ENSURING community safety, improving communication between police and Aboriginal people and improved safety of Aboriginal people in the criminal justice system are part of the key priority areas for NSW police.
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Representatives from the local community were present for a session, held on Wednesday May 4, to reinvigorate the NSW Aboriginal Strategic Direction. The program, that began in 2012, was designed to find powerful ways the police and Indigenous people can work together to build stronger, safer communities.
Lack of support, was the clear message from the group, who indicated the local community has been leave behind in the initiative with the last meeting held in 2013. Meetings that are meant to be quarterly.
“I feel that it is disrespectful”, said local Leanne McGowan, in regard to the lack of notice of the session, having only been told of it days before. She said it was difficult to get the word out to community in order to improve attendance.
NSW Police Service Wayne Cook, emphasised the need to speak up and find out how the federally funded support network can help and what they have to offer. He suggested applying for the $5,000 community grants for programs to help reduce or prevent crime. The grants, which need to be applied for by police, would be run by the local Indigenous community to provide activities to educate and engage children.
As the Aboriginal Strategic Direction is up for review next year, the NSW police are seeking ways they can have more productive partnerships between police and Aboriginal people in the future.
