POSITIVE POLICING: Local Area Commander Superintendent Joe Cassar and customer service duty officer for Shoalhaven Local Area Command Inspector Steven Johnson encourage the community to compliment a cop.
EVERYONE likes to receive a compliment and Shoalhaven police officers are no different.
A program launched in Nowra on Tuesday will use compliments to help the Shoalhaven Local Area Command determine how it is tracking from a customer service point of view.
Compliment a Cop encourages members of the community to contact the command if they have a positive interaction with an officer and wish to offer a compliment.
Local Area Commander Superintendent Joe Cassar hoped people who had a positive experience with police would convey that feedback.
“The boys and girls in blue come to work not knowing what the day has in store for them, or not knowing if they will make it home, that is the reality,” he said.
“Yes it is a career these people have chosen and they are paid to do it but it doesn’t take much effort to offer some praise for a job well done.
“In saying that I don’t want to discourage people piping up and talking about bad experiences either, this is about gauging our service to the community,” Supt Cassar said.
Each month the compliments will be tallied and one officer will be recognised for their efforts.
That officer will be acknowledged by the superintendent and they will have an official and permanent notation made on their service record. They will also receive a gift voucher.
“To the police this isn’t about the voucher or even the notation on their record, it is about being acknowledged by their community,” Supt Cassar said.
Customer service duty officer for Shoalhaven Local Area Command, Inspector Steven Johnson said the program would encourage the delivery of exceptional service through recognition in the community.
“We want to provide the customer service experience expected by victims of crime, as well as witnesses, people we meet in the community and our colleagues,” Insp Johnson said.
“All community interactions are a reflection of the NSW Police Force and our capabilities to serve and protect, so it is important to know how we are perceived.
“The Compliment a Cop program is designed to attract complimentary feedback, which will allow us to reinforce the behaviours that have impressed our customers.
“By measuring our customer service delivery with the expectations of our community, and by providing high levels of customer service, we can increase public confidence and support for our work of reducing violence, crime and fear,” Insp Johnson said.
To compliment a cop in writing, letters should be addressed to the Local Area Commander, Nowra Police Station, 88 Plunkett Street, Nowra, NSW 2451; or by phone on the Customer Assistance Unit – 1800 622 571; via email to customerassistance@police.nsw.gov.au; online at www.police.nsw.gov.au/contact_us and select Customer Assistance Unit or on Facebook through www.facebook.com/ShoalhavenLAC.
