An information session will take place in Gloucester on Wednesday May 4.

The sessions are being conducted as part of NSW Police’s Aboriginal Strategic Direction (2012 - 2017), which is a blueprint for how LACs engage and interact with Aboriginal communities. This policy aims to build strong relationships between police and Aboriginal people, and deliver meaningful outcomes for their local communities.

It has four key priority areas: ensure community safety; improve communication and understanding between police and Aboriginal people; reduced involvement and improved safety of Aboriginal people in the criminal justice system; and reduction and diversion from harm.

“Over the next few months, we are hosting information sessions at more than 40 commands across NSW to enhance community knowledge about the Aboriginal Strategic Direction,” NSW Police Force’s Corporate Spokesperson on Aboriginal Issues, Acting Deputy Commissioner Geoff McKechnie, said.

“It’s not the first time we have reached out to Aboriginal communities about the policy; we held a similar round of community-engagement activities in 2012 and 2013,” acting deputy commissioner McKechnie said.

“However, we are taking this opportunity to revisit Aboriginal communities across the state – including within Newcastle City LAC – to reinforce the powerful ways in which police and Aboriginal people can work together to build stronger, safer communities,” he said.

“As the Aboriginal Strategic Direction is up for review next year, we will also be seeking input on how we can forge even more productive partnerships between police and Aboriginal people in the future,” acting deputy commissioner McKechnie said.

Representatives from NSW Police’s Aboriginal Co-ordination Team will run the information session, which will take place locally at 9.30am at the Bucketts Way Neighbourhood Centre, 88 King Street, Gloucester.