St Peters Adopts a Cop - Welcome Sgt Dan O'Brien

Since their introduction to schools and other relevant organisations in 1985, the Adopt-A-Cop Program builds positive relationships between police and members of the school community. With over 950 Adopt-a-Cops performing duties in over 1,100 Queensland schools, the program is an intrinsic part of policing and reflects a greater emphasis on police partnerships with the community.

CASSIE TWEMLOW Communications & Marketing Officer At Junior High Assembly on Thursday 28 July, Sergeant Dan O’Brien, of the Indooroopilly Highway Patrol, was sworn in as St Peters very own ‘Adopt-A-Cop’. Adopt-a-Cops were introduced into school communities in 1985 and perform a rapport-building and educational role within the school through various functions like delivering classroom presentations in partnership with teachers; attending key school events, such as swimming carnivals and graduations and/or presentation nights; conducting informal 'drop in' visits, particularly during break times; and, attending meetings, such as Parents and Friends meetings. Adopt-a-PLOs (Police Liaison Officer) may also provide an additional role to promote cultural awareness and celebrate cultural diversity within the school community. Sergeant O’Brien has been a police officer for over 33 years, joining the Police Academy after graduating high school from St Laurence’s College. He has worked in the western suburbs area for the last six years. His commitment to the Adopt-A-Cop Program means Sergeant O’Brien builds positive relationships between police and members of the College community. Benefits that stem from adopting a cop include the enhanced safety and wellbeing of children through education; positive attitudes of children towards police and the community; the encouragement of lawabiding behaviour; increased community satisfaction with the Queensland Police Service (QPS); greater community support of the QPS; and, the professional development of police officers and PLOs. Since his ‘adoption’, Sergeant O’Brien has attended College events and spoken to students about various topics. At the commencement of Term 3, Year 11 English students started studying The Great Gatsby. An ideal segue on the themes of the book was to invite Sergeant O’Brien to Dr Gibson’s English class to speak to the students about organised crime. During the lesson, Sergeant O’Brien raised the history of organised crime and how, although it is generally thought of as a form of illegal business, some criminal organisations, like terrorist groups, are politically motivated. Sergeant O’Brien related how some criminal organisations force people to do business with them, such as when a gang extorts money from shopkeepers for ‘protection’. Linking the theme back to F Scott Fitzgerald’s most famous novel, Sergeant O’Brien specifically distinguished the Italian-based ‘mafia’ as a type of organised crime group that specialises in the supply of extra legal protection and were highly involved in the era of prohibition in the United States. After the student presentation, Sergeant O’Brien spoke to the class about life as a Police Officer in the QPS. Having been on ‘the force’ for over quarter of a century, Sergeant O’Brien has a wealth of knowledge and experience in different policing sectors.

Pictured (clockwise from top left): Sergeant Dan O'Brien; Sergeant O'Brien and Tim Kotzur with Dr Gibson's Year 11 English class; Sergeant Jose Sarmiento with Sergeant O'Brien and Tim Kotzur on 'Adoption Day'; speaking to Year 11 English; presenting to Year 10 girls on protective behaviour and consent.

“There’s a million things you can do [in the police]”, Sergeant O’Brien enthused. Wrapping up his student presentation Sergeant O’Brien encouraged students to apply for the Service particularly if they were interested in science studies describing jobs in forensics, photography and investigation. “You are never really off-duty”, Sergeant O’Brien told us. “Technically, 24/7, you're a police officer. And it also goes the other way”, he went on to say when explaining police officers can also be held accountable for their actions when not working or in uniform. Sergeant O’Brien is often called on to talk to Seniors about the fun and risks of Schoolies Week, and the harm and effects of drug use. He talks about his own experience as a parent of sons and the anxiety some kids suffer due to cyber-bullying, suicide, gender dysmorphia and general isolation and exclusion. Year 10 students—separated into boys and girls groups over two days—each received the same talk from Sergeant O'Brien around protective behaviours and consent. "If you're in a situation where you're scared, just go crazy. The adrenalin shot gives you extra strength. Don't be compliant; don't give up; don't be afraid. Fight back. Bite, scratch, kick...do what ever it takes," said Sergeant O'Brien. He also appealed the students to be vigilant when wearing headphones out in public saying that despite their convenience, they can be unsafe to use while walking, especially for children and students. Because headphones have a tendency to impair coordination and diminish the ability to perceive and hear, "being out in public with them in increases the likelihood of being approached by a motor vehicle or person," unbeknownst to the user. However, not all parts of ‘the job’ are serious or dangerous. “I’m also an Adopt-a-Cop at a local special needs College where, on sports day , I take a LIDAR [speed gun] and the kids have a great time checking their running speed”, Sergeant O’Brien said with a smile. If you would like more information on the Adopt-a-Cop program, please visit https://bit.ly/adoptacop