Summary
The study examined how counterterrorism policing is perceived and experienced by both practitioners and members of different ethnic and cultural communities. The study looked at four streams -- policing, community attitudes, Commonwealth and state legislation, and the influence of the media -- and how these four areas intersect to shape the way in which counter-terrorism policing occurs. The report confirmed that a community policing framework is essential to counter-terrorism policing, that the Victoria Police had benefited by already-existing social cohesion and was well-placed to further integrate community-policing approaches into its counter-terrorism strategies. However, findings also indicated the precariousness of police-community relationships when put under pressure. The report also identified key issues in: the perceptions and experiences of community and counter-terrorism policing from both police members and members of culturally diverse communities in Victoria; the operation of counter-terrorism legislation and policy; and the media reporting of counter-terrorism and terrorism.
Contents
1. Overview. -- 2. Summary of research findings. -- 3. Recommendations. -- 4. Review of relevant literature. -- 5. Counter-terrorism legislation and policy. -- 6. Community policing and counter-terrorism. -- 7. Culturally diverse communities : policing and terrorism. -- 8. Conclusion. -- 9. Recommendations.