This report describes the NSW Law Enforcement Conduct Commission's review of the NSW Police Force Aboriginal Strategic Direction 2018–2023. It was tabled in the NSW Parliament. The report makes 11 recommendations to the NSW Police Force regarding its policing and engagement activities with Aboriginal people.

Law Enforcement Conduct Commission, NSW Police Force Aboriginal Strategy Direction 2018-2023 Monitoring Report (Report, October 2023)

The law places limits on how police operate. Within those limits, police have a large amount of discretion about how they act. The way police use their discretion shapes people’s experiences with the criminal legal system and has been repeatedly linked to the over-representation of Aboriginal people in custody.

Police discretion

When people are granted bail by a court with a residence or curfew condition, there is controversy about when police can attend private property to check whether a person is complying with that condition. Police are more likely to visit the homes of Aboriginal people, particularly young Aboriginal people, to...

Pre-emptive policing: Bail compliance checks

The Suspect Targeting Management Plan was a NSW Police Force program that ran from 2000 to 2023. It identified people who police said were at risk of committing future crimes. It guided how police interacted with these people including more frequent stops, questioning, home visits, and searches. It had disproportionate...

Pre-emptive policing: Suspect Targeting Management Plan

Diversions are options that police can use to prevent people from entering or continuing in the criminal legal system. Law and policy place some conditions on when diversions can be used. Police also have discretion about whether to use diversions. Research shows that diversions are underused for Aboriginal people, especially...

Document

Law Enforcement Conduct Commission, NSW Police Force Aboriginal Strategy Direction 2018-2023 Monitoring Report (Report, October 2023)

Police discretion

Pre-emptive policing: Bail compliance checks

Pre-emptive policing: Suspect Targeting Management Plan

Policing and diversions