Local police have connected with more than 550 Macedon Ranges school children at a clinic on May 17, aimed to break down barriers and strengthen community bonds through sport.
The program called Sports COPPS stands for choices, opportunities, partnerships, participation, to equal success and was held in Gisborne for children in grades 3 to 6.
Detective Sergeant Vince Manno founded the scheme in 2001 and said the initiative looks to help children build life skills through sport, while providing police role models.
“Generally what happens on the sporting field is replicated in real life,” Detective Sergeant Manno said.
“You need to work with people’s strengths and weaknesses [and] they need to be mentored, coached, and educated.
“[COPPS] is designed to introduce Victorian police as positive role models and mentors into the community.
“It’s important because we as [Victoria] Police members hold a unique position in society … I’m using that community platform to say to young people, let’s get together.”
Detective Sergeant Manno said the program demystifies and debunks some misconceptions about police and has reached more than 14,300 young people since it was founded.
“[The program] demystifies and debunks some of the misconceptions young people have about Victoria police [and] that their interaction may be negative,” he said.
“[COPPS does] this through the common passion of sport.”
“This passion for sport provides people longevity and provides so much joy to people, when they can play it and when they can’t.”
“Sports COPPS … [works] to foster a safer community, and the importance of healthy lifestyles. It also means heaps of fun for both kids and officers.”
Zoe Moffatt
