Police from Central Hunter Local Area Command (LAC) will next week host information sessions to discuss ways police and Aboriginal people can work together to create stronger, safer communities.

The information sessions will take place at various locations within the command, in the state’s north, between Monday (30 May 2016) and Tuesday (31 May 2016) next week.

The sessions are being conducted as part of the NSW Police Aboriginal Strategic Direction (2012 – 2017), which is a blueprint for how LACs engage and interact with Aboriginal communities.

This policy aims to build strong relationships between police and Aboriginal people, and deliver meaningful outcomes for their local communities.

It has four key priority areas: to ensure community safety; improve communication and understanding between police and Aboriginal people; reduced involvement and improved safety of Aboriginal people in the criminal justice system; and Aboriginal youth offending.

“Over the next few months, we are hosting information sessions at more than 40 commands across NSW to enhance community knowledge about the Aboriginal Strategic Direction,” NSW Police Force Corporate Spokesperson on Aboriginal Issues, Acting Deputy Commissioner Geoff McKechnie, said.

“It’s not the first time we have reached out to Aboriginal communities about the policy; we held a similar round of community-engagement activities in 2012 and 2013,” Acting Deputy Commissioner McKechnie said.

“However, we are taking this opportunity to revisit Aboriginal communities across the state – including within Central Hunter LAC – to reinforce the powerful ways in which police and Aboriginal people can work together to build stronger, safer communities,” he said.

“As the Aboriginal Strategic Direction is up for review next year, we will also be seeking input on how we can forge even more productive partnerships between police and Aboriginal people in the future,” Acting Deputy Commissioner McKechnie said.

Representatives from the NSW Police Aboriginal Co-ordination Team will run the information sessions, which are taking place within Central Hunter LAC at the following locations and subsequent times:

Monday 30 May 2016

9.30am: Mindaribba Local Aboriginal Land Council (Chelmsford Drive, Metford)

Midday: Barkuma Neighbourhood Centre (Lang Street, Kurri Kurri)

Tuesday 31 May 2016

10am: Mayaroo Aboriginal Organisation (Wine Country Drive, Cessnock)