‘Long overdue’: Victoria Police chief commissioner Shane Patton apologises to Stolen Generation survivors and families

Victoria Police chief commissioner Shane Patton has issued a historic apology for the role the force has played in the removal of Aboriginal children from their families, culture and country.

Victoria Police chief commissioner Shane Patton has issued a historic apology to the Stolen Generations, and has vowed to build trust and confidence between his force and Indigenous Australians.

Delivering his apology at the Aborigines Advancement League in Melbourne on Friday, Mr Patton said it was vital for Victoria Police to “face up” and accept responsibility for the widespread harms caused to Indigenous people.

“Victoria Police is deeply committed to a genuine truth-telling process, enabling Victorians to reckon with the causes of injustice and create an opportunity to heal and bring meaningful and positive change,” he said.

“I am deeply sorry for the harm which this has caused, and the harm which continues to be felt now.”

Chief Commissioner Shane Patton. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

The top cop said his dealings with Stolen Generations survivors had a profound impact on him, and strengthened his commitment to “leading the transformation” in Victoria Police’s engagement with Aboriginal people.

“Solely acknowledging past harms is not enough,” he said.

“While we cannot change history, we can accept the harsh truth of it, and learn from it so these harms are never repeated.

“This apology is long overdue … I’m here with you today to formally and unreservedly apologise to survivors of the Stolen Generations and their families for the role of Victoria Police that we played in the forcible removal of Aboriginal children.

“We may sadly never know the exact number of Aboriginal children separated from their families,” Mr Patton said.