Queensland Police Service (QPS) has welcomed 70 Police Liaison Officers (PLOs) and Torres Strait Island PLOs (TSIPLOs) to Townsville this week, for the fourth annual State PLO and TSIPLO Conference.
This year's conference theme, Sharing Strength in Diversity: building unity in connections, emphasises QPS' ongoing commitment to cultural responsiveness, reconciliation and inclusive policing.
Embracing connectivity, the three-day conference welcomed attendees from a diverse cross section of First Nations, multicultural and multifaith communities to come together and share how they build trust within their communities through their roles as PLOs and TSIPLOs.
The role of the PLO and TSIPLO is an integral part in the operational success of the Service, strengthening community safety by building trusted relationships between law enforcement personnel and First Nations, multicultural and multifaith communities.
Internally, these members provide an important voice and perspective, offering innovative solutions to educate and advise frontline officers on the cultural beliefs, needs and protocols of the community they serve.
Acting Commissioner Shane Chelepy APM, opened the event, acknowledging the significant value the PLO network brings to the Service.
"The work of the PLO program is critical to building trusted relationships within the community, by providing considered cultural insights, responsive engagement, education and support – particularly for vulnerable communities," Acting Commissioner Chelepy said.
"They are also actively involved in frontline operations, including proactive high-visibility patrols, community engagement, and crime prevention.
"PLOs are also integral to the QPS Victim Response Framework, supporting early intervention and prevention initiatives through their work with PCYCs, Project Booyah, and other youth and community programs.
"The dedication, resilience and cultural knowledge of these members strengthen not only the PLO program, but the Service as a whole."
Keynote speakers, members of the QPS Executive Leadership Team and Senior PLOs will form panels throughout the conference, to offer a strategic opportunity to reflect on the progress achieved, consideration of future challenges and structural support for the continued success of PLO programs.
Senior PLO Michelle Jardine will host a panel session on day three of the conference, called How to build trust in your community.
Senior PLO Jardine has been part of the Ingham Italian community her entire life and her experiences, rapport and respect within the community has made her an exemplary liaison between the Italian community and local police.
With nine-years' experience as a PLO, she has made a tangible difference in her community and contributed to the personal wellbeing of members, from assisting with the recovery after the Ingham floods, to connecting community to police, and working with youth offenders to make better decisions.
Sharing her experience, Senior PLO Jardine emphasised the importance of PLOs in the community and to the Service.
"By forming these relationships, we play a pivotal role in identifying potential issues in the community and proactively addressing them with advice and prevention strategies," Senior PLO Michelle Jardine said.
"Every day, our engagements are building a better connection with police and the community.
"Recently, I helped an 18-year-old apply for personal identification that was lost during the Ingham floods earlier this year.
His mother called me to tell me how thankful she was for the PLOs, expressing her gratitude that her son respects and takes on our advice – to me this is why I love this job," she said.
If you'd like to learn more about QPS PLOs, visit https://www.police.qld.gov.au/careers-with-the-qps/police-liaison-officers.
