4 PoliceMonthly JULY 2012

AWiradjuri elder from Dubbo,

Uncle John Hill delivered a well

received Welcome to Country before

the conference was opened by the

Acting Corporate Spokesperson for

Aboriginal Issues, A/Assistant

Commissioner Bruce Lyons from

Western Region.

More than 50 ACLOs work with

police across the state to build

better relationships with local

Aboriginal communities. While each

works as part of the local Crime

Management Teams, the Aboriginal

Coordination Team is part of

Operational Programs within Major

Events & Incidents Group.

Coordinated by the Aboriginal

Coordination Team, the conference

generated discussion about the

services available to victims, family

violence initiatives and the training

being provided to specialist police

who need to investigate crimes

committed against members of the

Aboriginal community.

Held before 2012 National NAIDOC

Week, the conference was also a

chance to recognise our long serving

ACLOs. Both A/Assistant

Commissioner Bruce Lyons and

Commander of the MEIG, Assistant

Commissioner Alan Clarke

expressed the appreciation of the

NSWPF for the work our ACLOs

have done over the years and

their achievements.

Certificates of Recognition were

presented to 22 officers with 10

years or more of service, while eight

who have served for more than 20

years were presented with a plaque.

Uncle Les Doole, stationed at his

home town of Brewarrina for 24

years, was celebrated as our longest

servicing ACLO. At almost 70 years

old, he is also the oldest and one of

the most respected by his peers.

Aboriginal community liaison officers fromacross the state came together in Dubbo lastmonth to discuss their role within the variouscommunities they work.

Celebrating

Some of the Aboriginal community liaison officers who attended theconference in Dubbo. Our longest serving ACLO, Uncle Les Doolefrom Brewarrina, is seated second from the right.

By Lisa Jackson, Aboriginal Coordination Team

ACLO Harry Cutmore from Oxley LAC

ACLO Brett Grogan from Lake Macquarie LAC

ACLO Barry Hoskins from Coffs/Clarence LAC

JULY 2012 PoliceMonthly 5

Supt Stan Single commended

Dubbo ACLO Willie Middleton,

who came up with the idea.

“Willie is a very innovative

person who’s always coming up

with new ideas,” he said. “He

thought of the bikes at last year’s

Country Music Festival in

Tamworth. And after getting

approval, designing the uniform

and organising bike training, they

were launched at this year’s

festival. It was quite a feat.”

An ACLO with almost 16 years

of experience, Willie said that

ACLOs often help out at festivals

where large groups of community

members get together.

“While we were at Tamworth

last year with ACLO Harry Cutmore,

some kids started clowning around

at the other end of town,” he said.

“And with the streets blocked off

to traffic, we ended up having to

walk miles to work it out.”

Back in Dubbo, Willie and ACLO

Jason Nolan, a graduate of

IPROWD, use the bikes to patrol for

truancy and to help them get

around to their jobs.

“Riding bikes isn’t for every

ACLO, but it’s great if you like to

get out and about,” he said. “The

biggest benefit for us is that we

can talk easily with the youngsters

as we ride through town.”

If your command is interested in

this initiative, contact ACLO Willie

Middleton (midd1wil) at Dubbo on

72602 / 6883 1599.

Traci Palladino, Police Monthly

Orana LAC is the first in the state to introducebicycle patrol for their Aboriginal communityliaison officers.

Orana Aboriginal community liaison officers patrol on wheels.From left: ACLOs Jason Nolan with Snr Cst Ian Burns andACLO Willie Middleton

ACLOs Greg Brown from Mid North Coast LAC and Lester Moranfrom Richmond LAC

ACLOs Brian Carr from Orana LAC and Paul Mumbler from Wagga Wagga LAC

ACLOS ON BIKES