As Police Week honours the heroic efforts of police officers, we’re shining a light on a few Customer Owned Banking Association members who support police officers all year round.
Every day, police officers across the country make brave choices to keep Australians safe. Police Week recognises these efforts and pays tribute to those we have lost in the line of duty in the past year with a series of events, including the Wall to Wall Ride and Police Remembrance Day.
As we mark this important week, we wanted to profile a few customer-owned banks with special ties to the police community and highlight their year-long efforts to support those who protect Australians.
Police Bank
As a long-term partner and supporter of NSW Police Legacy, Police Bank has a strong presence during Police Week festivities and in fact all throughout September, including the annual NSW Police Legacy Remembrance Ride, Wall to Wall Ride from Sydney to the National Police Memorial in Canberra, and the Blue Ribbon Ball.
More broadly, Police Bank gives back to the police community by supporting police associations and police charitable causes all across the year including Homicide Victim’s Support Group’s Ride for Justice, the Heart to Heart Walk raising money and awareness for the mental health of our police community, Tasmania Police Charity Trust Bike Ride, and HeartKids Tasmania. For police members, the customer-owned bank also provides special rates, offers, and dedicated relationship managers.
Supporting police sporting clubs and events is a major focus for Police Bank – recognising the positive social, emotional, and mental impact sport can have on the policing and border enforcement community. Police Bank has been behind the scenes and on the sidelines for many years to cheer on and ensure these clubs remain open and accessible.
This past year, Police Bank sponsored NSW Police Rugby League and supported many other events, including the Golden Boot, NSW Police Rugby League Golf Day, NSW Police Council of Sport – Movember sports day, NSW Police Boxing, Manning Great Lakes Cricket/Wellbeing Day, and the Australian Police Golf Championships.
BankVic
BankVic was established by police, for police, which means it takes a special approach to serving its members from the Force. The bank supports causes meaningful to police through sponsorships, career development scholarships, and community initiatives that improve the wellbeing and quality of life for the police community – alongside designing products which recognise the needs of first responders.
This Police Week, BankVic will participate in the Wall to Wall Ride for Remembrance as support crew for the Victorian leg of the national event. Members of the team will also the National Bravery Awards, honouring two courageous officers. BankVic said it’s proud to showcase the achievements of those who keep the community safe – both internally and externally – this week and all year round.
Police Credit Union
Police Credit Union (PCU) sees the whole of September as “Police month”, with several events to show how much it cares about police and the broader community with a large presence in South Australia. On Police Remembrance Day, PCU sponsors the SA Police Legacy barbecue which helps to fuel the South Australian riders who travel to Canberra for the annual Wall to Wall Ride.
In partnership with the Police Association of South Australia, PCU sponsors recruit graduation dinners and retirement dinners, the community award given to recruits at their graduation, and the SA Police Journal. It also teams up and supports several police causes and events as well as organisations, including Northern Territory Police Association, SA Police Legacy, the Police Historical Society, NT Police Legacy, and Delta Social Club.
Throughout the year, it supports police officers in a variety of ways, such as offering special discounts and benefits, appointing dedicated relationship managers who understand their unique demands and needs, and other creative ways to show the Force some love.
With Police Week events kicking off around the country, there will be several opportunities to recognise the hard work and sacrifices of police officers near you.