Cultural Advisory Unit

The mission of the Unit it to promote and maintain effective relationships between members of the Queensland Police Service, multicultural and Indigenous communities based on open communication, mutual understanding, respect, tolerance and trust.

Objectives

The Key Objectives of the Unit are to:

• Ensure Queensland Police Service policies and programs are culturally appropriate and equitable.
• Provide advice and support to the Commissioner of Police and Senior Executive Officers on matters relating to ethnic and indigenous policing issues.
• Identify and provide advice on trends and emerging issues of concern to police, ethnic and indigenous communities.
• Provide ongoing support to operational police and other Service personnel.

Role

• Develop and maintain effective relationships between members of the Queensland Police Service, ethnic and indigenous communities.
• Promote understanding within the Queensland Police Service of cultural diversity in contemporary Australian society, through input into recruitment, education, training, policy development and procedures.

Services Provided

The staff from the Cultural Advisory Unit are available to provide an advisory and consultancy service to Police Service personnel in relation to :

• conflicts, incidents and concerns in relation to multicultural and indigenous communities;
• Service personnel from diverse backgrounds (in partnership with the Indigenous Career and Development Officer, Human Resource Management Branch);
• selection panels for culturally sensitive positions or multicultural and indigenous target groups; and
• cultural awareness training programs.

Staff also:

Develop, monitor and overview internal Queensland Police Service programs including the:

• Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Police Project;
• Cross Cultural Liaison Officer scheme;
• Cultural Appreciation Project;
• Multicultural Quick Reference Guides
• Multicultural Awareness Online Learning Product
• Police Liaison Officer scheme;
• Indigenous Justice Entry Program; and
• providing on-going advice, assistance and co-ordination.

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Women's Task Force on Violence;
• Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody;
• Review of the Queensland Police Service; and
• Department of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Policy (Meeting Challenges Making Choices (MCMC).

Develop and maintain close links with peak multicultural and indigenous bodies at state and national levels, government departments, non-government organisations and other police jurisdictions in Australia.

• Police/Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Forums;
• Queensland Police Academy Open Days;
• social and cultural functions;
• Police Ethnic Advisory Group; and
• Youth Implementation Support Team.

• Indigenous Career Development Officer;
• Student Support Officer;
• Police Liaison Officers; and
• Cross-Cultural Liaison Officers.

• Strategic Directions for Policing with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and Communities ( 43 KB);
• Strategic Directions for Policing with Ethnic Communities ( 22 KB); and
• Queensland Police Service Language Services Strategy ( 31 KB).

Represent the Queensland Police Service at state and national forums, and interdepartmental committees relating to multicultural and indigenous issues. This includes active participation in the Australasian Police Multicultural Advisory Bureau.

Visit multicultural and indigenous communities and report as necessary on relevant issues and policing practices to regional Assistant Commissioners and the Commissioner.

The Cultural Advisory Unit's primary role is policy and program development. Any queries relating to operational matters should be referred to local police or regional Cross Cultural Liaison Officers throughout the State.

Staff

The Cultural Advisory Unit is currently staffed by a mix of police officers and staff members.
Positions within the Unit include:

• Inspector, Officer in Charge;
• Senior Cultural Adviser, Office of the Commissioner ;
• Indigenous Policy and Liaison Officer ;
• Development Officer (QATSIP Project), Senior Sergeant based in Cairns;
• Development Officer (Police Liaison Officer Scheme), Senior Sergeant;
• Two Senior Sergeants and two Sergeants (policy/project/cultural advisory officers);
• Senior Sergeant, Cape York Strategy Unit based in Cairns; and
• Administration Officer - AO3.