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88
Policing for Aboriginal community
That Police Services in their ongoing review of the allocation of resources should closely examine, in collaboration with Aboriginal organisations, whether there is a sufficient emphasis on community policing. In the course of that process of review, they should, in negotiation with appropriate Aboriginal organisations and people, consider whether:
a) There is over-policing or inappropriate policing of Aboriginal people in any city or regional centre or country town;
b) The policing provided to more remote communities is adequate and appropriate to meet the needs of those communities and, in particular, to meet the needs of women in those communities; and
c) There is sufficient emphasis on crime prevention and liaison work and training directed to such work
Police don't tell us when they have resources that they can access, whether it's with the protocols against family violence, youth cautioning or whatever it is. The resources part is non-existent, they just don’t do that.
Aboriginal Justice Caucus Assessment
Recommendation 88 intended for police to work with Aboriginal organisations to consider whether there is sufficient emphasis on community policing and ensure police resources are used in ways that meet the needs of Aboriginal communities, particularly women, children and those living in more remote areas.
Actions taken partially align with the intent of this recommendation but there has been little involvement of Aboriginal communities or organisations in decisions about allocation of police resources.
Police don't tell us when they have resources that they can access, whether it's with the protocols against family violence, youth cautioning or whatever it is. The resources part is non-existent, they just don’t do that. (John Gorton, Chairperson, Grampians RAJAC)
In response to part (a) of the recommendation, Victoria Police partners with Aboriginal organisations and communities to combat over-policing or inappropriate policing through the Aboriginal Justice Agreement, Aboriginal Justice Forums and Regional Aboriginal Justice Advisory Committees (RAJACs), and the Aboriginal Youth Cautioning Program. In addition to these initiatives, Victoria Police highlighted the relevance of the Police and Aboriginal Community Protocols Against Family Violence (PACPAFV) to Aboriginal women and noted that all applied to communities in regional and metropolitan areas as per part (b) of Recommendation 88.
For part (c) Victoria Police reiterated their commitment to liaison work and crime prevention through the Aboriginal Community Liaison Officer and Police Aboriginal Liaison Officer programs. There was some evidence of these actions contributing to the desired outcomes, but implementation varied by region and depended on the personnel involved with implementation.
For our area, the intent is there. I don't know overall what it looks like because Aboriginal Youth Cautioning Panels don't work everywhere, but they are working in some places. It’s similar with proactive policing, because some officers do it well and some officers don’t do it at all. The intent is there, it’s the execution part that lacks. (John Gorton, Chairperson, Grampians RAJAC)
Recommendation 88 remains entirely relevant and further effort to implement it through greater emphasis on community involvement in resource allocation, decision-making and crime prevention has the potential to enable greater Aboriginal self-determination and reduce incarceration.
Priority for Further Work:
High
Relevance and potential impact | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Low (0-2) | Moderate (3-4) | High (5-6) | |||
Extent of action taken and evidence of outcomes | High (5-6) | ||||
Moderate (3-4) | |||||
Low (0-2) | |||||
Potential Actions for Further Work
Aboriginal involvement in resource allocation
Engage Aboriginal organisations and communities in development of budget proposals and discussions around allocation of police resources. Enable greater Aboriginal decision-making where Aboriginal individuals, families or communities are likely to be affected.
Background
The Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody (RCIADIC) highlighted both over-policing and under-policing of Aboriginal communities as serious, systemic issues. It found that increased police presence—often driven by non-Aboriginal political pressures—was linked to higher arrest rates of Aboriginal people, especially in areas with high police-to-population ratios. In contrast, predominantly Aboriginal communities with fewer police often had lower arrest rates. At the same time, under-policing was also a major concern, particularly for Aboriginal women, children, and remote communities. These groups often lacked timely police support, even in serious cases.
The Commission stressed that police resources, when used constructively, could have positive outcomes through initiatives like liaison roles, training, and police aide programs. It also noted Aboriginal communities that had successfully implemented alternative policing models that significantly reduced detention rates.
Actions Taken Since Last Review
Victoria Police
In 2023, Victoria Police assessed Recommendation 88 as fully implemented noting:
Victoria Police is proactively supporting community policing approaches that support crime prevention initiatives and link victims with culturally relevant support services. Within the Keeping You Safe, Victoria Police Strategy 2023-2028, there is a commitment to current and future work, including collaboration with Aboriginal organisations, that drives and guides better justice outcomes for Aboriginal people and aims to reduce over-representation in the criminal legal system.
Part (a)
Victoria Police partners with Aboriginal organisations and communities to combat over-policing or inappropriate policing through the following community policing mechanisms:
Aboriginal Justice Forum
The Aboriginal Justice Forums (AJFs) bring together the most senior representatives of the Victorian Aboriginal community and government departments as the peak coordinating body responsible for overseeing the development, implementation and direction of the AJA. The AJF demands significant transparency, accountability for implementation, collaborative action and a high level of commitment from its members to deliver AJA initiatives.
The AJF meets to promote accountability, support community participation and engagement and provide momentum to progress policies and initiatives. These meetings are held over two days, alternating between metropolitan and regional locations, and include open community forums. The Chief Commissioner of Police or a delegate from Victoria Police participates in these forums.
Aboriginal Justice Agreements
The Victorian AJA is a formal partnership between the Victorian Government and the Aboriginal community to improve justice outcomes by addressing Aboriginal over-representation and improving family and community safety. Phases 3 and 4 of the AJA had a focus on supporting community policing approaches to increase positive community-based activities between Aboriginal communities and police.
Aboriginal Youth Cautioning Program
The Aboriginal Youth Cautioning Program enhances police cautioning by encouraging young people to connect with Aboriginal elders and support services in their local area. This assists young people in engaging with culturally relevant support to address the factors underlying their contact with police. The program draws upon local Aboriginal culture, knowledge, and community to ensure a tailored response for young people contacting police. The program incorporates the principles of Aboriginal self-determination, early intervention, and harm reduction.
A caution is a formal alternative to being charged. It is given by police and means that a person will not go to court for their alleged offence and will not record a criminal conviction.
Part (b)
The mechanisms outlined under part (a) apply to remote communities in addition to regional and metropolitan areas. In addition, the Police and Aboriginal Community Protocols Against Family Violence (PACPAFV) especially relate to Aboriginal women.
Police and Aboriginal Community Protocols Against Family Violence
These protocols aim to build positive relationships between Aboriginal communities and Victoria Police to strengthen the police response to incidents of family violence. The longer-term goal is to reduce both the number of family violence incidents, and the rates of families experiencing repeated incidents of family violence. The protocols also aim to ensure an improved, holistic response to all parties, namely Affected Family Members (AFMs) including children, and respondents.
Locally developed protocols guide police, at the time of a family violence incident, to identify whether the AFMs or respondents identify as Aboriginal and, if so, to offer them the choice of referral to Aboriginal or non-Aboriginal support services according to their preferences.
Part (c)
Victoria Police is committed to liaison work and crime prevention through these programs:
Aboriginal Community Liaison Officer
The ACLO Program was implemented in 2005 to address Recommendation 231 of the RCIADIC, to strengthen relationships and facilitate communication between Victoria Police and Aboriginal people across the state.
The ACLOs play a pivotal liaison role for Victoria Police and Aboriginal communities. Victoria Police have an ACLO workforce of 17 located in regional and metropolitan areas across the state including these locations: Bairnsdale, Morwell, Warrnambool, Shepparton, Echuca, Richmond, Swan Hill, Mildura, Wodonga, Geelong, Ballarat, Footscray, Knox, Dandenong, Mernda, Preston and Bendigo.
Police Aboriginal Liaison Officers
Victoria Police have a PALO program which has undergone a full review with consultation and endorsement of the Aboriginal Justice Caucus. Regional Aboriginal Justice Advisory Committees (RAJACs) endorsed the onboarding process for PALOs. There is a mechanism for RAJACs to consider police members who wish to become PALOs. PALOs have extensive knowledge and expertise in community networking, community development and liaison, which is the basis for their work with police and communities. These duties include:
- Develop and maintain an understanding of Aboriginal communities within the local area and maintain current knowledge of relevant legislation, policies and procedures.
- Promote trust and understanding through a liaison role between the local Aboriginal community and police.
- Establish effective communication between police, local Aboriginal communities and other relevant government and non-government agencies.
- Establish and maintain a positive partnership and culturally safe environment at their local station for Aboriginal communities to communicate and interact with police members to resolve issues.
- Promote awareness of the PALO role within Aboriginal communities.
Impact
Outputs
Part (a)
Victoria Police participation in the Aboriginal Justice Forum and Regional Aboriginal Justice Advisory Committees (RAJACs) under the Aboriginal Justice Agreement, and establishment of the Aboriginal Portfolio Reference Group.
Part (b)
Implementation, review and expansion of Police and Aboriginal Community Protocols Against Family Violence especially as they relate to Aboriginal women and children.
Part (c)
Review of the Aboriginal Community Liaison Officer (ACLO) role increased remuneration for the role.
Review of Police Aboriginal Liaison Officer (PALO) recruitment process with the Aboriginal Justice Caucus and a revised onboarding process for PALOs. Several hundred police members have taken on the PALO portfolio across Victoria.
The Aboriginal Youth Cautioning Program assists young people in engaging with culturally relevant support to address the factors underlying their contact with police.
Outcomes
There has been little collaboration with Aboriginal communities or organisations in decisions about allocation of police resources. However, through the implementation of commitments made under the Aboriginal Justice Agreement, and the former Chief Commissioner’s Statement of Commitment, Victoria Police have continued to:
- Engage, discuss and examine community policing approaches with Aboriginal organisations and communities through local, regional and statewide Aboriginal justice committees.
- Increase numbers of Aboriginal Community Liaison Officers and Police Aboriginal Liaison Officers across the state to strengthen relationships and build trust between communities and police.
- Support prevention and early intervention approaches in a growing number of locations across the state through Police and Aboriginal Community Protocols Against Family Violence and Aboriginal Youth Cautioning Panels.
The impact of these efforts on Aboriginal communities across the state, varies by location, existing relationships between communities and police, and the people involved in these initiatives.
Community Views
Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service
One of the most high-profile perpetrators of violence in the criminal legal system is Victoria Police, which continues to operate with minimal oversight and accountability.