Phones, reservists to set crime-fighting officers loose
A backroom recruitment drive and wider technology rollout has been encouraged as a solution to persistent crime and police officer vacancies.
Following the Victorian opposition’s denunciation, the Allan Labor government allocated $137.7 million in the May 5 state budget for crime-fighting efforts.
It will spend $62 million to hire up to 200 reserve staff, $18.3 million on 3,000 iPhones for specialist police and $13.4 million to increase the number of tobacco store inspectors from 14 to 40.
Another $44 million was allocated to deploy an additional 50 protective service officers.
Police Minister Anthony Carbines said the crime rate in Victoria had stabilized but remained very high.
“If we continue to deliver the investments Victoria Police needs to free up frontline resources, then I’m confident we’ll see the results we’re looking for,” he told reporters on Wednesday.
The new iPhones will be distributed to detectives, investigators and officers who go to crime scenes so they won’t have to make frequent trips to the police station to handle paperwork.
Mr Carbines defended the size of the technology funding, which equates to $6,100 per device, and explained it was based on police advice.
Reservists will be composed of retired and former police officers, allowing more front-line police officers to hit the streets.
Victoria Police Chief Commission Mike Bush described the reserve force increase as a “start” while admitting the force was short 1500 officers.
The Victorian opposition has signaled its intention to recruit 3000 more police officers, half from Britain, Ireland and New Zealand, if it wins the November state election.
Mr. Bush has repeatedly refused to approve or deny the coalition’s plan, but has said he prefers locals to control local communities.
“I want to recruit people from Australia and I don’t mind a few people coming across the ditch,” the former New Zealand police commissioner said.
More than $1.6 billion in government spending has been announced in the past five days as Finance Minister Jaclyn Symes prepares to deliver her second budget.
Prime Minister Jacinta Allan brushed aside concerns that this would increase inflation and claimed her government would use the “power” of the budget to protect struggling families.
Opposition Leader Jess Wilson and her Liberal colleagues blasted Labor’s record on machete boxes, crumbling roads, tax, debt, graffiti and construction industry corruption in a social media video.
“Whether it’s potholes or $200 billion budget black holes, you’re paying the price for Labour’s waste and mismanagement,” Ms Wilson said.
Victoria was expected to run a modest surplus this financial year for the first time since 2019/20, with net debt forecast to reach $194 billion by 2028.
