By CAMERON LUCADOU-WELLS
AT the Dandenong-based Safe Suburbs taskforce, there’s a feeling that things have markedly changed since adopting its new firm but fair approach.
Dandenong’s Acting Inspector Steve Wood, who has overseen the taskforce since August, said the team’s new stance was focused on procedural fairness.
If the person was committing a minor offence but was “co-operative, non-abusive and compliant, and understanding about the offence” they may be let off with a warning, he said.
“Every person we spoke to was explained the law and explained why the police are there. They are explained why offences have been committed and why they are being arrested.”
He said the change of approach had created “a good rapport” with young people.
Acting Senior Sergeant Sam Knight, who heads the enforcement arm of the taskforce, said her members treated everyone equally.
“We have quite a good rapport with the African community. You come across the same sort of people and same sort of issues regardless of background.”
The Safe Suburbs taskforce has been credited with reducing public drinking and public robberies and assaults in Greater Dandenong since late 2011. Protective services officers have also becalmed notorious railway stations such as Dandenong at night.
Springvale-Monash Legal Service director Helen Yendell said complaints of heavy-handed policing of African youth had “not completely gone away”. She was however pleased with the “positive” response by the chief commissioner of Victoria Police, Ken Lay, to the issue last week.
“I think the instances have reduced but not enough for my liking. We’re hearing anecdotally that it’s still happening,” she said. “Youth workers are still telling me these stories, and they’re not dissimilar to our 2009 report.”
The report Boys, you wanna give me some action: Interventions into Policing of Racialised Communities in Melbourne, co-authored by three community legal services including Springvale-Monash, found African young people claiming “racialised” treatment by police.
Acting Inspector Wood said he had not received any recent complaints and would welcome the community to contact him if they had any concerns.
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