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Australasian Police Multicultural Advisory Bureau
Promoting Harmonious Police/Multicultural Community Relations in Australasia |
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NewsApril 1998 Across State LinesNT: New ethnic affairs bossDespite his surname of Van Heythuysen, the new Superintendent in charge of the NT Police Aboriginal and Ethnic Services Unit hasn't been closer to Holland than the pair of bright yellow clogs a Dutch colleague recently sent him for Christmas. A fourth generation Australian, he loves the multicultural atmosphere of Darwin however and is looking forward to the challenges of his new job. Mick Van Heythuysen was born in Adelaide and worked as an electrical contractor and in the meat industry. After Cyclone Tracy devastated Darwin in 1974, he came to the Territory with his new transport business. "I suppose, like everyone else, I fell in love with the place. I was impressed with the lifestyle and the community interaction". He ran an abattoir at Haasts Bluff in Central Australia. Impressed by the good relationship NT Police had with the community, he decided to join them. Since 1979, he has worked in General Duties, Lajamanu, Borraloola, Yulara, and Alice Springs. He was in charge of Community Relations in Darwin between 1990 and 1992, which included Neighbourhood Watch and the pioneering School Based Constables program. As founding Chairperson of the Variety Club in the Territory, he was also able to help with donations to develop Goanna Park, run in Arnhemland by the Junior Police Rangers. "There are just so many positive programs that come out of Community Relations that are unique to the Northern Territory," Mick says. He was promoted to Superintendent and worked in charge of divisions in Central Australia and Tennant Creek, then in Specialist Services and Professional Responsibillity before transferring to the Ethnic and Aboriginal Services Unit in December to replace Superintendent Warren O'Meara. Despite a busy workload, Mick has also been studying over the past three years for a Masters of International Management at Northern Territory University, which has a strong emphasis on crosscultural communications and awareness. (There is a light at the end of the tunnel - he is just completing his last assignments!). Mick is enthusiastic about the Territory's cultural diversity and the good relations between police and the Territory's many ethnic communities, but recognises that many people come from countries where the relationship with police is less positive. The Police Ethnic Advisory Group (PEAG), established recently by the NT Office of Ethnic Affairs, is working to promote harmonious relations between police and ethnic communities based on "mutual understanding, respect, tolerance and trust" and will perform a vital role, Mick says. An information brochure on PEAG has been translated into 14 languages, with the assistance of the NT Office of Ethnic Affairs and the relevant communities. "The people I have met in other departments are very enthusiastic about our contribution to the bigger picture and I feel PEAG is going to be an interesting group," he says. The Unit is also working on improved cross-cultural training for police and enhanced recruiting of people from Aboriginal and non-English speaking backgrounds. Another Territory project about to be launched is a series of brochures on domestic violence, developed by Senior Constable Mary Ann Stuy, which have been translated into several community languages with the assistance of the NT Office of Ethnic Affairs. Mary Ann has been conducting talks and community radio interviews in her native Tagalog. QLD: Important policies launchedFollowing intensive statewide consultations with ethnic communities, the Queensland Police Service released two comprehensive policy documents which provide direction in meeting the needs of Queensland's culturally and linguistically diverse society. Officially launched by Commissioner Jim O'Sullivan in Brisbane in July 1997, The 'Strategic Directions for Policing with Ethnic Communities' and the 'Language Services Strategy', demonstrate the Queensland Police Service's commitment to the provision of culturally appropriate and accessible services to all members of society. The goal of the Strategic Directions document is to ensure the provision of professional and equitable policing services to ethnic communities in Queensland through advice, support and coordination. The policy stipulates five major strategies and a number of key actions to achieve this goal. The strategies are as follows:
The other policy document, The Queensland Police Service 'Language Services Strategy', is a professional response to the challenge of overcoming communication barriers and addressing information needs of members of Queensland's ethnic communities. It recognises that effective communication and mutual understanding are essential for the administration of law and order in a culturally diverse environment. Communication difficulties arising from cultural, social, and physical factors should not limit access to police services or understanding of legal rights. The 'Language Service Policy Statement' identifies four major strategies to:
The use of duly accredited and professionally trained interpreters and translators is advocated throughout the document. Also promoted is the use of plain English in police forms to assist understanding. The Bureau congratulates the Queensland Police Service on this latest significant initiative. It notes that both documents reflect the Bureau's 'National Governing Principles for Policing in a Culturally Diverse Australia'. The Cultural Advisory Unit of the Queensland Police Service is responsible for the coordination and implementation of both policies. Further information about the policies, achievements to date, and the work of the Unit, may be obtained from the Bureau. QLD: Queensland police service community functionsQueensland Police Service continues to promote goodwill with ethnic communities by annually co-hosting social and cultural functions. The 1998 appreciation luncheon is being planned for Friday 1 May and in excess of 400 guests are again anticipated. This function will be hosted by the Buddhist Compassion Relief Tzu-Chi Foundation and all proceeds will be donated to the Mater Children's Hospital. This function will be the twenty-sixth such occasion in which the Queensland Police Service has been associated and the Cultural Advisory Unit, Office of the Commissioner, thankfully acknowledges the widespread support both within and outside of the Queensland Police Service that has made these occasions so successful. Mrs. Julie Wang from the Tzu-Chi Foundation is to be congratulated for her excellent work in promoting the function and for her desire to build a more tolerant and safer community by supporting partnership policing initiatives. QLD: Positive steps taken on the Bingham reportMore than a year has passed since the tabling of the Report of the Review of the Queensland Police Service to the State Government. The report was the result of a comprehensive review undertaken by the Queensland Police Service Review Team headed by former Criminal Justice Commission Chairperson Sir Max Bingham. Since the tabling of the Bingham Report in August 1996, many of the 197 recommendations have been implemented by the Service and the Review Overview Committee has been busy evaluating the implementation of the recommendations. Positive steps have been also taken to address the 30 recommendations on indigenous and ethnic policing contained in Chapter 8 of the Bingham Report. The Cultural Advisory Unit of the Queensland Police Service has been given responsibility to overview the recommendations pertaining to relations between police and the indigenous and ethnic communities. Significant advances have been made particularly in the area of cross-cultural awareness training, recruitment and liaison. This important role of the Unit has been made easier by its relocation to the Office of the Commissioner and the 50 percent staff increase. The Unit now has six personnel to manage its policy and advisory responsibilities. The Unit's achievements and responses to the Bingham Report are documented in a special edition of Vedette (Journal of the Queensland Police Service) which the Service produced as a part of the information sharing process with people of Queensland. Further information about the objectives and the projects of the Cultural Advisory Unit may be obtained either from the Unit on (07) 3364 4732 or the Bureau on (03) 9603 8341. TAS: The Bureau meets in HobartIn the past the Bureau's bi-annual national meetings were held in Melbourne. This has changed following a decision by the Advisory Panel of the Bureau to give an opportunity to all police jurisdictions in Australia to host the meetings. The new arrangement also enables the Advisory Panel members to meet and discuss with members of the local ethnic communities issues of interest and concern. This innovative strategy was successfully tested in Hobart on 19-20 March 1997, where the first meeting under this new arrangement was held. The two-day meeting which was held in historic Temple House in Hobart, was opened by Commissioner of Tasmania Police, Mr. Richard McCreadie, who welcomed the members of the Advisory Panel on behalf of the Conference of Commissioners of Police. Commissioner McCreadie reiterated his jurisdiction's commitment to police-ethnic relations in Tasmania and commended the Bureau on its excellent achievements. In response to the Commissioner's address, the Bureau's Executive Director Mr. Ivan Kolarik highlighted some of the achievements of Tasmania Police in the area of police-ethnic relations. One of the most important achievements was the release of a comprehensive policy on 'Policing in a Culturally Diverse Tasmania' in 1995, incorporating the Bureau's 'National Governing Principles for Policing in a Culturally Diverse Australia'. This policy was highly commended by the Tasmania government who recommended it as an ideal template for other government agencies in Tasmania to develop their respective polices. At the conclusion of the meeting, representatives of Tasmanian ethnic community organisations were invited to meet with the members of the Advisory Panel. This provided everyone with an excellent opportunity to discuss policing issues directly relevant to Tasmania. Feedback from the guests who attended the Forum has been extremely positive and encouraging and is more than sufficient reason for the Bureau to continue this strategy on an Australia wide basis. TAS: Commissioner McCreadie launches Tasmanian teamCommissioner McCreadie used the opportunity during the meeting of the Bureau's Advisory Panel in Hobart, to launch the Tasmanian Support Implementation Team which was established as a result of a recommendation arising out of the First National Summit on Police and Ethnic Youth Relations, held in 1995 in Melbourne. Commissioner McCreadie introduced Tasmanian Team members, Mr. David Willians and Ms Katrina Marino representing the youth sector, and Inspector Adrian Loring from Tasmania Police, and wished the Team every success in its important work. Tasmania Police was the first jurisdiction to launch a Team. The principal function of State/Territory Support Implementation Teams is to oversee the implementation of the Summit Recommendations in each police jurisdiction. TAS: Ethnic liaison strengthened across TasmaniaTasmania now has three Police Ethnic Liaison Officers. Inspector Adrian Loring has responsibility for the Eastern and Southern Districts as well as an overall State-wide responsibility and is also the Commissioner's representative on the Bureau's Advisory Panel. Inspector Norm Wood covers the North of the State and Inspector Ivan Dean the North West and West. The appointment of Inspector Wood and Inspector Dean is seen as a positive move to give the geographically diverse ethnic population in Tasmania a more equitable and appropriate service. Prior to these two appointments, the entire State was serviced by Inspector Loring who is stationed in the Hobart area and who was therefore not in a position to give sufficient attention to matters in other parts of the State which were more appropriately dealt with on a personal basis. Both Inspectors Wood and Dean are dedicated to ethnic relations and are a worthy addition to the Police Ethnic Liaison Team. TAS: The International Wall of Friendship in HobartAt the Commonwealth Centre in Hobart a wall has been dedicated to the ethnic communities of Tasmania. The concept of the wall is unique in Australia and in the world. It involves an invitation to all ethnic communities to place a plaque of stone or other building material popular in their countries of origin, on the wall. The stones are identical in size and bear the same message either in the community languages or English, which reads "Presented by the people of (name of the country) as a symbol of friendship and goodwill". There are currently 46 plaques on the wall. An event is held annually to give those countries not yet represented on the wall the opportunity to have their stone unveiled. The occasion is quite colorful and the official unveiling ceremony is proceeded by cultural entertainment. The plaques are formally unveiled by dignitaries, including Ambassadors representing the countries from where the stones were obtained. An example of the mystique of some of the plaques can be gauged by the stone from Jordan which was presented on behalf of Queen Noor. The material used in the plaque are from a wall in the ancient city of Petra. The message behind the wall is that no matter from which country we come, we all now live in Tasmania and are Tasmanians and we all should live in harmony with others as Tasmanians. With the absence of ethnic violence in the State, perhaps the theory is working! The wall is accessible to the public and is situated in Collins Street, Hobart. It is worthy of a visit, if for no other reason than to admire at the magnificent colours contained in the various plaques. VIC: Safety campaign uses bilingual skillsAn information campaign focusing on the advantages of using child restraints correctly, was recently conducted in Victoria by Vic Roads in partnership with the Victoria Police Ethnic Advisory Unit. The innovative feature of this safety campaign was an extensive use of the linguistic skills of bilingual members of Victoria Police. The campaign which was conducted over a period of time was actively supported by the Royal Children's Hospital, SBS, 3XY, and 3ZZZ Radio stations in Melbourne. The target of the campaign was motorists from linguistically and culturally diverse backgrounds, with particular emphasis on Arabic, Croatian, Greek, Italian, Macedonian (Slavonic), Serbian, Turkish and Vietnamese groups. These were selected on the basis of the findings of a pilot study by Vic Roads (Imberger and Rowe) which showed these groups to have lower child restraint usage in comparison with English-speaking background motorists. Reports from Melbourne indicate that this was a very worthwhile approach to the dissemination of information in community languages. However, this was not the first attempt to communicate with ethnic audiences using readily available in-house linguistic skills over the radio. Recognising the effectiveness of this particular strategy, Victoria Police harnessed the linguistic skills of its members again during Christmas and Road Toll Challenge, last December. The Victoria Police Ethnic Advisory Unit advises that it is constantly exploring other issues which could be addressed by bi-lingual members over the radio in the future. VIC: More culturally aware police in 'G' DistrictEighteen members of Victoria Police 'G' District participated in an intensive three-day cross-cultural awareness training course conducted by the Ethnic Advisory Unit in August last year. As the Chinese community constitutes a significant proportion of the total migrant population in 'G' District, especially in the areas of Box Hill, Doncaster and Nunawading, the course focused on Chinese culture and community. The strength of the course was that its content was delivered by nine guest speakers selected from the Chinese community, each have an intimate knowledge of topics covered by the program. They addressed such issues as a brief history of the migration and settlement patterns of Chinese-speaking members of the community, cultural values, expectations, attitudes towards police and their concerns regarding law and order. Police participants also benefited from a "crash course" in the Cantonese language relevant to police conversation, which formed an integral part of the course. The course evaluation clearly indicated the value of the course which contributed a great deal towards the enhancement of customer service within the 'G' District, and improved police/ethnic relations. VIC: Appointment of District Ethnic Liaison OfficersOne of the major aspects of the provision of a policing service to ethnic communities is the interaction between both police and the community itself. In recent times the Ethnic Affairs Advisory Unit has been involved in facilitating the implementation and establishment of District Ethnic Liaison Officers and the respective Action Plans associated with these positions. The first objective in providing customer service is to know and understand your customers, and their communities. The basic principle of partnership policing, which is an essential component of modern community policing, is further enhanced with the implementation of Ethnic Liaison Officers. The role and responsibility of an Ethnic Liaison Officer will be to establish communication with all ethnic communities in their respective Districts ascertain their needs and requirements, and raise awareness as to the role of police. Other functions of the position will be to monitor trends/major events, design strategies to address needs, provide advice on policing services, and actively promote within the District an awareness and sensitivity to ethnic issues, to name but a few. Liaison Officers are required to report all issues to the Manager, Ethnic Affairs Advisory Unit to ensure effective co-ordination. Regular workshops/training sessions will be provided to the Liaison Officers to ensure the provision of a quality service. WA: Community Policing project meets its objectivesIn the last issue of the NPEAB News we reported about the activities taking place in Western Australia under the umbrella of the Community Policing in a Multicultural Society Project. We are pleased to report that this unique initiative is meeting its objectives and is making significant impact on police-ethnic relations in Perth's northern suburbs. At the time of writing this article the final evaluation is being conducted by an external consultant whose report will be released early this year. The outcome of the evaluation will be a decisive factor whether the WA Police Service implements the project on a permanent basis as part of its normal operational duties. The project was initially funded by the Federal government under the Community Relations Strategy administered by the former Office of Multicultural Affairs. Whilst we are keeping our fingers crossed for the future of the project, let us have a brief look at some of the major achievements since our last report. The major achievement has been the acceptance of the project and its staff by community leaders. The interaction between them and members of WA Police Service has resulted in the awakening of interest by the community to participate in further activities and thus give a true meaning to the partnership policing philosophy. The project's co-ordinator Ms Nilda Shrewsbury has implemented a range of valuable activities of direct benefit to both police and ethnic communities. For example, the highly successful Police and Legal Education Course conducted for selected community representatives facilitated effective dissemination of information by course participants to members of their communities at the grass roots level. This process has also opened the doors for further communication with the police and laid foundations for trust between police and ethnic communities. A further successful initiative was the attendance of several selected members from different ethnic communities to the Police Community Education Course. The course which was run over the period of two weeks at the Mirrabooke Police District, equipped the participants with knowledge of policing matters thus enabling them to be responsible for the safety and security of themselves, their families and their neighborhoods. One of the outstanding products of the project will be a model for community policing in a culturally diverse environment. The model could be adopted by other Police Services wishing to enhance police-ethnic relations in a given geographical area. It needs to be acknowledged that a major element of the success of the project to this date has been the support of senior officers of WA Police Service. Needless to say that without the positive attitude and enthusiastic support from police supervisory staff, the project could not succeed. WA: Ethnic community initiatives launchThe Western Australian Police Service (WAPS) recognises cultural diversity as an enriching and fundamental feature of our society and is committed to providing quality police services which are culturally appropriate, sensitive and equally responsive to the needs to all the communities of Western Australia's diverse society. In recognition of this diversity the Ethnic Affairs Unit of the WAPS has developed a number of specific policies and initiatives designed to better address the specific needs of ethnic communities in WA. Their implementation should see enhanced relations between WA police and members of ethnic communities. The initiatives such as the 'Multicultural Policy' and the 'Language Services Policy', were publicly announced at a media launch held at the Italo-Australian Welfare and Cultural Centre, in Perth on July 18, 1997. The launch was attended by a large number of representatives of various government and non-government agencies, ethnic community groups and organisations, members of WAPS Command including Commissioner R. Falconer, the WAPS Ethnic Advisory Council and the Ethnic Communities Council of WA. The guest speakers including the Minister for Police Mr. John Day, and the Bureau's Executive Director, Mr. Ivan Kolarik, praised the professionalism of the WAPS and its desire to cement harmonious relations and genuine partnership with WA ethnic communities. The Service's decision to embark on an ethnic community education and information campaign explaining in a multilingual form the complaint mechanisms available in Western Australia, was also acknowledged as the most worthy initiative. The implementation of the Multicultural Policy and the Language Service Policy will ensure that members of WAPS will be able to communicate across languages and cultures effectively and with confidence. This will enhance customer satisfaction and make policing easier. It will also increase the confidence of ethnic communities in WAPS and the criminal justice system. The following is a summary of both policies: WA: Language Services PolicyThe Language Services Policy will ensure the provision of a professional and appropriate response to meet the language, communication and social justice needs of members of the community who are unable to adequately communicate in English or who are hearing impaired. The WAPS will strive to ensure that only independent, professionally trained and, if possible, accredited interpreters and translators are engaged. WA: Multicultural PolicyThe Multicultural Policy will strive to ensure police services are accessible, equitable, culturally appropriate and meet the needs of Western Australia's culturally and linguistically diverse population. The main aim of the 'Multicultural Policy' is to:
An 'Implementation Plan' has also been prepared to assist members in implementing the 'Multicultural Policy'. NSW: Ethnic Affairs priorities statementAs a result of amendments to the NSW Ethnic Affairs Commission Act, all government agencies in NSW have been tasked with preparing Ethnic Affairs Priorities Statements (EAPS). The EAPS are prepared annually for submission to the Ethnic Affairs Commission. The EAPS of the NSW Police Service is the result of intensive work by a Project Team chaired by Chief Superintendent Bruce Johnston, which included representatives from key areas of the Service responsible for implementing ethnic affairs policies and programs. The task of preparing the EAPS was also assisted by a focus group which included a number of Local Area Commanders who examined cultural diversity issues relating to operational programs identified by the Service's Corporate Plan. After some three months of deliberation and planning, the Service's EAPS has been prepared in two parts. The first part outlines the strategies which will be implemented by the Service in the next twelve months. The strategies are divided into four broad areas including:
The second part of the document provides a report on the NSW Police Service's previous 'Implementation Plan for the Charter of Principles for a Culturally Diverse Society', and notes the Police Service's achievements to date in ethnic affairs programs. The Charter Implementation Plan has been replaced by the Service's EAPS Statement. A copy of the NSW Police Service's EAPS document may be obtained from Ms Anna Zycki, Senior Policy Adviser, on (02) 9339 5061. NSW: Scholarships offered by NSW Ethnic Affairs CommissionIn a strong show of commitment to police/ethnic relations, the Ethnic Affairs Commission of NSW has announced that it would award two scholarships worth $2,000 each to NSW Police Academy graduates to study policing in a multicultural society. Commissioner Peter Ryan welcomed this initiative which will help the NSW Police Service to achieve the aim of developing appropriate skills and the knowledge necessary for effective police service delivery in a culturally diverse society. The Chairperson of the NSW Ethnic Affairs Commission, Mr Stepan Kerkyasharian said that the Commission provided solid input into the curriculum at the Police Academy at Goulburn. He expressed his hope that the scholarships would contribute towards the NSW Police Service growing into a model of policing practice for a culturally diverse society. NSW: Youth Action Policy Association and NSW Police Service Working TogetherThe Youth Action Policy Association (YAPA) is the peak youth organisation in NSW assisting young people to achieve a more equitable social status in terms of government actions and decisions and access to social resources. YAPA who is represented on the NSW Support Implementation Team by Ms Debbie Wong, has entered into a meaningful partnership with the NSW Police Service and through it several positive outcomes which conform to the recommendations arising out of the First National Police and Ethnic Youth Relations Summit, have been achieved. Debbie also serves on the NSW Police Ethnic Communities Advisory Committee chaired by Commissioner Peter Ryan, where she ensures that the voice of the youth sector is heard and the views and concerns of young people of NSW are taken into account where it matters. The closer links between YAPA and NSW Police Service are already bringing in dividends. A highlight has been YAPA's continued involvement in the training of Police Youth Liaison Officers at the NSW Police Academy and the invitation to provide input into the development of training and selection of such Officers. As youth and public space are issues of particular interest, YAPA provides training addressing this subject, at the Goulbourn Police Academy. Together with the NSW Police Service, YAPA is monitoring the impact of the Young Offenders Act and Children's (Protection and Parental Responsibility) Act, and provides a response to various legislation and policies affecting young people and police. Debbie Wong is resolved to keep the momentum going and we wish her, YAPA and the NSW Police Service every success for the future. NSW: Ethnic Women's Issues Working Party in NSWIn order to improve the provision of police services to ethnic women, the NSW Police and Ethnic Communities Advisory Council established an Ethnic Women's Issues Working Party. The role of this group is to ensure that future projects initiated under the Ethnic Affairs Priorities Statement (EAPS) include consideration of issues affecting ethnic women. The establishment of the Working Party is a step in the right direction. The NSW Police Service is the first jurisdiction in Australia to have in place a special mechanism focusing specifically on ethnic women's issues. ACT: Safety House multilingual informationEvery day children and other vulnerable members of our community are on our streets and exposed to circumstances they sometimes cannot handle by themselves. This is where the Safety House programme comes in. In order to ensure that ethnic communities understand and feel comfortable with the programme, Safety House Australia Inc. has produced a multilingual brochure in English, Indonesian, Bosnian, Chinese, Filipino, Arabic, Vietnamese, Khmer, Spanish and Turkish languages explaining the concept. The Australian Federal Police (ACT Region) employs two part-time female police officers to run Safety House. The multilingual brochures come in handy when interacting with members of the linguistic groups covered. ACT: Police/Ethnic Youth sessions breaks down barriersThe ACT Region Support Implementation Team has trialed an innovative program which specifically addresses police/youth relations in the ACT. The aim of the program is to foster a better mutual understanding between police and young people by creating an atmosphere of trust and good will. The project involves the co-operation of local schools identifying ethnic young people who in some cases had exhibited difficulties with integration into the wider Australian society, who would take part in an "informal forum" with police. The forums are held during school hours at locations away from school and police premises. A total of four trial forums were held, in each geographical area of the ACT. Attending police frankly discussed their role and function in society and encouraged participants to speak freely on any matter with which they may have been having problems. Arrangements were also made for young people to speak privately with police when they did not wish to discuss a particular issue in the open forum. The high level of participation achieved during the trial period has encouraged the AFP and the ACT Education Authority to continue the program this year. It is planned to expand the number of sessions and the number of high schools and colleges involved. In response to suggestions made by participants of the program the first session in 1998 will see an updated format and police representation. Other strategies will involve representatives of other government agencies and careful evaluation of each new session. Achievement of the aim of promoting better relations between ethnic young people and police is a long term project which will receive ongoing commitment from the Australian Federal Police. ACT: Police talks inform newcomersThe AFP recognised the pressing need to provide accurate information on policing and law and order issues to newcomers to ACT. Over several months two members from the AFP have been making presentations to new migrant/refugee groups at the Canberra Institute of Technology (CIT), where they are taking part in English language training. The presentations which cover such topics as driving in Canberra, obtaining a driver's licence, road rules and the role of the AFP, have been very well received by students and staff and are likely to become an integral part of the CIT program this year. SA: Recruiting success achieved through ForumThe NESB/Police Youth Forum has continued throughout 1997 and 1998 with its monthly meetings. As a result of the Forum's activities, South Australia has succeeded in recruiting three new members from Cambodian, Filipino and Ethiopian backgrounds. They joined SA Police (SAPOL) as Police Aides with the view of progressing through to constable positions. Anyone involved in recruiting from ethnic communities will know only too well how challenging a task it is to attract applicants from Asian backgrounds. To succeed in recruiting an African person is a real bonus. It is hoped that the new recruits will be able to spread the word amongst their communities that policing is a worthwhile career and others will follow. The last issue of the NPEAB News reported about South Australia's first Cambodian born Police Aide commencing duty in SAPOL. We are pleased to report that Ms Srey Meas has fulfilled her aspirations to become a fully qualified and sworn police constable when she successfully completed her training at the Police Academy at Fort Largs. The Ethiopian born Police Aide who joined in July 1997, is currently undergoing training at the Police Academy and is working towards becoming a probationary constable in the future. The Filipino born Police Aide is working at Elizabeth in the northern metropolitan area and his progress is currently being assessed for possible future police training. As is the case with Aboriginal Police Aides, he will have full police powers while under the direction of a sworn police officer. SA: Applicants helped by Bridging ProgramThe Officer in Charge of Human Resources Planning Branch of South Australia Police, Chief Inspector Casarett announced that SAPOL was looking at strategies to increase ethnic representation within the ranks of police. A bridging program for people from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds and Aborigines, which SAPOL runs jointly with TAFE, is designed to achieve this goal. The program brings the applicants up to pre-entry requirements for SAPOL. Another innovative strategy is a special NESB focus group which provides support to the employees from diverse cultural backgrounds. Sergeant Neville Hutchinson who heads the recruiting section of SAPOL said that SAPOL continued to further evaluate methodologies to attract suitable applicants from ethnic communities. |
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