Interviews with newly arrived refugees involved a number of strategies. The in-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with individual refugees including
community leaders. These interviewees included men and women, youth and adults representing different settlement periods. It was important that the research
established a comfortable and trusting rapport with the participants (Ruane 2005). Each interview lasted approximately 45 minutes to 1 1/2 hours.
The aim of these interviews was to explore perceptions of, and experiences with, Tasmania Police in the early stages of settlement. These interviews informed the research of the issues in the relationship between police and refugees or difficulties connected to an understanding of Australian law. These issues were then explored more fully in the focus groups.
167Participants were encouraged to express their perceptions and opinions in their own words. The semi-structured interview style was valuable in this context as it allowed individuals to express their opinions, feelings and experiences through discussion both with the facilitator, research assistant and, in the focus groups, with other participants (Babbie 2002). This appeared to have the effect of putting individuals at ease and was less confronting than a straight question/answer style of interviewing (Hynes 2003). The style was meant to provide participants with information in a form in which they usually experienced it (Lincoln & Guba 1985) specifically, conversational in an oral tradition. More detail was possible using this method although it was ensured that the focus was not necessarily lost, as the researcher and, in some cases, the research
assistants were very aware of returning the interview or focus group to the aims of the research.
The interviews collected some demographic data on the participants at the beginning of the interview. This also allowed a chance to support the participant to feel at ease and for the researcher to assess if there were any considerations required in the interview. For example, levels of stress were noted, as was the clarity of the
participants articulating their answers. The interviews explored both traditional and community policing components of the police-refugee experiences. After the
demographic knowledge as an introduction, the line of questioning explored that individual’s contact with police in Australia, contact with police in any other country
168or contact with police by anyone they knew. As a topic was raised, the following questions were introduced;
1. What is this problem for your community? 2. What are the symptoms for your community?
3. What are the solutions to enhance police–refugee relations in your community?
The simplicity of the three questions (which constituted the bulk of the semi-structured interviews) was conscious and had been decided on through the process of pre-trial discussions with key members of these communities. Considerations were made to maximise a sense of comfort and to minimise the effect of misinterpretation of data due to relying on assumptions. When these questions were asked in interviews the researcher asked additional questions to clarify or expand on aspects of the issue (Travers 2001). The participants were also asked about their opinions on best practice in terms of the settlement period and police-refugee relationship building. For more details on interview structure, see Appendix 14 and 15 including verbal introductions to the interviews.
It was important that the ‘problem’ was not constructed in an Australian context or framework, which may have been easily misinterpreted for those born outside Australia. This created an important distinction, and valuable data emerged that highlighted the areas of misunderstanding that were definitional and cultural in nature
169although they could have been assumed as representing resistance or guilt. In the same way, the solutions to the issue were not assumed in a traditional policing, community policing or general Australian lens but allowed for the insights from this community to be explored. Importantly, the research wanted to highlight the fact that these
individuals may have formulated more thoughts on these issues than anyone, primarily because they feel them most strongly. They have the experiences and they have the most to gain or benefit from positive police-refugee relations.
In the interviews conducted with individuals from the refugee communities, some also worked as professionals in sectors that worked with refugee clients (settlement sector, health, employment, or as interpreters). These individuals acted as ‘key informants’ in that they reported professional observations as well as offering their personal
experiences. The use of these ‘key informants’ was a conscious decision on the part of the researcher to ensure that data could be analysed as either unique to the individual or typical of a subset of the communities. These subsets included youth, women, married men, parents and unlinked male entrants.
All interviews and focus groups were recorded and later transcribed but always with the permission of the participants. The process involved a detailed explanation of why and how the material would be used and who would have access to the material. All names and details other than gender and age were removed to ensure confidentiality and guarantee the anonymity of participants.
170Police Personnel
In-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with members of Tasmania Police who had experienced some interaction with refugees on a regular basis. Fifteen police officers, stationed in Hobart and Launceston were interviewed. Participants comprised of various ranks and performed a variety of roles within Tasmania Police. The in-depth interviews ranged from 1-2 hours. Specifically, these interviews included police at Commissioned Officer level (ranks of Inspector and above), police of various ranks working in the community policing and officers who had direct contact with the refugee community as operational police. The focus in these interviews was on their understandings, perceptions of, and experiences with, newly arrived refugees in Tasmania.
Police personnel were sought through the Tasmania Police Multicultural Liaison Officer and mainly included police who had had experience with the refugee
community or indicated an interest in this area. Selection aimed at variation in rank, length of service and gender, and aimed to represent a range of police policy makers, crime investigators and general duties officers. This variety of perspectives was also enhanced by the diversity of officers accessed in the participant observation phase (discussed below).
Access to police was made possible through the community policing section of Tasmania Police, particularly using the networks of the former Inspector in charge of
171Community Policing. The Multicultural Liaison Officer verbally informed police personnel of the existence of the research and assessed participants’ previous
experience with the refugee community or their interest in this area. They were then given the contact details of the researcher to follow up if interested in participating in an interview.
Police were predominantly interviewed in work time, at their place of station, the Tasmania Police Academy or an appropriate place of mutual convenience. The
organisation of interviews was severely hampered by the busy nature of policing as an occupation, especially as it related to changing shift cycles.
Police personnel were asked about their background including their own cross-cultural experience such as travel or work in different jurisdictions. They were also asked about their understanding of the concept of community policing, its strengths and
weaknesses, and their experiences of community policing. The interviews then
explored any details of experiences involving members of the refugee communities in Tasmania and any feelings or reflections about these experiences. The organisational context and support for contact with newly arrived refugees (such as training, use of interpreters and any additional support in police for cross-cultural experiences) was also discussed. Participants were also asked about the barriers that exist in working with refugee communities, and why and how they can be assisted in terms of existing policing strategies. For more details of these interviews, see Appendices 11 and 12.
172Quotes utilised to illustrate data in this thesis have been distinguished by rank or job type to provide some context for the comments at the same time as ensuring
confidentiality.