Purchase agreement highlights community policing value

Words: Peter M Brewer, ACT Policing Media and Marketing Photo: Brian Hartigan, AFP Photographer

h e value of community policing in enhancing professional skills and broadening the capabilities of all AFP offi cers cannot be understated, Commissioner told a gathering of media, politicians and executives at the recent signing of the Purchase Agreement between the AFP and the ACT Government. h e AFP provides community policing services to the ACT under the auspices when other government services were make the AFP such a well-respected of the Australian Federal Police Act being reduced or were under fi scal policing service worldwide,” CPO Fagan 1979. h e new 12-month Agreement pressure. said. was signed by ACT Police and Emergency Services Minister Simon “I would like to thank the ACT Also announced at the signing was Corbell MLA, Commissioner Keelty and Government for its ongoing the release of the Joint Study into ACT the Chief Police Offi cer for the ACT, commitment and confi dence in the Policing, a comprehensive overview . AFP and we look forward to continuing of policing resources, responses, this long and successful relationship,” outcomes and effi ciency. h e study sets Mr Corbell commended ACT Policing Commissioner Keelty said. out to examine the future challenges, on providing an outstanding level needs and opportunities for community ACT Chief Police Offi cer Audrey Fagan of policing service to the policing services in the ACT. community, and was reassured by said the strengths of the Agreement mechanisms within the Agreement were its focus on providing the public h e 243-page study, jointly produced by which ensured police performance was with confi dence in the outcomes the ACT Government and the Australian responsive to the needs of the Canberra required of ACT Policing as well as Federal Police, was commenced in community. the acknowledgement that the ACT’s August 2004. community policing service was able to Commissioner Keelty said he was draw on the resources of the wider AFP. It made recommendations about police delighted with the agreement, and said resourcing and about governance that the AFP was mindful of the fact “ACT Policing’s partnership with the arrangements between the Territory, ACT Policing received additional and community and the ACT Government the Commonwealth and ACT ongoing budgetary resources at a time leverages on the skills and qualities that Policing.

16 Platypus Magazine | Edition 92, September 2006