Police Liaison Officers

Role and Function of Police Liaison Officers Police Liaison Officers are employed by the Queensland Police Service to establish and maintain a positive rapport between culturally specific communities and the Queensland Police Service. The role of Police Liaison Officers is to promote trust and understanding through their liaison role by assisting the community and police to: reduce and prevent crime; divert people from the criminal justice system; advise and educate police officers on culture and cultural issues; and improve community knowledge of  law and order issues and policing services. Powers The specialist 'liaison role' performed by a Police Liaison Officer does not require powers of a police officer. Police Liaison Officers may however be called upon to assist police officers with law enforcement tasks in certain circumstances.

Duties

• liaise with culturally specific communities to foster co-operation and understanding.
• advise police officers on the cultural beliefs, needs and protocols of the community in which they work. 
• identify potential crime or disorder problems in the community and advise and assist in prevention strategies.
• establish and maintain communication between the community and police.
• improve community access to policing services and refer to other services where necessary.

These activities assist the Queensland Police Service to be more effective by improving client services, preventing or reducing crime and maintaining community partnerships. Police Liaison Officers play an important role in this process.

How to recognise a Police Liaison Officer

Recruiting

Vacancies for Police Liaison Officers are advertised in the Police Gazette, Government Gazette and local media.

Alternatively, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people can  contact: The Indigenous Career and Development Co-ordinator Human Resource Management Branch Phone: (07) 3364 3099

Training

Upon commencing duties Police Liaison Officers are required to attend a two week induction course delivered at the Queensland Police Academy - Oxley located in Brisbane. This course informs Police Liaison Officers of their rights, entitlements, duties and obligations as Queensland Police Service members. In addition, Police Liaison Officers are encouraged to continue training through the Queensland Police Service Staff Member Training and the CAP Program and other external agencies to enhance career opportunities and skills portfolios.

Enquiries General enquiries relating to Police Liaison Officers should be referred to local police stations. A role of the Cultural Advisory Unit, Office of the Commissioner is to overview and develop the Police Liaison Officer Scheme. For further information on the Police Liaison Officer Scheme contact:     Cultural Advisory Unit     Office of the Commissioner     Phone:   3364 3934     Fax:      3364 6353