A fleet of nine new vehicles for Victoria Police’s Public Order Response Team (PORT) will strengthen responses to violent protests, rallies and other events, as the Andrews Labor Government works to build a police force for the future.
Minister for Police Lisa Neville today joined Assistant Commissioner Andrew Crisp to unveil the new vehicles which are now patrolling Melbourne streets and regional trouble spots to deal with hostile crowds.
PORT police are specially-trained to respond to crowd control issues, riot response, search warrants, alcohol related anti-social behaviour, liquor licensing enforcement and out-of-control parties and brawls.
Officers are also brought in to assist with public safety, road policing and other local crime issues if required.
PORT officers work in partnership with other police units when a large coordinated response is required at short notice, and large numbers of officers are regularly deployed to high-risk sporting events in Victoria.
The vehicles were funded as part of a $596 million package in the Victorian Budget 2016/17 which also includes an additional 40 sworn PORT members and four support officers.
The Government’s record $2 billion investment in police announced in December will see 3,135 additional officers trained over the next five years above attrition – the biggest recruitment drive in the state’s history.
The landmark Community Safety Statement is also equipping Victoria Police with new helicopters, a fixed-wing plane, a $27 million training facility for the Special Operations Group (SOG), and Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) technology for the entire Highway Patrol fleet.
The Government is investing more than any government ever has to give Victoria Police the resources, equipment, technology and powers they need to fight crime in our community and keep people safe.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Police Lisa Neville
“Members of PORT are getting the extra vehicles and officers they need to keep our streets safe during serious public order incidents.”
“We are making record investments in our police force to ensure they’re equipped with not only the resources and technology needed to fight crime, but the powers they can use to hold perpetrators to account.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020