Recurrent expenditure on community policing services across Australia was approximately $10.9 billion (or $448 per person) in 2016–17.

Police agencies employed 72,680 staff in 2016–17 (274 operational and 24 non-operational staff per 100,000 people).

Police services aim to contribute to a safe and secure community that enables people to undertake their lawful pursuits confidently and safely. To achieve these aims, governments seek to provide police services that:

• are accessible, and responsive to community needs, including disaster and emergency management
• support the judicial process to bring to justice those people responsible for committing an offence
• provide safe custodial services
• are delivered with integrity, honesty and fairness
• promote safer behaviour on roads.

Governments aim for police services to meet these objectives in an equitable and efficient manner.