Tasmania Police Visit

Tasmania Police Visit

Christchurch Hospital’s children’s ward was on its best behaviour when some Australian police officers, in Christchurch to assist with earthquake recovery, visited last week.

A contingent of 11 officers from Tasmania have been in Christchurch and made a trip to the children’s ward before flying out last week.

Inspector Kim Steven says the officers made the visit in the hope it might lift the spirits of the children as well as parents and staff who have all been through so much since the earthquake.

Christchurch Hospital Children’s Ward Play Specialist Dorothy Lavelle says the children and staff appreciated the visit and enjoyed getting their photos taken with the officers.

“It’s very nice of the officers to take the time to stop by as it really does give the children and their families a boost,” Dorothy says.

Kim says the officers have been involved in assisting Christchurch police in reassurance patrols, which have included visiting the hardest hit areas and talking to people at their homes, work places, schools.

“Basically the patrols have involved visiting anywhere where people are, and just seeing how they are coping and providing any assistance we can,” Kim says.

“We have continually been thanked for being here by people as they have found the extra police from all over Australia being visible on the streets as helping in their healing process."

“None of us were prepared for the amount of devastation we saw when we arrived but have been continually amazed by the resilience of the Christchurch people.”

The officers also attended the March 18 Memorial Service and found it an enormously moving event, he says.

“We now have a connection with Christchurch which will see most of us coming back to visit in coming years. Some of us will be attending the Emergency Services Games, which are planned for Christchurch early next year; we hope they will still proceed.”

ENDS

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