Mounty studies Territory policing

Canadian mounted policeman Russ Mirasty came to the Territory without his horse to exchange ideas with NT police.

“It’s one of the misconceptions that Canadian mounties are permanently attached to their horse,” he said.

The truth is the majority of the 16,000 Royal Canadian Mounted Police officers never get on a horse.

Superintendent Mirasty is spending four weeks in the NT examining police management and visiting remote communities to get an understanding of some of the issues affecting Aborigines.

“We are challenged by some of the same social issues that affect the native population in the Territory relating to alcohol and drug use,” Supt Mirasty said.

“I’ll be looking for differences in how NT police approach these issues that may be relevant for us as well.”

The 28-year police veteran is also enjoying the change in climate. A familiar face for the mounty is Palmerston Superintendent Greg Dowd, who travelled through Canada on a seven-week exchange last year.

“Exchanges are a bit of a two-way thing and I certainly learnt from Greg while he was in Canada,” he said.

Supt Mirasty will visit the Tiwis and Central Australia this week.

Newshawk: http://www.napnt.org
Pubdate: Mon, 21 March 2005
Source: Northern Territory News (Australia)
Author: Greg McLean
Copyright: 2005 Northern Territory News
Contact: ntnmail@ntn.newsltd.com.au
Website: http://ntnews.news.com.au/