Members of the Shepparton Police Station and the Sexual Offences and Child Abuse Investigation Team with representatives from the Independent Third Person program.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
Serve, protect, and reap the awards for doing so.
Hold tight - we’re checking permissions before loading more content
Shepparton Police Station and its Sexual Offences and Child Abuse Investigation Team (known as SOCIT) have been awarded the 2024 Public Advocate Award for Outstanding Police Service.
In the Independent Third Person Program Awards category, the Regional Police Station award went to Shepparton police and SOCIT, recognising their exemplary support towards individuals with disabilities throughout police interviews.
Independent Third Person volunteers Peter Findlay and Phame McCall nominated the station and unit, citing their exceptional service in ensuring that vulnerable individuals received fair treatment during the interview process.
ITPs play a crucial role by attending interviews with adults and young people with disabilities to guarantee they are not at a disadvantage.
Through the interview process, they are trained to support and assist the individual — whether an alleged offender, a victim or a witness.
Although the awards ceremony was held on December 3, 2024, coinciding with International Day of People with Disabilities, the Shepparton awards were presented at the local station on Tuesday, January 14, by ITP program manager Matthew Rasmussen, alongside ITPs Darryl Sloan and Mr Findlay.
First Constable Chelsea Williams accepted the award from Mr Findlay on behalf of the station.
“Shepparton police use the program really well,” Mr Findlay said.
“As soon as someone comes in that has either a learning or cognitive disability or an acquired brain injury, they will ring me, and within 10 to 15 minutes from that phone call, I get to the station.
“They treat the alleged offender with respect and the decency everybody deserves.
“It’s a busy station, but that never alters.”
Mr Findlay specifically commended First Constable Chelsea Williams and Sergeant Josh McCabe for consistently going “above and beyond” to support clients.
Acting Senior Sergeant Peter Warden described the relationship between the police and ITPs as “a two-way street”.
“The ITP program is an invaluable service that we, as police, could not operate without,” he said.
“I’d like to thank Pete, Phame and Darryl — we simply wouldn’t be able to do what we do if you weren’t here to help us.”
ITP Peter Findlay with Acting Senior Sergeant Peter Warden of the Shepparton police.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
As Ms McCall was absent, Mr Rasmussen presented the award to Detective Senior Constable Kelly Cruse, a member of Shepparton SOCIT.
He praised the team for its exceptional training and empathy, and for striving to make the interview process less daunting for its clients.
“We go into a lot of these interviews and see really good police practice, and for that, you are to be commended,” Mr Rasmussen said.
ITP Peter Findlay with Detective Senior Constable Kelly Cruse, a member of Shepparton SOCIT.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
Bestowing the awards was a point of personal pride for Mr Rasmussen, who called Shepparton police a “standout station” for their engagement with ITPs.
Last financial year, 404 interviews were conducted with ITP support in Shepparton, with 338 interviews already assisted this financial year as of Monday, January 13.
“Shepparton police acknowledge that there is a power imbalance,” he said.
“People with disability walking into any formal setting are often quite intimidated, and there is a tendency to be very agreeable.
“Historically, rates of conviction and sentencing were much higher for a person with disability than someone without.
“When people are brought into a police station, it’s probably going to be one of the worst days of their life, so it’s really important for them to have someone like Peter in their corner.
“We put a premium on our volunteers, and we hope to get more volunteers here so we can do even more.”
28°C