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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 with First Nations communities. ACT Policing acknowledges that First Nations peoples are over-represented in the justice system, and is committed to reducing recidivism, increasing participation in diversionary programs and taking a proactive and preventative approach to policing.
First Nations Liaison Officers
First Nations Liaison Officers assist in establishing and maintaining positive relationships between ACT Policing in Canberra and Jervis Bay’s First Nations communities, as well as government and non-government organisations.
What we do:
- Deliver presentations to First Nations communities about the role of ACT Policing to create a deeper understanding of the impacts positive relationships with police can have.
- Participate in a variety of programs and activities dedicated to addressing some of the systemic issues First Nations communities may face.
- Educate police officers about First Nations peoples’ customs and 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 away from the criminal justice system
- Attend community events
Contact ACT-FirstNationsLiaison@afp.gov.au
If you have a community event that you would like ACT Policing or First Nations Liaison Officers to attend, please submit your request via the online form.
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 First Nations community to implement policies and best practice that support these outcomes.
Our focus is on reducing the over-representation of First Nations 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 First Nations peoples. We are also reflecting on our own organisation and are committed to increasing our First Nations representation across our workforce to achieve greater inclusive 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 First Nations communities and to foster a relationship based on mutual respect and trust.
The Board considers strategic issues regarding ACT Policing’s engagement with First Nations peoples in the ACT and provides an avenue for direct community feedback.
Consisting of ACT Policing Executive members, First Nations Liaison Officers and local Elders, the board meets bimonthly and assists with practical information regarding matters such as the use of language and the importance of culture to First Nations 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 police officers all receive cultural training to ensure police remain culturally aware and cognisant of potential cultural barriers when engaging with First Nations communities.
In consultation with Elders, ACT Policing has developed a specific training course to better understand local cultural barriers and services available for First Nations peoples. Officers learn about the history and nature of the local communities, how to better communicate with First Nations people and the appropriate terminology and cultural protocols in place, when attending local sites of significance.
Partnerships
A number of external agencies work closely with ACT Policing and offer services to the First Nations community.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elected Body
ACT Community Services for the Indigenous community
ACT Policing members can provide culturally appropriate support referrals on behalf of First Nations people through our support agency, SupportLink