Case Study
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Overview
South Australia Police (SAPOL) from Northern Operations Service celebrated Harmony Day with local African Australian women and their pre-school aged children by having a traditional Australian barbeque to help dispel fear of police and authorities.
What are the aims of the project?
The traditional 'Aussie barbie' was held on Harmony Day, 21 March 2009. Members of SAPOL, volunteers from Modbury Uniting Church, and members of the African Women's Day program enjoyed traditional Australian fare and built trust in each other through social interaction.
What was involved?
In 2004, the Modbury Uniting Church started an African Women's Day program to provide practical help and advice on day to day living in Australia to African Australians from refugee backgrounds. Held weekly, the program offers English conversation, sewing, basic computing, cooking and nutrition, learner driving instruction, regular demonstrations, workshops and seminars, and Families SA Modbury provides financial counselling.
In November 2007, the program added visits by SAPOL members to help the African Australian women and their children learn to trust police officers, change their negative perceptions, and increase their confidence when interacting with police in South Australia.
SA police officers provide the women with information on a range of issues including the role of the police, rights and responsibilities, traffic laws, domestic violence and obtaining drivers' licences. An important part of their visit is a friendly 'cuppa' and joining in games with the children to encourage them to trust the police.
The barbeque lunch was sponsored by the Northern Operations Service Coordinator, Chief Superintendent Trueman.
Who participated?
Around 80 African Australian women, their children and volunteers from Modbury Uniting Church joined SAPOL members for the barbeque at the church.
What were the outcomes?
Organisers and police have noticed a real change in the attitudes of African Australian women and their children towards uniformed police.
Many of the women and children had very negative perceptions of police. For example, one woman who initially burst into tears and ran to hide in a nearby room, now mixes freely with the police according to Senior Sergeant Robinson from Holden Hill Local Service Area.
Similarly a child who was so scared of police he previously curled up into a ball and hid when he saw a police car now happily dresses up in old uniforms and interacts with police whenever they visit.
The African Women's Day program benefits from police interaction with the group, marked increase in self-esteem and confidence of participants and the opportunity for a wide range of issues and topics to be addressed.
Where can I get more information?
SAPOL Aboriginal & Multicultural Unit
Telephone: 08 82042878
Website: South Australia Police
Quotes
'Organisers and police have noticed a real change in the attitude of the mums and children through their interaction with the uniformed police at the African Woman’s Day program.'
Senior Sergeant Robinson, Holden Hill LSA Crime Prevention Section, South Australia Police
'One African woman, who now mixes freely but who initially burst into tears and ran to hide in a nearby room is an example of the positive change that is occurring.'
Senior Sergeant Robinson, Holden Hill LSA Crime Prevention Section, South Australia Police
'A child who was so scared of police he curled up into a ball and hid in the foot well of the car when he saw a police car now happily dresses up in old uniforms and interacts with police whenever they visit.'
Senior Sergeant Robinson, Holden Hill LSA Crime Prevention Section, South Australia Police

