Description

The Aboriginal Strategic Direction 2012-2017 is the overarching policy document developed to guide the NSW Police Force in its management of Aboriginal issues. It supersedes the Aboriginal Strategic Direction 2007-2011. A key feature of the Aboriginal Strategic Direction 2012-2017 is the formation of a three-tiered consultative process, designed to help achieve local solutions for local problems. The first tier is the establishment of Police Aboriginal Consultative Committees (PACCs) in communities with a high Aboriginal population throughout NSW. Quarterly PACC meetings will provide a forum for local police and local members of the Aboriginal community to develop solutions to local issues. The second tier comprises the Aboriginal Strategic Direction Steering Committee (ASDSC), which will be responsible for ensuring each of the NSW Police Forces 80 Local Area Commands are working effectively with Aboriginal communities. ASDSC will be chaired by the Assistant Commissioner and will include senior police from specialist commands that regularly interact with Aboriginal communities. The third tier will be the Police Aboriginal Strategic Advisory Council (PASAC), an advisory body chaired by the Commissioner and including senior representatives from various NSW Government agencies and Aboriginal organisations. PASAC will develop policy ideas in response to issues of concern to Aboriginal communities across NSW. The main aims of the strategy are to: ensure community safety; improve communication and understanding between police and Aboriginal people; effect reduced involvement and improved safety of Aboriginal people in the criminal justice system; and to promote harm reduction and diversion.