Multicultural festival - 12 February 2008
The annual Multicultural Festival is currently in full swing right through until this Sunday February 17. The festival is an opportunity for all Canberrans to celebrate the diversity we enjoy in our society and to experience a kaleidoscope of foreign culinary delights and music.
ACT Policing has a devoted Multicultural Liaison Officer (MLO) within Crime Prevention who attends many events throughout the year supporting the multicultural community. Many of our officers share a similar background and are able to speak a number of languages fluently. This is a vital resource when officers are dealing with persons who feel more comfortable conversing in a language other than English.
Through the PCYC, the MLO and Crime Prevention regularly engages large numbers of the younger multicultural community into the sporting arena as a means of breaking down linguistic and cultural barriers through the expression of sport – a playing field where everyone speaks the same language.
The Crime Prevention team has maintained a strong presence throughout the festival including a dedicated stall at the Food and Dance Spectacular last weekend. Take the opportunity to meet your local police and talk about our multicultural programs or simply the latest in security and personal safety tips.
Michael Phelan
Chief Police Officer