This week in Parliament, State Member for Shepparton, Jeanette Powell again criticised the Brumby government for police shortages in the Shepparton District.
“I initially raised the issue of inadequate staffing at the Shepparton CIU with the Minister for Police and Emergency services in February this year. The Minister failed to act and now I am told we are losing a Police officer from Shepparton”.
“I advised the Minister this week that prior to Christmas 2009 the Shepparton CIU had nine police officers, which I am told was barely adequate, then in January this year the Shepparton CIU was advised its staffing level would be permanently reduced by one detective.”
“I was informed the vacancy was being transferred to the Shepparton SOCAU (Sexual Offences and Child Abuse Unit) as they will take responsibility for the whole investigation of sexual offences from 2012.”
“I am now informed that this vacancy is being transferred away from Shepparton to Wangaratta SOCAU”, Mrs Powell said.
“This means the Shepparton CIU have lost a vacancy for a program that doesn’t start until 2012 without any immediate reduction in workload. This vacancy has left Shepparton understaffed again and the Police and community are angry at the removal of more police.”
“This reduction is despite repeated requests since 2006 by Police for an increase in staff due to excessive workloads by members. The most recent request of an increase of 3 Detectives as soon as possible was based on workload and staffing of comparable CIU’s”, Mrs Powell said.
“We are fortunate to have a dedicated and community minded police force that does a fantastic job under very difficult circumstances, but they need more support from the Brumby Government.”
“I have raised the issue of police shortages in the Shepparton district many times with Police Ministers and have also asked for a full review of police numbers, taking into account the number of police needed and the number currently working as many officers are not replaced when they take leave, causing overloading on other police officers and cutbacks to services and specialist departments such as the Shepparton CIU and Shepparton SOCAU.”
Mrs Powell said, “This is highlighted by the Victorian Police Association which believes Greater Shepparton requires 50 more officers to adequately service the stations in the district.”
“I have presented petitions in Parliament from the Mooroopna, Tatura and Murchison communities who are angry at police shortages and the occasional closure of their police stations which are managed from Shepparton Police Station.”
“I call on the Minister for Police and Emergency Services to respond to the request for more staff at the Shepparton CIU and increase police numbers in the Shepparton District so that the Police can get on with the job of preventing and fighting crime,” Mrs Powell said.
Media contact: Jeanette Powell (03) 5831 6944
