We see a LOT pof press about all the things
police do to our wayward youth when they muck up and do stoopid things and fair play to the
police, they are just doing their job - what we pay them to do and work we expect them to carry out.
With that said - all the laws in the world, and all the punishments in the world, all the TV adverts, all the public education programs, don't on their own always solve the problem, but hopefully they help to reduce the problems.
One of the things I always thought was 'missing' was "positive reinforcement" from the
police - they don't as a rule pull you over and say "
well done for hanging back from the car in front in these wet conditions etc, they are always there when we do something daft and sometimes we even cop a fine - but wheres the positive reinforcement when people (specially the
young ones) do something right?
Well blow me down, I have to eat crow, and I wanted to say
well done to our local boys in blue.
Full credit where it is due!
My second eldest just finnished his 2 years probationary period, and is fuinally off the P plates and whatever restrictions (curfews etc) and he gets a letter in the mail from the
Police with his license renewal.
Well the leter congratulates him for zero demerits and no infractions at all during his entire 2 years probation period AND grants him one years FREE license renewal for such a good result (as a discount on renewing for 4 years or somesuch)!
Hows about that!
Now THAT is positive reinforcement for the
young ones - to continue to obey the rules, and be meticulous about their driving - all kids understand the power of money (
mine keep me perpetually broke so they must) and positive reqard for good performance is a message that will quickly spread amongst their peers and hopefully help to promote good behaviour!
It's so refreshing to see positive reinforcement used, (along with apppropriate punshments like the stiff hooning penaltys) for or youth, - it shows even handedness by the authorities and will go a LONG way topward promoting their image with responsible youth.
Sure there are some kids with only double digit IQ's that we may never reach - but at least this is something being done in a positive not negative way by our
police to try and show the kids that they arent all bad guys.
You could have knockled me over with a feather!
Well done, boys in blue - It went a LONG way towards almost restoring my faith in humanity!
Cheers