Understanding and reconciliation is something 23-year-old Noongar-Yamatji man and police officer Cohen Taylor wants desperately for his community.

This week's West Aussie Great was last week crowned WA’s first Mr NAIDOC, an empowerment and leadership program for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Perth aged between 18 and 30 years.

Constable Taylor told Gareth Parker on 6PR Breakfast he grew up in Walpole, living next door to a a police officer, "a remarkable man" who changed his views on authority and respect.