….to address the social issues of today we need to relate to youth for tomorrow
We the undersigned petition the Government of Victoria and the Victoria Police to re-introduce a Police in Schools Program and reinstate support for Blue Light Victoria.

Kelvin Glare   Chief Commissioner of Victoria Police        -Retired

William Horman   Commissioner Tasmania Police            -Retired

Noel Newnham Commissioner Queensland Police           -Retired

Ronald Anstee  Assistant Commissioner Victoria Police   -Retired

Ivan Ray Inspector Victoria Police Founder of Blue Light  -Retired

At a time when there is an ever increasing risk to the community through increased Juvenile Crime it is imperative that we focus on young children to promote good citizenship values before they engage in anti-social behaviour.
The Police in Schools initiative which operated from 1989 until 2005 was a valuable resource that in particular supported the Principals, Teachers and Parents at schools and provided a valuable role model for students. The early intervention with young people by Police in Schools Officers help redirect many young people from ending up in the Justice system.
The aims of the program were:
· To reduce the incidence of crime in society;
· To improve relationships between police and youth in the community;
· To give young people an understanding of the role of police in society; and
· To extend the concept of crime prevention into the Victorian school system.
It was expected that after participating in the program, children would be able to:
· Demonstrate the values, responsibilities and obligations current society deems to be
valuable;
· State the consequences of a person’s actions regarding unlawful behaviour;
· Demonstrate sufficient self-esteem and skill to say ’no’ to drug and substance abuse and
other antisocial behaviour;
· Engage in positive interactions and consultations with police; and
· State the basic role of police and the criminal justice system in Victoria.
Blue Light Victoria has been working with young people for 40 years and generations within families have attended Blue Light events. The support of Victoria Police has been withdrawn and the future looks very bleak for Blue Light.
Blue Light Discos are unique program that gives the opportunity for young people to socialise in an environment free from Alcohol, violence and drugs. Teaching our youth that alcohol, violence and drugs are not a necessary part of social interaction.
Little known is that Blue Light is also involved in a wide variety of Youth programs involving Police and youth and any profits from the ventures support community youth projects that may not receive funding.
To assist the Government and Victoria Police a document “The Blue Print” has been prepared by a number of retired executive Police as a plan to implement a new Police in Schools Program and to provide support for Blue Light Victoria.
If you care about the future for youth in Victoria as we do, please show your support for these measures by signing and distributing this petition...