PCYC to get administrator

Umina PCYC is to have a civilian employed to take over administration of the club, freeing up police at the club for more crime prevention work with local youths.

The appointment is part of $3.26 million to be spent on PCYCs, announced by Minister for Police Mr John Watkins on June 26.

Mr Watkins said the funding meant civilians would be employed to take over administration and management of the state's 57 Police and Community Youth Clubs.

"This funding injection will release 100 police officers from time-consuming bookwork and administration duties, so they can invest all their time and effort helping young people," Mr Watkins said.

"They'll deliver more programs tailored to reducing juvenile crime and anti-social behaviour in our communities and identifying youth at risk before it's too late," he said.

Mr Watkins said a $1.03 million trial of civilian managers commenced in December 2002, and would now be extended.

The trial found that police at PCYCs with civilian managers: referred 40 per cent more young people to crime prevention programs; achieved a six-fold increase in the time spent delivering education programs; and quadrupled the time they spent at local youth hot spots from one to four hours a week.

"We freed the clubs from costly public liability insurance, reducing their insurance bills and allowing them to pour more money into programs," Mr Watkins said.

"Now, after the successful trial, we're freeing police who work in PCYCs to put more young people at risk of criminal or anti-social influence back on the right path.

"Contact with hard-working, dedicated police really works for these kids. That's why we don't want these officers to spend all their time on bookwork or administration.

PCYC is the largest youth organisation in NSW with more than 30,000 members, 2500 volunteers and 400 paid staff.

Media release, June 26 John Watkins, Minister for Police