2. Background and Goals: Victoria Police
Department
• Formed in 1853
• Mission is ensure a safe and secure society
and to provide 24-hour police service to the
community of Victoria.
• Employs over 13,800 people
– Includes police
– Protective officers
– Public servants
3. Services provided
• Accident records
• Crime reports
• Police prosecutions
• Forensic services
• Crime prevention
• Traffic and transit
• Approximately 13 other services
4. Racist email crisis
• In 2010, The Herald Sun reported that racist
emails were circulating within the organization
• These emails included pornographic,
homophobic, racist and violent materials
• Video of an Indian man being electrocuted
• “This might be a way to fix the Indian student
problem.”
• Australia has over 70,000 Indian students
enrolled
• Crisis broke at a time when racist crimes against
Indian students were at an all time high.
• Many high ranking officers were involved
5. Organization’s Response
• Immediately ensured that these beliefs were
contrary to the values held by the department
• Police department spokesperson blamed the
instance on a few officers and asked the public
not to hold the entire office responsible
• Investigations were held
• Some officers were let go
– One committed suicide as a result
6. Media Response
• News reports on the issues blamed the
organization for what happened
• Several blog sites were created about how not
only was the police department failing to
prevent hate crimes, they were fueling them
• Editorials slammed the organization for not
taking responsibility for the issues
• Media attacked the organization for
downplaying the issue
7. Stakeholders Response
• Indian student enrollment reduced by half in
2010 after this incident
• Ministry of External Affairs in India reiterated
how serious the issue was
• Also said they not only wanted this specific
issue addressed, but also the issue of high
racism in Australia
8. Recommendations and Suggestions
• Do not downplay the seriousness of an event
• Do not blame other people for your
organizations crisis
• Apologize
• Make sure the people in positions of high
power do not hold these values
• Talk about what you will do to improve
– Be specific
