The Andrews Labor Government will deliver more police with more resources and more of the fit-for-purpose modern stations they need to keep protecting Victorians.
The Victorian Budget 2022/23 delivers an additional 502 police and 50 Protective Service Officers (PSOs) over the next two years to meet the growing needs of the state, building on the 3,135 new police officers already on our streets thanks to the Labor Government’s record funding for Victoria Police.
The Staffing Allocation Model (SAM), designed by Victoria Police in consultation with the Police Association of Victoria (TPAV), guided the investment of $342 million for the additional police and PSOs needed to meet Victoria’s policing requirements over the next two years while we assess our state’s changed needs post‑pandemic.
The pandemic has profoundly changed the way Victorians live and work – and lower immigration, working from home and population shifts to the regions all need to be considered in how we plan for future police resourcing needs.
That’s why the Government, Victoria Police and TPAV have agreed to work together to update the SAM over the next two years to ensure it is responsive to these changed circumstances, and to continue to use it to guide future police resourcing needs.
Over the last two years, to support the public health response, we have asked our police to do very different work. Police have stood up to the challenge of enforcing public health orders, staffing the border and keeping us safe during the pandemic.
This investment, including the update to the SAM, will support the Chief Commissioner’s approach of a ‘back to basics’ community policing model.
The Government is also ensuring police have the tools they need at their disposal to safely respond to violent offenders, with $215 million to deliver the statewide rollout of conducted energy devices to all frontline police and PSOs.
The Government will keep investing in critical police infrastructure, with the construction of two new police stations at Point Cook and South Melbourne.
As part of a total investment of $47 million, this Budget will support the construction of the new 24-hour South Melbourne station, focusing on modern facilities designed to best support victims and the community.
Construction will also begin on Point Cook’s new police station, to deliver a contemporary and fit-for-purpose station in one of the fastest-growing areas in the country.
Recognising the risk that all police can face when undertaking their important work, the Government will invest $15 million to provide Death and Disability Insurance for operational police between the ages of 55 and 60.
This will now ensure all hardworking police and PSOs and their families have the peace of mind that they are protected financially if anything tragic should happen to them in the line of duty.
Efforts to counter violent extremism will be bolstered by an additional $4.7 million to support work on the Strategic Framework for Countering Violent Extremism.
This continues the Labor Government’s strong focus on recognising and preventing extremism in Victoria, with $82.7 million in last year’s Budget to continue the Fixated Threat Assessment Centre, bringing together police and mental health clinicians to monitor high-risk individuals and respond to serious threats of violence.
The additional investment will support community-based engagement and education to identify and intervene when an individual is showing signs of dangerous radicalisation.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Police Lisa Neville
“We’ve already delivered thousands of additional police and now we’re continuing that recruitment to ensure we have the necessary resources to keep Victorians safe.”
“We’re prioritising the safety of all Victorians with brand new stations and with an ongoing focus on preventing emerging issues such as violent extremism.”
“Policing is often a dangerous and selfless job and now our longest serving members will be able to access death and disability insurance to provide well-deserved financial security for themselves and their families.”
Reviewed 03 May 2022