Victoria Police will recruit thousands of additional officers over the next four years in what the State Government has labelled the biggest investment in the history of the force, as it tries to get on top of rising crime.
The Government said $2 billion would be spent recruiting the 2,729 new frontline and specialist police, boosting overall numbers by 20 per cent.
An increase in carjackings and aggravated burglaries across Melbourne, particularly in growth suburbs, has recently led police to issue a security warning to the community.
Premier Daniel Andrews said the move was a “profound change” in the way Victoria Police had been resourced previously
“Every Victorian has the right to feel safe, and sadly many in our community do not feel safe at this time,” he said.
“Recent trends have demonstrated to us that the boom and bust cycle of police recruitment is not the way to fight crime.”
The recruits will include 42 youth specialist officers to target young offenders and to work with those at risk.
There will also be changes to the way staff are allocated to deal with demand and to manage future needs.
Police have been stretched: Ashton
Police Commissioner Graham Ashton welcomed the commitment, calling it “unprecedented”.
“It represents the greatest boost to policing numbers that we’ve had in 163 years,” he said.
“We’ve been stretched, particularly in growth corridors, where populations have increased significantly.
“[It’s] a model that for the first time says these will be the future policing needs, year on year, to make sure we don’t get into the situation we’ve been in over the last several years where we haven’t had that commitment of future growth.”
Metro, regional stations to be overhauled
The Government said it would also replace police stations at Wyndham and Altona North in Melbourne’s west, Reservoir in the north and South Melbourne.
Warracknabeal, Rutherglen, Wedderburn, Alexandra, Wycheproof and Tangambalanga in regional Victoria will also get makeovers.
In October, the Government announced it would spend $26 million to fast-track the recruitment of 406 new police officers.
The Police Association had been calling for an additional 3,300 over the next six years, and Mr Andrews said the Government had worked closely with the union to formulate the plan.
Police Association secretary Ron Iddles said the announcement was a “historic event”.
He praised Police Minister Lisa Neville for meeting with police and acknowledging there was a problem.
“It’s about community safety and this Government ought to be applauded,” Mr Iddles said.
