A
Kiwi In the Vale
A police sergeant from the New Zealand Police
has been breaking new ground this month as part of a pioneering exchange
between the force and South Wales Police.
Sgt
Samantha Morley has arrived in the South Wales to complete and exchange
which began between the two forces in 2006 when Pc Emma Mudie, a Schools
Liaison officer form the Vale of Glamorgan spent time with her opposite
numbers in New Zealand after winning the Shrievalty Cup.
PC Mudie has learned that the Youth Education Service run and delivered
by the New Zealand Police was very similar to the All Wales Core Programme
which delivers lessons to all school age children on topics which include
personal safety, drug and alcohol awareness, cultural diversity and social
behaviour.
The Youth Education Service has an outstanding reputation in New Zealand
and PC Mudie was able to bring many ideas back to Wales. However, the
interest was not one sided and discussions soon started on arranging a
return visit. While the All Wales Core Programme has only been operating
for five years, the innovative and flexible nature of the sessions, making
use of IT and excellent resources supported and funded by the Welsh Assembly
Government has raised considerable interest in New Zealand.
Sgt Morley is stationed in Waitemata Police District in Auckland on New
Zealand’s North Island. She is responsible for a team of 11 Schools
Liaison Officers. During her month long visit she will meet key players
involved in youth education, neighbourhood Policing teams and other South
Wales Police departments.
To celebrate her visit, Much Junior School in Dinas Powys hosted an International
Day where each classroom was transformed into a different country from
around the world, with the pupils researching and then visiting each country
exploring the basic language, cuisine and culture.
PC Mudie said: 'Sgt Morley’s visit has been made possible as a result
of the support of a number of primary schools in the Vale of Glamorgan.
We are all very grateful to Murch Junior School, Evenlode, Fairfield and
Victoria Primary Schools, Dinas Powys Infants and Westbourne College.
Dinas Powys Community Council has also supported this exchange.
'Without the support and sponsorship of these schools this exchange would
not have been possible. All the school pupils we have met so far have
been very interested in finding out what life is like in New Zealand.'
Sgt Morley said: 'In general there are a large number of similarities
between the approach of the two forces to liaising with schools and pupils.
However, the Welsh programme is more IT based with a wider breadth of
contact with pupils.
'In New Zealand we place considerable emphasis on road safety including
cycle and driver safety – you can start learning to drive at 15 years
old. In Wales there is more information available on violence, crime and
drug education.
'I am very grateful to have had this opportunity and it is wonderful to
see at first hand the excellent results the Welsh Programme is achieving
in what is quite a short space of time. It can only go from strength to
strength.
'The youth programmes are a valuable resource located at the heart of
the community with a positive impact at an early stage. One police education
officer can meet up to 10,000 people face to face leaving a positive and
lasting impression.'
Caption: PC Emma Mudie of the Vale of Glamorgan police and Sgt Sam Morley
of New Zealand Police show pupils from Murch Road School, Dinas Powys
how far apart Wales and New Zealand are on the globe.
