DETECTIVE Inspector Kevin McNeil learnt firsthand what life is like on the other side of the law on Tuesday.
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The crime manager for the Far South Coast was arrested at his office in Batemans Bay and taken to his very own cell, where he was handcuffed and told to wear a convict uniform.
It was all in good fun as part of the Time4Kids fund-raiser for the Far South Coast Police Citizens Youth Club (PCYC).
On Tuesday Insp McNeil, business people and even Eurobodalla mayor Lindsay Brown were detained in a locked mock gaol cell at Batemans Bay’s Village Centre, under the supervision of the Eurobodalla PCYC’s Senior Constable Greg Curry.
They rattled their Time4Kids buckets, and even phoned family, friends and colleagues, in a desperate bid to collect enough donations to post bail.
Many of the 10 who participated did not know they had been dobbed in by their colleagues.
LJ Hooker principal Michael Skuse was surprised on Tuesday morning to be greeted at his office by Sen Const Curry, who asked him to go with him to a cell.
“It’s not for that thing with the goat, is it?” Mr Skuse joked.
And while he went co-operatively, Mr Skuse had barely crossed Orient Street before he was on his phone trying to solicit donations.
This is the second year the Far South Coast PCYC has participated in the fundraiser – last year it raised more than $4000.
Senior Constable Curry said the funds went toward valuable PCYC programs, including morning boot camp, fishing excursions, the hiking and camping South Coast Warriors program, taekwondo lessons in Moruya, boxing in Narooma, and the football tournament Nations of Origin.
Youths can be referred to the PCYC by any agency, which are most frequently police, the criminal justice system, schools, and parents.
It’s having great success, according to Sen Const Curry.
“There’s been a noticeable difference in the kids that we work with,” he said.
“Crime statistics within the South Coast for young people is going down, which is exactly what we want.
“For the young people we case manage and work with their school attendance rates are on the increase and adverse incidents are on the decrease.”
During his time in the lock-up, Inspector McNeil was all too happy to pose for photos, for a fee.
“It’s for a great cause so it feels great,” he said, of being incarcerated.
Do you have a photo from the event to add? Email it to carmen.mcintosh@fairfaxmedia.com.au
