Media release: ACTCOSS to give evidence to public hearing on Evaluation of ACT Policing Arrangements

The ACT Council of Social Service (ACTCOSS) will today give evidence to the Standing Committee on Justice and Community Safety on the Evaluation of Current ACT Policing Arrangements.

Dr Emma Campbell, ACTCOSS CEO said: “For a robust evaluation of ACT Policing arrangements the Committee should hear a range of views from the community.

“In June, ACTCOSS wrote to the Committee urging it to seek input from a broader section of the ACT community, including community service organisations, before its final report back this month.

“We are pleased to have been called to give evidence today.

“ACTCOSS will acknowledge ACT Policing good practice including the PACER project that responds to people experiencing mental health emergencies. ACTCOSS will also highlight issues including:

• Over-policing of marginalised and disadvantaged population groups
• The role of ACT Policing in reducing Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander incarceration
• Training for ACT Policing to be competent, respectful and responsive in engagement with people with disability
• Insufficiency of data on interactions with vulnerable community groups
• Improving engagement with community sector organisations and organisations representing vulnerable, disadvantaged and marginalised community members.

Dr Campbell said: “The vibrant public discussions taking place around the overrepresentation of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people in Australia’s prisons and justice system through the Black Lives Matter movement reminds us that we still have a lot of work to do.

“ACTCOSS welcomes this opportunity to contribute to discussions on how we can build trust in ACT Policing and ensure all Canberrans experience equality in the actions taken and services provided by ACT Policing.”

ACTCOSS will give evidence at 4pm today, Tuesday 4 August and can be viewed through the ACT Legislative Assembly via Assembly on Demand.

The ACT Council of Social Service advocates for social justice in the ACT and represents not-for-profit community organisations.

For more information or comment, please contact

Dr Emma Campbell, CEO ACTCOSS on 0424 910 617.