MOUNT Isa’s front line officers refer local services to people they think might need it, while out on the field.
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The referrals are not just for people charged with crimes but for victims and other members of the community, says Mount Isa District’s police referrals coordinator Sergeant Kylie Lewis.
She said officers were encouraged to repeat these referral offers later even if clients declined them.
”I reinforce to officers the importance of continually offering,” Sergeant Lewis said. “It’s often the case we get to ask them more than once if they need help. We are finding if we keep offering they say yes.”
The referral service began more than six months ago in Mount Isa. Referred services including Centacare, ATODS, the Standby Suicide Response Service and YPA were acknowledged for their collaboration with the Queensland Police Service on Wednesday.
Mount Isa District Superintendent Kev Guteridge said he considered every crime committed and an arrest as a “personal failure.” Preemptive support was important.