Seven officers from Palmerston North and Feilding are being 'adopted' by Hato Paroa College in a scheme that aims to improve relationships between the 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.
It was first introduced by Youth Aid Officer, Senior Constable John Samuela to help principals of primary schools who were having difficulties with children misbehaving both in school, and after school.
"We thought that it would really help if we became more involved in the school community," said Mr Samuela. "A number of the boys at Hato Paora have had very negative experiences of police in the past and by being more proactive with these kids it will help develop a more positive attitude on both sides."
The idea is that the adopted officers, some of whom are past students at the college, will regularly visit and get involved in sports, schools events and kapa haka to strength relations.
Mr Samuela, along with Youth Aid Officer Senior Constable Scott MacKenzie, is also working with staff and the members of the board to review disciplinary decisions that have been appealed by parents.
On Friday, 24 July a powhiri was held at Haro Paora College to officially welcome the adopted officers and other dignitaries including Assistant Commissioner of New Zealand Police, Grant Nicholls, who went to school in Palmerston North.
The group were met by an impressive haka performed by all of the students. Each of the adopted officers then recounted stories of their upbringing and their path into the police service, and spoke with passion about the work that they do and their commitment to being there for the students.
In the afternoon they demonstrated this commitment by joining other police colleagues to challenge the students in a series of sporting activities including basketball, squash and touch rugby.
Commenting on the success of the scheme to date Mr Samuela said: "The kids love us. We go in there and kick a ball around or play some basketball. Because we're not there as a result of something bad happening they see us in a completely different light."
Manchester Street School is one of the schools that have taken part in the scheme and Principal Rex Wheeler says it has really helped his pupils get to know the police in a positive way.
"We want the children to be involved in the local community and the police are a part of that community," said Mr Wheeler. "The cops are frequent visitors to the school, chatting with the children at lunch time or playing sports with them. Now when the kids are out in the car with mum or dad and they see a police car they'll actually know the officer by name."
There are now plans to roll the scheme out to Feilding High School later in the year or in early 2010, a challenging roll-out involving 1300 children.
The seven officers 'adopted' by Hato Paora College are Detective Sergeant Kevin Anstis (Feilding), Constable Neil Martin (Feilding), Detective Constable Grant Lawton (Feilding) and his son Detective Constable Nick Lawton (Palmerston North), Senior Sergeant Cliff Brown (Palmerston North), Detective Tracey Wharehoka (Palmerston North) and Constable Darren Paki (Palmerston North).
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