Mark Tyson
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http://www.thewest.com.au/20040115/news/general/tw-news-general-home-sto118444.html
Aides' guns destroy trust: police chief
By Anne Calverley
POLICE Commissioner Barry Matthews does not want Aboriginal police aides to carry guns because the weapons generated distrust in the indigenous population, thwarting attempts to fight crime.
Mr Matthews told the Industrial Magistrate's Court yesterday he wanted Aboriginal police liaison officers to revert to their primary role of breaking down barriers between police and Aboriginal people.
In March 2002, the WA Police Union successfully fought a decision by police hierarchy to disarm the police aides, with the WA Industrial Relations Commission ruling their powers be restored until their duties were changed.
The union is seeking a penalty on Mr Matthews for failing to comply with orders relating to the police aides' uniforms, deployment, training and duties, as well as helping them make the transition into mainstream policing.
Mr Matthews denied the allegations yesterday by arguing all the orders had been met.
He said APLOs were issued with different coloured uniforms to distinguish them from regular officers, given information and training about changes to their new job description and encouraged to become sworn officers.
He said senior police were also told in what circumstance police aides could be used with provisions made for those working in isolated communities to carry weapons.
Mr Matthews said recruits graduating after March 2002 did not require firearm training because they were performing only liaison duties and were not involved in frontline operations.
He said he decided to revert APLOs to their primary role, which had become distorted over time through a gradual shift to mainstream policing.
He said discussions with Aboriginal elders revealed many saw firearms as confrontational rather than helpful in resolving conflict.
But recruits still received training on how to use batons, handcuffs and pepper spray to defend themselves in dangerous situations.
"In Aboriginal history going back a number of years, there are allegations police did kill a lot of Aboriginal people (with guns) ," Mr Matthews said. "Firearms assume a significant degree of symbolism because of past historical issues and are seen as oppressive."
He said APLOs would focus on policing to help young indigenous people avoid falling into crime.
"I want crime prevention embedded into the culture rather than seen as something which is dealt with when they're (police) not busy," Mr Matthews said.
The hearing was adjourned until next month.
© 2004 West Australian Newspapers Limited
Aides' guns destroy trust: police chief
By Anne Calverley
POLICE Commissioner Barry Matthews does not want Aboriginal police aides to carry guns because the weapons generated distrust in the indigenous population, thwarting attempts to fight crime.
Mr Matthews told the Industrial Magistrate's Court yesterday he wanted Aboriginal police liaison officers to revert to their primary role of breaking down barriers between police and Aboriginal people.
In March 2002, the WA Police Union successfully fought a decision by police hierarchy to disarm the police aides, with the WA Industrial Relations Commission ruling their powers be restored until their duties were changed.
The union is seeking a penalty on Mr Matthews for failing to comply with orders relating to the police aides' uniforms, deployment, training and duties, as well as helping them make the transition into mainstream policing.
Mr Matthews denied the allegations yesterday by arguing all the orders had been met.
He said APLOs were issued with different coloured uniforms to distinguish them from regular officers, given information and training about changes to their new job description and encouraged to become sworn officers.
He said senior police were also told in what circumstance police aides could be used with provisions made for those working in isolated communities to carry weapons.
Mr Matthews said recruits graduating after March 2002 did not require firearm training because they were performing only liaison duties and were not involved in frontline operations.
He said he decided to revert APLOs to their primary role, which had become distorted over time through a gradual shift to mainstream policing.
He said discussions with Aboriginal elders revealed many saw firearms as confrontational rather than helpful in resolving conflict.
But recruits still received training on how to use batons, handcuffs and pepper spray to defend themselves in dangerous situations.
"In Aboriginal history going back a number of years, there are allegations police did kill a lot of Aboriginal people (with guns) ," Mr Matthews said. "Firearms assume a significant degree of symbolism because of past historical issues and are seen as oppressive."
He said APLOs would focus on policing to help young indigenous people avoid falling into crime.
"I want crime prevention embedded into the culture rather than seen as something which is dealt with when they're (police) not busy," Mr Matthews said.
The hearing was adjourned until next month.
© 2004 West Australian Newspapers Limited
