Police to make community connections at National Multicultural Festival

ACT Policing will have a visible presence at this year’s National Multicultural Festival to connect with the community and ensure the safety of attendees.

ACT Policing’s Emergency Management and Planning Team have been working closely with the event organisers in the lead up to the festival to ensure the safety of all attendees. Across the festival, ACT Policing will have both an operational and community engagement presence at the event to ensure everyone enjoys themselves safely and responsibly.

ACT Policing will host an interactive display in City Walk, with plenty to see and do. There will be a display of tactical operations equipment, police motorcycle and interactive activities which aim to connect the community with police and each other.

Officer in Charge of Community Safety, Education and Diversion, Detective Station Sergeant Mark Rowswell said events like the National Multicultural Festival were a welcome opportunity to for the community to come together and connect after what has been a challenging summer.

“The Multicultural Festival is a celebration of the diverse nationalities and cultures of Canberra,” Detective Station Sergeant Rowswell said.

“The festival is a great way for police to make connections with a variety of people in the community and remind the public that police are friendly and accessible.

“The recent fire season has highlighted the strength of the Canberra community, as well as the importance of staying connected with both your neighbours and also with police and emergency services.”  

In addition to building connections, this year’s ACT Policing focus will be on educating Canberrans on how and when to best contact police.

Visitors will have the opportunity to challenge their knowledge of police contact numbers through an interactive activity.

“We’ll be reminding people to call Triple Zero in an emergency or life-threatening situation, Police Assistance on 131 444 to report a crime, and Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 to give information,” Detective Station Sergeant Rowswell said.

“We encourage everyone to come along, enjoy the festivities and meet your local ACT Policing members, our crime-fighting koala Constable Kenny and the police canines.”

The ACT Policing stall will be located in City Walk near the Canberra Centre, opposite the fountain. It will operate from 10am-6pm on Saturday 22 February and 10am-4pm on Sunday 23 February.

Media enquiries

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