western australia

PC Bandit helps in community policing

@JudyEv (346510)

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.

25 people like this

23 responses

@rebelann (113238)

• El Paso, Texas

6 Jan

What a beautiful tabby you had. It amazes me how people will open up to dogs or cats long before they would law enforcement

3 people like this

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@rebelann (113238)

• El Paso, Texas

6 Jan

That makes sense.

1 person likes this

@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.

2 people like this

@JudyEv (346510)

• Rockingham, Australia

6 Jan

I guess they feel anonymous if they don't actually have to face a person.

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@kaylachan (75120)

• 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

@JudyEv (346510)

• Rockingham, Australia

6 Jan

I guess the human sees themselves as anonymous so don't mind sharing what they know.

1 person likes this

@kaylachan (75120)

• 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 (346510)

• Rockingham, Australia

7 Jan

@kaylachan Also, the cat isn't going to ask them questions or get them more involved than they want to be.

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@snowy22315 (185372)

• United States

6 Jan

PC Bandit is probably totally unimpressed, that he is famous.

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@snowy22315 (185372)

• United States

7 Jan

@JudyEv He says he's only in it for the salmon.

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@JudyEv (346510)

• Rockingham, Australia

9 Jan

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (346510)

• Rockingham, Australia

7 Jan

True. He's just a community copper doing his job. lol

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@jstory07 (141855)

• Roseburg, Oregon

6 Jan

Your tabby cat was beautiful. That is good that comments are left on Bendit's account.

2 people like this

@JudyEv (346510)

• Rockingham, Australia

6 Jan

I can understand that some people would do that.

@amnabas (14889)

• Karachi, Pakistan

6 Jan

Cute pic..

2 people like this

@JudyEv (346510)

• Rockingham, Australia

6 Jan

Thanks. Her name was Smoky and she was a lovely little cat.

Lenore Plassman

@sallypup (62879)

• Centralia, Washington

6 Jan

You had a lovely kitty. RIP sweety. I like your story.

3 people like this

@JudyEv (346510)

• Rockingham, Australia

6 Jan

I can see this happening - a community getting behind a 'police' cat.

1 person likes this

@allknowing (140994)

• 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

@JudyEv (346510)

• Rockingham, Australia

7 Jan

He has a good life at the station so I guess that's enough for him.

1 person likes this

@rakski (132920)

• Philippines

6 Jan

that is a good idea

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@rakski (132920)

• Philippines

6 Jan

@JudyEv true. Sometimes it is a wonder why people do that

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (346510)

• Rockingham, Australia

6 Jan

I can understand that people would relate to a cat perhaps rather than a police officer.

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@JESSY3236 (20236)

• United States

7 Jan

Your cat is so pretty.

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (346510)

• Rockingham, Australia

10 Jan

Thanks. We thought so too.

1 person likes this

@Deepizzaguy (106748)

• Lake Charles, Louisiana

6 Jan

I like the story of PC Bandit working for the police in Australia.

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (346510)

• Rockingham, Australia

6 Jan

Some cats make themselves at home in a business or organisation.

1 person likes this

@Deepizzaguy (106748)

• Lake Charles, Louisiana

6 Jan

@JudyEv That is true.

1 person likes this

@Ronrybs (19902)

• London, England

6 Jan

Over here lots of cats seem to have their own social media accounts, the most famous of them is Larry the No 10 cat, who has a great deal to say about politics. Don't think that one is sanctioned by the Government!

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (346510)

• Rockingham, Australia

7 Jan

I've always regretted that Herc didn't have a social media account. He would have enjoyed it.

1 person likes this

@Ronrybs (19902)

• London, England

8 Jan

@JudyEv I have thought about it, but the cats like the quiet life!

1 person likes this

@LindaOHio (183910)

• United States

8 Jan

That's a great idea. Your cat was very pretty. Have a good day.

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (346510)

• Rockingham, Australia

10 Jan

I think those going to the page would feel more in charge.

1 person likes this

@freelancermariagrace (28886)

• Philippines

6 Jan

You had a beautiful tabby cat!!

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (346510)

• Rockingham, Australia

7 Jan

We also had a ginger cat at one time. Smoky was only small but she was fearless.

1 person likes this

@freelancermariagrace (28886)

• Philippines

12 Jan

1 person likes this

@grenery8 (13525)

• Zagreb, Croatia (Hrvatska)

6 Jan

i didn't know you had a cat; so gorgeous. i think the cats can be a good addition to police force

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (346510)

• Rockingham, Australia

7 Jan

We don't have any pets now. We've had a few cats over our lifetime and a couple of dogs.

1 person likes this

@grenery8 (13525)

• Zagreb, Croatia (Hrvatska)

9 Jan

@JudyEv i see. that's a good mix of pets

1 person likes this

@GardenGerty (162238)

• United States

6 Jan

Ah yes, the cat has connections.

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (346510)

• Rockingham, Australia

7 Jan

It's interesting, isn't it, that people would give information in this way but wouldn't necessarily want to talk to a person.

@shaggin (73865)

• 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 (346510)

• Rockingham, Australia

7 Jan

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

@RebeccasFarm (92064)

• United States

6 Jan

Now isn't that sweet.

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (346510)

• Rockingham, Australia

7 Jan

PC Bandit has a good life at the police station. It's so nice to hear a story like this.

1 person likes this

@RasmaSandra (82566)

• 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 (346510)

• Rockingham, Australia

7 Jan

The cat can't ask them questions either so really the person remains in control.

1 person likes this

@TheHorse (223330)

• Walnut Creek, California

6 Jan

Heh. That's pretty cool. Your cat looks almost as vain as Kitty.

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (346510)

• Rockingham, Australia

7 Jan

She was a lovely little cat. We really missed her once she went.

@RevivedWarrior (3568)

• 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!

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (346510)

• Rockingham, Australia

7 Jan

I don't know how he got his name but he has a good life now at the police station. I'm glad you enjoyed the story.

1 person likes this