Thursday, 28 November 2024

 Anthony CARBINES (Ivanhoe – Minister for Police, Minister for Crime Prevention, Minister for Racing) (11:18): Senior Sergeant James Egan was the longest currently serving Aboriginal Victoria Police officer, serving 39 years before his passing. Last week Senior Sergeant Egan was farewelled at the Victoria Police Academy chapel – standing room only, a testament to the impact he had on his friends, family and colleagues. In an interview with NITV James said that he did not join Victoria Police because he was Aboriginal; he thought policing would be a great career, and he just happened to be an Aboriginal man. He recalled at the age of 18 his greatest challenge came from his family and community who were concerned that he had crossed the line when he joined, such was the relationship between Victoria Police and the Aboriginal community in the 1980s. But James led by example over his long career with Victoria Police, leading the design and delivery of Aboriginal cultural awareness training to Victoria Police employees.

James was also an integral member of the Victoria Police Museum Aboriginal working group, advising on the internal and public-facing working of the museum in relation to Aboriginal communities and their history. James was actively involved in the Aboriginal employee network council, where he provided leadership, mentoring and input, ensuring the cultural safety of Aboriginal employees of Victoria Police. Before the Chief Commissioner of Police appeared before the Yoorrook Justice Commission in 2023, he sat with James, who willingly shared his personal story and insights into the pressures of being an Aboriginal police officer. As the chief said in his tribute at the service, James’s contribution is unique in the history of Victoria Police.