Snr Constable Nick Parisi
. At the camps 25 young people learn the role of police, bike safety, teamwork, and the importance of respect. Working with young people also helps the relationship of police with their parents, who may previously have had a negative view of police.
Nick spoke of the recent North Melbourne lockdown. This was an unprecedented situation with no previous experience to fall back on. Many young people stepped up to help. It was the most intense 14 days of his career. There was anger at first but in the end the police were appreciated. A large number of police were involved in the lockdown with members coming from as far away as Morwell and Bendigo.
Nick commented that there is far greater psychological support for police officers these days, and not just after witnessing traumatic incidences. Police work can make it hard to switch off.