The Status of Indigenous Women in Policing: A Queensland Case Study

Abstract

A key recommendation of the 1991 report of the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody was the employment of more Indigenous police officers, especially women, in part as a strategy to reduce the over-representation of Indigenous people in the criminal justice system. This article examines the working out of this recommendation in the Queensland Police Service by analysing the Indigenous employment process and by surveying 56 Indigenous female officers. The results of the study showed that Indigenous female officers reported high levels of acceptance by colleagues and their communities. There was little reported evidence of systemic racial or sexual discrimination. However, there was some reported harassment by respondents during training and within the workplace, with Police Liaison Officers reporting higher levels of job dissatisfaction. The policy implications of the study include the need for a more focused recruitment process, the possible benefits of a mentoring support program, and the need to enhance the status and functions of Police Liaison Officers.