Located at the topmost part of the Northern Territory, West Arnhem Shire Council is providing its Community Safety Officers (Night Patrol) with an opportunity to obtain a Certificate II in Community Services.
Nineteen officers from the three communities of Warruwi, Minjilang and Gunbalanya recently completed the first five day block of training. They have a further two blocks of training to complete the Certificate II.
The course is expected to finish in time for a graduation ceremony for successful candidates in June.
Council’s Community Safety Coordinator James Pilkington said, demonstrating the local community’s commitment to the program, three generations of officers participated in the recent training session at Warruwi.
“We have got older people and parents, and now younger people are stepping up to follow in their parents’ and grandparents’ footsteps and particpate in the training,” he said.
The training, along with the provision of new uniforms and equipment, aims to have the officers become more professional in their important work in keeping their communities safe.
Respect from the community is vital for the officers to be able to carry out their work effectively and keep the people of West Arnhem Shire safe. As such, the training further develops the West Arnhem Shire Council Night Patrol program.
“Participation in this program is a great way for Community Safety Officers to gain formal recognition for the fantastic work they do in their communities, and for the West Arnhem region as a whole,” James Pilkington said.
“All of our officers have enthusiastically joined in the training and are looking forward to celebrating their graduation in June.”
