Tuesday, 15 October 2019

In reply to  Ms BATH (Eastern Victoria) (28 August 2019)

Ms NEVILLE (Bellarine—Minister for Water, Minister for Police and Emergency Services):

Police perform a difficult role in balancing the competing rights and interests of citizens while maintaining public order and security. While all ‘000’ calls for police assistance are treated seriously, police response times will vary depending on a range of factors. The work of police is complex and involves constant judgement calls by police officers and the Victorian Government will always back Victoria Police to make these decisions.

Victoria Police constantly review their operational decisions in order to increase the level of service provided to the community. Feedback from community members contributes to this process and helps Victoria Police in tasking decisions and the allocation of the range of additional resources that the government’s record $3 billion investment in Victoria Police is delivering.

This includes the state-wide commencement of the $212 million Police Assistance Line and online reporting portal on 1 July 2019 for non-urgent matters. Members of the public can now report non-urgent crime and events anytime, anywhere by calling the Police Assistance Line on 131 444 or submitting an online report. This is assisting local police to better prioritise calls for assistance and respond to urgent reports as quickly as possible. It is estimated that more than 24,000 hours have been returned to Frontline Police Officers since commencement of operations.

Every instance of crime is distressing, particularly for those impacted. Reducing crime and keeping our community safe is exactly what is driving this investment, including an additional 3,135 extra police officers. Through this investment an additional 30 police officers have been deployed or allocated to the Morwell Division, which services South Gippsland, with more to be allocated over the coming years. Victoria Police advises that as a result, there has been an overall increase in service delivery in the area with more on duty patrol time, more timely response to calls for police assistance and an increased visible police presence.

Residents of Baw Baw and South Gippsland Shire continue to receive a 24-hour police response. Victoria Police balance counter service hours to the public in a flexible manner to ensure the best possible use of available resources.