NCJ Number
202715
Date Published
March 2003
Length
84 pages
Annotation
The report provides guidelines in the development and operation of Aboriginal community patrols in New South Wales.
Abstract
Originally, patrols in New South Wales were started by Aboriginal women to challenge violence and help protect their communities. The benefits of establishing community patrols have been seen as providing advice, support, and information linking community members to a range of support services, providing guidance or support through the relationships that develop between workers and the community, and developing more positive relationships and cooperative partnerships with key local services such as the police. The guidelines were created to help Aboriginal communities set up and operate a community patrol thereby, making communities safer by preventing crime. These guidelines are based on the experiences of patrols funded by the NSW Attorney General’s Department in Kempsey, Forster, Narrandera, Nowra, and Dareton/Namatjira. All the information within the guidelines should be tailored to suit the community’s characteristics and needs. The guidelines are divided into seven sections: (1) what are Aboriginal community patrols; (2) getting started; (3) workers; (4) child protection; (5) operating your patrol; (6) patrol policies and procedures; and (7) supporting information.