ACT Policing is committed to policing our community

ACT Policing officers will continue to keep the Canberra community safe during the COVID-19 pandemic.

There have been no changes to our frontline operational response. ACT Policing members remain visible and mobile on our roads and in the community.

ACT Policing is listening and acting on health advice, and strengthening measures to help limit the spread of coronavirus to protect our members and the community.

Chief Police Officer for the ACT Ray Johnson said ACT Policing had shown its workforce is flexible and adaptable to emergency situations every day. 

“Police members are trained, and extremely competent, in responding and operating in environments where information and conditions change rapidly,” Chief Police Officer Johnson said.

“Our members are devoted to their duty to keep our community safe. They often support people at their most vulnerable, and I know many people are apprehensive at this time.

“We will remain visible and mobile on our roads and in the community in the coming weeks and months.

“Police officers can’t just work from home. They still need to be in police stations, and patrolling the streets to provide support and to reassure the community. That is our job and we’re committed to it.

“At the same time, we have implemented measures to protect our members and the community in response to coronavirus

“We have made some changes to our processes behind the scenes, such as meetings and briefings, and temporarily reduced or suspended some services for everyone’s safety.”

All police stations in the ACT remain open; however, people are encouraged to consider calling ACT Policing Operations on 131 444 as a first point of contact in a non-life threatening emergency. In an emergency dial 000.

As of 20 March, ACT Policing has temporarily suspended:

•        Community bookings for fingerprinting services

•        Attendance at community events and engagements

•        Constable Kenny Koala lessons

Canberra is a safe city, and ACT Policing is confident Canberrans will stay calm and take the right precautions with us in this ever changing environment.

“I also want to reassure the community should any workforce impacts occur as a result of coronavirus, ACT Policing has established business continuity plans to manage its workforce, workplaces and systems,” Chief Police Officer Johnson said.

“We have a flexible and responsive workforce that can be deployed to priority areas.

“Day-to-day policing services – where our priority is on the safety and security of our community - will continue. We’ll also continue to work closely with the ACT Emergency Services Agency on the front-line, together we are strong team.”

Anyone with information on criminal activity should continue to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, or via the Crime Stoppers ACT website. Information can be provided anonymously.

Media enquiries

Police Media — (02) 5126 9070, act-police-media@afp.gov.au