In this issue

We would like to acknowledge and thank all those who have been managing the Police Referrals within their roles but are now moving on to new endeavours, it is forever transient and a changing space. It is not without your ongoing support that the Police Referrals continue to make a difference in people’s lives and working in such a network based field we would love to hear from you in your new positions to continue the partnerships between QPS and our valuable Service Providers. We also ask that all Services update us with staff movement when in relation to the Police Referrals.

Welcome to the Police Referral Network

New Service Providers now accepting Police Referrals.

A big welcome to the below Services who have commenced being part of the Police Referral Network.

• Real Community Services
• Emerald Neighbourhood Centre

We will update the Police Referrals Website each month via our Bulletin and also it will be worth you checking out the Service Provider Spotlight as this month we are showcasing one of our providers – Bravehearts. 

In our Meet your Local Coordinator we meet our South Brisbane District Referrals Coordinator Sergeant Nick Evans.

Police Referrals are currently exploring the best way forward in order to keep Mental Health as a referral category for referring officers and are interested in speaking with those services that are now commissioned to play a supporting role to vulnerable clients with Mental Health issues. Connecting clients to appropriate community services is the aim of the Police Referrals so please share this message within your networks to support this valuable referral pathway and those suffering Mental Health issues. Please share our details with any interested parties or alternatively send details to the Referral Coordination Service of potential services we could approach.

May has been a very busy month across the Domestic and Family Violence and Vulnerable Persons Unit. With May being Domestic and Family Violence Month there has been a number of initiatives to raise the awareness of the impact of Domestic and Family Violence on not only the aggrieved, but many other support networks around them.

Throughout the month our unit has been running a purple pets photo competition that has been run in support of DV Connect and RSPCA Queensland Pets In Crisis program. On the 20th and 21st, 20 Police Representatives from the 8 High Risk Teams from across the state came together for 2 days of Professional Development and idea sharing. We have also been spreading the word of Police Referrals at a Domestic and Family Violence Awareness day at Policelink on the 16th, at a LGBTIQ+ Forum on the 17th and at the Queensland Homicide Awareness Day on the 21st, all of which were also attended by some of our Police Referral Service Providers. We then managed to finish the month off this week with Puppies and Cupcakes raising money for Australia’s CEO Challenge and then walking the cupcake calories off with a brisk early morning walk as part of the Darkness to Daylight challenge.

Until next month, thank you for all of your work in helping to build safe, caring and connected communities.

A/Senior Sergeant Chris Stafford