational kits it sponsored (eg stealing, vandalism, personal safety and bullying). This was the last project Commercial Union sponsored.

1993

A revised junior school unit Keeping Ourselves Safe trialed and published.
Merger of the Ministry of Transport with the New Zealand Police. (This included all Traffic Officers involved in school education).

1994

A draft of Tena Kowhiria was developed for trial.

Dare to Drive to Survive,

First DARE Conference held, in Dunedin.

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Based on the work of Ruth Waldron