'Adopted cops' go back to school

Seven Manawatu police officers have been "adopted" by Feilding's Hato Paora College in a scheme aiming 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.

"We thought that it would really help if we became more involved in the school community," said Senior Constable John Samuela, the Youth Aid officer who first introduced the scheme.

"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 adopted officers, some of them past students at the college, will regularly visit and get involved in sports, schools events and kapa haka.

"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," Mr Samuela said.

Rex Wheeler, principal of Manchester Street School which has already taken part in the scheme, said it had really helped his pupils get to know the police in a positive way.

"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 plans to expand the scheme to Feilding High School, which has 1300 students, later in the year or in early 2010.

- NZPA