Police resources
Rikkie-Lee TYRRELL (Northern Victoria) (12:22): (270) My question is for the Minister for Police in the other place. As residents in small communities with single-officer police stations, some of my constituents have raised concerns about their own safety. With negotiations between VicPol and the police association underway and the potential for these vital community officers to be removed in order to fill shortfalls in larger stations, my constituents are concerned their safety will be compromised. In some of these towns it can take more than half an hour for officers to reach them in an emergency. This is unacceptable when there should be a police officer located within that community. So can the minister assure my constituents that their local community-based police officers will stay local and continue to keep their communities safe?
Enver ERDOGAN (Northern Metropolitan – Minister for Corrections, Minister for Youth Justice, Minister for Victim Support) (12:23): Thank you, Mrs Tyrrell. I will take that question to the Minister for Police in the other place, and I will make sure you get an appropriate response.
Rikkie-Lee TYRRELL (Northern Victoria) (12:23): Thank you, Minister. Has a plan been implemented to encourage new recruitment and retention of existing officers within the police force?
Enver ERDOGAN (Northern Metropolitan – Minister for Corrections, Minister for Youth Justice, Minister for Victim Support) (12:24): Thank you, Mrs Tyrrell. Thank you for that supplementary question. I will pass that on to the police minister in the other place for an appropriate response.