Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . .
Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2003 Week 11 Hansard (22 October) . . Page.. 3930 ..
MR PRATT (continuing):
What is community policing? In 1829, the father of modern policing, Mr Robert Peel, laid out the nine principles of policing. The seventh principle was:
To maintain at all times a relationship with the public that gives reality to the historic tradition that the police are the public and the public are the police, the police being the only members of the public that are paid to give full-time attention to duties which are incumbent on every citizen, in the interests of community welfare and existence.
That philosophy goes to the heart of the meaning of community policing. We seek to reorganise the ACT police to better focus its energies and resources to the community frontline. To that end our program will include, first, a greenfields approach to determining mission and required force structure, for example, analysing district by district and area by area local community needs and structuring police stations to meet those needs. Second, the key to crime prevention is to build block units of deployable, experienced and balanced teams-the basis for all operations. [Extension of time granted.] Third, it is in the interests of the morale, effectiveness and capability of the force to keep those basic teams together.
Fourth, we need effective community policing, or beat police. We need a stronger interface between police and communities fostering two-way communication. Fifth, bicycle and horse patrols require increased mobility and enhanced access to communities in our broad suburban landscape. Police patrols must be able to access those areas that are inaccessible to patrol cars.
Another fundamental tenet of our program is a police presence at our schools. I am not talking about basing police in schools as I do not believe that that is necessarily a good idea; I am talking about young, well-trained and sympathetic police officers regularly visiting schools in order to build trust and respect between kids and police. Finally, we require criminal youth and youth at risk diversionary programs. We need a better integration of our youth services and schools so that police are able to interact with children at risk of committing crimes and ensure that they are on the right track.
Crime is on the increase. I believe that a stronger police presence is needed in the community-a sentiment that is echoed by experienced police officers. Some members might wish to haggle over statistics and poll numbers, or perhaps even downplay the level of criminality, but I have had plenty of feedback from the community about what is happening in Canberra. That is the gut feeling of the majority of Canberrans to whom I have spoken. Residents of and visitors to Canberra deserve to be safe and Canberra should be a safe city. That can be achieved only if ACT Policing is appropriately funded and structured and is focused on frontline policing.
MR WOOD (Minister for Disability, Housing and Community Services, Minister for Urban Services, Minister for Police and Emergency Services and Minister for Arts and Heritage) (3.34): Mr Speaker, I think first I should move the amendment to Mr Pratt's motion that has been circulated in my name.
Mrs Dunne: On a point of order, please, Mr Speaker, on the amendment: I would seek your guidance as to whether this amendment is in order. I refer to House of
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . .