Policing in District 9750

Submitted by Katie Payton

During the last four weeks in Australia, Sydney, Campbelltown. Wollongong ( the Gong) and Sutherland (the Shire) I along with the team had the opportunity to attend so many agencies and meet personally the people who work in the Mental Health field.
During my first week in Sydney I attend Kings Cross Police commonly known as " The red light district". There I went on the beat with two of the local officers, and attended to several calls for Service. During conversation with some of the locals I was asked if I was a " Copper" and proudly displayed my Canadian Police Badge which gave me instant respect amongst the locals.
My next visit was to the Campbelltown Police where the team met with Inspector Brian Doyle. Inspector Doyle is still very active in his community and has great respect from his local people. Inspector Doyle makes it his practise to attend the community and communicate with the town people and this allows him to find out what is going on in the Community. Inspector Doyle is about gaining trust between the police and the people. Inspector Doyle is in the process of stepping down from his position as he is one of the candidates in the upcoming election.

While in " The Shire" I attended the Navel Base for police training in Mental Health Intervention. This course is a full 4 day course where approximately 40 New South wales officers from around the State along with a couple of Bobbies from London England to learn about Mental Health Intervention. These officers were a mix of Chief's. Inspectors, Sgt's, and Junior Constables. These officers once back at their own offices are the officers who respond to calls for Service involving a Mentally ill or mentally disturbed patient.

During one of our vocation days I was able to speak to Margaret and John Purcell who are both Chaplin's. After losing their son to suicide over 10 years ago and knowing the struggle they had,18 months ago they started their own company. Basically the company consists of Margaret and John Purcell who go out into the street on Thursday and Saturday nights to talk about mental health issues with the people on the streets. Since opening this service they have received three separate Government grants to assist them. Margaret and John told me their audience is between the ages of 13-16 year old kids. The Purcell's still feel there is a long , hard journey ahead for Mental Health Awareness and that Mental Health is not going to go away,but in fact there is be more and more people suffering from a Mental Health illness.

Even though we were across the map we all are struggling with the same issues when in comes to Mental Health. The goal for everyone is to ensure we can help people become healthy in Body mind and Spirit.

Canada were coming home!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!