Police have put out the call to coaches and captains of Albury's sporting clubs, saying "we need you to help us make a change".
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Officers are called out daily to incidents involving drugs and alcohol, road safety, domestic violence and mental health, but Inspector Scott Russell said they are now working on a plan to help prevent the crimes from happening.
"We as police play a very reactive role in enforcement of those areas," he said.
"We thought it was a good idea to target people who could influence other people in the community."
The sporting club leaders have been invited to a "captain's call" workshop to be held next week, featuring presenters from Good Sports, Albury Council, headspace and police.
"Our initial target was the sporting groups and asking the captains and coaches to come together and start a conversation around those topics and go back to their clubs and spread the education," Inspector Russell said.
"We believe that the captains and the coaches of those clubs, people look up to them, they're role models in those clubs."
He said they will be asked to look out for any indication something is wrong with their teammates.
"We will give them information so they can be aware of some of the triggers that someone in their club may not be travelling as well as they appear," he said. "Our idea is to start the conversation to prevent behaviours and get these people some help before it's too late."
Our idea is to start the conversation to prevent behaviours and get these people some help before it's too late.
- Inspector Scott Russell
Next week's workshop will be the first step of the Murray River police prevention plan, but they have more ideas for the future.
Domestic violence liaison officer Senior Constable Debra Milnes was involved in planning the workshop and said some sporting clubs have already shown an interest.
"We're hoping that we're not going to deal with the end result, we always hope that we can provide that support with people as required," she said
"Even if we can help one person, then it's a success."
The "captain's call" workshop will be held at the Albury police station church on April 10 from 5.30pm.
To register interest, contact Inspector Russell on (02) 6023 9269 or russ1sco@police.nsw.gov.au, or Senior Constable Milnes on (02) 6023 9301 or miln2deb@police.nsw.gov.au.
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