A policewoman of the community

Surry Hills Police has taken on a new officer to build ties with the community. Senior Constable Kate Baker comes from an impeccable background of Gay and Lesbian Liaison Officer work over nine years.

Handpicked by local commander Donna Adney after the latest round of GLLO training, Baker has come to Surry Hills to work with all sections of the community.

The idea of a crime prevention officer is proactive -” to promote not just safety but the perception of safety, Baker said. It’s all well and good to think what the problem may be, but you have to know for sure your perception is right, so we listen to a lot of people and community groups.

Baker will be working with licensed premises, businesses, gay and lesbian groups, homeless shelters, Department of Housing committees, and local schools. She will bring them together for the Community Safety Precinct Committee to coordinate their individual efforts at local improvement.

We need to look at the big picture. It’s no point rushing to find a short-term fix, and not everyone will agree what the focus should be, but we need a long-term view for the area too, she said.
Because of the immediacy of current alcohol-related strategies, including the new Alcohol-Free Zones and the NSW Government’s 2am lock-out, Surry Hills Police have organised an extra Community Safety Precinct Committee meeting before Christmas as venues and concerned community groups deal with the new laws and the influx of people during summer.

The Alcohol-Free Zones and the lock-out will enable us to have a tool to deal with alcohol-related and anti-social behaviour and increase the comfort and feelings of safety. I have no doubt that we’ll see an improvement in alcohol-related crime, Baker said.

Beyond her current role, Baker has taken secondments and extra duties to fulfill a passion for helping communities -” particularly in the areas of intelligence-driven policing and GLLO work.

Every day we get to do something that helps people, whether on the front line, or supporting others on the front line. Someone has to do this job. I became a police officer to be able to effect change, and it’s exceptionally rewarding.

For the last two years Baker has been a part of the GLLO executive committee, which shapes the future of the program, GLBT issues training for officers, and coordinates the Mardi Gras float and Fair Day stall.

I wanted to be a GLLO from the start, nine years ago now. I wanted to improve the police relationship with my community.