Chief Commissioner of Victoria Police apologises to First Peoples
On behalf of Victoria Police, Chief Commissioner Shane Patton APM apologised “unreservedly” to First Peoples for police actions since colonisation and continuing to the present day.
In a hearing at the Yoorrook Justice Commission, the Chief Commissioner said that “as a result of systemic racism, racist attitudes and discriminatory policies of police,’ injustices had “gone undetected, unchecked and unpunished.”
He stated that this injustice had caused “significant harm across generations of Aboriginal families.” Chair of the Yoorrook Justice Commission, Professor Eleanor Bourke AM, responded: “Your apology must bring real change.”
Recent Videos
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Yoorrook for Justice: Report into Victoria’s Child Protection and Criminal Justice Systems
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Recommendations: Yoorook Report into Victoria’s Child Protection and Criminal Justice Systems
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Tony McAvoy SC questions the Minister for Police about injustices experienced by First Peoples at the hands of police
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Minister for Police the Hon. Anthony Carbines MP speaks to the lingering colonialism within state organisations
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“I understand this uniform can be a symbol of fear.” – Chief Commissioner of Victoria Police Shane Patton
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Child protection and criminal justice systems hearing day 10, 15 May 2023
More Criminal Justice System Videos
For First Peoples, the criminal justice system has long been a site of systemic injustice. Learn more about the injustices in the criminal justice system by watching the videos below.
You can also view evidence, witness statements and transcripts from the criminal justice system hearings.
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Health Videos
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Land Injustice videos
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Yoorrook for Justice
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Yoorrook Events
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