Released 25/07/2017
Minister for Police and Emergency Services Mick Gentleman today unveiled his key priorities for ACT Policing for 2017-18, including a focus on responding to domestic and family violence, and preventing terrorism in the ACT.
“The key priorities I have issued today as part of my Ministerial Direction are focused on keeping the Canberra community as well as our frontline Police officers safe,” Minister Gentleman said.
“The ACT Government is committed to the safety of all Canberrans, and these priority areas will build on the community’s confidence and trust in ACT Policing.”
The five areas of focus included in the 2017-18 Direction are:
- strengthening the ACT’s response to domestic and family violence;
- reducing and preventing alcohol-fuelled violence;
- early intervention and diversion strategies including restorative justice with a focus on young people and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people;
- improving road safety through particular emphasis on vulnerable road users and dangerous driving behaviours; and
- preventing, disrupting and responding to the evolving threat of violent extremism and terrorism, with a particular focus on crowded places.
In 2017-18, the ACT Government is invested $161.8 million in ACT Policing. This includes $8.8 million for a range a new initiatives including equipping more front-line officers with conducted energy weapons (also known as Tasers) and six new police officers for extra patrols to support safer nightlife precincts.
Minister Gentleman today also joined Acting Australian Federal Police Commissioner Michael Phelan, and Chief Police Officer for the ACT Justine Saunders to sign the 2017-2021 Police Purchase Agreement.
“The Purchase Agreement details how ACT Policing and the AFP work together, and sets the government’s continuing expectations for the delivery of a professional, innovative and effective policing service for the Canberra community,” Minister Gentleman said.
Chief Police Officer for the ACT Justine Saunders said that the Agreement would help ACT Policing to deal with a increasingly complex criminal environment.
“ACT Policing and the ACT Government have agreed on an arrangement that strives to deliver a sustainable, professional, innovative, flexible and effective policing response to the increasingly complex criminal environment,” Chief Police Officer Saunders said.
“Police officers in the ACT do an outstanding job tackling crime, and I would like to thank all of our ACT Police officers for their continued dedication to the Canberra community,” Minister Gentleman concluded.
The 2017-2021 Purchase Agreement and Ministerial Direction can be found at justice.act.gov.au
- Statement ends -
Mick Gentleman, MLA | Media Releases