❓ Opposition questions the Education Minister on the government's commitment to introducing school-based police officers, citing conflicting statements from the Minister for Police. The Education Minister clarifies the government's intention is not permanent placement but a police presence in school programs.
AnsweredQoN 492Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
SCHOOL-BASED POLICE OFFICERS
I refer to the minister’s answer in this house last week regarding her election promise on school-based police officers and her statement, “ We are attempting to meet this promise. ” (1) Has the government changed its stance since September 2009, when in correspondence to the member for West Swan, the Minister for Police stated, “I am advised that WA Police do not intend to reintroduce police officers into schools”? (2) Can the minister guarantee that she will meet this election promise and introduce school-based officers? (3) If the minister cannot guarantee that, why has she broken her election promise? (4) If the minister intends to meet her election promise, why is the Minister for Police unaware of her intention? Dr E. CONSTABLE
I refer to the minister’s answer in this house last week regarding her election promise on school-based police officers and her statement, “ We are attempting to meet this promise. ” (1) Has the government changed its stance since September 2009, when in correspondence to the member for West Swan, the Minister for Police stated, “I am advised that WA Police do not intend to reintroduce police officers into schools”? (2) Can the minister guarantee that she will meet this election promise and introduce school-based officers? (3) If the minister cannot guarantee that, why has she broken her election promise? (4) If the minister intends to meet her election promise, why is the Minister for Police unaware of her intention? Dr E. CONSTABLE
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the Leader of the Opposition for the question. (1)–(4) I understand that the letter that the Minister for Police wrote in September 2009 was referring to not placing police officers permanently in schools, but there is certainly a place to have a presence — Mr E.S. Ripper : He said, “I am advised that WA Police do not intend to reintroduce police officers into schools”. Dr E. CONSTABLE : My interpretation of that, and my understanding from the Minister for Police, is that the intention is not to permanently assign police officers to schools. However, there is certainly a place for police officers to be part of some school programs, and this was what the police and citizens youth centres trial at Gilmore College was about. I understand that the Commissioner of Police is very keen to see police officers, especially those who are part of the PCYC network, very much involved in working with young people to make sure that they avoid the juvenile justice system and to give them the opportunity to be mentored by police officers who have a great deal of experience working with young people. We are still working through that. As I said last week, the Minister for Police, the commissioner and I had a discussion about this only a couple of weeks ago, and we will continue to discuss it to find the best placement for police officers as part of school programs, especially for those disengaged young people who could benefit from that contact with police officers.
(1) Has the government changed its stance since September 2009, when in correspondence to the member for West Swan, the Minister for Police stated, “I am advised that WA Police do not intend to reintroduce police officers into schools”? (2) Can the minister guarantee that she will meet this election promise and introduce school-based officers? (3) If the minister cannot guarantee that, why has she broken her election promise? (4) If the minister intends to meet her election promise, why is the Minister for Police unaware of her intention? Dr E. CONSTABLE replied: I thank the Leader of the Opposition for the question. (1)–(4) I understand that the letter that the Minister for Police wrote in September 2009 was referring to not placing police officers permanently in schools, but there is certainly a place to have a presence — Mr E.S. Ripper : He said, “I am advised that WA Police do not intend to reintroduce police officers into schools”. Dr E. CONSTABLE : My interpretation of that, and my understanding from the Minister for Police, is that the intention is not to permanently assign police officers to schools. However, there is certainly a place for police officers to be part of some school programs, and this was what the police and citizens youth centres trial at Gilmore College was about. I understand that the Commissioner of Police is very keen to see police officers, especially those who are part of the PCYC network, very much involved in working with young people to make sure that they avoid the juvenile justice system and to give them the opportunity to be mentored by police officers who have a great deal of experience working with young people. We are still working through that. As I said last week, the Minister for Police, the commissioner and I had a discussion about this only a couple of weeks ago, and we will continue to discuss it to find the best placement for police officers as part of school programs, especially for those disengaged young people who could benefit from that contact with police officers.
(2) Can the minister guarantee that she will meet this election promise and introduce school-based officers? (3) If the minister cannot guarantee that, why has she broken her election promise? (4) If the minister intends to meet her election promise, why is the Minister for Police unaware of her intention? Dr E. CONSTABLE replied: I thank the Leader of the Opposition for the question. (1)–(4) I understand that the letter that the Minister for Police wrote in September 2009 was referring to not placing police officers permanently in schools, but there is certainly a place to have a presence — Mr E.S. Ripper : He said, “I am advised that WA Police do not intend to reintroduce police officers into schools”. Dr E. CONSTABLE : My interpretation of that, and my understanding from the Minister for Police, is that the intention is not to permanently assign police officers to schools. However, there is certainly a place for police officers to be part of some school programs, and this was what the police and citizens youth centres trial at Gilmore College was about. I understand that the Commissioner of Police is very keen to see police officers, especially those who are part of the PCYC network, very much involved in working with young people to make sure that they avoid the juvenile justice system and to give them the opportunity to be mentored by police officers who have a great deal of experience working with young people. We are still working through that. As I said last week, the Minister for Police, the commissioner and I had a discussion about this only a couple of weeks ago, and we will continue to discuss it to find the best placement for police officers as part of school programs, especially for those disengaged young people who could benefit from that contact with police officers.
(3) If the minister cannot guarantee that, why has she broken her election promise? (4) If the minister intends to meet her election promise, why is the Minister for Police unaware of her intention? Dr E. CONSTABLE replied: I thank the Leader of the Opposition for the question. (1)–(4) I understand that the letter that the Minister for Police wrote in September 2009 was referring to not placing police officers permanently in schools, but there is certainly a place to have a presence — Mr E.S. Ripper : He said, “I am advised that WA Police do not intend to reintroduce police officers into schools”. Dr E. CONSTABLE : My interpretation of that, and my understanding from the Minister for Police, is that the intention is not to permanently assign police officers to schools. However, there is certainly a place for police officers to be part of some school programs, and this was what the police and citizens youth centres trial at Gilmore College was about. I understand that the Commissioner of Police is very keen to see police officers, especially those who are part of the PCYC network, very much involved in working with young people to make sure that they avoid the juvenile justice system and to give them the opportunity to be mentored by police officers who have a great deal of experience working with young people. We are still working through that. As I said last week, the Minister for Police, the commissioner and I had a discussion about this only a couple of weeks ago, and we will continue to discuss it to find the best placement for police officers as part of school programs, especially for those disengaged young people who could benefit from that contact with police officers.
(4) If the minister intends to meet her election promise, why is the Minister for Police unaware of her intention? Dr E. CONSTABLE replied: I thank the Leader of the Opposition for the question. (1)–(4) I understand that the letter that the Minister for Police wrote in September 2009 was referring to not placing police officers permanently in schools, but there is certainly a place to have a presence — Mr E.S. Ripper : He said, “I am advised that WA Police do not intend to reintroduce police officers into schools”. Dr E. CONSTABLE : My interpretation of that, and my understanding from the Minister for Police, is that the intention is not to permanently assign police officers to schools. However, there is certainly a place for police officers to be part of some school programs, and this was what the police and citizens youth centres trial at Gilmore College was about. I understand that the Commissioner of Police is very keen to see police officers, especially those who are part of the PCYC network, very much involved in working with young people to make sure that they avoid the juvenile justice system and to give them the opportunity to be mentored by police officers who have a great deal of experience working with young people. We are still working through that. As I said last week, the Minister for Police, the commissioner and I had a discussion about this only a couple of weeks ago, and we will continue to discuss it to find the best placement for police officers as part of school programs, especially for those disengaged young people who could benefit from that contact with police officers.
Dr E. CONSTABLE replied: I thank the Leader of the Opposition for the question. (1)–(4) I understand that the letter that the Minister for Police wrote in September 2009 was referring to not placing police officers permanently in schools, but there is certainly a place to have a presence — Mr E.S. Ripper : He said, “I am advised that WA Police do not intend to reintroduce police officers into schools”. Dr E. CONSTABLE : My interpretation of that, and my understanding from the Minister for Police, is that the intention is not to permanently assign police officers to schools. However, there is certainly a place for police officers to be part of some school programs, and this was what the police and citizens youth centres trial at Gilmore College was about. I understand that the Commissioner of Police is very keen to see police officers, especially those who are part of the PCYC network, very much involved in working with young people to make sure that they avoid the juvenile justice system and to give them the opportunity to be mentored by police officers who have a great deal of experience working with young people. We are still working through that. As I said last week, the Minister for Police, the commissioner and I had a discussion about this only a couple of weeks ago, and we will continue to discuss it to find the best placement for police officers as part of school programs, especially for those disengaged young people who could benefit from that contact with police officers.
I thank the Leader of the Opposition for the question. (1)–(4) I understand that the letter that the Minister for Police wrote in September 2009 was referring to not placing police officers permanently in schools, but there is certainly a place to have a presence — Mr E.S. Ripper : He said, “I am advised that WA Police do not intend to reintroduce police officers into schools”. Dr E. CONSTABLE : My interpretation of that, and my understanding from the Minister for Police, is that the intention is not to permanently assign police officers to schools. However, there is certainly a place for police officers to be part of some school programs, and this was what the police and citizens youth centres trial at Gilmore College was about. I understand that the Commissioner of Police is very keen to see police officers, especially those who are part of the PCYC network, very much involved in working with young people to make sure that they avoid the juvenile justice system and to give them the opportunity to be mentored by police officers who have a great deal of experience working with young people. We are still working through that. As I said last week, the Minister for Police, the commissioner and I had a discussion about this only a couple of weeks ago, and we will continue to discuss it to find the best placement for police officers as part of school programs, especially for those disengaged young people who could benefit from that contact with police officers.
(1)–(4) I understand that the letter that the Minister for Police wrote in September 2009 was referring to not placing police officers permanently in schools, but there is certainly a place to have a presence — Mr E.S. Ripper : He said, “I am advised that WA Police do not intend to reintroduce police officers into schools”. Dr E. CONSTABLE : My interpretation of that, and my understanding from the Minister for Police, is that the intention is not to permanently assign police officers to schools. However, there is certainly a place for police officers to be part of some school programs, and this was what the police and citizens youth centres trial at Gilmore College was about. I understand that the Commissioner of Police is very keen to see police officers, especially those who are part of the PCYC network, very much involved in working with young people to make sure that they avoid the juvenile justice system and to give them the opportunity to be mentored by police officers who have a great deal of experience working with young people. We are still working through that. As I said last week, the Minister for Police, the commissioner and I had a discussion about this only a couple of weeks ago, and we will continue to discuss it to find the best placement for police officers as part of school programs, especially for those disengaged young people who could benefit from that contact with police officers.
Mr E.S. Ripper : He said, “I am advised that WA Police do not intend to reintroduce police officers into schools”. Dr E. CONSTABLE : My interpretation of that, and my understanding from the Minister for Police, is that the intention is not to permanently assign police officers to schools. However, there is certainly a place for police officers to be part of some school programs, and this was what the police and citizens youth centres trial at Gilmore College was about. I understand that the Commissioner of Police is very keen to see police officers, especially those who are part of the PCYC network, very much involved in working with young people to make sure that they avoid the juvenile justice system and to give them the opportunity to be mentored by police officers who have a great deal of experience working with young people. We are still working through that. As I said last week, the Minister for Police, the commissioner and I had a discussion about this only a couple of weeks ago, and we will continue to discuss it to find the best placement for police officers as part of school programs, especially for those disengaged young people who could benefit from that contact with police officers.
Dr E. CONSTABLE : My interpretation of that, and my understanding from the Minister for Police, is that the intention is not to permanently assign police officers to schools. However, there is certainly a place for police officers to be part of some school programs, and this was what the police and citizens youth centres trial at Gilmore College was about. I understand that the Commissioner of Police is very keen to see police officers, especially those who are part of the PCYC network, very much involved in working with young people to make sure that they avoid the juvenile justice system and to give them the opportunity to be mentored by police officers who have a great deal of experience working with young people. We are still working through that. As I said last week, the Minister for Police, the commissioner and I had a discussion about this only a couple of weeks ago, and we will continue to discuss it to find the best placement for police officers as part of school programs, especially for those disengaged young people who could benefit from that contact with police officers.
(1) Has the government changed its stance since September 2009, when in correspondence to the member for West Swan, the Minister for Police stated, “I am advised that WA Police do not intend to reintroduce police officers into schools”? (2) Can the minister guarantee that she will meet this election promise and introduce school-based officers? (3) If the minister cannot guarantee that, why has she broken her election promise? (4) If the minister intends to meet her election promise, why is the Minister for Police unaware of her intention? Dr E. CONSTABLE replied: I thank the Leader of the Opposition for the question. (1)–(4) I understand that the letter that the Minister for Police wrote in September 2009 was referring to not placing police officers permanently in schools, but there is certainly a place to have a presence — Mr E.S. Ripper : He said, “I am advised that WA Police do not intend to reintroduce police officers into schools”. Dr E. CONSTABLE : My interpretation of that, and my understanding from the Minister for Police, is that the intention is not to permanently assign police officers to schools. However, there is certainly a place for police officers to be part of some school programs, and this was what the police and citizens youth centres trial at Gilmore College was about. I understand that the Commissioner of Police is very keen to see police officers, especially those who are part of the PCYC network, very much involved in working with young people to make sure that they avoid the juvenile justice system and to give them the opportunity to be mentored by police officers who have a great deal of experience working with young people. We are still working through that. As I said last week, the Minister for Police, the commissioner and I had a discussion about this only a couple of weeks ago, and we will continue to discuss it to find the best placement for police officers as part of school programs, especially for those disengaged young people who could benefit from that contact with police officers.
(2) Can the minister guarantee that she will meet this election promise and introduce school-based officers? (3) If the minister cannot guarantee that, why has she broken her election promise? (4) If the minister intends to meet her election promise, why is the Minister for Police unaware of her intention? Dr E. CONSTABLE replied: I thank the Leader of the Opposition for the question. (1)–(4) I understand that the letter that the Minister for Police wrote in September 2009 was referring to not placing police officers permanently in schools, but there is certainly a place to have a presence — Mr E.S. Ripper : He said, “I am advised that WA Police do not intend to reintroduce police officers into schools”. Dr E. CONSTABLE : My interpretation of that, and my understanding from the Minister for Police, is that the intention is not to permanently assign police officers to schools. However, there is certainly a place for police officers to be part of some school programs, and this was what the police and citizens youth centres trial at Gilmore College was about. I understand that the Commissioner of Police is very keen to see police officers, especially those who are part of the PCYC network, very much involved in working with young people to make sure that they avoid the juvenile justice system and to give them the opportunity to be mentored by police officers who have a great deal of experience working with young people. We are still working through that. As I said last week, the Minister for Police, the commissioner and I had a discussion about this only a couple of weeks ago, and we will continue to discuss it to find the best placement for police officers as part of school programs, especially for those disengaged young people who could benefit from that contact with police officers.
(3) If the minister cannot guarantee that, why has she broken her election promise? (4) If the minister intends to meet her election promise, why is the Minister for Police unaware of her intention? Dr E. CONSTABLE replied: I thank the Leader of the Opposition for the question. (1)–(4) I understand that the letter that the Minister for Police wrote in September 2009 was referring to not placing police officers permanently in schools, but there is certainly a place to have a presence — Mr E.S. Ripper : He said, “I am advised that WA Police do not intend to reintroduce police officers into schools”. Dr E. CONSTABLE : My interpretation of that, and my understanding from the Minister for Police, is that the intention is not to permanently assign police officers to schools. However, there is certainly a place for police officers to be part of some school programs, and this was what the police and citizens youth centres trial at Gilmore College was about. I understand that the Commissioner of Police is very keen to see police officers, especially those who are part of the PCYC network, very much involved in working with young people to make sure that they avoid the juvenile justice system and to give them the opportunity to be mentored by police officers who have a great deal of experience working with young people. We are still working through that. As I said last week, the Minister for Police, the commissioner and I had a discussion about this only a couple of weeks ago, and we will continue to discuss it to find the best placement for police officers as part of school programs, especially for those disengaged young people who could benefit from that contact with police officers.
(4) If the minister intends to meet her election promise, why is the Minister for Police unaware of her intention? Dr E. CONSTABLE replied: I thank the Leader of the Opposition for the question. (1)–(4) I understand that the letter that the Minister for Police wrote in September 2009 was referring to not placing police officers permanently in schools, but there is certainly a place to have a presence — Mr E.S. Ripper : He said, “I am advised that WA Police do not intend to reintroduce police officers into schools”. Dr E. CONSTABLE : My interpretation of that, and my understanding from the Minister for Police, is that the intention is not to permanently assign police officers to schools. However, there is certainly a place for police officers to be part of some school programs, and this was what the police and citizens youth centres trial at Gilmore College was about. I understand that the Commissioner of Police is very keen to see police officers, especially those who are part of the PCYC network, very much involved in working with young people to make sure that they avoid the juvenile justice system and to give them the opportunity to be mentored by police officers who have a great deal of experience working with young people. We are still working through that. As I said last week, the Minister for Police, the commissioner and I had a discussion about this only a couple of weeks ago, and we will continue to discuss it to find the best placement for police officers as part of school programs, especially for those disengaged young people who could benefit from that contact with police officers.
Dr E. CONSTABLE replied: I thank the Leader of the Opposition for the question. (1)–(4) I understand that the letter that the Minister for Police wrote in September 2009 was referring to not placing police officers permanently in schools, but there is certainly a place to have a presence — Mr E.S. Ripper : He said, “I am advised that WA Police do not intend to reintroduce police officers into schools”. Dr E. CONSTABLE : My interpretation of that, and my understanding from the Minister for Police, is that the intention is not to permanently assign police officers to schools. However, there is certainly a place for police officers to be part of some school programs, and this was what the police and citizens youth centres trial at Gilmore College was about. I understand that the Commissioner of Police is very keen to see police officers, especially those who are part of the PCYC network, very much involved in working with young people to make sure that they avoid the juvenile justice system and to give them the opportunity to be mentored by police officers who have a great deal of experience working with young people. We are still working through that. As I said last week, the Minister for Police, the commissioner and I had a discussion about this only a couple of weeks ago, and we will continue to discuss it to find the best placement for police officers as part of school programs, especially for those disengaged young people who could benefit from that contact with police officers.
I thank the Leader of the Opposition for the question. (1)–(4) I understand that the letter that the Minister for Police wrote in September 2009 was referring to not placing police officers permanently in schools, but there is certainly a place to have a presence — Mr E.S. Ripper : He said, “I am advised that WA Police do not intend to reintroduce police officers into schools”. Dr E. CONSTABLE : My interpretation of that, and my understanding from the Minister for Police, is that the intention is not to permanently assign police officers to schools. However, there is certainly a place for police officers to be part of some school programs, and this was what the police and citizens youth centres trial at Gilmore College was about. I understand that the Commissioner of Police is very keen to see police officers, especially those who are part of the PCYC network, very much involved in working with young people to make sure that they avoid the juvenile justice system and to give them the opportunity to be mentored by police officers who have a great deal of experience working with young people. We are still working through that. As I said last week, the Minister for Police, the commissioner and I had a discussion about this only a couple of weeks ago, and we will continue to discuss it to find the best placement for police officers as part of school programs, especially for those disengaged young people who could benefit from that contact with police officers.
(1)–(4) I understand that the letter that the Minister for Police wrote in September 2009 was referring to not placing police officers permanently in schools, but there is certainly a place to have a presence — Mr E.S. Ripper : He said, “I am advised that WA Police do not intend to reintroduce police officers into schools”. Dr E. CONSTABLE : My interpretation of that, and my understanding from the Minister for Police, is that the intention is not to permanently assign police officers to schools. However, there is certainly a place for police officers to be part of some school programs, and this was what the police and citizens youth centres trial at Gilmore College was about. I understand that the Commissioner of Police is very keen to see police officers, especially those who are part of the PCYC network, very much involved in working with young people to make sure that they avoid the juvenile justice system and to give them the opportunity to be mentored by police officers who have a great deal of experience working with young people. We are still working through that. As I said last week, the Minister for Police, the commissioner and I had a discussion about this only a couple of weeks ago, and we will continue to discuss it to find the best placement for police officers as part of school programs, especially for those disengaged young people who could benefit from that contact with police officers.
Mr E.S. Ripper : He said, “I am advised that WA Police do not intend to reintroduce police officers into schools”. Dr E. CONSTABLE : My interpretation of that, and my understanding from the Minister for Police, is that the intention is not to permanently assign police officers to schools. However, there is certainly a place for police officers to be part of some school programs, and this was what the police and citizens youth centres trial at Gilmore College was about. I understand that the Commissioner of Police is very keen to see police officers, especially those who are part of the PCYC network, very much involved in working with young people to make sure that they avoid the juvenile justice system and to give them the opportunity to be mentored by police officers who have a great deal of experience working with young people. We are still working through that. As I said last week, the Minister for Police, the commissioner and I had a discussion about this only a couple of weeks ago, and we will continue to discuss it to find the best placement for police officers as part of school programs, especially for those disengaged young people who could benefit from that contact with police officers.
Dr E. CONSTABLE : My interpretation of that, and my understanding from the Minister for Police, is that the intention is not to permanently assign police officers to schools. However, there is certainly a place for police officers to be part of some school programs, and this was what the police and citizens youth centres trial at Gilmore College was about. I understand that the Commissioner of Police is very keen to see police officers, especially those who are part of the PCYC network, very much involved in working with young people to make sure that they avoid the juvenile justice system and to give them the opportunity to be mentored by police officers who have a great deal of experience working with young people. We are still working through that. As I said last week, the Minister for Police, the commissioner and I had a discussion about this only a couple of weeks ago, and we will continue to discuss it to find the best placement for police officers as part of school programs, especially for those disengaged young people who could benefit from that contact with police officers.
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