Description

There have been many varied approaches over time to engage Aboriginal people as a part of the police service. One such has been creating Indigenous liaison officers to act as intermediaries between the Indigenous population and the police force. This article looks at the roles of these liaison officers; like building communication channels, strengthening relationships, settling disputes between police and Indigenous people, helping police and the community to create crime solutions as well as a range of other activities. This role created many challenges for the liaison officers, such as power imbalances and distrust from both sides. The volatile and ever changing circumstances that these agreements operate within greatly impact upon the success and failings of these endeavours. Previous experiences of Indigenous liaison officers and the responses of the community and police force are used throughout this article to illustrate the author’s point.

This article is no longer available on the AIC website  – please contact AIC library or State library ref: Australian Institute of Criminology, 2010. 2010 T0406826 AIC reports. Research and public policy series no. 110/ 111.