N.S.W. Police Visit The Gender Centre

by Mitch Davies

(The Gender Centre advise that this article may not be current and as such certain content, including but not limited to persons, contact details and dates may not apply. Where legal authority or medical related matters are cited, responsibility lies with the reader to obtain the most current relevant legal authority and/or medical publication.)

Jackie and Geoff from N.S.W. Police Force Policy and Programs Command gave a ninety-minute information session at the Gender Centre on Wednesday 18 March. The meeting was well attended and some major points about police procedure and the Force's relationship with transgenders were made clear during the session, followed by lively discussion.

Jackie and Geoff have asked that transgenders ensure that hate-based crimes are reported. If we do do this then the police can detect patterns of hate-based behaviour directed at transgenders and allocate resources to deal with the problem. When reporting, make sure the person you talk to has reported that the crime or incident was motivated by (or included) hatred towards yourself because you are transgender. The crime or incident needs to be 'tagged' as a 'sexuality or gender' incident for it to be correctly identified by Police Intelligence. It is also helpful if you can report the actual words said during the incident as offenders often reveal a great deal about themselves in what they say and how they say it.

Jackie develops policies and training programs for the Police Force. She detailed how there is now a "Customer Service Charter" which is a commitment by the N.S.W. Police Force to provide the community with responsive and meaningful customer service. The Police have made a commitment to be accessible, professional and helpful. When they attend your incident they should take appropriate action and keep you informed. If you want to know more about the Customer Service Charter there are pamphlets available at police stations or you can go to the N.S.W. Police website. (Link opens a P.D.F. file of approximately 480kb.)

Geoff is the hate-crimes co-ordinator for the Police Force. He studies police data and reports and prepares intelligence documents about hate-crime patterns in N.S.W.. He reviews police responses to these patterns and suggests improvements in police procedures. He is concerned that only fifteen per cent of hate crimes are reported. This makes it difficult to allocate police resources to the area and is the reason for transgenders to ensure that hate-based crimes and incidents are reported. An incident is not an actual crime, it may be an encounter with a person you feel has threatened or belittled you for being transgender. Incidents, as well as crimes, need to be reported to the police, as both types of event are used in the analysis of hate-crime patterns. Make sure that the crime or incident is categorised as being 'sexuality or gender' based. If you do this then the matter will be studied further and identified as an event concerning a transgender by the police intelligence analysts. If possible, try and report exactly what was said, as this can be very helpful to the police.

Police are working hard to improve their understanding and interactions with the transgender community and are currently developing a transgender, gay and lesbian policy statement. If you would like more information about transgender initiative call the Senior Programs Officer on (02) 8835 8180.

If something happens to you, call the police. In an emergency dial 000. If you want to report a hate-crime or incident call the Police Assistance Line (P.A.L.) on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. You are also able to call a Gay and Lesbian Liaison Officer (G.L.L.O.) to talk about crimes, incidents and police matters.

There is a network of G.L.L.O.s throughout the Police Force and (although transgenders are not specifically mentioned) G.L.L.O.s are trained and happy to talk with transgenders. There may be a G.L.L.O. in your local Patrol Command, contactable through your local Police Station. If you are not sure, call (02) 9281 0000 and ask to speak the G.L.L.O. closest to your local area.

Polare is published in Australia by The Gender Centre Inc. which is funded by the Department of Community Services under the S.A.A.P. Program and supported by the N.S.W. Health Department through the AIDS and Infectious Diseases Branch. Polare provides a forum for discussion and debate on gender issues. Advertisers are advised that all advertising is their responsibility under the Trade Practices Act. Unsolicited contributions are welcome, though no guarantee is made by the Editor that they will be published, nor any discussion entered into. The editor reserves the right to edit such contributions without notification. Any submission which appears in Polare may be published on our internet site. Opinions expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect those of the Editor, The Gender Centre Inc.I, the Department of Community Services or the N.S.W. Department of Health.