“The relational advantages for Police are incalculable”
— CONSTABLE CAMERON ELLIS, YOUTH SERVICES, HUTT VALLEY - NZ POLICE
My name is Cameron Ellis I am a Constable with the Hutt Valley Police, I work in the Youth Services area focusing on those aged under 18 who have come to the attention of Police.
I have worked in the Youth Services and Community sector of the Police since 2011, working throughout the Hutt Valley.
In early 2012 I engaged alongside the Naenae Boxing Academy (NBA) through boxing programmes with low-achieving and troubled year 9 boys from Naenae College. The programme was well set out and focused on promoting the development of the boys with the boxing being a conduit of engagement. I followed alongside this group of boys from year 9 through to year 13 while I was working in Naenae. The engagement for Police that was gained was immeasurable for my work. These boys were statistically almost guaranteed to come to Police attention due to poverty, deprivation, gang families, drug and alcohol, criminal parents etc. This particular group was no different and most of them ended up coming to Police attention for criminal offending. The difference was that due to the collaboration between NBA, the school and Police I was already afforded relational points with the young people and their families. The pre-existing trust meant I was able to work far more cohesively alongside the families. NONE of these boys ended up in the Youth Court. This improved their lives significantly, though most didn't know it. Should they have ended up in the Youth Court it would have been yet another statistic to tag onto them for which a negative outcome is expected. None of these relational aspects would have been gained without the initial engagement through NBA.
More recently the Hutt Valley Police have been invited to engage in partnership projects with NBA alongside Vibe, Capital Training and Alternative Education providers (Hutt Valley Activity Centre, Lyriks Sports Academy). Each of these facilities focus on aiding the improvement of education for low academic achievers. Again these people are often known to Police due to negative behaviours. The programmes initiated by the NBA created a co-ordinated approach. They encourage a holistic arrangement with numerous agencies to assist the well-being of the participants. Again, the relational advantages for Police are incalculable.
Since 2017 NBA has also been open to taking referrals directly from Police for young people who have been identified breaking the law. The NBA already has a substantial waiting list for registered members however there has never been a second thought around finding a spot for these young people who are at a higher risk of becoming a negative statistic. The NBA has been fantastic in this aspect and has always made it clear to Police to not let the financial side of things be an obstacle for referral. The engagement with the young people and the NBA is an essential aspect in the development of the young people in keeping them away from offending behaviours.
There are many immeasurable factors that the NBA is having to assist in reducing the youth offending rates in the Hutt Valley. It is reducing truancy, creates positive interactions for Police and other agencies, teaching students numerous life skills and offering them role models who can walk alongside them through their young journeys.