Cop this to fight racism

GLENORCHY’S Surjen Magar has wanted to be a police officer since he was a child.

Mr Magar was one of 15 TasTAFE students from diverse backgrounds who spent a day at the Tasmania Police Academy this week to learn what it’s like to be a police recruit.

“I was really excited to do it,” he said.

“I want to serve for the country … hopefully one day I’ll be able to join here and become a police officer.

“I [would] feel so proud to be a police officer.”

Te Ka Myee Paw, of Glenorchy, said although she had no plans to become a police officer, the experience was a great opportunity for young people who had come to Tasmania as migrants or refugees.

“I’ve learnt a lot,” Ms Paw said. “I don’t want to be a police officer but this opportunity is a great chance to come and have a look.”

Tasmania Police Commander Robert Blackwood said the students from the Students Against Racism program had also taught officers about working with diverse communities and people from countries where police are feared.

“A lot of them have talked to us today about their fears of police and even when they see us here in Tasmania they have that in-built fear of police, so what today’s been about is trying to break down some of those fears,” Commander Blackwood said. He said Tasmania Police was working to break down barriers and encourage people from diverse backgrounds to consider a policing career.

Commander Pearce said the day’s activities were “about dispelling some fears about police they may have from previous countries that they’ve come from, explaining the career paths that we have in Tasmania Police, and identifying pathways for them to join the organisation”. loretta.lohberger@news.com.au