Police Liaison Maninder Kaur Shines in Multicultural Month

Maninder Kaur has always had a passion for community engagement and service, which led to her application for the role of a Police Liaison Officer (PLO).

"I first heard about an upcoming PLO role from one of my close family friends who is already in service. Until that point, I hadn't been familiar with the position." PLO Kaur said.

The role seemed to align perfectly with her interests and aspirations.

"The more I considered it, the more it seemed like an ideal fit for me," she said.

"The position would allow me to work closely with my community, build relationships, and regularly engage with people."

"I found this role to be incredibly appealing, and it directly aligned with my passion for community service."

The role of a PLO is crucial in building and sustaining positive relationships between culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities and the Queensland Police Service (QPS).

In regions such as the South Brisbane District (SBD), recognised as one of the most diverse communities in Queensland, the presence of PLOs are very important.

By regularly interacting with CALD communities, PLOs ensure that the CALD voices are heard and respected while helping the QPS better understand and respond to each community's unique needs and concerns.

PLO Kaur's application was successful, and she has been a working PLO in SBD since December 2023.

"The SBD PLO team have incredibly diverse backgrounds and cultures. This allows us to meaningfully engage with different communities," she said.

PLO Kaur says there is a great variety in work PLOs may be assigned to each day; no two days are the same.

"A day could consist of providing support to our local District Crime Prevention Units with engagements with schools or the Coffee with the Cop program, following up with victims of crime in our CALD community, and working closely with general duties officers and CALD clients." PLO Kaur said.

"We also advise the QPS on the cultural significance of certain events, religious beliefs, and festivals."

Reflecting on her role to date, PLO Kaur says one of the aspects she enjoys most about being a PLO is engaging with people from different backgrounds.

"Each interaction allows me to learn about their traditions, values, and perspectives," she says.

"It's incredibly rewarding to be in a position where I can bridge gaps and foster mutual respect and understanding among diverse groups."

A particular memory that stands out for PLO Kaur is when a community member approached her to say they were proud of her work supporting their local community.

"I feel proud that I am making a difference and bringing QPS and communities closer." PLO Kaur said.

If you're interested in learning more about Police Liaison Officers, what they do, how they work with Police Officers, and how to become one, visit the Police Liaison Officer Careers Page or contact your local police station.