Today, Redfern Legal Centre (RLC) launched the Police Accountability Dashboard - a groundbreaking tool and the first of its kind in Australia.
The dashboard allows the public to access insightful, comprehensive data about the use of NSW Police powers. The dashboard provides six years' worth of NSW Police data from 2017 to 2023.
The dashboard has interactive statistics on strip searches, use of force, and move-on directions, broken down by police area command, location, age, and gender.
Samantha Lee, supervising solicitor at RLC, says, “The dashboard is another step towards ensuring the use of police powers is more transparent. It offers extensive data obtained from NSW Police through freedom of information laws.
It analyses the use of police powers and serves as a resource for the public, lawyers, policymakers, and academics to understand how these powers are used.”
"Increased transparency around police powers leads to greater accountability in their use. The statistics tell a compelling story, highlighting the disproportionate use of police powers against First Nations people," she said.
Monica Lam, a senior analyst with Data4Good, worked with RLC on a pro bono basis to develop this interactive Police Accountability Dashboard.
RLC will consistently update and expand the statistics in the dashboard to ensure it remains a valuable resource.
