Police?.Partners?.Progress in Road Safety – The Central Coast Experience

Road safety has always been a priority for Gosford City and Wyong Shire Councils and the local Police. Over the past few years, the partnership between local government and the local Police has grown, particularly in the field of road safety. Road Safety Officers (RSOs) have strengthened their partnership with the local Police, to form a road safety team, which addresses all road safety issues on the Central Coast.

Experience and research shows that education can enhance the credibility of enforcement activity, by improving the understanding of its need and purpose. Enforcement initiatives and local government road safety initiatives focus on similar issues. These similar issues being speed, alcohol, seatbelts, and helmet wearing.

The Central Coast RSOs have adopted a consultative approach when collaborating with the local Police. This paper will explore some of the challenges that we have experienced in implementing and maintaining the commitment, from both local government and the Police (Highway Patrol).

We believe that the Central Coast has developed a model for strengthening partnerships. The key factor in strengthening this partnership, has been the support from Local Area Commands – Commanders (Brisbane Water and Tuggerah Lakes) and the North Metro Police Region. This has greatly benefited the day to day relationship between the Police Officers and the RSOs. Regular communication is another key factor in maintaining a successful working team environment, along with having a healthy respect for the other party?s work agenda and responsibilities, which may lie outside road safety.

This paper will demonstrate how effective communication between RSOs and the Police can produce a broad, well-rounded and successful road safety plan, with the plan then progressing to successful joint local road safety programs.

There is unlimited potential for a collaborative working team and this paper will report on the success that can be achieved when people with vision and initiative are empowered to do whatever it takes to make it happen.