Policing

This theme centres on the need for police services to eliminate violent and racist treatment of Aboriginal people, and to be held accountable when breaches occur. The Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody (RCIADIC) highlighted deep institutional racism within the police force. An emphasis was placed on the need to change police behaviour and facilitate more productive police involvement with Aboriginal organisations in order to facilitate diversion from police custody. The Commissioners also highlighted to potential of police community engagement, through community policing, and the importance of police accountability to Aboriginal communities. However, despite these recommendations, Aboriginal people continue to experience acts of abuse, racial slurs, and excessive force at the hands of police.

Although Victoria Police has implemented a framework of policies—the Victoria Police Manual, Code of Ethics, and professional standards—there remain significant gaps between policy and practice. These gaps have also been repeatedly highlighted through inquiries, coronial inquests, and the findings of the Yoorrook Justice Commission. Testimonies from young Aboriginal people collected in the Our Youth, Our Way inquiry continue to show that verbal and physical abuse from police remains an ongoing issue. The Aboriginal Community perceive the processes for lodging complaints against police are inaccessible and ineffective, with very few allegations ever substantiated. Cultural awareness training is delivered but is applied inconsistently, and there is to not an effective process to evaluate its impact on police behaviour.

The AJC note that documented procedures have not materially improved Aboriginal people’s safety or dignity during police interactions. As such, these recommendations remain highly relevant and are considered a top priority for further action. The AJC continue to advocate for extensive systemic reform, including a new independent complaints body with Aboriginal oversight. Despite policy reforms, community experience and inquiry evidence confirm the need for sustained, Aboriginal-led change.