Victoria’s second squad of Police Custody Officers will be deployed to stations next week after graduating from the Victoria Police Academy today.
Parliamentary Secretary for Justice Ben Carroll congratulated the new officers, on behalf of Acting Police Minister Robin Scott.
Mr Carroll welcomed the 21 new officers, saying they would proudly serve the Victorian community while freeing up sworn police to return to the jobs they were specially trained and skilled to do.
From Monday, the new custody officers will start their duties at Ballarat, Broadmeadows, Dandenong, Geelong, Heidelberg and Sunshine police stations.
This squad is the first to undertake the foundation eight-week training program, which includes two weeks working at police stations.
The Andrews Labor Government has invested $148.6 million to recruit, train and deploy 400 custody officers in 22 police stations over the next three years.
Custody officers will be progressively deployed to a select number of other police stations throughout the year.
Quotes attributable to Parliamentary Secretary for Justice Ben Carroll
“I congratulate the 21 new custody officers on completing their training and proudly welcome them to the force.”
“For the first time ever Victoria Police have dedicated professionals to manage individuals in police custody.”
“Police at local stations tell me how important these officers are at freeing up police, so they can get back on the beat to keep our community safe and fight crime.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020