After an historic graduation at the Victoria Police Academy today, more than 100 extra police, Protective Services Officers (PSOs) and custody officers will be on duty next week to fight crime and protect the community. Minister for Police Lisa Neville joined senior police as they welcomed the new officers to the force and thanked them for their dedication and service.
This is the largest group in recent history to graduate on the one day. It’s also the first time in Victoria Police’s history that police officers, PSOs and custody officers have graduated on the same day. The new recruits include:
- 42 police officers from squads 8 and 9, who will hit the streets on Monday for their first shift
47 custody officers from squads 7 and 8 will help police get back on the frontline to protect Victorians
22 more PSOs who will keep commuters safe across the rail network.
More than 200 custody officers have joined the force after the Andrews Labor Government spent $148.6 million to deploy 400 custody officers to 22 of the state’s busiest police stations. The rollout will be completed by December 2017.
The Minister also welcomed the completion of the PSO rollout, with officers on duty at 215 train stations, including four stations in regional Victoria, from 6pm to the last train every night.
These milestones come as the Victorian Budget 2016/17 delivered a $596 million public safety package, providing an extra 406 police, both general duties and specialist officers.
The Government is also giving police mobile technology, new intelligence systems and equipment including an armoured and bulletproof vehicle. A new 24/7 Monitoring and Assessment Centre will help police in their response to major incidents.
The Labor Government has funded an additional 109 Protective Services Officers and 62 transit police to support the Night Network trial, which sees trains running all night during weekends throughout 2016.
As promised, we’re giving the Chief Commissioner of Victoria Police the resources he needs to build a modern police force.
First published in Premier of Victoria website.
