MLP invited to meet VIC Police
One of KJ’s Martu leadership team, Tim Schneider, was invited to present some of the Martu Leadership Program (MLP) initiatives to a proactive Victoria Police Unit and the Youth Justice Department based in Prahran, Melbourne.
The Victoria Police had received the national request to reduce Aboriginal deaths in custody and by default, assumed reducing Aboriginal incarceration was a parallel objective. They invited one of KJ’s MLP team over to Victoria to learn more about the work between the MLP and WA police.
Tim explained the Martu approach which is wanting to maintain identity as a strong Martu in the mainstream world. This approach stresses the importance of developing confidence both within Martu and police; learning principles behind the MLP (image below with Venn diagram); and the desire of WA Police and Martu to move into the "middle space" to be effective.
It was then opened up to the Victorian police to discuss their own strategies and ideas for next steps. The teams were naturals, and surprised themselves when they were able to outline some practical steps they could start to follow-up:
identify who the elders are in their area;
what are the issues they are dealing with, from both indigenous and police perspectives;
acknowledgement to understand all social issues and not look at things in isolation;
identify target areas to focus on; and
consider diversion possibilities.
It was encouraging that they noted the following as tools to increase confidence in these partnerships between Aboriginal groups and local police:
important to listen;
develop de-escalation response methods; and
foster inter departmental co-op including Koorie court.
We hope the Prahran unit will continue to make strong ties with Traditional Owners in their areas. And if any other Youth Justice Departments or police groups are interested in learning more about the Martu Leadership Program, get in touch!
