ACT chief police officer Deputy Commissioner Neil Gaughan
DIVERTING vulnerable people away from the justice system and reducing recidivism is a priority for Canberra’s top cop after a Commonwealth Ombudsman report made nine recommendations to improve engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Released this month, the report titled, “ACT Policing’s administrative framework for engagement with the ACT Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community”, made the recommendations around ACT policing’s administration processes.
Informed by complaints to the Commonwealth Ombudsman’s office by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, the recommendations go to four themes of good administration, including: a strong governance framework that supports the delivery of program commitments; policies and procedures that clearly articulate expectations; transparency and accountability with the community; and, the ability to measure and evaluate success.