The latest report card in Victoria Police’s efforts to increase transparency, accountability and connection with the community has been released today.
The 2018-19 Equality is not the same… report card provides an update on the projects and initiatives that have been progressed to enhance relationships between police and diverse communities across Victoria.
Priority Communities Division Acting Commander Murray Fraser said a range of organisational activities had been delivered in the past 12 months.
“We’ve strengthened our human rights professional development across the organisation, created more opportunities for community engagement and developed tailored resources that make a difference to our frontline police,” A/Cmdr Fraser said.
“We are doing more now than ever to strengthen connections with the community, and we will continue to work with our stakeholders who rightly hold us to account on important issues.”
Over the past six years, Victoria Police has delivered against the commitments outlined in the inaugural Equality is not the same…Action Plan.
This has included building upon previous achievements including the development of a Contact Card for community, the implementation of 18 social cohesion projects and establishment of 12 Community Safety Networks.
“As an organisation, we are working hard to create a safe and respectful workplace for our people. This needs to be reflected in the service we provide to the community,” A/Cmdr Fraser said.
“We have a responsibility to treat everyone with respect and dignity – regardless of their age, background, sexual identity, religion or gender. It is the basic interactions that we have with the community and level of service that can result in a lack of trust and confidence, and we are committed to building this moving forward.
“As always, we thank the stakeholders and community representatives from our Community Portfolio Reference Groups and the Human Rights Strategic Advisory Committee for assisting us in this important piece of work.”
The Equality is not the same… Phase Two 2018-19 Annual Report card is available on the Victoria Police Website at /www.police.vic.gov.au/equality-not-same
