Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Police (QATSIP)

History of the Project

Following recommendations from the Review of Policing on Remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities (RPRAIC) report that the QPS take over responsibility for the function of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Policing, the Islander Coordinating Council and Aboriginal Coordinating Council were consulted and gave full support for the proposal.

A joint Department of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Policy (DATSIP) and QPS Steering Committee has been formed including representatives from the Aboriginal Coordinating Council, Islander Coordinating Council, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory Board, Crime and Misconduct Commission (CMC), Department of Local Government and Planning, and the Department of Justice and Attorney General.

The committee recommended that the proposed concept be trialled at Yarrabah, Badu Island and Woorabinda Communities.

In November 1999 the Queensland Government approved an Implementation Plan to pilot the transfer of the Community Police function from Community Councils on Woorabinda, Yarrabah and Badu Island to the QPS for a 12 month period.

The Community Police employed by the QPS are known as Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Police (QATSIP).

QATSIP officers were employed on 12 month contracts at 004 level of the Operational Stream under the Employees of Queensland Government Departments (Other than Public Servants) Award and the Queensland Police Service Certified Agreement 2, 1997.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed by the Chairperson of Badu Island, Yarrabah and Woorabinda Councils and the Commissioner. This MOU guided the implementation of Phase 1 over the initial 12 month period on each community. (Subsequent agreements have facilitated the extension of the trial).

On-site working groups for Badu Island, Yarrabah and Woorabinda Communities, including representatives from each community council, have been formed to facilitate implementation on the communities.

Advertising commenced throughout Queensland on 3 December 1999 for fifteen QATSIP (four in Badu Island, seven in Yarrabah, and four in Woorabinda Communities). Applications closed on 20 December 1999. For a copy of the position description refer to the staff member vacancies in the Police Service Gazette of 3 December 1999.

On Monday, 7 February 2000, fifteen persons commenced a pre-service training course at the Queensland Police Academy, Oxley. The Commissioner officially opened the pre-service course and welcomed the QATSIP to the Queensland Police Service in a ceremony at the Academy on Tuesday, 8 February 2000.

The fifteen QATSIP were appointed after completing selection procedures during the previous two months including a medical examination, integrity checks and interviews. Local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community and Community Council representatives were members of the selection panels for the positions on the three pilot communities of Badu Island, Yarrabah and Woorabinda.

The QATSIP were appointed 'Special Constables' on Thursday, 24 February, 2000 and complete their course on 25 February 2000. The QATSIPs commenced duty on their communities on Monday, 28 February 2000.

Training

QATSIP Officers attend an induction workshop upon commencing duties. This course comprises a competency based component, normally delivered at the Queensland Police Academy. This course is to inform new officers of their rights, entitlements, duties and obligations as an unsworn officer of the Queensland Police Service. This course also provides instruction in communication and conflict resolution, custody awareness, protocols, police powers, defensive skills training, driver training, radio procedures, first aid and assisting in domestic violence awareness.

The training program is based on the accredited training for community police officers as prescribed by the National Industry Training Advisory Board (Public safety).

The initial course is supplemented by 'on-the-job' learning in the communities. Supervision of the 'on the job' component is by Queensland Police Field Training Officers.

In addition to initial training, QATSIP officers are encouraged to continue training through the Queensland Police Service Staff Member Training and the CAP Program and other external agencies.

Roles, Responsibilities and Functions

The objective of the QATSIP role is to maintain public safety by ensuring the preservation of law and order, and prevention and detection of crime on the Community within prescribed limits, under the direction of Queensland Police.

The principal responsibilities of the QATSIP are to:

• Provide an effective policing presence within the Community by performing regular patrols, attending to incidents requiring police attention and administration duties.
• Enforce local Community By-laws /local laws and undertake any additional policing functions in accordance with the powers and prescribed limits conferred by a Commissioner's Instrument of Appointment of 'Special Constable' under the provisions of s.5.16(1) of the Police Service Administration Act 1990 .
• Identify, evaluate and resolve incidents occurring within the Community and advise QPS police officers as appropriate.
• Maintain a high degree of personal integrity and set a good example within the Community.
• Perform community policing duties to facilitate the support, co-operation and involvement of the Community in community based crime prevention programs.
• Establish and maintain effective communication with the Community Council, other organisations and community members.

• To promote and support the Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Police program.
• To co-ordinate the education, training and development of Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Police officers.

Other information

In 2002 a permanent position of QATSIP Development Officer was established in Cairns, Far Northern Region.

Any queries should be directed to:

Development Officer, QATSIP Project, Far Northern Regional Office (phone 4040 4951)

How to recognise a Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Police (QATSIP) Officer

QATSIP officers wear the same blue uniform as a police officer however they wear dark blue shoulder epaulettes with 'QATSIP' in white letters, and a 'QATSIP' name badge on their shirts.

Recruiting

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

For further information on becoming a Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Police Officer please contact the Personnel Officer at your nearest Regional Police Headquarters.