PC Bandit helps in community policing
By Judy Evans
@JudyEv (342868)
Rockingham, Australia
January 5, 2025 9:16pm CST
I read a nice feel-good story on our local news feed. Newman Police Station is located 1,170 kilometres north-east of Perth. In 2020, they adopted a tabby kitten which is now considered one of the team. He is now known as PC Bandit and has his own social media account.
One of the unexpected benefits of having Bandit as part of their unit has been that community members have started using his Facebook account to filter information to the police. Some are not so comfortable speaking to an officer but will leave comments on Bandit’s account.
The photo of is our own tabby cat that we had for 16 years.
24 people like this
22 responses
@41CombedaleRoad (5968)
• Greece
6 Jan
I have noticed that if people meet up with a blind person they will often speak to the dog. Maybe the dogs that are trained to help people have a nature that responds to people more readily than their handlers do. Perhaps also it is natural to want to say something positive to a handicapped person and complimenting them on their clever dogs is a good way of beginning a conversation with a stranger.
@kaylachan (72876)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
6 Jan
That's kind of cute. And it's interesting that people will speak up if they think they're talking to the cat. Even though a real human is the one managing the account.
3 people like this
@kaylachan (72876)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
6 Jan
@JudyEv In a way, I think you'e right. They have to know they aren't actually talking to the cat.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (342868)
• Rockingham, Australia
21h
@kaylachan Also, the cat isn't going to ask them questions or get them more involved than they want to be.
1 person likes this
@snowy22315 (183022)
• United States
6 Jan
PC Bandit is probably totally unimpressed, that he is famous.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (342868)
• Rockingham, Australia
6 Jan
Thanks. Her name was Smoky and she was a lovely little cat.
@JudyEv (342868)
• Rockingham, Australia
21h
It's interesting, isn't it, that people would give information in this way but wouldn't necessarily want to talk to a person.
@allknowing (138536)
• India
6 Jan
I hope Peppie lives that long You had a beautiful cat.
It may be Tabby's page but poor cat knows nothing about what is going on the page (lol)
1 person likes this
@RasmaSandra (81292)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
6 Jan
Your cat was so adorable, That is interesting I love it when they use animals.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (342868)
• Rockingham, Australia
21h
She was a lovely little cat. We really missed her once she went.
@Deepizzaguy (104890)
• Lake Charles, Louisiana
6 Jan
I like the story of PC Bandit working for the police in Australia.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (342868)
• Rockingham, Australia
21h
I've always regretted that Herc didn't have a social media account. He would have enjoyed it. 
@JudyEv (342868)
• Rockingham, Australia
21h
We don't have any pets now. We've had a few cats over our lifetime and a couple of dogs.
@shaggin (72628)
• United States
6 Jan
Wow how unique they would send information to a cat but not a human. Very interesting. I’d be the opposite I take things pretty literally and even when myLot members used to pretend to write as a Lego or animal etc I had a hard time with it.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (342868)
• Rockingham, Australia
21h
Writing on a webpage would also leave the writer in control of the situation. He couldn't really be asked questions or, if he was, he wouldn't be obliged to answer them.
We're all different, aren't we? We have a friend who would be similar to you in taking things very literally.
1 person likes this
@changjiangzhibin89 (16810)
• China
6 Jan
PC Bandit becomes an "internet celebrity". Your tabby cat is cuddly !
Your tabby cat is cuddly !1 person likes this
@JudyEv (342868)
• Rockingham, Australia
21h
PC Bandit has a good life at the police station. It's so nice to hear a story like this.
@wolfgirl569 (109121)
• Marion, Ohio
6 Jan
He was pretty.
Glad they will leave information there
1 person likes this
@freelancermariagrace (28784)
• Philippines
6 Jan
You had a beautiful tabby cat!!
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (342868)
• Rockingham, Australia
21h
We also had a ginger cat at one time. Smoky was only small but she was fearless.
@RevivedWarrior (2725)
• India
6 Jan
Your tabby cat looked cute. I also loved the story of PC Bandit. Perhaps , teh cat became voice of the people who was unheard earlier. He is a real superhero as people believe they can now write to him about their troubles. I am pretty sure the town got a little better after PC Bandit. Ful credit to the Police department and how they are managing the social media account . Also interested to know whats with the name and how the cat got the name. It is real nice good feel thing to read and get inspired. Thanks for sharing this with alll of us in Mylot universe!
