Premier

Upgraded Radios To Protect Police Across The State

24 October 2018

Every police officer in the state will have access to encrypted digital radios by the end of next month to improve safety for rural and regional police, thanks to the Andrews Government.

Minister for Police Lisa Neville today announced the new radio technology, which will be fully deployed to police across rural and regional Victoria by the end of next month.

The Labor Government’s $11.5 million investment in new radios will improve police safety with greater network coverage and location capabilities.

This critical technology will stop communications being intercepted by the public, including by criminals.

The in-car and hand-held radios can be used across regional and metropolitan areas to provide Victoria Police with greater flexibility to deploy resources where required.

The radios have also been programmed to enable improved communications between police and other first responders during multi-agency incidents and include better audio quality and voice clarity.

The new digital radio network, which enables encryption, is currently being installed across the state to support the new digital radios.

The network has already been successfully rolled out in Swan Hill, Mildura, Bendigo, Ballarat, with the south-east and north-east districts on track to be upgraded by the end of October.

The upgrade delivers on the Labor Government’s focus to ensure police officers in the country have the same secure, encrypted radio network as their city counterparts.

The new equipment and network upgrade support the government’s technology investment for Victoria Police, which includes the delivery of a state-of-the-art intelligence system, body-worn cameras, more than 10,000 mobile devices and ANPR technology across the Highway Patrol fleet.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Police Lisa Neville

“We’re ensuring our frontline police have the modern equipment they need to keep themselves and the community safe – no matter where across the state they work.”

“The encrypted digital radios will ensure that criminals can no longer listen in to police operations to enhance security, while also providing greater network coverage.”

“This investment is supported by an upgraded communication system, which will assist police operations across our state borders and improve communication between first responders.”

Reviewed 19 August 2020

Was this page helpful?