The Western Australia Police Force has partnered with a Noongar artist for its new Aboriginal recruitment campaign, launched this week as part of its ongoing commitment to better engage with Aboriginal communities in WA.
The unique campaign is part of the broader Let’s Join Forces recruitment campaign run by the WA Police Force, in an aim to further attract new officers across the state.
Artist Montanna Campbell has created an original artwork communicating the possibilities that can come from preserving the world’s oldest continuous living culture with new roles of protection and service for the wider community.
The project is personal for Montanna, a former WA Police Force employee who has worked on programs to help improve relationships between police and Aboriginal people.
Her design combines an ongoing connection to land, culture and community, with a message of empowerment for Aboriginal people to see themselves in uniform.
The artwork features motifs such as footprints, kangaroo and emu tracks, and symbols depicting women, recruits and community, to illustrate the unique and diverse journey for each person to become a police officer. The central message of Montanna’s artwork is that coming together is possible – and anyone can be part of this journey.
Montanna worked with Aboriginal-led agency, Nani Creative, to digitise her hand-painted artwork. The recruitment campaign aims to encourage First Nations people to ‘Be the Change in Your Community’ and join the 270 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people currently employed in the WA Police Force.
Want to ‘Be the Change in Your Community’ and join forces with WA Police? Visit www.letsjoinforces.wa.gov.au for more information.
Quotes attributable to artist Montanna Campbell:
“I knew how beneficial this would be to mob and community and as well as being a way to show other generations coming through that they are all capable of doing this and should consider joining the Police.
“This artwork shows who I am as a person and represents my people. Being asked to create a design like this meant a lot, as I could explain not only my own journey, but a place for others to begin theirs.
“My creative process around this, was to incorporate Aboriginal people joining the WA Police Force and a focus for women to join the job. Each element of the artwork has a story and represents a way of joining the WA Police Force.
“By creating this artwork, it allowed me to reflect on my time working with the WA Police Force, and where my journey first began as a Police Cadet. From this, I was fortunate enough to have so many leads onwards, while maintaining that strong connection with Indigenous culture and still doing a job to serve the community.”
Quotes attributable to Acting Sergeant Eric Gibson from the WA Police Force, Aboriginal Affairs Division:
“We need more Indigenous police officers. Our cultural roots give us a unique perspective and a deep connection to community. That understanding helps us communicate more effectively and build trust, especially in situations where others might struggle to connect.
“If you're passionate about making a real difference, I encourage you to consider joining.”
The unique campaign is part of the broader Let’s Join Forces recruitment campaign run by the WA Police Force, in an aim to further attract new officers across the state.
Artist Montanna Campbell has created an original artwork communicating the possibilities that can come from preserving the world’s oldest continuous living culture with new roles of protection and service for the wider community.
The project is personal for Montanna, a former WA Police Force employee who has worked on programs to help improve relationships between police and Aboriginal people.
Her design combines an ongoing connection to land, culture and community, with a message of empowerment for Aboriginal people to see themselves in uniform.
The artwork features motifs such as footprints, kangaroo and emu tracks, and symbols depicting women, recruits and community, to illustrate the unique and diverse journey for each person to become a police officer. The central message of Montanna’s artwork is that coming together is possible – and anyone can be part of this journey.
Montanna worked with Aboriginal-led agency, Nani Creative, to digitise her hand-painted artwork. The recruitment campaign aims to encourage First Nations people to ‘Be the Change in Your Community’ and join the 270 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people currently employed in the WA Police Force.
Want to ‘Be the Change in Your Community’ and join forces with WA Police? Visit www.letsjoinforces.wa.gov.au for more information.
Quotes attributable to artist Montanna Campbell:
“I knew how beneficial this would be to mob and community and as well as being a way to show other generations coming through that they are all capable of doing this and should consider joining the Police.
“This artwork shows who I am as a person and represents my people. Being asked to create a design like this meant a lot, as I could explain not only my own journey, but a place for others to begin theirs.
“My creative process around this, was to incorporate Aboriginal people joining the WA Police Force and a focus for women to join the job. Each element of the artwork has a story and represents a way of joining the WA Police Force.
“By creating this artwork, it allowed me to reflect on my time working with the WA Police Force, and where my journey first began as a Police Cadet. From this, I was fortunate enough to have so many leads onwards, while maintaining that strong connection with Indigenous culture and still doing a job to serve the community.”
Quotes attributable to Acting Sergeant Eric Gibson from the WA Police Force, Aboriginal Affairs Division:
“We need more Indigenous police officers. Our cultural roots give us a unique perspective and a deep connection to community. That understanding helps us communicate more effectively and build trust, especially in situations where others might struggle to connect.
“If you're passionate about making a real difference, I encourage you to consider joining.”
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