About the Yoorrook Justice Commission
The Uluru Statement from the Heart called for Voice, Treaty and Truth.
In March 2022, the Yoorrook Justice Commission was launched. The Yoorrook Justice Commission is the first formal truth-telling process into historical and ongoing injustices experienced by First Peoples in Victoria.
Yoorrook is the Wemba Wemba word for "truth".
Victoria Police's commitment to the Yoorrook Justice Commission
Victoria Police formed a Response Taskforce to support the Yoorrook Justice Commission.
The Commission reviewed a range of matters relevant to policing, including:
- the roll-out of Aboriginal Cultural Awareness Training and other training to Victoria Police staff
- handling of complaints and police oversight
- raising the age of criminal responsibility and any alternative ways to keep young children out of the criminal justice system
- Aboriginal deaths in police custody.
As a result, the Chief Commissioner of Police, Shane Patton APM made commitments to support self-determination and improve outcomes to:
- work in partnership with Aboriginal people and communities
- review Victoria Police’s policies and processes to address:
- systemic racism
- unconscious bias
- unequal use of discretionary power in outcomes
- review and update Victoria Police training
- improve police accountability.
Visit the Yoorrook Justice Commission website for more information.
The Chief Commissioner’s Statement of Commitment
The Chief Commissioner of Police, Shane Patton APM has developed the Statement of Commitment. It is a living document and will evolve in response to the work of the Yoorrook Justice Commission and the needs of the Aboriginal community.
The statement currently contains 79 actions to be completed by the end of 2025. These actions aim to ensure real change flows from the commitment the Chief Commissioner of Police, Shane Patton APM made to the Yoorrook Justice Commission.
The Chief Commissioner’s apology to the Aboriginal community
On 8 May 2023, the Chief Commissioner of Police, Shane Patton APM, apologised to the Victorian Aboriginal community.
The apology addressed issues within Victoria Police including:
- systemic racism
- racist attitudes
- discriminatory actions that have gone undetected, unchecked, unpunished or without appropriate sanctions.
The Chief Commissioner of Police, Shane Patton APM acknowledged that these issues have caused significant harm across generations of Aboriginal families.
Read the full Chief Commissioner of Police, Shane Patton APM’s apology to the Aboriginal community in the hearing transcript on the Yoorrook Justice Commission website.
The Shield - a symbol of change
On 8 May 2023, the Chief Commissioner of Police, Shane Patton APM made a historic appearance before the Yoorrook Justice Commission.
During his appearance at Yoorrook, the Chief Commissioner of Police, Shane Patton APM gave an undertaking that Victoria Police would protect Aboriginal communities and families and respect culture and human rights.
Yoorrook Commissioners presented the Chief Commissioner of Police, Shane Patton APM with a shield to act as a reminder of his landmark apology and in expectation of the transformative change that must follow.
The shield stands as a reminder to all current and future Victoria Police officers of their duty to protect “First Peoples communities and families: to protect First Peoples culture, cultural rights and human rights.”
The shield was made by proud Taungwurrung man Mick Harding. In his artist statement he writes:
"Shields represent the protection of our people. The designs on this shield are symbols of Aboriginal people in this country – Bunjil the creator spirit, totems and our footprints. They recognise our lore, customs and languages.
Sharing this shield comes with the expectation that Victoria Police will respect the fact that First Peoples have lore and customs to protect country (land and waters) and people. And that Victoria Police will protect First Peoples (ensuring their safety).
The shield is a visual reminder that Aboriginal people’s lives are as equally important as everyone in our community.
Gilbruk Baan Biik Woora Woora Nugal-Nganjin
Gilbruk Buk Nugal-NganjinRespect our water, our country, our sky
Respect Our People."
Unveiling the Shield
The Shield was unveiled at the Victoria Police Centre in Docklands on 8 May 2024.
The Yoorrook Justice Commissioners, Aboriginal community representatives, First Peoples’ Assembly representatives, Aboriginal Justice Caucus members and the Minister for Police were present at the unveiling.
Respectful use of language
We use the term ‘Aboriginal’ to respectfully refer to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. This is consistent with the current language we use in our existing policies, documents and forums. These include Aboriginal Cultural Awareness Training, Aboriginal Justice Forum and Aboriginal Justice Caucus.
Using this term is not intended to deny the right of Aboriginal people to choose the way in which they are referred to.
Acknowledgement
Victoria Police respectfully acknowledges the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the land and waterways upon which our lives depend.
We acknowledge and pay our respects to ancestors of this country, Elders, knowledge holders and leaders – past, present and future. We extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
We recognise that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities are steeped in culture and lore having existed within Australia continuously for some 65,000 years.
We acknowledge the ongoing leadership of Aboriginal communities across Victoria in striving to build on these strengths to address inequalities and improve Aboriginal justice outcomes.
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