Local police have teamed up with Avonvale Primary School and organisation Fair Game Australia to break down some perceived barriers in the community.
Fair Game Australia is a not-for-profit that aims to reduce the risk of lifestyle related disease in regional areas, by increasing wellness through the provision of recycled sporting equipment, fitness and education.
Northam Police senior sergeant Geoff Dickson, Avonvale principal Steve Matthews, 30 schoolchildren and a handful of police officers joined forces on Saturday to take part in the program.
Sgt Dickson said WA police is keen to support the program in regional WA. “In particular in some of our towns where kids might not have access to sporting equipment,” he said.
The team utilised the undercover area, playing basketball, football and other activites. “It was a wonderful opportunity to be in the community in a non policing sense – so the kids aren't seeing cops in their typical policing roles,” said Sgt Dickson. Students were able to see inside a police car, sitting in the driver's seat and using the siren.
Fair Game volunteer Emily Higham said it was “lovely to see”. “The students were a well behaved and pleasant bunch of kids,” she said.
She said the group also discussed nutrition and hygiene. Sgt Dickson said he is hoping to get other schools involved in the program.