Tonight marks the premiere of an AFP co-produced award winning short documentary created in partnership with the Australian Islamic Centre (AIC), Human Appeal and Blueprint Studios.
It tells the story of AIC volunteers who travelled to areas impacted by the devastating 2019/2020 bushfires to provide essential supplies to communities in critical need.
The film will premiere tonight (31 March 2022), and is made-up of a series of interviews and reflections about that challenging time. Voices include volunteers from the AIC and local residents who received assistance from the volunteer group.
AFP Detective Inspector Spiros Drossos said that a message of gratitude and mateship is reflected in the film.
"The film captures responses from communities who might not have had the opportunity to meet Muslim Australians prior to receiving much-needed food and fire-relief assistance," Detective Inspector Drossos said.
"It's about breaking down barriers and building relationships with our culturally and linguistically diverse communities around Australia, which is a key priority for the AFP."
The project is an initiative of the AFP's Community Liaison Team, and will be shown across the country as an educational resource throughout 2022.
AFP Community Liaison Teams are based in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth. These teams engage with communities to address misunderstandings and misconceptions, facilitate conversations about issues of concern, discuss emerging situations, and act as a conduit between the community and law enforcement on issues which may be impacting on them.
Other examples of Community Liaison Team work include:
- Participation and facilitation at forums with spiritual and community leaders
- Engagement with community groups
- Presentations at participating schools on the AFP's "ThinkUKnow" cyber safety program
- Attendance at community events
- Involvement with community and youth programs
- Provision of advice to individuals and groups on the AFP's law enforcement role
- Providing community based awareness and guidance to AFP officers, particularly within culturally and linguistically diverse communities.
