Our specialist officers
The specialist officers in NSW Police Force who deal with alcohol related crime and associated issues are the Licensing Officers. These officers have specialist skills and knowledge concerning the proper conduct of licensed venues and clubs, the sale and supply of alcohol, alcohol harm reduction, and alcohol related crime and safety. You may want to contact your Local Area Command Youth Liaison Officer (YLO) if you have concerns or questions about young people and alcohol.
If you have an interest in personal or community safety, you can contact your Local Area Command Crime Prevention Officer (CPO).
For information on how to contact the Licensing Officer in your Local Area Command, go to: www.police.nsw.gov.au/lac
Projects involving Police and the community
NSW Police Force officers are involved in a number of effective, innovative (and, in some cases, award-winning) programs to reduce alcohol-related harm and crime in our communities. Some of these programs are listed below: For further information about these programs, contact the Licensing Officer at the appropriate Local Area Command. LAC contact details are located at: www.police.nsw.gov.au/lac
ALBURY STRAWS (Safer Times Round Albury and Wodonga for Women).
The STRAWS program encourages the voluntary participation of licensed premises in a safety audit. The audit assesses women's safety and security within and around licensed venues, through an appraisal of the physical environment, as well as staff and management attitudes. The audits are assessed using the Safety Audit Assessment Scale, with prizes awarded to safe venues by the project team and the public. The Club and Pub awarded first place can display and advertise that they have been chosen as the safest venue in Albury Wodonga for that year.
ALCOHOL ACCORDS
See information about Accords on this website.
NORTHERN RIVERS AREA HEALTH DRINKCHECK PROGRAM
Operation Drinksafe
This joint Police and Health initiative consists of a personalised alcohol-risk health assessment and a breath analysis in a registered pub or club. The program is designed to promote responsible drinking behaviour by patrons, to increase understanding of the relationship of alcohol to blood alcohol concentration and to increase knowledge of hazardous and harmful misuse of alcohol.
For more information go to: www.nrahs.nsw.gov.au/population/promotion/alcohol/
HAWKESBURY DESIGNATED DRIVER PROGRAM
The Hawkesbury Road Safety Forum developed this initiative. The project's aim is to reduce alcohol-related road trauma in the Hawkesbury area. The project provides for patrons in licensed premises to register as the non-drinking driver for the evening. That patron receives a wristband that identifies them as the designated driver, after which they can receive free non-alcoholic drinks at all licensed premises participating in the scheme.
HAWKESBURY BALANCING RESPONSIBLE DRIVING WITH GOOD TIMES
The project involved the creation and distribution of a 'free party pack' which provides information and advice on standard drinks measures, health risks related to alcohol misuse, legal responsibility of party hosts and parents, recipes for non alcoholic drinks ("mocktails"), how to respond in an emergency, penalties for an over the limit driver and a Designated Driver Program.
PENRITH SPIKED DRINKS PROJECT
This was an extensive patron and licensed premises education and awareness campaign regarding the issue of drink spiking. The management as well as the bar, floor and security staff of licensed venues were educated and trained in identifying the crime, and responding to victims and offenders. Patrons were educated in being vigilant about drink spiking and how to maintain their personal safety and that of their friends.
SHOALHAVEN STAND FOR WOMEN (SAFER TIMES AROUND NOWRA DISTRICT FOR WOMEN)
The objective of this program is to make licensed premises safer for women, and to also make them a safer place for women to leave during the night. See the STRAWS program listed above.
WAGGA WAGGA DRINK LINK PROJECT
The key approach of the Wagga Wagga Drink Link Program centres on a vested interest in improving the community and liquor industry response to alcohol-related issues in Wagga Wagga and a willingness to work together to fix the problems. The four-phased program involves development of a 'cooperative approach' to community issues surrounding alcohol-related crime.
WOLLONGONG ARE YOU RESPONSIBLE?
This campaign was designed to educate adult members of the community about their responsibilities in relation to underage drinking. The campaign has been designed as a tool to encourage adults to think about their level of responsibility when they supply young people with alcohol.
Looking after our young people
Many NSW Police Force programs for young people focus on education and aim to help young people develop skills for making choices and decisions about their behaviour. For more information about these programs contact either the Youth Liaison Officer or the Licensing Officer at the appropriate Local Area Command www.police.nsw.gov.au/lac
BRISBANE WATERS SUPPLY MEANS SUPPLY PROGRAM
This campaign is designed to assist teachers in raising awareness amongst students of the issue of the secondary supply of alcohol. The resource investigates various scenarios where adults are depicted supplying alcohol to people younger than 18. Each of the scenarios is accompanied by a description by Licensing Police of the various offences committed and the consequent penalties. The material provides a powerful discussion point on issues associated with alcohol and young people.
SUTHERLAND YOUR CHOICE
The project was initially targeted at under-age drinkers in Alcohol Free Zones and Public Parks. Rather than continuing to issue Infringement Notices ($110) under the Local Government Act, Police issue an invitation for the young person and their parents to attend an educational session. This very popular program has been adopted in a number of other police Local Area Commands.
WOLLONGONG BINGE DRINKING PROGRAM
A harm minimisation strategy designed to reduce the harm caused to young people when consuming alcohol. The program addresses the legal, social and health risks associated with youth drinking.
PCYC PROGRAMS
Individual Police and Community Youth Clubs run various programs to assist young people who may be at risk of harm from alcohol and drug use, or who have already come to police attention because of their alcohol and/or drug use. For information about these programs contact the specific PCYC at: www.pcycnsw.org.
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