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Bettina's building bridges

28 November 2014

BETTINA Danganbarr is someone who clearly enjoys her community policing work, and is encouraging other Indigenous residents in West Arnhem to do the same.

When this writer from The Wire caught up with Bettina at the Lurr’a Festival in Maningrida, we sat down to have a yarn about what she does in her role. Bettina, who hails from the Galiwinku community on Elcho Island, said she came out to the Lurr’a Festival to help with policing and to talk to locals. 

“I talk to them about what I do in my role in community policing,” Bettina said. “Part of what I do is build a bridge between Yolngu and balanda, teaching the balanda (non-Indigenous) policemen to respect our laws and how we deal with our own issues.” This task was ongoing, she said, with five different officers-in-charge in Galiwinku in the past few years. 

“But my job is also teaching our people about balanda law, so the two can work perfectly together,” she said. “It’s always an issue that is sensitive, but if you show respect to family and community, then they will respect you. As a local person, I can help them to understand policing, and if they understand it, then they will respect it.

"I enjoy my work very much. It is a rewarding job. I am always learning, and feel that I contribute something to my work colleagues that they may otherwise not have.”

Bettina said residents in Maningrida could also apply to work in a community policing role within their own community.

“Whoever is interested can come up to the local police station and get an application form,” Bettina said.