Sunshine Coast Police confirms First Nations Police Liaison Officers

Two people dedicated to forging good relationships between First Nations people and the Sunshine Coast police are expected to make a huge difference to local policing.

Sunshine Coast police is working to enhance its relationship with First Nations people with the introduction of the region’s first police liaison officers.

After several years of consultancy and advocacy led by the Sunshine Coast First Nations group the Sunshine Coast police district was allocated the two positions.

Brooke Kingdom and Vernon Corporal were selected after a nationwide search.

Ms Kingdom, an Aboriginal woman from Anaiwan and Kamilaroi country, previously worked with disadvantaged children.

Mr Corporal, a proud descendant of the Wakka Wakka and Bidjara, served with the Australian Defence Force before he transitioned to the Queensland Police as a communications officer 24 years ago.

Sunshine Coast district Superintendent Craig Hawkins said it was a great opportunity to further enhance the police’s relationship with the First Nations community.

“In the short time they have been in place we’ve already seen the value in it,” he said.

“They were instrumental in working with First Nations people around the impending opening of the Nambour Police station.”

He said having the two liaison officers would help educate officers and those in the community.

Sunshine Coast District Superintendent Craig Hawkins has welcomed the region’s first two liaison officers.

Superintendent Hawkins described it as a “tremendous resource” with the pair to take on education and mediation roles.

Ms Kingdom and Mr Corporal were selected by a panel which included representatives from the Sunshine Coast First Nations Group, the local police and the Queensland Police’s cultural engagement unit.

“We have enjoyed a strong relationship with Sunshine Coast First Nations people and this is only going to build on that,” Superintendent Hawkins said.

They completed two weeks of training at the Queensland Police Service Academy and within their first weeks in the roles met with many traditional custodians, elders, community groups and other departments.

They were welcomed at a formal ceremony during NAIDOC Week celebrations as part of the Wan’diny Family Fun Day on Saturday, July 9, 2022.