Tuesday 7 October 2008

Australian Catholic University (ACU National) will award a former Wagga Wagga police officer with its highest honour for his ground breaking work in restorative justice in Australian communities and abroad.

Already a recipient of several honours in Australia and the U.S. and acknowledged as an international expert, Terry O’Connell, who left school in Katoomba at the age of 14 to become an apprentice electrician, will be made Doctor of the University (honoris causa).  

Mr O’Connell served as a police officer for 17 years in Wagga Wagga and was immediately noticed for his unique approach to policing practices.

He has done extensive work in broadening focus for law enforcers by conferencing with all parties affected by crime: victims, perpetrators and their families, in order to achieve understanding and reconciliation on both sides.

Mr O’Connell’s work has led him to become Australian Director of the International Company ‘Real Justice’ – an organisation for education and research into restorative practices.

His work with criminal offenders has been accompanied by a remarkable decrease in repeat offences among those offenders.

"Terry O’Connell has done incredible work both nationally and internationally in seeking to address the important personal issues involved in criminal justice," said Australian Catholic University Vice-Chancellor Professor Greg Craven.

"We are delighted to bestow this honour on him in recognition of his accomplishments and the important contribution he has made to our community, and the international community," he added.

Mr O’Connell’s award will be conferred at ACU Sydney’s graduation ceremony at the State Theatre on 8 October 2008 at 2pm.