Close to 800 new frontline police are to hit the beat over the next year as part of a campaign to boost police numbers in Victoria.
Minister for Police and Emergency Services, Lisa Neville and Deputy Police Commissioner, Rick Nugent announced the 2020 police allocations intended to boost general duties and specialist roles across the state.
“Regional areas will receive a massive boost to resourcing, with 356 of the new police being deployed going to country regions,” Ms Neville said.
“In total, 675 of the 1,880 police already allocated or deployed since 2017 have gone to country divisions,” she said.
“The 2020 allocation includes 41 new Crime Command roles to help detect, disrupt and prevent serious crime including homicide, organised, gun and/or gang crime.”
Ms Neville said an additional 13 counter terrorism police would also be deployed.
She said Victoria Police was deploying new police when and where they were needed most, using the Staffing Allocation Model.
“In the 2020 allocation, police are focusing on providing the service levels needed for a growing and vibrant population and making sure each Victorian community has the resources needed to effectively respond to crime in their local area,” she said.
Ms Neville said all 788 police officers in the 2020 allocation would be deployed by April 2021.
