QPS leads the way at the 2016 Australian Crime and Violence Prevention Awards

A Queensland Police Service (QPS) initiative for the early intervention in ‘at risk’ youths’ lives, Project Booyah, has been lauded by Police Minister Mark Ryan for receiving a national award.

The award-winning program was honoured at the 2016 Australian Crime and Violence Prevention Awards (ACVPA).

In its 25^th year, the ACVPA continues to recognise and reward outstanding crime and violence prevention projects throughout Australia.

Minister Ryan was excited to visit some Project Booyah graduates in Townsville today.

“This program highlights the hard work of the QPS to help youths get on the straight and narrow,” he said.

“I thank and praise the police officers involved in helping make this a possibility because not everyone in these youths’ lives are of the same mindset.

“Project Booyah demonstrates the QPS commitment to ensuring that education is accessible to young Queenslanders and that youths can have the opportunity to actively participate in the community and economy.”

Project Booyah State Coordinator, Detective Senior Sergeant Ian Frame, said he was pleased such a positive program received national recognition at the awards.

“In our early intervention and education program we aim to help ‘at risk’ youths re-integrate into employment, re-engage with education and develop healthy life choices,” Detective Senior Sergeant Frame said.

“We are so pleased and humbled to have our wonderful project work be recognised on such a high level.”

Other successful QPS initiatives in the police-led category included Policing Indigenous Youth – Achieving through adversity, which received silver, and Beach Watch, which received bronze.

Commissioner Ian Stewart said Queensland had been highly successful in the awards thanks to the staff behind the programs.

“We can’t acknowledge the staff behind every one of these projects enough,” he said.

“They work tirelessly to help prevent crime as well as encourage safety and better behaviours throughout our State.”

The QPS was also significantly involved in two of the community-led project winners.

These included the Smart Start and Last Drinks Preloading and alcohol harm projects which was awarded silver and the Safer Schoolies Initiative which was awarded bronze.

For more information about award winners visit www.aic.gov.au/acvpa.

ENDS

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