News

Heidi comes on board as fan of Force

Tuesday, 24 Jan 2012

A few weeks ago 7-year-old Heidi Fletcher was not a fan of the NSW Police Force – but now, thanks to the efforts of CAPP5 and MAC, she is one of our biggest supporters.

On 14 September, Kathy Fletcher wrote to the NSW Police Force Customer Service Program about how her daughter Heidi had recently witnessed a police officer speaking angrily.

Heidi had been frightened and left with the perception that police were “scary people”.

Despite Kathy’s reassurances and an offer to take her daughter to a local police station to meet ‘nice police’, Heidi remained fearful.

Kathy’s next step was to get in touch with the Customer Service Program and request some police-friendly promotional items that could be sent to Heidi to rebuild her trust.

Officers connected to the program went one step further and organised a special day for Heidi on board a police boat, with the support of MAC and as part of CAPP5. Kathy said the outing was an amazing success.

“I can’t begin to thank you and your team for giving Heidi such a special day - she really took to all of the officers,” she said. “I asked her what she thought of police officers now and she said ‘they’re fantastic!’”

CAPP5 continues success

Tuesday, 24 Jan 2012

Program hailed as jewel in community engagement crown

The NSW Police Force recently held our 5th Community Awareness of Policing Program (CAPP) since the program’s inception in 2010.

World-renowned author Bryce Courtenay and NRL legend Paul ‘The Chief’ Harragon OAM were among 24 NSW identities and community leaders who took part in the latest instalment of CAPP in October.

While some of the 24 participants were from Sydney, the focus this time around was on attracting participants from regional and rural parts of the state.

Garry Mason, principal of Cootamundra High School; Anne Jones, Mayor of Wellington Council; and Uncle Gee, an Aboriginal elder and a founding member of the Illawarra Koori Men’s Support Group Inc, South East Coast were keen participants.

Almost 100 community leaders, role models and experts from a range of fields and occupations have completed the program since its introduction.

“I am still on a high from the program, so thank you so much once again for the opportunity. I have been sharing all that I learned with my colleagues.” – Michelle Hoctor, Senior Reporter, Illawarra Mercury newspaper, Wollongong

CAPP Alumni Participants Night out at the 2011 Blue Ribbon Ball

Friday, 28 Oct 2011

Thank you to all our CAPP guests who attended the 2011 Blue Ribbon Ball. It was a fantastic night of fun and entertainment enjoyed by everyone. The Blue Ribbon Ball is held annually in remembrance of all deceased NSW Police Officers and to raise funds for their surviving spouses and children.A third of the participants who have finished CAPP since February 2010 were present on the night.

Six-time Golden Guitar Winner, league legend and talkback radio host line up for unique police program

Monday, 25 Jul 2011

Six-time Golden Guitar Winner, Melinda Schneider; league legend, Mark Coyne, and Sydney talkback radio host, Jason Morrison, are among 21 prominent NSW citizens nominated to take part in the fourth Community Awareness of Policing Program (CAPP) commencing Tuesday 26th July.

Launched last year, CAPP was designed to provide members of the broader community with a unique "hands-on" insight into the realities faced by police in their daily work.

Attracting role models, community leaders and experts from a diverse range of fields and occupations, a total of 18 people including Cardinal George Pell, and Chief Executive of the Australian National Retailers Association, Margy Osmond, participated in the first program in February last year.

Police Commissioner, Andrew Scipione, APM said CAPP has proved highly successful with graduates receiving valuable understanding and insight into the workings of police.

"The overwhelming response from those who have participated in the CAPP program is that they appreciate far more the challenges officers face every day in law and order," Commissioner Scipione said.

Previous CAPP participants have said:

"I have always maintained a healthy view towards police, but the program manages my expectations of the ideal and reality and provides me with an experience related dimension when thinking critically about policing issues or when discussion arises about police actions and reactions."

"I read every story about the police more carefully now with new knowledge about how hard it is to get the job done."

"On all occasions the police officers have been able to express the information accurately and with a great deal of enthusiasm and energy.

"For instance, the dog squad people [who are not senior officers] explained their role very clearly. "I don't always see that level of expertise in my own staff.

"I would not have expected it from police whom I thought would be better at hands on work rather than communication."

Mr Scipione said CAPP is a key part of the Customer Service Program which aims to strengthen the relationship between the community of NSW and the police who serve them.

"Those who take part in the program are exposed to a range of activities designed to provide a realistic view of the complexities and difficulties of policing," Commissioner Scipione said.

"Participants make a significant commitment to undertake the CAPP course and I am very much encouraged and gratified by the high level of enthusiasm and willingness to join the program.

"A number of people taking part in this latest course came forward and volunteered to join after hearing about the program and recognising the value in such an experience."

The CAPP program comprises 12 core units encompasses subjects such as search and rescue, investigation strategies, crime scene management, court processes, DNA detection, ballistics, road safety, police tactical options and simulated scenarios.

Sessions are conducted at a number of locations including the Police College, the Sydney Police Centre, Public Order & Riot Squad facilities at Homebush, the Marine Area Command at Balmain and the NSW Police Headquarters at Parramatta.

"For many, the program has proved confronting and has challenged many preconceived ideas about policing," Commissioner Scipione said.

"No-one pretends police are perfect. "We are humans who receive rigorous training to perform a highly important role in our community.

"It's a very rewarding job but also difficult and testing.

"If the CAPP program results in providing people with a better understanding of what police do and why we do it - then it has succeeded.

"Judging by the feedback from course graduates, we are well on our way to achieving significant success."

Those taking part in CAPP 4 are:

  1. Sue Max, Director, General Manager, ANZ Stadium
  2. Chris Eccles, Director General, NSW Department of Premier and Cabinet
  3. Zdenka Vaughan, Executive Media Advisor, NSW police
  4. Jihad Dib, Principal, Punchbowl Boys High
  5. Ross Whelan, Principal, Thomas Hassel Anglican College
  6. Anthony Fleetwood, Chief Operations Officer, Employers Mutual
  7. Mark Coyne, CEO/Manager Director, Coal Service Pty Ltd, Former NRL St George Captain
  8. Dixie Link-Gordon, CEO of the Mudgin-Gal Aboriginal Corporation
  9. Cheryl Bart AO, Chair, AERF Board, Member of ABC Board of Directors
  10. Doctor Peta Seaton, Director of Transition in the Office of the NSW Premier
  11. Laurie Glanfield AM, Director General, Department of Attorney General and Justice
  12. Marty Haynes, i98FM Radio Presenter
  13. Clair Hodge, Director, Office of General Counsel, NSW Police
  14. Michael Rouchdi, Coptic Orthodox (Egyptian) Community Leader
  15. Rob Love, Head of Financial Crime and Unsecured Risk (National GM), Westpac
  16. Ahmed Mohamed, Vice Chairman, Australian Somali Community Association
  17. Melinda Schneider, Australian country music performer, Six-time Golden Guitar Winner
  18. Jason Morrison, 2UE Radio Presenter
  19. Craig Stephens, Salvation Army
  20. Professor Charlie Teo, Neurosurgeon
  21. Steve Lowy, Managing Director, Westfield Holdings Limited

Further information can be found on the CAPP website.

NB: Individual profiles of participants are available to media on request.

CAPP 3 finds a young fan

Wednesday, 6 Apr 2011

JasperCAPP3 welcomed one last minute guest, 10-year-old Jasper from Balmain who wrote to the NSW Police Force asking a number of questions, including whether or not it was scary for police to walk around at night, what time police get home and whether or not the work they do is hard.

Insp Leith Kennedy of the Customer Service Program said the letter inspired officers running CAPP to plan something special.

"At short notice the Customer Service Program, with the support of the MAC, SPG and PORS, was able to host Jasper for a few hours on his 10th birthday as part of the CAPP Program," Insp. Kennedy said. "Needless to say, Jasper had a great time!"

Jasper's mother Marietta said the experience had been wonderful for her son. "On our way home he said ‘I love the police, they are cool and they are nice'," Marietta said. "It was a unique experience that meant so much to us, more than you can imagine!"

Seven-time world surf champion, league legend and pop icon line up for unique police program

Monday, 28 Mar 2011 10:18am

Seven time word surf champion Layne Beachley; league legend Hazem El Masri and pop icon John Paul Young are among 19 NSW Community Leaders nominated to take part in the third Community Awareness of Policing Program (CAPP) commencing tomorrow (Tues March 29).

Launched last year, CAPP was designed to provide members of the broader community with a unique "hands-on" insight into the realities faced by police in their daily work.

Attracting role models, community leaders and experts from a diverse range of fields and occupations, a total of 18 people including Dr Jamal Rifi and Chief Executive of the Australian National Retailers Association Margy Osmond participated in the first program last February.

And 20 people took part in the Youth CAPP program last August.

Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione APM said CAPP is proving highly successful with graduates receiving valuable understanding and insight into the workings of police.

"The overwhelming response from those who have participated in the CAPP program is that they appreciate far more the challenges officers face every day in law and order," Commissioner Scipione said.

Previous CAPP participants have said:

"I have always maintained a healthy view towards police, but the program manages my expectations of the ideal and reality and provides me with an experience related dimension when thinking critically about policing issues or when discussion arises about police actions and reactions."

"I read every story about the police more carefully now with new knowledge about how hard it is to get the job done."

"On all occasions the police officers have been able to express the information accurately and with a great deal of enthusiasm and energy. For instance, the dog squad people [who are not senior officers] explained their role very clearly. I don't always see that level of expertise in my own staff. I would not have expected it from police whom I thought would be better at hands on work rather than communication."

Mr Scipione says CAPP is a key part of the Customer Service Program which aims to strengthen the relationship between the community of NSW and the police who serve them.

"Those who take part in the program are exposed to a range of activities designed to provide a realistic view of the complexities and difficulties of policing," Commissioner Scipione said.

"Participants make a significant commitment to undertake the CAPP course and I am very much encouraged and gratified by the high level of enthusiasm and willingness to join the program.

"A number of people taking part in this latest course came forward and volunteered to join after hearing about the program and recognising the value in such an experience."

The CAPP program comprises 12 core units encompasses subjects such as search and rescue, investigation strategies, crime scene management, court processes, DNA detection, Community Safety Precincts, Crime Prevention Partnerships and police tactical options & simulated scenarios.

Sessions are conducted at a number of locations including the Police College, the Sydney Police Centre, Public Order & Riot Squad facilities at Homebush, the Marine Area Command at Balmain and the NSW Police Headquarters at Parramatta.

"For many, the program has proved confronting and has challenged many preconceived ideas about policing," Commissioner Scipione said.

"No-one pretends police are perfect. We are humans who receive rigorous training to perform a highly important role in our community.

"It's a very rewarding job but also difficult and testing.

"If the CAPP program results in providing people with a better understanding of what police do and why we do it - then it has succeeded.

"Judging by the feedback from course graduates, we are well on our way to achieving significant success."

Those taking part in CAPP 3 are: Layne Beachley (7-time ASP Women's World Champion); Hazem El-Masri (NRL legend); John Paul Young (pop icon); Nicola Cerrone (acclaimed jewellery designer); Karen Willis ( NSW Rape Crisis Centre); Prof Lucy Taska (Macquarie University); Dr John Best (Specialist in sports and exercise medicine); Michael Tynan (NRMA Board member); Pieta Thornton (founder Victims and Witnesses of Crime Court Support Inc); Jelena Josipovic (High School student); Saffron Howden (reporter, Sydney Morning Herald); Holly Kramer (senior executive, member of CEW governing council); Dr Gary Franks (GP and medical coordinator); Amy Dodd (university graduate whose sister Kate was killed in a motor vehicle accident ) Andy Kenyi (Sudanese youth worker, SydWest Multicultural Services; Greg Burgoyne (former ATO Chief Finance Officer now with NSW Police); Matt Doran (Reporter, Channel 10); Kevin Cavanagh (Leader, Deerubbin Aboriginal Lands Council); Morgan Andrews (Head of Security, Sydney University).