Independent Review of Policing in Remote Indigenous Communities in the Northern Territory: Policing further into remote communities

Independent Review of Policing in Remote Indigenous Communities in the Northern Territory: Policing further into remote communities News

  • Author(s): Allen Consulting Group,
  • Published: 2010
  • Publisher: DKCRC

Abstract: Issues of safety in remote Indigenous communities are well documented. Many reports focus on communities that face high rates of offences, including domestic violence, child abuse, drug and substance abuse, and traffic related incidents. Much of this is alcohol related. Cultural differences between skin groups and between customary and Western law also lead to conflict. In answer to some of these concerns, the Northern Territory Emergency Response (NTER) through Task Force Themis recently extended a permanent police presence to 18 new communities, adding to the 39 police stations that previously covered the Northern Territory. In terms of policing coverage in the Northern Territory, nearly all 15 locations identified for investment under the National Partnership Agreement on Remote Service Delivery now have a permanent or Themis police presence. The exceptions are Yirrkala, which is close to Nhulunbuy, and three communities at Milingimbi, Umbakumba and Angurugu with established or approved overnight policing facilities. The 20 locations nominated as Territory Growth Towns also have permanent or Themis stations, except for Yirrkala, Angurugu and Milingimbi as mentioned previously, and Daguragu, which is very close to the Kalkarindji community and police station. Feedback on the whole indicates that the additional policing presence has been welcomed in the communities and has had a positive effect on community safety. However, there still remain communities that do not have a permanent police presence or regular policing patrols or visits. This Review focuses on communities of over 100 people, which generally distinguishes communities with a level of centralised services from outstations or homelands. Mobility of community members results in fluctuations in community size and one of the difficulties in undertaking this Review has been to determine those communities without a policing presence that do have a population of near or over 100. In addition, some of the communities that do have a police presence are reporting that policing is not effective and needs to be more visible. The issue for this Review then is how to further policing in remote communities by improving the services that are currently provided and by extending these services to more communities.

Notes: Report to the Australian Government and the Northern Territory Government

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