Top of page
Misc

Police awarded for work with persons with disabilities

police officers walking

Two police officers and the Victoria Police Soccer Club have been awarded by the Office of the Public Advocate for their work with people with disabilities.

The awards recognise outstanding police service to people with disability through either improving outcomes or delivering a service that is inclusive and responsive.

The winner of the Ben Bodna Award for Leadership, Acting Senior Sergeant Melanie Castles-McKeown, was inspired to become involved in the Law Enforcement Torch Run supporting sports for people with disability by seeing how sport helped her sister, Alannah, who has Down Syndrome.

Sergeant Barry Randall won an award for Outstanding Service to People with Disability for founding and running Operation Soul Surf, a surf therapy program for current and former first responders and veterans, many of whom have severe post-traumatic stress disorder.

The Victoria Police Soccer Club won an award for Outstanding Service to People with Disability for offering sporting opportunities to many groups of people with disability, including practice matches with Special Olympics participants.

Frankston and Bairnsdale Police Stations each won awards for their commitment to the Independent Third Person (ITP) Program, where a volunteer attends a police interview to help a person with an intellectual disability to understand and take part in the process.

Frankston station called for an Independent Third Person 71 times last year, while Bairnsdale’s use of ITP volunteers rose 60 per cent.

The OPA Awards will be presented at 10am today at the Victoria Police Centre.

“My sister was the conduit for getting involved but I have stayed because I can see the difference it makes to all the athletes. I have watched athletes going in shy and not wanting to be seen because they are used to hiding away, and when they are cheered and clapped, their heads come up and their shoulders go back. You do it for that moment. It’s like they are seen for the first time.” Said Acting Senior Sergeant Melanie Castles-McKeown of the Law Enforcement Torch Run.

“Our surf program also caters for physical disabilities. One of our veterans was injured badly 12 months into his Army career and had been in a wheelchair for the previous six years. Eventually he was fitted with a battery pack that was wired through his spinal cord to his brain, providing pain relief and the ability to walk a little at a time. He joined our surf program and now we have him in the ocean, up and standing on a surfboard and catching waves on his own.” said Sergeant Barry Randall of Operation Soul Surf.

“Victoria Police Soccer Club’s association with Doveton Special Soccer School began 19 years ago, when their coach, Carlos Loyola, requested a practice match. They won this inaugural match, and we are happy to say they have won every single annual game since. Each year, Victoria Police Soccer Club are now also involved with matches and social events with Frankston All-Abilities, All-Abilities Soccer Academy and Victorian Special Olympics squad. These are not only fun events, but also humanise police members, breaking down barriers for many people with a disability, who might have been fearful of police in the past.” said Senior Sergeant Ronald Sinclair, secretary of the Police Soccer Club.

You might also like

person taking picture with DSC-HX99 RNV Kit person taking picture with DSC-HX99 RNV Kit

Sony launches point-and-shoot camera for people with vision disabilities

Sony Electronics launches the DSC-HX99RNV kit, a new retinal projection…

A woman in a wheelchair on a point view admires the high mountains A woman in a wheelchair on a point view admires the high mountains

UN expert urges ‘new philosophy’ to help persons with disabilities

In his latest report to the Council, the UN Special Rapporteur on…

girl in a wheelchair being cared for by a carer in a specially adapted bathroom girl in a wheelchair being cared for by a carer in a specially adapted bathroom

Croatia supports persons with disabilities, children and youth with community care

The Ministry of Labor, Pension System, Family and Social Policy…

Disabled child in a wheelchair on a city street with family Disabled child in a wheelchair on a city street with family

Extra funding to improve the lives of persons with disabilities

A second round of funding has been announced for innovative…