# @victoriapolice on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/CuYR47oh-qI
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/17660839-victoriapolice-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/thumbnails/1bdf82389a.jpg
- **Posted:** 2023-07-07T02:27:42.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** Victoria Police (@victoriapolice) — https://gondola.cc/victoriapolice

## Caption

“As an Aboriginal person the word belonging is what grounds us. Belonging to country, belonging to family, belonging to community is huge.” 
 
Community has always been a big part of policing and one of the reasons proud Yorta Yorta, Dja Dja Wurrung and Ngurai Illum Wurrung woman, Sergeant Mel Peters joined Victoria Police. 
 
For 25 years, Mel has worked with community members right across Victoria to build, repair and maintain relationships and connections with people from across the community. 
 
In her roles as a Police Aboriginal Liaison Officer (PALO) and Multicultural Liaison Officer (MLO), and in her local Proactive Policing Unit, she has been able to work closely with her local community, helping them overcome challenges, adjust to new environments, and rebuild trust with local authorities. A process that is often slow, but extremely rewarding. 
 
“Everyone just thinks we are about catching crooks and dealing with crime, but that’s probably about 10% of what we do. We are about being part of the community, being connected to the community, and showing that we are here to help and support - including helping groups to feel safe,” Mel said. 
 
It hasn’t always been easy, but it isn’t without its share of highlights. 
 
“Earlier this year I was at the Academy when a recruit come up to say hello – It was an old friend and a participant of the Diversity Recruitment Program who had finished their course a few years back. This day happened to be their first day at the Academy, and to see them become an officer was something special” Mel recalled. 
 
When asked what it meant to work in these areas Mel had this to say: “Uniform policing is what I have loved and from day dot. I have always understood being an Aboriginal person, and growing up in an area that is considered lower socio economic, that diversity is something to embrace and is something that can make you a better person.” 
 
#NAIDOCWeek #ForOurElders #CommunityPolicing #AboriginalCommunityLiaisonOfficer #PoliceAboriginalLiaisonOfficer #PoliceCareers

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## Tags

naidocweek, aboriginalcommunityliaisonofficer, policecareers, communitypolicing, policeaboriginalliaisonofficer, forourelders

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