A WA parliamentary question addresses the definition, measurement, and management of 'culturally competent officers' within the WA Police, following the replacement of Aboriginal police liaison officers. The Minister's response outlines the selection process and tracking of these positions.

AnsweredQoN 176Legislative Council
Asked
4 April 2007
Portfolio
Police and Emergency Services

QuestionView source ↗

WA POLICE - CULTURALLY COMPETENT OFFICERS
Aboriginal police liaison officers no longer exist in many policing districts and have been replaced by culturally competent officers. Can the minister please advise - (a) the definition of a culturally competent officer; (b) how this competency is measured and attained; and (c) how the police service manages and reports on the number of culturally competent officers? Hon JON FORD

AnswerView source ↗

I thank Hon Nigel Hallett for some notice of the question. (a) Culturally competent officers are those officers identified as having worked with indigenous groups for a reasonable period and having an affinity for working with indigenous groups. (b) Officers deemed to be culturally competent are generally selected based on their knowledge and experience of working with indigenous groups, and the selections are made by the officer in charge of the relevant police station in consultation with local indigenous groups and indigenous leaders. (c) All Aboriginal police liaison officer positions converted to culturally competent officer positions are tracked and monitored to ensure that the above process occurs when a position becomes vacant.
(b) how this competency is measured and attained; and (c) how the police service manages and reports on the number of culturally competent officers?
(c) how the police service manages and reports on the number of culturally competent officers?
I thank Hon Nigel Hallett for some notice of the question. (a) Culturally competent officers are those officers identified as having worked with indigenous groups for a reasonable period and having an affinity for working with indigenous groups. (b) Officers deemed to be culturally competent are generally selected based on their knowledge and experience of working with indigenous groups, and the selections are made by the officer in charge of the relevant police station in consultation with local indigenous groups and indigenous leaders. (c) All Aboriginal police liaison officer positions converted to culturally competent officer positions are tracked and monitored to ensure that the above process occurs when a position becomes vacant.
(a) Culturally competent officers are those officers identified as having worked with indigenous groups for a reasonable period and having an affinity for working with indigenous groups. (b) Officers deemed to be culturally competent are generally selected based on their knowledge and experience of working with indigenous groups, and the selections are made by the officer in charge of the relevant police station in consultation with local indigenous groups and indigenous leaders. (c) All Aboriginal police liaison officer positions converted to culturally competent officer positions are tracked and monitored to ensure that the above process occurs when a position becomes vacant.
(b) Officers deemed to be culturally competent are generally selected based on their knowledge and experience of working with indigenous groups, and the selections are made by the officer in charge of the relevant police station in consultation with local indigenous groups and indigenous leaders. (c) All Aboriginal police liaison officer positions converted to culturally competent officer positions are tracked and monitored to ensure that the above process occurs when a position becomes vacant.
(c) All Aboriginal police liaison officer positions converted to culturally competent officer positions are tracked and monitored to ensure that the above process occurs when a position becomes vacant.

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