Fit for Purpose: Working with the Community to Strengthen Policing in Victoria, Australia

Abstract

Victoria is the Australian police jurisdiction that has made community engagement most central to its operating philosophy. In 1999, it adopted Local Priority Policing (LPP) as a core operation principle. LPP focused on facilitating local input and community partnerships to strengthen the prevention and response capabilities of Victoria Police. Currently, a new fit for purpose service delivery model is being developed which builds on past experiences. This paper looks at the history of LPP and other community engagement programs in Victoria, and how the lessons learnt from this initiative are impacting on future strategic options for service delivery. It focuses on the urban areas in the state of Victoria and examines how the community has been adopted as partners in the battle against crime and disorder.