How to become an Indigenous Community Liaison Officer

Indigenous community liaison officers liaise with Indigenous communities and the state or territory police forces in order to establish and maintain positive relationships.

Personal requirements for an Indigenous Community Liaison Officer

Enjoy working with people
Good communication and negotiation skills
Of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent
Of sound character
Acceptable traffic/criminal record
Medically and physically fit

Education & Training for an Indigenous Community Liaison Officer

You can work as an Indigenous community liaison officer in New South Wales, the Northern Territory, South Australia and Queensland without formal qualifications, but employers usually require Year 10. The Aboriginal community liaison officer positions are Indigenous-specific positions. Training is undertaken on the job and further study may be required. Training periods and requirements vary between the states and territories.In Tasmania, Victoria and Western Australia, the role of police Aboriginal community liaison officer is performed by sworn officers of the police force and is not a separate occupation. Contact the recruitment division of your state or territory's police department for further information.

Additional information

People who have established good networks within Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities are encouraged to apply.Applicants will be required to undergo a National Police Check and hold a drivers licence.

Duties & Tasks of an Indigenous Community Liaison Officer

Indigenous community liaison officers:

Establish good communication between police and local Indigenous communities
Help determine disputes involving police and Indigenous communities
Advise and educate police officers on cross-cultural awareness
Advise police on potential crime and disorder areas and suggest ways to stop crime and misbehaviour
Improve community knowledge about policing services and law and order issues
Provide assistance to relatives visiting Indigenous prisoners
Assist police and Indigenous persons and their families involved in the juvenile justice process
Use appropriate police powers and prepare prosecution briefs.

Tasks

Attends meetings.
Processes incoming and outgoing mail, files correspondence and maintains records.
Researches and prepares reports, briefing notes, memoranda, correspondence and other routine documents to help facilitate communication.
Maintains confidential files and documents.
Liaises with members of the public establishing communication between various parties, organisations or government organisation.

Working conditions for an Indigenous Community Liaison Officer

Indigenous community liaison officers are required to work shifts, including weekends and public holidays, and may serve in urban and remote communities. Indigenous community liaison officers usually have limited police powers, although in certain circumstances they may assist police officers with law enforcement tasks such as arrest, search and detainment. In Tasmania and WA, however, there is no separate Indigenous community liaison officer programme. Instead, fully sworn members of the police force perform this function specialising in the liaison role.

Specializations

Indigenous Community Liaison Officer

Indigenous community liaison officers liaise with Indigenous communities and the state or territory police forces in order to establish and maintain positive relationships.

Average age
41
Future Growth
N/A
Gender Share
71% female
Average full-time
40 hours
Weekly Pay
N/A
Skill level rating
Very high skill
Unemployment
Average unemployment
Full-Time Share
72%
Employment Size
7,400
Employment by state
ACT: 5.9%
NSW: 26.9%
NT: 5.1%
QLD: 20.2%
SA: 8.0%
TAS: 2.6%
VIC: 20.1%
WA: 11.2%
Age brackets
15-19: 0.4%
20-24: 4.3%
25-34: 25.4%
35-44: 26%
45-54: 25.2%
55-59: 8.8%
60-64: 5.9%
65 and Over: 4.1%
Education level
Advanced Diploma/Diploma: 16.5%
Bachelor degree: 29.7%
Certificate III/IV: 13.9%
Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate: 17.6%
Year 10 and below: 6.5%
Year 11: 2.6%
Year 12: 13.1%