ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY

The Australian Government acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and acknowledges their continuing connection to land, waters and community. We pay our respects to the people, the cultures and the Elders past and present.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people should be aware that this website may contain images, voices and names of deceased persons.

Indigenous.gov.au Connecting With First Nations Australians
Back to Stories

Indigenous graduates take first steps towards police career

13 August 2014
Jobs, Land and Economy
Indigenous graduates take first steps towards police career

Indigenous Police Recruitment Our Way Delivery (IPROWD) is a specialist training programme that assists local Aboriginal people to gain entry to the NSW Police Academy at Goulburn. This is the first step to becoming an officer in the NSW Police Force.

Indigenous Police Recruitment Our Way Delivery (IPROWD) is a specialist training programme that assists local Aboriginal people to gain entry to the NSW Police Academy at Goulburn. This is the first step to becoming an officer in the NSW Police Force.

Last month eight students graduated from the IPROWD programme at the Kurri Kurri TAFE Campus ceremony near the Hunter Valley. As part of the programme, those students participated in a cultural excursion to Wollombi to visit local sacred sites, had access to the Police Specialist Commands including Water Police, Dog & Rescue Squads, and visited the Goulburn Police Academy.

One of eight men in this year’s intake, Blake Greville was privileged enough to win a development and leadership award in the IPROWD programme. Blake said “it has enabled me to develop skills and knowledge on my culture so that I can inspire and be more active in my own community”.

Two inspirational students who graduated from Kurri Kurri TAFE Campus had travelled a long way to participate in the programme, and overcame homesickness and some negative community views of the police force to complete the course.

In May 2014, ten Aboriginal students graduated from the Goulburn Police Academy through the IPROWD programme. A further 60 participants will graduate from IPROWD this month, with ceremonies in Mt Druitt, Nowra, Dubbo, Wagga Wagga, Maitland, Tamworth and Redfern.

Wadi Wadi woman Emily Ford completed the IPROWD programme in Redfern in 2012. Emily is very proud of her achievement and believes that she may not have realised her dream without the support, knowledge and skills she gained by completing the IPROWD programme. Emily is now stationed alongside fellow Redfern participant Justin Barnes at the Sutherland Local Area Command.

Gamilaroi man Justin Barnes also entered the IPROWD programme in 2012. Justin was able to finish in the top 5% of his class academically and has now proudly commenced his probationary period with the NSW Police Force.

The programme is a partnership between TAFE NSW, the NSW Police Force, Charles Sturt University and the Australian Government. It runs for 18 weeks and students must complete a Certificate III in Vocation and Study Pathways.

Find out more

IPROWD is a specialist training program to assist Aboriginal people to gain entry to the NSW Police Academy at Goulburn which is the first step to becoming an officer in the NSW Police Force.

The Australian Government, TAFE NSW, The NSW Police Force and Charles Sturt University are working in partnership to offer IPROWD training programs at a range of locations in NSW including Broken Hill, Casino, Campbelltown, Dubbo, Maitland, Mount Druitt, Nowra, Redfern and Tamworth. To find out more about the programme including how to apply visit the IPROWD website.