Police Scouts
Police Scouts is an organisation that provides opportunities for young people from 11 to 18, to participate in challenging and rewarding activities that promote self-esteem, teamwork and respect within a safe environment.
Police Scouts fosters positive relationships between young people and police. The success of the Police Scouts relies on the dedication of volunteers who provide a range of services such as leaders, guest speakers and drivers.
The concept of a police-focussed youth group was raised in 1999, in an effort to promote knowledge of crime prevention and police practices within the youth community of Canberra. Since the ACT already had a successful scout network, it was agreed that combining the resources of the two organisations would provide the best outcome for those involved. The aim of the new Police Scouts Group was to attract young people who, for various reasons, were not currently members of the Scout Association.
The Police Scouts operates within the existing Scout Association framework, undertaking the same award scheme work as the general scouting population. The difference is that as an additional area of interest they focus on crime prevention and police awareness, much as Sea Scouts focus on water activities and Air Scouts focus on flying and aviation.
For more information, see the ACT Police Scouts website.