ACLO officers speakingw ith community members

Aboriginal Community Liaison Officers

How the Aboriginal Community Liaison Officers and Police Aboriginal Liaison Officers enhance our relationship with Aboriginal communities.

Victoria Police respectfully acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land upon which we live and work. We pay our respects to Elders, past, present and emerging.

We recognise and embrace Aboriginal people as the oldest, continuous living culture.

Aboriginal Community Liaison Officers (ACLOs)

Aboriginal Community Liaison Officers (ACLOs) play a pivotal liaison role in Victoria Police.

The ACLO program addresses Recommendation 231 of the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody (RCIADIC).

The role of Aboriginal Community Liaison Officers

ACLOs liaise between the Aboriginal community and Victoria Police. They are community representatives within the organisation.

The ACLO role helps police to:

  • deliver effective services
  • have a positive influence on Aboriginal Victorians’ perceptions of personal and community safety.

In consultation with the community, ACLOs:

  • provide advice to senior police members on local Aboriginal issues
  • encourage Aboriginal communities to engage with police members to resolve issues
  • help to develop and deliver appropriate training programs.

The ACLO logo was designed by Gary Saunders, a proud Bangerang, Wiradjuri, Yorta Yorta and Dja Dja Wurrung man.

The design embodies the rings of a tree trunk, representing:

  • the layers and complexity of the Aboriginal community, and
  • the years of knowledge and understanding handed down to community by Elders that have worked hard to pave the way and address the needs of their people.

The half circles around the rings represent:

  • the tradition of the people sitting around having a yarn, and
  • the ACLOs around the state that meet to share knowledge to help strengthen their communities.

Contact an ACLO

You can contact an ACLO at the following regional and metropolitan police stations.

Find your Victoria Police region

Victoria Police serves the Victorian community across four regions. These are North West Metro, Southern Metro, Eastern and Western.

The four regions are shown in the map below.

Victoria Police divisional regions, North West Metro region, Southern Metro region, Eastern region and Western region.

Police Aboriginal Liaison Officers (PALOs)

Police Aboriginal Liaison Officers (PALOs) are members of Victoria Police who have PALO duties along with their operational role.

The PALO program addresses Recommendation 231 of the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody (RCIADIC).

The role of Police Aboriginal Liaison Officers

Along with ACLOs, PALOs focus on cultural safety and work with the Aboriginal community to:

  • resolve local issues
  • facilitate access to police services (including reporting crime)
  • help police members become culturally conscious and responsive to the needs of Aboriginal people and communities
  • provide a contact point for community members who want support to engage with police, and
  • provide advice to their peers and colleagues on local Aboriginal issues.

The PALO logo was designed by Gary Saunders, a proud Bangerang, Wiradjuri, Yorta Yorta and Dja Dja Wurrung man.

The design represents the relationship and partnership between PALOs, ACLOs and Aboriginal communities across the state.

The rings symbolise the strong links between Aboriginal communities and Victoria Police.

The symbol of a river acts to connect these groups together - water representing the source of life and growth.

Contact a PALO

To get in touch with a PALO, contact your local police station.

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