Dr Marisa Patterson and CPO Scott Lee. The new ministerial direction reflects the ACT Government’s commitment to evidence-based, community-focused policing. Photo: Ian Bushnell.
CONTENT WARNING: This article refers to family and sexual violence.
A new ministerial direction has been issued for ACT Policing, aiming to improve key areas in Canberra’s criminal justice system.
The ministerial direction was issued under the policing arrangement between the ACT Government and the Australian Federal Police, and allows the Minister for Police to provide general directions to ACT Policing.
The highlighted areas are related to family and sexual violence, firearm safety and reducing the over-representation of First Nations people in the justice system.
ACT Chief Police Officer Scott Lee said the ministerial direction ensured that ACT Policing had its priorities aligned with those of the government and the community.
“Canberra remains one of the safest cities and the safest jurisdictions in the country, and we want to ensure our policing continues to keep the community safe,” he said.
“It’s a really important ministerial direction and really provides a strong platform for continuing work between ACT Policing and the ACT Government.
“Crime is increasingly complex. We need to continue to innovate, look at where we can continuously improve our processes, and look at how we can better invest in technology.”
Minister for Police Dr Marisa Paterson said a key priority was working to build trust with the First Nations community in Canberra, and a lot of work had been done recently to reduce over-representation in the justice system.
She pointed to the recent Jumbunna Review that showed where work needed to be prioritised, including in ACT Policing.
Dr Paterson also said ACT Policing had seized many illegal firearms in the community, so it was important to ensure the Territory had the most up-to-date legislation to address these weapons.
She said the ACT currently had a paper-based firearm register, but an exciting development was how it would be upgraded to a digital system.
“This direction makes clear the alignment between ACT Government priorities and ACT Policing to continue to deliver a professional, accountable and community-focused service that keeps Canberrans safe and continues our trend of reducing overall crime,” Dr Paterson said.
“We are prioritising initiatives that reduce harm, build trust and address the underlying causes of crime.”
An ACT Government spokesperson said key initiatives under the new direction included:
- Domestic and family violence response: Supporting a Domestic and Family Violence Investigation Unit with specialist training in coercive control and technology-assisted abuse, while continuing to work with partner agencies to support victims and hold offenders accountable.
- Firearms safety: Supporting the development of the National Firearms Register and uplifting the ACT Firearms Registry to ensure a fit-for-purpose regulatory regime that enhances community safety.
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander justice: Implementing culturally informed policing practices, strengthening engagement through the Chief Police Officer’s Advisory Board, and supporting justice reinvestment strategies to reduce over-representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the criminal justice system.
