A new initiative that aims to improve the relationship between the NSW Police Force and local Aboriginal communities is set to launch in the Yass Valley, Goulburn, Southern Highlands and Young.
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NSW Police is establishing a Police Aboriginal Consultative Committee that will meet regularly in those areas to discuss any issues facing the Aboriginal community that police can assist with.
Those may include domestic violence or youth issues, said Acting Inspector and Officer in Charge of Yass Police Station, David Cowell.
The committee's first meeting in the Yass Valley will be at the Yass Soldiers Memorial Hall (82-94 Comur St, Yass) this Tuesday at 1.30pm.
The meetings will be held quarterly thereafter and chaired by the Officer in Charge of Yass Police Station.
Anyone from the Aboriginal community is welcome to attend the meeting, Acting Inspector Cowell.
"It's an open invitation," Acting Inspector Cowell said.
"This is an opportunity for people to raise any issues or perceived issues that are affecting the community and for us to help.
"The objectives of the meeting are to ensure community safety; enhance communication and understanding between police and Aboriginal people; collaborate with other agencies to reduce Aboriginal over-representation in the criminal justice system; and improve safety and well-being of young Aboriginal people," Acting Inspector Cowell said.
The initiative sits under the NSW Police Force Aboriginal Strategic Direction, which guides local police in their management of Aboriginal issues.
The direction is to seek a genuine level of Aboriginal community ownership and involvement through a consultative and proactive approach.
A NSW Police Aboriginal coordination team will attend the first meeting in Yass to help set it up.
