Bold plans to replace small, outdated cop shops with regional “super-sites” have been shelved by the Andrews government, as the search for a new chief commissioner continues.
In his first public comment about police resources, new Police Minister Wade Noonan said that whoever replaced Ken Lay in the force’s top job would not have unfettered control over the future of stations.
This comes as opening hours have been increased at stations on the Bellarine Peninsula, after locals fought a politically sensitive campaign during the state election to keep them operating.
Mr Noonan also confirmed the government would not commit to increases in officer numbers until the budget, despite the demands of the Police Association.
In the Blue Paper, released last year, former chief commissioner Ken Lay backed the creation of super-sites to replace smaller police stations and promote a more efficient policing model.
Mr Noonan said the government would not support the closure or downgrade of any police station.
“There is no doubt this has caused some debate, both within the police force and in the community as a whole,” Mr Noonan said.
“[We have] not made any commitment to police command about this proposal. But I would say that police have to convince Victorians it is necessary – they will have to consult with the community and take them along the journey.
“I don’t believe you can just remove local police from areas without demonstrating to the local community that it is the right thing to do. Police have to convince the community more than anyone else. They are their most important stakeholder.”
Mr Noonan said the incoming chief would remain in control over police resources, and the government would consider any proposals from the Blue Paper that they wished to implement.
He said that while these proposals would be judged on their merit, the government would not outsource any frontline policing duties.
The backflip on opening hours at Drysdale, Queenscliff and Portarlington stations – after a protest by locals backed by Labor MP Lisa Neville – can be seen as undermining a push by force command to put more police on patrol by closing stations.
Mr Lay repeatedly said he preferred having an officer on the beat rather than behind a desk, but Bellarine residents told local media last month that graffiti, eggings and property damage had increased since the new rosters were introduced.
The Police Association also argued against closing stations to put more police on patrols, saying that more officers should be funded instead. During last year’s election campaign, the union said funding for 1900 officers was needed to meet shortfalls and forecast population increases to 2019.
Labor made no election commitment to recruit police, but promised to return 400 officers to the beat after contracting private security firms to manage police holding cells.
Acting Police Association secretary Bruce McKenzie said he was uncomfortable with a lack of transparency about officer numbers, particularly given a desperate need for police in growing suburbs on Melbourne’s fringe, but supported the government’s strong stance on stations.
“We hope the government will take a similar stand whenever a police station is threatened with closure.”
