As part of Queensland Police’s Adopt-a-Cop program, Brookfield and Kenmore State Schools welcomed new cops into their schools to help build positive relationships between police and members of the school community.
Brookfield State School formally adopted Acting Senior Constable Vince Gaudiello as their new Adopt-a-Cop on Wednesday, 20 June 2018.
Kenmore State School adopted Senior Constable Helen Loader as their Adopt-a-Cop on Thursday, 21 June 2018.
Community Partnerships
First implemented in 1985, the Adopt-a-Cop program aims to foster positive relationships between police and members of the school community through the voluntary appointment of Adopt-a-Cops to schools and other relevant organisations.
As an integral part of policing, the program focuses on police partnerships within the community.
Adopt-a-Cops are usually appointed to primary and secondary schools as they perform rapport-building and educational role within the school, however, they may also be appointed to special schools, early childhood centres, and community groups.
Benefits to the Community
Through the program the police hopes to achieve the following:
- Enhancing the safety and well-being of children through education
- Develop positive attitudes of children towards police and the community
- Encourage law-abiding behaviour
- Increase community satisfaction with the QPS
- Provide greater community support of the QPS
- Promote professional development of police officers and Police Liaison Officers
Adopt-a-Cop is different from the School-Based Policing Program which involves the full-time appointment of police within 50 Queensland secondary schools.