The Andrews Labor Government is putting more than 3100 extra police officers on the streets and giving them the resources, equipment and support they need to keep Victorians safe.
The Victorian Budget 2017/18 provides an historic $2 billion boost for police, the biggest ever investment in the history of Victoria Police since they opened their first depot in 1853.
Work was fast-tracked and is already underway to roll out the new police and equipment funded in the Budget, following the release of the Community Safety Statement in December last year.
The 3 135 new police officers to be delivered over five years, are currently being recruited – on top of regular attrition recruitment – and the first of them are set to hit the streets this month.
This is in stark contrast to the previous Liberal Government, which didn’t fund one additional police officer in four years.
In addition to the new sworn officers, the Labor Government’s historic plan to drive down crime includes new vehicles for the Public Order Response Team, new booze buses, and tough new laws to crack down on drug dealers, drive by shootings, car jackings and home invasions.
The first 300 frontline police officers will start to hit the street this month – from Caroline Springs to Casey and from Wyndham to Whittlesea – as the Labor Government continues its record investment to keep Victorians safe.
In the Melbourne CBD, security will be upgraded following the Bourke Street tragedy with $10 million for improved protective systems including physical impediments and retractable bollards.
The Budget also delivers on the Government’s landmark Community Safety Statement including:
- 2 729 new police officers on top of attrition recruitment. Together with 406 police funded last year, there will be a total of 3 135 extra police in suburbs and towns all over Victoria
- Funding to replace 10 police stations across Victoria
- A new 24-hour Police Assistance Line and an online portal to make it easier to report crime
- A new Air Wing, including three new helicopters and a fixed wing plane
- 100 new Protective Service Officers (PSOs) to boost mobile patrols and public transport safety
- 42 new youth specialist officers to help keep vulnerable young people from a life of crime
- Banning cash for scrap metal to end the trade in stolen cars
- Funding for Automatic Number Plate Recognition technology on all Highway Patrol vehicles
- A new dedicated training facility for specialist and critical incident police
An extra 390 police officers have already hit the beat since the Labor Government came into power, with 13 525 police officers currently working across the state, and a further 176 recruits in training.
There are also 287 Police Custody Officers working in police stations across Victoria to help relieve sworn officers from custody duties so they can return to the frontline.
Quotes attributable to Premier Daniel Andrews
“This Budget delivers the biggest ever boost to Victoria Police in its 165 year history.”
“We are also making vital security upgrades in the Melbourne CBD following the Bourke Street tragedy – to keep Victorians safe.”
Quotes attributable to Minister for Police Lisa Neville
“We’re putting on thousands of extra police to keep Victorians safe – and they’ve already started hitting the streets.”
“Victoria Police will have the equipment, the resources, and the laws they need to put criminals behind bars.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020