POLICE will this week launch an early intervention program to help steer disengaged and at-risk Morisset children away from trouble.
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Ten students from years 7 and 8 will each be paired with a police officer for hour-long boxing fitness classes before school on Tuesdays.
Lake Macquarie police commander Superintendent Danny Sullivan will be among the officers taking part.
The initiative is part of the RISEUP scheme, developed personally by NSW Police Commissioner Mick Fuller in partnership with Police Citizen Youth Clubs and businesses.
RISEUP is co-ordinated locally by Senior Constable Ha Son.
“RISEUP comprises eight programs, and we’re hosting the entry-level program here at PCYC Morisset which is called Fit for Life,” Senior Constable Son said.
Police officers from Lake Macquarie Police District and the Transit Police, based in Morisset, will take part.
“The sessions start at 7am and I’ll be going to pick up each of the kids [in the PCYC bus] and drop them back here at the club,” Senior Constable Son said.
“They’ll get paired up with police – that’s one student with one police officer – and they’ll do the boxing fitness workout led by a trainer.
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“The police officer and the kids will guide and encourage each other through the workout and, hopefully, build a rapport.
“Afterwards, we’ll feed the kids breakfast here, and then after a shower I’ll take them to school.”
At the Fit for Life level, the RISEUP program aimed to help students make healthier lifestyle choices and to form genuine partnerships with police.
“At the moment, some of these kids are making bad choices, like getting into fights just because somebody calls them a name,” Senior Constable Son said.
“The biggest thing is to build rapport with police, but we also want to give them some guidance, confidence and support.”
Once students graduated from the program, police would maintain their connection with the children, he said.
“The kids will still keep in touch with their police officer, and police will also come to the school to check up on them.”