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Publishers Police Commissioners of Australasia. Executive Director Ted Bunt JOURNAL Editor Phil Peters Vol. 40, No.2, 1986 Research Officer ISSN: 0005-0024 Alan Patterson Administration Brian Smith Jan Hawkins Contents Graphic Design " Letters Edi,tor Carol Scrimshaw (C & S Design) to tne 42. 576A Harris Street, Ultimo 2007 . ". Phone 212 6135 Victoria ,,44 Typesetter Terrorism' Comes to Melbourne Warrior Photolypesetters Chief Commissioner's Message 114 Victoria Road, Marrickville 2204 Phone 519 5062 Victoria 45 Printer The Day After Booth Printing 114 Victoria Road, Marrickville 2204 Relations' , . Phone 519 5055 £~6ommunitY 47 • N.ignboU(ho09Wa'on in N.$.W.~ Frequency - Quarterly "1 Year On ' ' January-March, April-June, t. . . July-September, October-December CrimePreverltion Subscription Grime prev,entioh Methods an~Techniques Australia, New Zealand and Fiji $6.00 per year. Overseas $9.00 per year...... 'VCoromunity ",," ." Relations· .. , ....'. . ...• , 54 Australasian Police may subscribe ,.. , ,',·09'1"";c through the offices of their Commissioner in those States where , ..... communityS.O. m,.. e., "R,ece.nt Policing-'- D.evelb.pm Part!.. ents,. in the deduction from pay scheme operates. l' .. 'Police Questioning. ," 63 Change of Address 'Scientific and Techhicfll Aids Subscribers should notify change of address promptly in writing by · to PoUce Interview ~'" completing the form on the wrapper of [ •... Il1terrOgatfon-.~art2(SeCtiOn I) their journal, or telephone Jan Hawkins (02) 339 0277, ext. 55289. 'AustralianAborigines ' 83 Contributors AboriginaJ Reserve CommUnities The aim of the journal is to provide a and the!nstant;e of'Crime. range of articles on all aspects of law .The Case of Pi:lImlsland,Queensland enforcement. Articles are sought on all subjects of professional interest to '0 police. Contributions should be Y.Qoth. .. '. . . \1.' typewritten with double spacing on · Rarel)ts' InVolveri1ent~ Children:s Activities Inside Rear.Gover· one side only of A4 size paper. Where possible generous margins be allowed with the typed column being Our Covet:. COM!VIUNITY CARING' approximately 13 cm In width. The name and address of sender included The 'Neighbourhood Watph'logo liVhic/1' waS on the first page. designed by:a community group in. Victoria and Copyright Yihich has been adopted throughout Austr.alla. . The content of this magazine is The'th~mebeing'Community Caring' working' designed to further the education of tOgether to prevent crlm.e. police in subjects related to their work. In the. public interest, the , Editorhd· publishing of any item appearing in the Offl~'e:' journal is not permitted without the NSW Police Headquarters '.' . authority of the editor. However, . ..; [30X 4~'~rP,O;,Sydney;200f ~ publications produced by any police department or authorised law "_""", ." ... _,~~ne;339 0277. Ext~J3-, ,. ., enforcement body may reprint any original article, providing suitable ~ .. Comme'lts by' author.~ reflecttti9'ir:own7iew$" and do hot ('Jeqes$arily acknowledgement is made to this reflect the officialopiniQn ofthepublish~rs ()I' editors. (V
"w.~~,;."""." .•.• ,"•. ,'••.• ,,,jOJ!r:rl€iI""~":'hW"'''_~''''~'.''''''''';'''''''''''''''''''.'''' ...... , I 6 'flrrit; @®OUUOiJUQ!JUiJoGZl C?@D@GO®UiJ0 V" '~ Some Recent'Developments in Community ~olicing;;i Part I A. Hiller LL.B. (Syd.) LL.M. (Pennsylvania) . Senior Lecturer in Law, University of Queensland and Barrister-at-Law.
Introduction The above Branches in turn have contains some references to devel There have been several impor promoted significant new pro-active opments in Victoria, Western tant developments in community policing programs and activities, AUl3tralia and the Australian Capital policing programs and activities in including the introduction of Teriritory, with respect to Neigh New South Wales and Queensland, Neighborhood Watch schemes, bothood Watch. Mention is also as well as in other Awstralian States Safety House programs for children, made of some similar programs and and Territories, in recent years. This Blue Light Discos and many other activities introduced and developed has involved a larger allocation of activities, some of which are even earlier in some other resources than formerly by Police mentioned herein. These programs countries. Thus many of the pro Departments for such programs and and activities are being promoted active policing measures and activities, with a view to involving and developed with the active programs recently' introduced in members of the general community participation and assistance of Australia have been ihspired by in assisting the police in the Police Community Liaison Offic61'S similar activities, which have been in prevention and detection of crime. in Districts, through New South operation for several years over New initiatives in the community Wales and Queensland. The last seas, as in the United States, the policing field include the establish mentioned scheme, whose mem United Kingdom and in New ment of the Police Community bers in New South Wales are called Zealand. Relations Branch and its activities in District Community Relations Queensland. The restructuring of Officers, constitutes a very Police Community Liaison the police public relations and Significant step in police in Officers community relations area in West volvement with local communities in A network of District Community ern Australia through the recently Australia. Relations Officers has been designated Community Affairs This article has been written so as developed in both NSIN South Wales Branch, following upon the earlier to deal with certain developments in and Queensland within the last two Public Relations Branch, in the the community policing field, in years. Jhese officers, called District Western Australia Police Dep particular in New South Wales and Community Liaison Officers in artment, should also be noted. Queensland. However, it also Queensland and District Community
, ,.t 1 . The writer, AndreW Hiller, addressing the Queensland Police District Community Liaison 1 L .,""~~.~"A'~' ~.. Qt({Cl?!.);,..C;.qY!§~ .. =,Q>;/~Y).. JJl{J.!'i,."" . ... "._ .... ;" .... ~ .... ~ ..... "., ...... , .cu...... ~- •••...•....•.•" ...... , ...... Some Recent Developments in Community Policing - Part I
Constable Mike Voik of Fortitude Valley Police Station has been officially adopted by the children of the Northgate State Primary School.
Thursday, 25 September, 1986
The New South Wales Division of The Open Day aims to provide our Department of Health Analytical Laboratories (DAL) peers and client groups with an Division of Analytical Laboratories provides essential scientific insight into the workings of the Joseph Street, Lidcombe services to the State's police, Division. This Open Day is by Telegrams: '·Govanalyst". Sydney coronial, consumer-protection and invitation only; interested persons Postal Address: public health systems. These should contact one of the following P.O. Box 162 services include chemical, micro officers: LlDCOMBE, N.S.W. 2141 biological and physical tests on Ms. K. Meleady (02) 646 0293 Telephone: 646 0222 food, water, drugs, scene-of-crime Ms. L. Wallace (02) 646 0311 Extension: 41 0 exhibits, blood and other body fluids and organs. Some Recent Developments in Community Policing - Part I
Relations Officers in New South and other community associations Queensland. 1 Likewise, the Wales, now serve in all Police and services. They assist senior 1 984-85 Annual Report of the New Districts in those States. They range officers in their District and provide South Wales Police Department in rank from Constable to Sergeant. them with information as to declares that there is already clear They are responsible to their District community groups and services, evidence that the service provided Superintendents for implementing crime prevention and other police- by these officers is what is wanted and developing community relations community related projects, on by the community.2 In fact, early in programmes appropriate to the community problems which could 1 986 it was announced that needs of their particular District. be relevant to the incidence of crime additional District Community Community Liaison Officers and and with other information which Relations Officers would be Community Relations Officers in could be useful to their senior appointed in the metropolitan police Districts are tasked to establish, officers. They also promote gOOld districts of New South Wales and develop and maintain contacts with relations with the media and use the these officers would have particular local communities through service media, such as local newspapers responsibility for assisting victims of clubs and organisations, ethnic or and radio stations, to publicise their crime. 3 minority groups, schools, colleges activities. A significant set of activities and youth clubs, parents' and Though the District Community organised by the Queensland Police citizens' associations, sporting, Relations Officers are responsible Public Relations Branch for the social and other recreational bodies, to their District Superintendent, they various District Community Liaison senior citizens' associations and also report to their central office at Officers in 1 985 were special other community groups and State Police Headquarters, being Liaison Officers' Courses held for services. the Police Community Relations them, in two groups, at the Thus they help to set up and Bureau in New South Wales and the Queensland Police Academy,4 publicise Safety Houses for Police Public Relations Branch in These courses provided further children, in the vicinity of schools, to Queensland. In New South Wales, a expertise by way of instruction and protect children against Sergeant IIC at the Community dissemination of information and molestation, encourage schools in Relations Bureau acts as State Co- materials to the various Community their District to 'adopt a cop' and ordinator for the various District Liaison Officers. They also enabled promote Blue Ught Discos where Community Relations Officers. the Community Liaison Officers, young people can enjoy themselves It has to be noted that District including those from Country in supervised surround'ings free of Community Liaison Officers in Districts, to meet and exchange drugs and other like undesirable Queensland, unlike their counter- their experiences and ideas with influences. They promote crime parts in New South Wales, are each other and with the senior prevention and road safety appointed as such in a part-time members of the Public Relations campaigns and address schools, capacity. It is up to their respective Branch. service clubs, nurses' groups, District Superintendents to In New Zealand, Community scouts, guides and other youth determine how much of their shift Liaison Officers, subsequently groups and citizens' associations on times they may spend on com- called Community Constables, have topics ranging from home security munity liaison tasks, as distinct from operated at a local level since to 'bike safety'. They arrange or other tasks which may be assigned 1973. By 1985, there were over help to co-ordinate police displays to them. I understand that in some forty Community Constables, and publicity for same on major Districts already, the duties liaising with their respective public occasions. District assigned to Community Liaison communities and with community Community Relations Officers in Officers are wholly or in large part leaders, schools, clergy, local New South Wales have also related to their Community Relations authorities, youth and sporting clubs become involved with setting up functions, It is hoped that they will and other appropriate bodies and Neighborhood Watch programs and all soon be able to demonstrate the persons, throughout New Zealand. acting as District Co-ordinators for importance and operational Their activities come within the these programs. This may also relevance of their community liaison umbrella of the Public Affairs become one of their roles in duties to their senior officers to Directorate, headed by a Queensland in the not too distant such an extent as will cause their Superintendent at Police National future, following the announcement appointments to become full-time in Headquarters in Wellington. The of a pilot Neighborhood Watch their community policing roles. Directorate controls and co Scheme to commence on the Gold The new schemes for District ordinates Community Liaison, Crime Coast in 1986. Community Relations Officers in Prevention and Youth Aid, as well as Community Liaison Officers and New South Wales and for District Community Relations Officers also Community Liaison Officers in REFERENCES liaise with local police, including Queensland have already been 1. P.56. operational units and station offi c ially ackn ow led g ed as ~: ~~3e~:The Sydney Morning Herald", 22 January 1986, personnel and foster and promote successful. The 1985 Queensland 4. ~~e3'QueenSland Police Department Annual Report an interest on the part of local police Police Department Annual Report 5. ~~:5R:Por76of the N~w Zealand Police for the year in the value of links with community states that the scheme has led to Policeended 31Public March Affairs 1985, Directorate pp. 15·16 Papers. and New See Zealand also grOUpS and organisations, with improved police-community SuperintendentJ.Morgan, Paper presented 10 Seminar on Community Policing, AustraIJan Institute of . educational institutions, youth clubs relationships in most areas of~"gEi!11~n~l~g!',l.9~4!~. 12!nfra,atp:~8 .. '".!..q¥~.!;I,.a.~Id.-!t"'~.. ; ,• .".ii-....::,;,:.'~.!vht--\...;.6<~~l!, .... 6!1t?~.~_...,.,~""Ir.,.,,'O!,J=,,~"!t \o1 •• , .....""·;-- ...m' ...
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Queensland Police Department Community Liaison Officer's Course 1985.
the Law Related Education days and displays in order to widen Force, also use community Liaison Programs. public understanding of the police Officers at Divisional level, often at A Chief Inspector in the Public and public acceptance of police the rank of Inspector, or Chief Affairs Directorate at Police National aims. Their duties also include Inspector, and sometimes at the Headquarters acts as national stressing the need for humane and rank of Sergeant or Constable? Community Relations Co-ordinator. impartial policing within the police In addition to the system of There are also full-time Community service and the necessity to avoid Community Liaison Officers at Relations Co-ordinators, including' unnecessary alarm or incon Divisions as abovementioned, Inspectors and Sergeants, in five venience to citizens. Their duties Home Beat Officers have operated Police Districts, whife other Police further include stimulating recruiting at grass roots level, meeting and Districts are served by part-time within ethnic groups, ensuring that getting to know local people and Community Relations Co-ordinators. crime prevention is built into local feelings. The important role of The functions of Community community planning, assisting the Home Beat Officers was Relations Co-ordinators include Media Liaison Officer in countering emphasised by Lord Scarman in his obtaining support for police from all ill founded criticism and co- Report on the Brixton Disorders of 8 sectors of society. This involves operating with specialist police April, 1981 • advising the public of problems sections in order to co-ordinate their Neighborhood Watch facing the police, countering anti- efforts. Neighborhood Watch has been police propaganda, helping to It may be noted that Police described as a prime example of eradicate prejudices and reminding Community Liaison Officers have police-community involvement in the public of the joint, police-public, operated in United Kingdom Police action. 9 The concept is that of a nature of responsibility for law Forces for many years. Thus the enforcement. The functions of the London Metropolitan Police, in Co-ordinators also include en- particular, have posted Community 6. See Reports of the Commissioner of Police of the . th t f L" Off' t D' . . t th Metropolis 1973·1984. couragmg e accep ance 0 faiSOn Icers a IVlslons, a e 7. SeeS.V. Phillips and R. Cochrane, The Role. Functions external aims by members of the senior levels of Chief Inspector and and Training of Police Community Uaison Officers, Anal Report (University of Birmingham) 1985. police force. Superintendent for over thirteen 8. See Lord Scarman, Report Of An Inquiry, The Brixton Disorders 10·12 April 1981. pp. 89·90 (Cmnd. 8427) Thus the Community Relations yearsB. Many other Police Forces in 1981- 9 Inspector D. Smith, Paper presented to Seminar on Co-ordinators give addresses on the United Kingdom, smaller in . Community Policing, Australian Institute of Criminology, suitaple subjects and promote open numbers than the Metropolitan ~.anfi~r:i}9~1: A~.~. Seminar Proceedings No.4, "~W.i:<.:!("'~'i~~ Qi:d""""'~"H\'!).~":;;W.J':t~~·l!'-'~~''''''''''itlt'_'~~(Ulo~t><:'lo.lI'~..A'"''''';~<£>'''''''~>M!>,"".,,0\«-"_."_,,,.... "",,,,.,... "", ••• "'•. '- .•.•.,.~~,,"". ~"..~, ,< .... ~ - -~. ,,-~ ~.~ ~~ ,,~" ,- ~ , ~~~,'. Some Recent Developments in Community Poiicing - Part I
CRll\Iffi PREVENTION HOME SECURITY Carelessness accounts for nearly 20 per cent of all house robberies in New South Wales. In some cases thieves had only to turn a key left in the lock. Others had only to look under the doormat or another ofthose favourite "hiding places" to find the key.
REMEMBER, A LOCK IS NOT A LOCK UNLESS YOU USE IT. The object of sccuring your home properly is to deter thieves. A determined thief may still get in. but by taking a few relatively simple precautions you can greatly slow the thief down and thus increase his chances of being caught. Household burglaries involve three factors: The Victim. The (Criminal) Desire, and The Opportunity. The first two are constant. Neighbourhood Watch seeks to reduce the opportunity . Being insured is not enough I No insurance policy can replace personal items such as Neighbourhood family. photographs. If you take the precautions outlined in this brochure, a would-be thief will quickly see what he is up against and probably look for an easier target. Be aware of the need to protect your home and yourself rnt all. times . vvatch • Break-ins do occur when people are at home - asleep, watching television, etc. o Assaults do occur. in the home.
MAKING YOUR HOME SECURE - Have You COMMUNITY CARING considered these areas7 o Good quality deadlocks on all perimeter doors and key operated locks on sliding doors. o Key-operated locks on all windows - more vulnerable windows can be fitted with steel security grilles. o Good quality interior security grilles on skylights. COMMERCIAL lJNIoN NRMA INSURANCE .. Garage and other exterior buildings (workshops. garden INSURANCE - shed, etc.) secured with padlocks. 1
o Exterior lighting - an effective deterrent. MOTOR VEHICLES • An intruder alarm system. 1. Never leave your keys in the vehicle. motor cycle, etc., o A torch and drill-resistent floor safe (set in concrete). even In your own garage. o Time switches to turn on/eff lights, radio. etc. while you 2. Never leave your registration papers or driver's licence are absent from the home. in the lIehicle. 3. Never leave valuables in view. SOME SIMPLE PRECAUTIONS 4. Avoid parking in quiet or secluded areas. 1. Display your house number clearly to enable emerg 5. Install a good quality alarm system. ency vehicles to find your house easily. REMEMBER, HE WHO DOES NOTHING TO PREVENT 2. Lock away tools, ladders and other implements which CRIME ENCOURAGES ITI a thief could use to break into your home. 3. Nevel' leave notes which a thief could read (to the milkman, family, friends. etc.) 4. Don't leave keys in "hiding places" around the house for a thief to find. 5. Keep valuable documents in a bank. with a solicitor. PERSONAL SAFETY etc. Neighbourhood Watch is not only about protecting our 6. Don't leave your house keys with your car keys when homes and belongings. It involves personal safety and the having your vehicle serviced or when using a parking safety of our loved ones. A large percentage of sexual station. assaults and personal assaults occur within the victim's home or very close to it. WHEN GOING AWAY 1. Don't close blinds, curtains, etc., that are normally left There are some very important DO's and DON'Ts which, open; make the house look "lived in". together with the community spirit which comes from 2. Arrange for a neighbour to chanlle the curtains around NeighbourhoQd Watch, can help you: and generally give the house a • lived in" appearance. 3. Cancel milk, bread and newspaper deliveries. 4. Stop your mail at the local Post Office and arrange for .. Never admit you are alone in the house - either to a a neighbour to cl&ar your letterbox of any other caller at the door or to someone on the telephone. material daily, .. Never allow a stranger to enter your home - check 5. Turn the telephone down so it can't be heard from the their identification or telephone the organisation they street. claim to represent. If they are who they say they are, 6. Arrange for a neighbour to park their car in your they won't mind. driveway occasionally. • Never Wait at bus stops or on railway stations at night 7. Arrange for a neighbour to mow your lawn if you are any longer than you have to - know the timetables. going to be absent for any length of time. Q Never take short-cuts at night through parks or vacant 8. Let your local police know you will be absent, and who lots. , has the key. '" .. Never place an adve~isement in the f'!~wspaper which i S, Let a responsible person know where you are going requires pel?ple to call at your homEl? unless you have .1 ''''''''''''''''';"''''''<'';'4'''~'''''N'"'''h!~~.,!lp..~J~U::~.'2t,!S!.,'l!'_1IJ.n~f!!~~,gf~_n.~ll1erg~ncy, ... ,"_.,_,' ,. ___ , __ ".someone,wlth" ou.. _.JL Some Recent Developments in Community Policing - Part I
I)
II Never walk close to doorways if you are forced to use a poorly lit street . .. If you are forced to wait for public transport at night, OPERATION stay as close as possible to a well lit area (shop front, etc.), or Where there are other people (railway staff office). IDENTIFICATION • Fit good quality locks to your house (front and back) and have either a security door or peep hole fitted - USE Break and enter offences account for one third of all major THEM. crime in New South Wales., yet only a small percentage of o Have perimeter lighting installed so the whole area stolen valuables are returned to their rightful owners. outside your-house can be illuminated if you think there The problem is that few people call supply Police with is a. prowler about. positive identification of the stolen items. • Always tarry 'Your handbag clutched in front of you - It is important that you make a record of all your property don't let it dangle .from your shoulder or hand. and keep the list in a safe place. ~ If you are walking and a car is following you, go to the Write down the make, model number and serial number nearest place where people are likely to be (a if it has one, and engrave ihe model and serial number neighbour's house, a shop, etc.), taking care to get a in a visible position on that property. desr.ription of the vehicle - notify police immediately. As a further precaution, and a more secure one, engrave .. If you are driving and a vehicle is following you or acting your driver's licence number, prefaced by "NSW", on the strangely, go straiGht to the nearest Police Station, property (preferably in a visible position), taking Cilre to get the registration number and a description of the vehicle. Photograph small valuables, such as jewellery, stamps, coins, paintings, etc" and write details on the back of the KNOW THE ADDRESS OF YOUR LOCAL POLICE photographs. Keep these photographs in a safe place. STATION AND BE FAMILIAR AS TO HOW TO GH THERE. HOW TO PARTICIPATE IN OPERATION IDENTIFICATION Contact your Neighbourhood Watch Group or Area Co· SELF PROTECTION Ordinator as most areas have their own etching pens. First and foremost - Don't panic. If your Area does not have a suitable eiectric etching pen available, or you are not in a Neighbourhood Watch Area Your best protection is noise. you can purchase one, alone or together with your If you can't escape, scream as loudly as you can. neighbours, from any reputable hardware store, Yell "FIRE", rather than "HELP", as people seem to react more readily. OPERATION IDENTIFICATION STICKER Avoid violence if possible - most women escape by talking their way out of trouble. When you have mal'ked your property obtain Operation Identification Sticker. This should be displayed prominently Think about carrying personal security devices, such as a in a front window or door, to serve as a warning to would·be shrill alarm. thieves that all valuables in your home are permanently Remember, there are always items in a women's handbag marked for ready identification by Police. Stickers ai'e which can be used as weapons to defend yourself, such available from Neighbourhood Watch groups or by phoning as a nail file, bunch of keys, etc. 4 332-4333. 5
NEVER LET A STRANGER INTO YOUR HOME unless CRIME REPORTING you are certain of who they are. If you are suspicious, call your local police. Be on the alert for any suspicious happenings - a barking dog could mean that a prowler is about. CRIME: WHAT TO LOOK FOR AND HOW TO REPORT IT
WRITE IT DOWN What to do ... Suspicious Vehicles Suspicious Persons .. If you see someone .breaking into a neighbour's home, Registration number Sex or an unauthorised person in your neighbour's home, Make and model Age call the Police Emergenc)f number 000 immediately. Colour Hair colour/style Do not hesitate to call 000 if you see any serious crime Pecularities (e.g., dents, Height being committed. rust, accessories such as Build roof racks, etc.) Pecularities (e.g., beard, moustache, tattoos, etc.)
o .If you see a suspicious vehicle in your neighbour's driveway, or parked outside their house, telephone to see if they are home and check if they are just having Remember, a patrolling police officer may not recognise visitors or something delivered. a stran~er in your neighbourhood, or a vehicle that Make a note ofthe registration number and description shouldn t be there, but you and your neighbours will. of the vehicle if unsure of its bona fides and, if Become the eyes 'and ears of the police, join the necessary, telephone your local police. Neighbourhood Watch Program. Remember, criminals ofien use ccimmercial vehicles to cloak their real activities. o If you have reason to believe that your home has been entered illegally during your absence, DON'T ENTER - T'HE THIEF MIGHT STill BE THERE. U:;e a neighbour's telephone to call police immediately. Keep watch on the house until police arrive,
D If you hear a neighbour's burglar alarm sounding, telephone them to see if it is a false alarm. ** ** JOIN AN ESTABLISHED NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH If no~one is at home, the chances are someone has GROUP NOW, OR FORM YOUR OWN GROUP. atttempted to break in, so call police immediately, FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT THE POLICE Similarly, if your neighbour's house is open and you COMMUNITY RELATIONS BUREAU. know they are absent, call your local police. • If a stranger comes to your door, check their credentiiills, even if it means telephoning the organis ation they claim to be representing. If they are genuine, ' ..• t,;",'."""""'" """"'';''f",.,,,h'2.~Y,,,'!''~Iln:.LllJ[n~t.~?1!iu9'''''''''''~h~;'''~''''''~''''''~~'''".~.', .. G".'~,.~~.,,,," "oc ••.•• , •••• ,,'_•• ,.(f'/.,.SJ'[. eCJ!i£~JYJJigl]pqurh09fLWq.t(;h Brochur.e.J ... Some Recent Developments in Community Policing - Part I
community based crime prevention programs had been established in Police in Canberra, in 1984. program, through neighbors acting Victoria, including some in country Financial support was provided by together in an endeavour to protect areas. 13 the National Roads and Motorists property and themselves from A central project tream based at Association (N.R.M.A.). By 30th crimincd activity. It involves an Victoria Police Headquarters has June, 1985, it was reported that awareness on the part of local co-ordinated the program the scheme was operating in communities that crime is not just a throughout the State. The team is sixteen suburbs, with plans for more matter to be left to the police. It is commanded by an Inspector, who, suburbs to join in the near future. 19 It up to everyone to aid the police in together with a Sergeant and a was also reported that early their task. Senior Constable, have a part-time statistics indicated an outstanding The New South Wales Police commitment to the program. success in reducing household Neighborhood Watch Manual states However, two other team members, breakings and theft, since the that Neighborhood Watch is aimed a Sergeant and a Senior Constable introduction of Neighborhood at minimising the incidence of serve the program on a full-time Watch in the Australian Capital preventable crime in a defined area, basis. 14 Territory Region. 20 by people observing and reporting In New South Wales, a pilot In Western Australia, Neigh crime. It points out that traditional Neighborhood Watch program was borhood Watch has also been methods of policing to date have officially introduced in the Campsie operating for some years, as at proved inadequate in halting the area, in 13 Division, on 5 December Geraldton by 1984, in the spiralling crime rate. 10 1984. A public meeting held that Kalgoorlie-Boulder areas by 1 985 Neighborhood Watch schemes day at the Orion CEmtre, Campsie and elsewhere in the State. New have been established for over attracted over three hundred people Neighborhood Watch schemes twelve years in the United States, and extensive media coverage, have been introduced with the where substantial reductions in including television, radio and local assistance of the Crime Prevention residential burglary were reported in and metropolitan newspapers. Over Bureau in the Community Affairs several cities, including Detroit, twenty people volunteered to act as Branch of the Western Australia Seattle and St. Louis, where such group co-ordinators for the pilot Police Department. The Royal community involvement programs area. The meeting was chaired by Automobile Club Insurance Pty. Ltd. 11 have operated. Subsequently, the local District Community has assisted with sponsorship, in Canada, Japan, New Zealand and, Relations Officer. Hi Subsequently, conjunction with other organ in more receilt years, the United in March, 1985, Neighborhood isations. 21 The Commissioner of Kingdom have also established Watch was introduced in New South Police (Mr Bull) has pointed out that 12 Neighborhood Watch schemes. Wales on a general basis, in both both Neighborhood Watch and Now, within the last few years, metropolitan and country Districts. 16 Safety House programs, which Neighborhood Watch has also been New Neighborhood Watch areas operate in Western Australia, rely introduced by various Australian are being continually established, heavily on community State and Territory Police Depart following increasing demands from Involvement. 22 ments and it appears to be residents. A Sergeant and a civilian In New Zealand, Neighborhood spreading rapidly, following public member of the Police Community Watch programs have been in demand for the scheme. Relations Bureau act as State Co operation since 1980, with In 1983, the Victorian Police ordinators of Neighborhood Watch. substantial support from police, co Department introduced a pilot The 1984-85 Annual Report of ordinated by the Public Affairs Neighborhood Watch scheme in the the New South Wales Police Kananook area of the Westernport Department states that seventy nine Police District. This scheme was Neighborhood Watch areas 10. 1985,p. 3. 11. E.g. see Washington D.C. Metropolitan Police developed in a manner which covering over Sixty three thousand DepartmentPACTProgram;D.Smith,supraatp. 75;1. Waller, Paper presented at National Conference on involved substantial contributions by homes were within the scheme, Burglary, Australian Institute of Criminology, Brisbane, ·th I f h ddt 1985, pp. 5·7; .D.H. Bayley, Paper presented to a committee of local residents WI pans or one un re areas 0 Seminar on Community Policing, n. 9, supra at formed following a public meeting in come within the scheme before the 12. ~~g s~~'§eperintendent J. Morgan, Paper presented 10 end of July.17 The overwhelming Seminar on Community Policing, n. 10 supra, at the area. The committee assisted pp. 40·44; D.H. Bayley, n. 10 supra; London with logo design, funding and the public response to the introduction Metropolitan Police, Review of Neighborhood Watch, n. 25 intra; D. Smith, n. 10 supra; Sergeant C.K. dissemination of information. The of N e i g h b 0 rho 0 d W at chi S Coster, Paper presented at National Conference on following year, Neighborhood mentl'oned I'n the Report.1s Smith,Burglary, Homen. 10 supra;Office I. Waller,Crime n. Prevention10 supra; l.Unit, J. F. 'lal Unl'on Insurance Neighborhood Watch, a note on implementation (1984) Watch was introduced on a The Commerc 13. See C.K. Coster, n. 12 supra, at pp. 3·6; D. Smith, selective basis throughout Umited, as well as the N.R.M.A. 14. ~~e9c~'!eBo~\~r.-s~p~~,7~t,:'24 metropolitan Police Districts. Insurance Umited, have given aid as ~~: ~:"~:~~~is·~/a~he19~~.~. \'olice Department, Operational police, up to some two sponsors of Neighborhood Watch 1984·85, pp. 36·37. thousand in numbers, were briefed programs .In New S ou th Wal es. In 17.18. SupraSupra. about the Neighborhood Watch Victoria, sponsorship support to 19. ~~~ ~~:g~!an Federal Police Annual Report 1984·85, program before it was officially Neighborhood Watch has been ~~: ~~~raAnnUai Report of the Commissioner of Police 'd d b th C c' I U 'on Western Australia for the year ended June 3D, 1984 introduced. The public launching provi eye ommer la m pp. 16.17 and see "Newsbeat" (Western Auslralla nce L',m',ted Police Official Newsletter), 2/85,p. 13. o took place in March, 1984. By Insura . 22. See "Newsbeat" 2/85, supra. June, 1985, one hundred and Neighborhood Watch was also 23. See J. Morgan, n. 12. supra, and New Zealand Police . . Department, Gommunity Initiated Crime Prevention twenty Neigl1bor~oo~_'Alatch 'f!t~.0d.1J9~.c:/.~x.!!J.e_.~.~.~!~aJI~~.. ~~.~.~~~~"._ .• _,~!?~~~;~~~n~~~~E.°:.t~.i!"~~.~t:,~"&~,,,,,~,,,,~,,"~.H"·"""~~N","W"i" Some Recent Developments in Community Policing - Part I
unnecessarily, Quality reporting, though it is likely to take time to be realised in practice, would seem to have obvious benefits to police and to the public interest generally. Householders are told' that a police officer on patrol may not recognise a stranger as such, or a vehicle that should not be at the premises, whereas this would be known to those living in the neighborhood. Accordingly, resi dents are urged to become the eyes and ears of the police and to report suspicious activities by strangers to the police. Emphasis is laid on the fact that this is a mutual assistance program, which enables neighbors to help thehlselves and to help each other, with the aid of the police. It is also stressed that Neighbor hood Watch is not a vigilante activity and any physical action is to bs left to the police. Suspicious activity The New Zealand Police Neighbourhood Watch logo. should be reported to the police immediately, as when a person Directorate of the New Zealand from Neighborhood Watch Areas or appears to be entering a neighbor's Police Department. 23 Assistance Groups, or from 24 hour Police house while the neighbor is known has also been provided by private Stations. to be away. Meanwhile, a watch sponsors, ranging from the State Operation Identification stickers should be kept on the house untii Insurance Office to locksmiths and are issued to householders the police arrive. If a suspicious other suppliers of home security participating in the scheme. When vehicle is seen outside, the devices. Further, within the last the items of household property registration number and description few years, Neighborhood Support have been marked, the householder of the vehicle should be noted and Groups have been formed by resi prominently displays his stickers on reported to the police. dents in parts· of Auckland and in the front gate, door or window, as a The above information, when various other areas in New Zealand, warning to potential thieves. promptly and efficiently provided with police assistance. These Operation Identification stickers are should assist police to locate and Neighborhood Support Groups made available to the householders apprehend offenders and thus appear to have been designed to by the Neighborhood Watch Area, reduce the crime rate, particularly in protect residents against personal or from the local 24 hour Police relation to residential burglaries, to violence in particular, as well as Station. The display of these a substantial extent. against property related offences.24 stickers throughout Neighborhood Residents who join a Neighbor Neighborhood Watch comprises Watch Areas constitutes an im hood Watch Scheme are also four principal elements. They portant element of Neighborhood advised on making their home include Operation Identification, Watch programs. secure, protecting their valuables Crime Reporting, Home Security Crime Reporting means reporting and other possessions and gen and Personal Safety. crime in an effective manner. erally the ways in which to deter Operation Identification involves Citizens are informed as to the kind thieves and reduce the oppor encouraging all residents in a of persons or activities, suspicious tunities for burglaries and like Neighborhood Watch Area to mark vehicles or other suspicious offences. They are issued with valuable items of household objects, to look out for. They are literature containingjnformation on property, such as television sets or . also advised how to make accurate Home Security, including advice on stereo equipment, preferably in a reports containing an adequate precautions to take, both generally visible position, with an engraving description for identification and when going away for some instrument. Smaller valuables such purposes and what number to call to time. The program also includes an as jewellery, stamps, coins or report a crime they see being address or addresses· on crime paintings can be photographed and committed or about to be com prevention, by a. qualified .police the particulars recorded on the back mitted, or in an emergency. They officer. of the photographs. The objects are are further informed "how to dis Likewise, information is also to deter thieves, whilst making the tinguish between emergencies and provided to participants in articles more easily traceable. non-emergency situations, so they Engraving instrument!? are available do not tie up police resources, 24. See J. Morgan. supra and Seminar Report supra. Some Recent Developments in Community Policing - Part I
Neighborhood Watch on Personal operational police in Victoria, lack of communication, was Safety, through suitable literature mentioned above. 26 emphasised in a recent Home and through the crime prevention As Chief Superintendent L. Office study. 30 It also stressed the lecture. They are advised as to Poulton of the New South Wales need to obtain adequate publicity precautions to take against potential Police Community Relations Bureau for a scheme and using it to the best intruders when at home and against has stated, all police have to be advantage. 31 likely assailants when outside, as at convinced that the program will A good venue for the inaugural a bus-stop, or railway station at workP This is reinforced in the meeting, known to or easily ident night. Information and advice on self Neighborhood Watch Manual of the ifiable by residents in the area, with protection, when faced with the New South Wales Police adequate parking facilities at or near prospect or threats of immediate Community Relations Bureau, which the venue is important. A School hall violence, is also provided. affirms that all police must be or Council hall are often available The description of the principal encouraged to support the and appropriate. The venue should elements of Neighborhood Watch scheme. 2B They should all be be reasonably centrally situated in herein is based on the New South conversant with the concept of the area, so residents do not have Wales scheme. It is similar to Neighborhood Watch and respond to travel too far. This would be schemes which operate elsewhere to reports from the public in a particularly appreciated by elderly in Australia, particularly in friendly and interested manner. citizens, as would be the availability Victoria and in Western Australia, as Though a large number of trivial of public transport. A recent Review we.; ·as in the Australian Capital reports are to be expected at the of Neighborhood Watch by the Territory. Particulars of Neighbor- beginning of new Neighborhood London Metropolitan Police found hood Watch may vary amongst Watch groups, a polite and patient that the location of a suitable different countries or States, or, as response is important, to give the meeting place was of considerable 29 in the United States, amongst right impression to the public. im portance. 32 different cities, or generally from It is clearly important to ensure Care must be taken in selecting a place to place. that all necessary preparations for new area or areas for the intro . A detailed Review of introducing Neighborhood Watch in duction of Neighborhood Watch. Neighborhood Watch by the London a new area are made well in Clearly, a ~·hstantial degree of Metropolitan Police in England in advance. Thus, Members of the community SUPP0rt in the target 1984 stated that the importance of local Council, other local community area is essential. An area which has the initial contact between the leaders and organisations, service a high level of concern amongst police and residents cannot be clubs and local residents generally residents about criminal activity and over-emphasised. It stressed that must be given ample notice of the a reasonably high incidence of police have to demonstrate clearly date, time and venue of the crime in the area, such as burglary, from the outset that they have a inaugural meeting. The importance theft and vandalism, would meet genuine interest and a continuing of prior briefings to police in the significant criteria for a potentially commitment which will distinguish area has been mentioned herein. successful Neighborhood Watch Neighborhood Watch from other Good liaison with the media can program. A target area should be campaigns of a commercial nature. provide favourable publicity for the clearly defined, having regard to the The success of any future scheme scheme, both before and after its nature and boundaries of an will be directly related to the nature commencement. identifiable community. Use should of the initial contact and the way in The local Council and service be made of natura! boundaries, such which it is conducted. 25 clubs in the area, such as Rotary as rivers, where appropriate. It is It is essential to obtain support for and Lions, sporting and ethnic important that the area selected community policing and community clubs, other community shouid not have a largely transient involvement schemes, such as organisations and residents' population. The majority of victims Neighborhood Watch and the other associations in the area should also of crime in the area should be local schemes mentioned herein, from be invited to participate in the residents and not people who police generally, including station introduction of the scheme and simply park their cars there, or do personnel and police in patrol cars. initially help to publicise the their shopping in the area. 33 apj It is not sufficient simply to enlist inaugural meeting, in conjunction Due to Insuffioient spaoe in this partiCUlar the interest of those police who are with the police. Letterbox drops issue it was impossible to publish the designated as District Community should be arranged with police complete article. Part /I will appear in the next issue. - To be continued Relations Officers, or as Neighbor- participation, to inform local hood Watch liaison officers, or in residents of the meeting. This is in 25. Metropolitan POlice, fleview 01 Nelghborhood Walch On No. 1 Area. May, 1984. p. 14. other like appointments specifically addition to media publicity and 26. See D. Smith, n. 9. supra, at p. 72 and C. K. Coster, ' h h ·t n. 12 supra. at p. 3. related to such schemes. pu blIcity t roug communi y 27. Chlel Superintendent L. Poulton. Community Policing In New South Wales, June 1985. Community Relations Thus, the importance of prior organisations, as mentioned above. Bureau. briefings to operational police in It is important that all residents be ~~: ~~P~~. e,'ghborhood Watch areas advised in advance, so that no one 30. L J. F. Smi~h. Home Oftice Crime Prevention Unit, new N Neighborhood Watch, A note on implementation, 19a4, p. 12. cannot be over-emphasised. An feels left out. 31. Supra. initial example in Australia is to be The importance of avoiding mis- 32. See n. 25 supra. at p. 16. 33. E.g. see Metropolitan Police Review of Neighborhood found in the briefing sessions as to understandings between the police Watch n. 25 supra; L. J. F. Smith, Home Office Crime Prevention Unit, n. 30 supra; New South Wales Police Neighborhood Watch, given to and members of the public, due to NeIghborhood Watch Manual. n. jOsupra. ~""...... ,.~ .,. _ "'~', _.... __ ~,,~,' ,_...... ,p .• ..,.·d'"'-'-->";.~<"~""'-.,,....__ """:I":'c~!&,!"""''''.!''''''''''''~''''"-~~-'.''u:.!"",,'';'';C'.1'.-:ll:.~,O(f.;l..lM..