Armed with the difficult task of ensuring community safety and attending domestic disturbances and other incidents during the late hours of the night, it is crucial that Central Desert Shire’s Night Patrol Officers are up to date with training across a range of areas.
Acting Coordinator of Council’s Night Patrol Unit, Patrick Torres, said officers use a passive approach to diffuse domestic violence situations and other disturbances.
With the Shire covering an area greater than 282,000 square kilometres in the Northern Territory, Night Patrol Officers are often called out to remote locations. As such, it is a Council policy that all new officers undertake a four wheel drive course, providing them with the skills to identify simple vehicle problems, such as a lack of water, and teaching them to inspect tyres, conduct oil checks, or get themselves out of a bog.
The hands on training also teaches them about vehicle rules to help keep them safe on the roads, as well as completing necessary paperwork.
Patrick Torres said that due to the violent situations Night Patrol Officers can be faced with, they regularly take part in first aid training and refresher courses.
“Not only does this allow officers to provide life saving support in extreme circumstances, but it also enables them to better care for vulnerable groups of people, such as older residents who may have had a fall. It is important for us to know how to treat them, or get them comfortable until medical assistance arrives.”
He said that while the officers are currently proactive in referring residents to relevant services, such as drug and alcohol support, a more in depth knowledge is required.
“Currently the officers have brochures and phone numbers available to them that they can pass on if a situation arises,” he said. “However, in the near future, we are looking to further train our staff on exactly what these services provide and the correct way to go about referring people to them.”
Patrick Torres said Council is also looking to organise a security course for the officers, to enable them to defend themselves safely if a situation takes a turn for the worse.
“Looking after our personal security is a key priority,” he said. “While we prefer not to get involved in violent situations at all, sometimes it is unavoidable.”
Central Desert uses a range of external training providers to deliver its various training courses, depending on its specific needs.
For further information contact Patrick Torres on
0448 768 505.
