On this page:
- Aboriginal Community Liaison Officers
- The role of Aboriginal Community Liaison Officers
- Contact an Aboriginal Community Liaison Officer
- Police Aboriginal Liaison Officers
- The role of Police Aboriginal Liaison Officers (PALOs)
- Contact a Police Aboriginal Liaison Officer
- Logo designs developed for Victoria Police
Victoria Police respectfully acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land upon which we live and work. We pay our respects to Elders, past, present and emerging. We recognise and embrace Aboriginal People as the oldest, continuous living culture.
Aboriginal Community Liaison Officers
Aboriginal Community Liaison Officers (ACLOs) play a pivotal liaison role for Victoria Police. The ACLO program addresses Recommendation 231 of the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody .
The role of Aboriginal Community Liaison Officers
The ACLO roles help police to:
- deliver effective services
- have a positive influence on Aboriginal Victorians’ perceptions of personal and community safety.
The ACLOs liaise between the Victorian Aboriginal Community and Victoria Police. They are community representatives within the organisation. In consultation with the community, ACLOs:
- provide advice to senior police members on local Aboriginal issues
- encourage Aboriginal communities to engage with police members to resolve issues
- help to develop, put in place and deliver appropriate training programs
Contact an Aboriginal Community Liaison Officer
You can contact an ACLO during business hours within a Proactive Policing Unit at one of the following regional and metropolitan police stations:
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During business hours, contact Shane O’Shanassy at the Bairnsdale police station:
- Mob: 0419 160 511
- Email: shane.o’shanassy@police.vic.gov.au
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During business hours, contact the Ballarat police station.
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During business hours, contact Stewart Taylor at the Dandenong police station:
- Ph: 9767 7517
- Mob: 0400 297 532
- Email: stewart.taylor@police.vic.gov.au
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During business hours, contact Jono Henderson at the Echuca or Bendigo police stations:
- Mob: 0459 874 361
- Email: jonathon.henderson@police.vic.gov.au
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During business hours, contact Keith Randall at the Footscray police station:
- Ph: 8398 9919
- Mob: 0419 530 456
- Email: keith.randall@police.vic.gov.au
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During business hours, contact the Geelong police station, or call 0459 874 368.
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During business hours, contact the Knox police station.
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During business hours, contact Jemmes Handy at the Mildura police station:
- Mob: 0427 860 105
- Email: jemmes.handy@police.vic.gov.au
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During business hours, contact Laurie Marks at the Morwell police station:
- Mob: 0427 362 855
- Email: laurie.marks@police.vic.gov.au
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During business hours, contact John Brown at the Preston police station:
- Mob: 0438 000 730
- Email: john.x.brown@police.vic.gov.au
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During business hours, contact Eric Egan at the Shepparton police station:
- Mob: 0418 380 182
- Email: eric.egan@police.vic.gov.au
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During business hours, contact Ricky Baxter at the Swan Hill police station:
- Mob: 0438 555 477
- Email: ricky.baxter@police.vic.gov.au
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During business hours, contact the Warrnambool police station.
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During business hours, contact the Wodonga or Wangaratta police station.
Police Aboriginal Liaison Officers
Police Aboriginal Liaison Officers (PALOs) are members of Victoria Police who have PALO duties along with their operational role. The PALO program addresses Recommendation 231 of the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody .
The role of Police Aboriginal Liaison Officers (PALOs)
Along with ACLOs, PALOs focus on cultural safety and work with the Aboriginal community to:
- resolve local issues
- facilitate access to police services (including reporting crime)
- help police members become culturally conscious and responsive to the needs of Aboriginal people and communities
- provide a contact point for community members who want support to engage with police, and
- provide advice to their peers and colleagues on local Aboriginal issues.
Contact a Police Aboriginal Liaison Officer
To get in touch with a PALO, contact your local police station.
Logo designs developed for Victoria Police
The following ACLO and PALO program logo designs were developed by Gary Saunders - proud Bangerang, Wiradjuri, Yorta Yorta and Dja Dja Wurrung man.
ACLO program logo design
The design embodies the rings of a tree trunk, representing:
- the layers and complexity of the Aboriginal community, and
- the years of knowledge and understanding handed down to community by elders that have worked hard to pave the way and address the needs of their people.
The half circles around the rings represent:
- the tradition of the people sitting around having a yarn, and,
- the ACLOs around the state that meet to share knowledge to help strengthen their communities.
PALO program logo design
The design represents the relationship and partnership between PALOs, ACLOs and Aboriginal communities across the State.
The rings symbolize the strong links between Aboriginal communities and Victoria Police.
The symbol of a river acts to connect these groups together - water representing the source of life and growth.
Reviewed 24 October 2023