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ACT Policing promotes and maintains relationships with the First Nations community through open communication, mutual understanding, respect, tolerance and trust.
ACT Policing aims to initiate, facilitate and contribute to community consultation, education and awareness programs with the First Nations community.
ACT Policing ensures its workforce remains culturally aware and understands what potential cultural barriers or issues may affect policing interactions. ACT Policing acknowledges that First Nations peoples are over-represented in the justice system, and is committed to reducing recidivism, increasing participation in diversion programs and taking a proactive and preventative approach to policing.
First Nations Liaison Officers
The First Nations Liaison Officers assist in establishing and maintaining positive relationships between ACT Policing, the Canberra First Nations community and government and non-government organisations.
What we do
- Deliver presentations about the role of ACT Policing throughout First Nations communities.
- Participate in a variety of programs and activities with target all First Nations people from children and young people to Elders.
- Educate police officers about First Nations peoples’ culture
- Engage with members of the First Nations community who are identified as being at risk, or who are the victims or perpetrators of a criminal offence.
- Work towards diverting First Nations People from the criminal justice system
- Attend community events
ACT Policing’s commitment to the First Nations
ACT Policing is committed to achieving the outcomes of the ACT Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Agreement 2019-2028 and works with the local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community to implement policies and best practice that support these outcomes.
Our focus is on reducing the over-representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the justice system, ongoing engagement with the local communities to further develop solid, trusting relationships through open dialogue and evolving our understanding of the challenges faced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. We are also reflecting on our own organisation and are committed to increasing our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workforce to achieve greater workforce diversity that is reflective of the community we serve.
Chief Police Officer’s Advisory Board
The Chief Police Officer’s Advisory Board was established in late 2018 and aims to strengthen the connection between law enforcement and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community and to foster a relationship based on mutual respect and trust.
The Board considers strategic issues regarding ACT Policing’s engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the ACT and provides an avenue for direct community feedback.
Consisting of ACT Policing Executive members, ALOs and local Elders, the board meets every two months and assists with practical information regarding matters such as the use of language and the importance of culture to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
ACT Policing Cultural Training
ACT Policing recognises the importance of training members to understand and identify the effects that cultural differences can have on relations with our community.
ACT Policing officers all receive cultural training to ensure police remain culturally aware and cognisant of potential cultural barriers when engaging with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community.
In consultation with Elders, ACT Policing has developed a specific training course to better understand local cultural barriers and services available for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Officers learn about the history and nature of the local communities, how to communicate with the community, appropriate terminology and police and cultural protocols when attending local sites of significance.
Partnerships
A number of external agencies work closely with ACT Policing and offer services to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elected Body
ACT Community Services for the Indigenous community