Aboriginal Community Liaison Officers

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

Aboriginal Community Liaison Officers (ACLOs) play a pivotal liaison role for 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

The ACLO role helps police to:

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

ACLOs liaise between the Victorian Aboriginal community and Victoria Police.

They are community representatives within the organisation. 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.

Contact an Aboriginal Community Liaison Officer

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

Police Aboriginal Liaison Officers

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.

Contact a Police Aboriginal Liaison Officer

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

Logo designs developed for Victoria Police

The following ACLO and PALO program logo designs were developed by Gary Saunders - proud Bangerang, Wiradjuri, Yorta Yorta and Dja Dja Wurrung man.

ACLO program logo design

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.

PALO program logo design

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.