Policing in a Multicultural Society

By Sgt Richard Clark, Redcliffe District

The Police Service has recognised that communities across Queensland have an ever increasing population of residents that have arrived from overseas and to this end have instigated Cross Cultural Liaison Officers in districts across the state.

The role of the CCLO is to improve relations between Police and indigenous/ethnic communities, to assist State police officers in understanding the issues affecting indigenous/ethnic communities and to further the aims of the Queensland Police Service. In part the role addresses potential problems and difficulties before they escalate. By encouraging communities to contact police, issues and concerns are more readily resolved.

In the Redcliffe Police District there are approx 140 different nationalities and I am sure other districts would have more than this. I recently attended a Multi Cultural Forum at Parliament House and the message the attendees had was that they only wanted to be treated the same as other Australians. Police enforce the law as written and treat everyone the same should an offence occur, however if we could make our residents aware of our laws we would reduce the need for conflict and calls for police service. Most people know right from wrong, but it is the minor rules and regulations that cause confusion.

I recall in 1979 when I first moved to Canada being fined $100 for trying my hand at ice fishing without a $6 permit. Had I been told that was the requirement I would have purchased the permit. New arrivals to Australia have often had bad experiences with police in their former country, sometimes resulting in the death of relatives. Their reluctance to be involved with police here is therefore understandable. The Police Service has a publication in several languages explaining our role and these can be obtained from the Office of the Commissioner. Neighbourhood Watch can assist Police by involving new arrivals in a Watch and offering assistance with problems they may encounter by referring them to the respective agencies. If we intend to address the possible threat of terrorism in our community we need to integrate rather than isolate.