New link to Aboriginal community

Constable Vivienne Gordon is well prepared for her new job working with juvenile offenders after spending eight years working in Fitzroy Crossing as an Aboriginal police liaison officer.

Const. Gordon has worked as a conduit for Aboriginal people to connect with police and to try and break down the negative views of police in the indigenous community.

Her new position as part of the State Government’s $43 million West Kimberley juvenile justice strategy involves working with young offenders to divert them from a path that could end up in a prison term.

“Aboriginal people already have such a high incarceration rate and the programs we’re looking at running aim to keep kids away from prison by getting in early,” she said.

“We’ll be working with the young offenders, their families and the victims, and referring the kids to diversionary programs.”

The meetings between offenders and their victims are aimed at making young people take responsibility for their actions and understand the effect they have on other people.

“I see my role as building trust with Aboriginal people in Broome,” Const. Gordon said.

Kimberley District Superintendent Mick Sutherland said he hoped Const. Gordon would also be a role model for indigenous children.

“We hope that having someone like Const. Gordon around will help Aboriginal people see police more positively,” he said.

Supt Sutherland, who only swore Const. Gordon in as a full officer six months ago, said he was proud to have her as part of the Kimberley Police team.

He said he was also keen on making contact with community organisations which Const. Gordon could be involved with through her position.