The first 300 frontline police officers, of the 3,135 police the Andrews Labor Government is delivering over five years, will begin to roll out into Melbourne’s growing suburbs from next month.
Premier Daniel Andrews and Minister for Police Lisa Neville joined Chief Commissioner Graham Ashton today to announce the allocation of Victoria’s 300 new frontline police that were funded last year. A historic $2 billion will be provided in the Victorian Budget 2017/18 for more police and other Community Safety Statement initiatives.
The 300 additional police officers will be based across Melbourne’s fast growing outer suburbs, including:
- More than 100 to Wyndham, Maribyrnong, Melton and Brimbank areas in the western suburbs
- 89 for the northern suburbs in the Hume, Moonee Valley and Moreland areas
- 50 for the south-eastern suburbs including the Casey and Dandenong areas
- 45 for the Whittlesea area
- 10 for Geelong
This boost is on top of regular attrition and will give a stronger and more visible police presence on the street, staff more proactive patrols, and deliver more resources to stop crime from happening in the first place.
The recruitment of 106 specialist police to deal with issues including gang related crime and public order is also well advanced.
This allocation of frontline police officers was made following a new Staff Allocation Model, which takes the politics out of the distribution of police resources, with Victoria Police identifying the areas that have the greatest need.
It also ends the historic ‘boom and bust’ cycle of investment in police resources that has seen police numbers decided by political priorities, rather than what is required to keep the community safe.
The Community Safety Statement set out five priorities including improving Victoria Police capability, culture and technology, reducing harm, increasing connection to the community, putting victims first and holding offenders to account.
Other Community Safety Statement initiatives funded in the Victorian Budget 2017/18 include the 24 hour Police Assistance Line, the replacement of 10 police stations across the State, Automatic Number Plate Recognition technology for the highway patrol fleet, and a new Air Wing, including three new helicopters and a fixed wing plane.
Quotes attributable to Premier of Victoria Daniel Andrews
“The first 300 of more than 3,000 new police officers will be out on the frontline soon where we need them most, keeping Victorians safe.”
“The police academy is full and there are a thousand new recruits to come through these doors this year – that’s because we’re giving Victoria Police more than $2 billion with the officers, the equipment and the technology they need to drive down crime.”
Quotes attributable to Minister for Police Lisa Neville
“The roll out of 300 new police is just the start of the biggest boost of police resources in the state’s history. There will be a total of 3,135 additional police to hit the beat over the next five years as part of our record investment in the police force.”
“More police out on our street will have a real impact on local communities, as they work to prevent, detect and disrupt crime.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020