Returning: Our Law

NITV observational documentary series Our Law, which explores the relationship between police and First Nations peoples, will return for a second season in May, including on SBS.

This eight-part series follows First Nations police officers and recruits as they attempt to change the system from within and break the cycle of Indigenous incarceration. Cameras have access to frontline police operations, squad-car conversations, high stakes decision making.

Again narrated by Deborah Mailman, season two expands from Western Australia to New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland and the Torres Strait.

NITV’s Head of Commissions, Marissa McDowell, said: “Our Law has unprecedented access as it follows 11 members of police services across New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, the Torres Strait and Western Australia. The series demonstrates the importance of Indigenous police working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities to build trust and bridge the gap of communication. This is a documentary for all Australians, so that Indigenous peoples are seen and heard, including those who work in the police system and those who engage with police. NITV has worked with the Our Law team to bring this vital series to a national audience.”

Series Director, Perun Bonser, said, “It is my hope that the series seeds critically important national conversations, which must take place now, if we are to establish a system of law that is fair for everyone. The responsibility of building a relationship between the police and Indigenous communities is on all of us.”

Screen Australia’s Head of First Nations, Angela Bates said: “The First Nations Department is proud to support Our Law’s evolution over the last few years, a series that highlights the importance of First Nations police officers and cadets in breaking down barriers, creating awareness and understanding, and healing deeply fractured relationships. It skillfully navigates and weaves together the compelling journeys of these officers, while giving voice to the communities being policed. We’re looking forward to watching season two, the stories and conversations that will come out of it, and the impact it has on Australian audiences”.

Screenwest CEO, Rikki Lea Bestall said: “Screenwest is proud to have supported Our Law from its inception as a groundbreaking half hour documentary to a full series and now a second series. Pink Pepper and Periscope Pictures are forces of nature who, together with director, Perun Bonser have once again produced a compelling series which will undoubtedly encourage deeper cultural understanding and healing amongst our First Nations community, the Australian Police and all Australians.”

In series two, Leroy Rundle and Ace Kiernan, who appeared as Western Australian police cadets in series one, face new challenges in their roles as a Recruit and a Custody Officer. The series also follows Sergeant Alan Kickett from Western Australian Police; Aboriginal Community Liaison Officers (ACLO) Melissa Muter, Scott Mieni and Narelle Dickson from NSW Police Force; Sergeant Melissa Peters from Victoria Police; and Senior Constable Patricia Pedro, Constable Jarwin Blackman, and Constable Laurie Bateman from Queensland Police Service, as they work in various communities. 

With its unique truth-telling, Our Law follows multiple stories and cameras are granted intimate and candid access as they follow Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander police out on the beat in a diverse range of locations and communities around Australia, each with its own unique history, culture and policing needs. These locations include Perth and Kalgoorlie in Western Australia, Nambucca Heads and Redfern in New South Wales, Ballarat in Victoria, Caboolture and in Queensland, Thursday Island in the Torres Strait and more.

The original creative team returns for the second series, including director Perun Bonser (Star Dreaming, Noongar Footy Magic), and producers Taryne Laffar of Pink Pepper (KGB, On Country Kitchen) and Sam Bodhi Field of Periscope Pictures (Behind the Blue Line, Virtual Whadjuk).

Production Credit: Our Law is a Pink Pepper Pty Ltd and Periscope Pictures Pty Ltd production for NITV. Principal production investment from Screen Australia’s First Nations Department, in association with NITV. Financed with support from Screenwest and Lotterywest.

Thursday 9 May from 8.30pm with a double episode on NITV / SBS.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people should be aware that this post may contain images, voices and names of deceased persons.