Career Pathways Brochure - NSW Police Force

MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN
HER COMMUNITY
Lesley Townsend has an important role to carry out
as the Aboriginal community liaison officer (ACLO)
in Redfern Local Area Command.
Prior to joining NSW Police Force I worked as a customer
service representative for Telstra, but I realised I wanted
to do something to try and help my community.
I was born and bred in Redfern and I have been working as
the ACLO in Redfern for over 11 years. I would love to stay where
Lesley Townsend
I am, as I thoroughly enjoy the job that I am doing.
I like knowing that my job helps by building relationships between the
Aboriginal community and police.
I think to be an ACLO, all you need is commonsense and the ability to communicate with
people. You will go far if you use those abilities – you don’t necessarily need degrees
or anything.
CONTACTS
If you are interested in a career as a NSW police officer
and would like more information:
Aboriginal Recruitment Officer
1800 222 122
Aboriginal Employment Programs Unit
(02) 8835 9093
www.police.nsw.gov.au
CAREER
PATHWAYS
ABOUT THE ARTWORK
This brochure was designed using elements of an artwork by Kevin Duncan
27 October 1995. The circle of this design represents a sacredness in Aboriginal
culture and the white lines inside the circle with yellow and red dots represent
the Rainbow Serpent. Inside the circle the half moon shapes with the white dots
represent the communication of all communities facing each other. The red lines
are pathways which connect those communities.
PAB 9070/09

The NSW Police Force offers a variety of challenging and rewarding
career options, many of which don’t involve becoming a police officer.
Administrative, community liaison and support roles are an integral part of the NSW Police Force
as they contribute to the effectiveness and safety of the wider NSW community. There is a diverse
range of career pathways for administrative staff including Aboriginal community liaison officers
(ACLOs) and security officers.
The NSW Police Force welcome applications from people from all sectors of the community who
have a variety of skills, work experience, trade and tertiary qualifications, language skills and
cultural understanding.
ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER
Administrative, clerical and general administrative support officers have a vital role in supporting
both the NSW Police Force and the local community. They are sometimes the first people
community members will speak to when they contact police. They undertake diverse roles
including data entry, mail distribution, preparing correspondence, maintaining filing systems,
customer service enquiries and other general clerical duties.
WHERE MIGHT I BE WORKING?
As an administrative officer, you could be working anywhere in NSW including a
country or city police station, Police Headquarters in Parramatta or the NSW Police
College in Goulburn.
WHAT ARE THE HOURS LIKE?
Administrative officers work on a flexible roster, usually Monday to Friday during
normal business hours, but may be required to work shift work. Administrative
officers receive four weeks paid annual leave each year.
WHAT IS THE PAY LIKE?
The pay scale for administrative officers is very broad from a clerk grade 1/2 (approximately $48,173
per annum for entry level positions) to a clerk grade 11/12 (approximately $110,000 per annum for
more senior positions).
SECURITY OFFICER
Security officers are valued members of NSW Police Force. Their role is to guard and maintain
security of police premises such as the NSW Police Headquarters in Parramatta, the NSW Police
Mounted Unit in Redfern or the NSW Police Dog Unit in Menai, as well as other important
government establishments including Government House in Sydney.
WHAT IS THE PAY LIKE?
A security officer in their first year would receive approximately $740 per week gross. They also
receive allowances for shift and weekend work.
WHAT ARE THE HOURS LIKE?
Security officers work on a flexible roster which means they may be required
to work at various times of the day or night. Security officers are entitled
to five weeks paid annual leave each year.
Leanne Ferguson, Kalmain Williams,
Lesley Townsend
HOW DO I BECOME AN ADMINISTRATIVE
OFFICER OR SECURITY OFFICER?
Whenever administrative, clerical or security officer positions
become available they are usually advertised in the local papers,
major newspapers, Koori Mail, National Indigenous Times and
online. If you would like more information, refer to contacts
section on the back of this brochure.
ABORIGINAL COMMUNITY LIAISON OFFICER (ACLO)
ACLOs work with police and local communities to build trust and good working relationships.
WHAT DUTIES DOES AN ACLO CARRY OUT?
The ACLO is a member of the local area command, crime management team and is responsible
for providing advice and support to police in the management of Aboriginal issues across the
command.
The ACLO assists in developing, implementing, monitoring and reviewing programs that bring
about positive outcomes between police and Aboriginal people and which are in line with NSW
Police Force policy.
The ACLO works closely with the Aboriginal community, community organisations and other
service providers in their day to day activities. The ACLO promotes an awareness of the NSW Police
Force to Aboriginal people and promotes an awareness of Aboriginal issues to police. ACLOs
operate from local area commands throughout NSW.
WHAT IS THE PAY LIKE?
An ACLO in their first year would receive approximately $53,855 gross.
WHAT ARE THE HOURS LIKE?
ACLOs may be rostered on weekends or evenings depending on the requirement of the local area
command. ACLOs receive four weeks paid annual leave each year.
HOW DO I BECOME AN ACLO?
If you are interested in becoming an Aboriginal community liaison officer and would like more
information, contact the ACLO state coordinator on (02) 8835 9545.