POLICE NUMBERS INCREASE

19 new officers allocated to Wyndham

Wyndham Mayor Cr Shane Bourke has praised a decision by Victoria Police Command to allocate an additional 19 police officers to the Werribee Police Station, 10 of which will be uniformed police and 9 servicing a new crimes desk.

The allocation is a result of a changed police model which takes into account a regions population when determining police numbers. Of the 19 new officers, 10 will be resourced from other stations that have a higher police-to-resident ratio than Wyndham. The officers are being relocated on the basis that their vacant positions will be filled when the Division receives an additional allocation of officers.

Cr Bourke said the allocation of 19 new officers to Werribee Police station is the most significant increase in police resources since Council commenced its advocacy campaign in the mid 1990s to address Wyndham’s police shortage.

“The City of Wyndham has been experiencing up to 8.4 per cent growth in recent years, being the fastest growing municipality in Victoria for the period July 2003 to June 2006. I congratulate Victoria Police Command for reviewing its model of police allocation to consider the impacts of growing populations,” Cr Bourke said.

“In the last decade, various improvements have been implemented to meet short-term solutions, however this latest resource allocation demonstrates a real commitment to make long-term changes in Wyndham.”

“The Wyndham community is passionate about safety and a number of residents have constructively supported Council’s advocacy campaign. This was demonstrated through the recent successful candlelight vigil, organised by residents, to further highlight the police shortage. The allocation of new police resources can be attributed to Council, the community and the State Government, in particular and Member for Tarneit Tim Pallas MP, working together to achieve the best outcomes for Wyndham.”

“The allocation of 19 police officers will create a better police presence in Wyndham, enable increased proactive policing and assist in making our roads and streets safer. The new police model will undoubtedly channel more police resources into Wyndham as the City continues to grow and Council is confident the need for further police resources in Wyndham will be recognised when the additional 350 officers funded in the 2007/08 State Budget are allocated stations.”

“Council will also continue to liaise with the State Government to ensure its commitment to construct the Wyndham North Police Station by mid 2008 is met,” Cr Bourke said.

Courtesy of Wyndham City Coucil

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