Media Releases
NEW WEAPONS AND POLICE POWERS TO BOOST STREET SAFETY
From the Minister for Police & Emergency Services
Thursday, 12 November 2009
Victoria Police officers will have new random search and move on powers to tackle street violence under a suite of tough new laws introduced to the Parliament by the Brumby Labor Government today.
Police and Emergency Services Minister Bob Cameron said the Brumby Labor Government is taking action to prevent unruly behaviour and help keep Victorians safe by enhancing police powers and increasing police numbers.
“These critical new reforms will boost Victoria Police’s ability to deal with drunkenness, disorder in public places and violence, particularly violence involving the use of weapons,” Mr Cameron said.
“Anti-social behaviour has no place on our streets and these new laws introduced by our government will help keep Victorian communities safe so that people can enjoy public spaces.
“This is further evidence of the Brumby Labor Government continuing the fight for community safety by supporting police by giving them greater powers and by helping them hire more police for the streets.
“There are more police on the beat now than ever before in Victoria and our government has put an additional 1400 police into the force with another 470 to be added during this term of government to help keep the community safe.”
The new police powers include:
• The introduction of tougher random search powers for weapons in designated areas;
• Giving police the power to direct people to move-on from a certain area where there is a fear there will be a breach of the peace;
• There will be a new offence of disorderly conduct; and
• For the new offence of disorderly conduct and for existing offences of “drunk and disorderly” and “drunk” there will be on-the-spot penalties with a fine of $234.
Mr Cameron said senior police will be empowered to declare designated areas, such as particular locations in entertainment precincts and railway stations, on the basis of past evidence and police intelligence around the use of weapons.
“Police will also have the power to use the new search laws when an immediate response to an incident is necessary in order to protect public safety,” he said.
Mr Cameron said current laws enabling searches for weapons have been strengthened to help protect police in the line of duty.
“All these new laws provide the police with pre-emptive tools designed to diffuse situations and deter unacceptable behaviour so Victorians can safely enjoy public places in peace,” he said.
Police and Emergency Services Minister Bob Cameron said the Brumby Labor Government is taking action to prevent unruly behaviour and help keep Victorians safe by enhancing police powers and increasing police numbers.
“These critical new reforms will boost Victoria Police’s ability to deal with drunkenness, disorder in public places and violence, particularly violence involving the use of weapons,” Mr Cameron said.
“Anti-social behaviour has no place on our streets and these new laws introduced by our government will help keep Victorian communities safe so that people can enjoy public spaces.
“This is further evidence of the Brumby Labor Government continuing the fight for community safety by supporting police by giving them greater powers and by helping them hire more police for the streets.
“There are more police on the beat now than ever before in Victoria and our government has put an additional 1400 police into the force with another 470 to be added during this term of government to help keep the community safe.”
The new police powers include:
• The introduction of tougher random search powers for weapons in designated areas;
• Giving police the power to direct people to move-on from a certain area where there is a fear there will be a breach of the peace;
• There will be a new offence of disorderly conduct; and
• For the new offence of disorderly conduct and for existing offences of “drunk and disorderly” and “drunk” there will be on-the-spot penalties with a fine of $234.
Mr Cameron said senior police will be empowered to declare designated areas, such as particular locations in entertainment precincts and railway stations, on the basis of past evidence and police intelligence around the use of weapons.
“Police will also have the power to use the new search laws when an immediate response to an incident is necessary in order to protect public safety,” he said.
Mr Cameron said current laws enabling searches for weapons have been strengthened to help protect police in the line of duty.
“All these new laws provide the police with pre-emptive tools designed to diffuse situations and deter unacceptable behaviour so Victorians can safely enjoy public places in peace,” he said.
