The Conference outcomes recognised the need for an agency which would enhance the professionalism of police service delivery in culturally diverse societies through strategies based on communication, co-operation and consultation.
These partnerships harness and build on the benefits of cultural diversity and further strengthen community cohesion and a commitment to a multicultural Australia.
The Awards aim to demonstrate, by example, the tangible benefits and positive outcomes of establishing harmonious relations between police and the multicultural community.
Mr. Ivan Kolarik, Executive Director of the National Police Ethnic Advisory Bureau, (winner of the 2003 Medal of the Order of Australia for his key role in changing the relationship between the police and Australia's Non English Speaking Background communities[1]) lists a long and far reaching series of achievements of the Bureau.
In a paper/opening address presented at the 2001 Policing Partnerships in a Multicultural Australia: Achievements and Challenges Conference he notes the " internationally acclaimed publication of ‘A Practical Reference to Religious Diversity for Operational Police’, production of a series of training packages called “Dealing with Racist Violence” under the auspice of 'Living in Harmony', active participation on steering committees for research projects, such as 'Ethnic Youth Gangs' in Australia and 'Multicultural Perspectives of Crime and Safety', development of “National Guidelines on Descriptions of Persons Issued by Police to the Media”, the leading role in research on “Collection of Ethnicity Data on Alleged Criminal Offenders” and the current study examining issues relevant to the retention of police officers from diverse backgrounds.