Queensland Police Service (QPS) has proudly commenced NAIDOC Week 2025 with a flag-raising ceremony and cultural performance at Police Headquarters.
The ceremony brought together police, staff, Elders and community members to reflect on the strength, vision and legacy of Queensland's First Nations communities.
This year's NAIDOC Week theme: 'The Next Generation: Strength, vision and legacy' speaks to the powerful role that young people play in carrying forward the stories, culture and leadership of their Elders.
This theme resonates strongly with QPS, as we continue taking tangible steps toward a more inclusive and culturally responsive organisation.
QPS celebrates NAIDOC Week as part of our ongoing commitment to the Reframing the Relationship Plan 2024-2026, which aims to strengthen partnerships, listen deeply, and ensure First Nations perspectives are embedded in everything we do.
Since the development of the plan, QPS has invested efforts into enhancing the cultural capability of our people to support frontline officers through education, mentoring and engagement to build greater trust and understanding with the communities we serve.
Acting Commissioner Shane Chelepy APM expressed gratitude to the strength our first Nations people bring to the Queensland community.
"NAIDOC Week is an opportunity for all of us to reflect, listen, and walk together with respect," Acting Commissioner Chelepy said.
Acting Commissioner Chelepy said the QPS continues to make improvements in its cultural and procedural processes through collaboration with First Nations communities.
"The introduction of a new Cultural Capability training package, the establishment of the Police First Nations Advisory Group and the commencement of the Cultural Safety Framework project as some of the positive initiatives introduced over the past 12-months.
"As we move forward, the QPS continues to build upon these foundations to demonstrate our commitment to enhancing cultural capability, fostering an inclusive workforce that works diligently towards a safer Queensland for all communities."
First Nations Division Executive Director Alan Dewis said the division was continuing to lead this work, offering strategic and cultural guidance to both senior leaders and operational teams across Queensland.
"I am very proud of the work accomplished to embed Principal Cultural Advisors in locations throughout the state, where they work side-by-side with First Nations community leaders and police to support culturally informed responses and location-based solutions," Mr Dewis said.
"These advisors also play a key role in helping shape tailored induction programs for officers working in remote and discrete communities, ensuring policing practices are grounded in cultural respect and local knowledge."
The First Nations Recruitment Team is another vital part of this work, focused on increasing representation and retention of First Nations staff by partnering with schools, communities and cultural organisations to create pathways into policing and foster a safe, inclusive workplace.
The Police First Nations Advisory group assists the Service to achieve a diverse and far-reaching representation of First Nations peoples and their outlooks in building relationships and improving policing outcomes.
QPS has also developed Australia's first Cultural Safety Framework for policing – a milestone initiative designed to create real, lasting change through mutual respect and shared learning.
As we celebrate NAIDOC Week, we recognise that legacy is not only about honouring the past but investing in the future.
At QPS, we are committed to working alongside First Nations peoples to create a policing culture that supports the next generation, guided by strength, vision and legacy.
