NCJ Number
132450
Date Published
1991
Length
7 pages
Annotation
Community-based policing has been initiated within the Australian Capital Territory (ACT), a city-state with about 300,000 inhabitants.
Abstract
After becoming a self-governing entity, the ACT had to decide on how best to provide police services. It considered two options: negotiate with another government level for police services on a contract basis; or set up an autonomous police service. Based on the Canadian experience with contracted police services, the ACT government decided to adopt a similar approach. Daily operational responsibility for policing the ACT rests with the Australian Federal Police (AFP) Commissioner. Police services include protection of persons and property, crime prevention and detection, ACT law enforcement, development and maintenance of community participation in the provision of police services, and responsiveness to community needs. AFP resources deployed to ACT policing include over 660 personnel, together with the necessary infrastructure to support those personnel. The AFP's commitment to community policing in the ACT is demonstrated by the formation of a specialist Community Policing Branch. This branch is comprised of crime prevention, public relations, and planning and research sections. The coordination of community policing matters is achieved through interaction between headquarters and district community police officials located at various police stations. The ACT community policing strategy aims to increase a feeling of safety and security in the community by giving priority to crime prevention and by maintaining rapid operational response capabilities.