- Published:
- Thursday 9 June 2016
The Andrews Labor Government is getting more police back on the frontline to protect the Victorian community with an extra 39 Police Custody Officers (PCOs) now on duty.
Visiting the Melbourne West Police Station today, Police Minister Lisa Neville said the new squads of custody officers would have a significant impact on police resources across Victoria.
Sale and Mill Park police stations have welcomed their first batch of custody officers this week. Extra officers have also been deployed to other stations including Broadmeadows, Bendigo, Sunshine and Frankston.
PCOs are now working at 21 of the state’s busiest police stations, freeing up police to do what they were trained to do – fight crime and protect the community.
The Labor Government has invested $148.6 million to recruit, train and deploy 400 custody officers at 22 police stations. The rollout has been fast-tracked, with full deployment expected by the end of 2017.
Their duties include managing prisoners in police cells, supervising offenders, transporting people between court and police stations, and administrative duties to support police.
The Victorian Budget 2016/17 delivered a huge boost to police resources, with funding for 406 new sworn police, crime fighting technology and equipment, and upgrades to police stations.
The Government has so far funded 1156 police personnel and will continue to work closely with the Chief Commissioner to deliver the resources he needs, when he needs them.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Police Lisa Neville
“Custody officers provide a major boost to police resources by allowing sworn officers to do what they do best – fight crime and protect the community.”
“Mill Park and Sale police stations now have PCOs for the first time, with 400 officers to be deployed at 22 police stations across Victoria by the end of 2017.”
“We promised we would provide police the resources, powers, equipment and support they need to fight crime and protect the community, and that’s exactly what we’re doing.”