Member for Euroa Steph Ryan has invited the state’s Police Minister to visit Euroa to inspect the local police station.
Speaking in Parliament this week, Ms Ryan said Euroa’s police station was no longer fit for purpose and needed to be rebuilt.
“The building in Kirkland Avenue is small, old and inadequate for modern policing,” Ms Ryan said.
“I feel confident that the Police Minister will see that it is no longer fit for purpose if she accepts my invitation to visit the station.”
Ms Ryan said the station was so small and cramped it was not possible for police to separate victims from perpetrators when undertaking interviews.
“Victims and perpetrators are able to hear each other giving statements, which makes it more difficult for victims to tell police their story,” Ms Ryan said.
“This is a terrible position for everyone and is particularly troubling for those who have been the victims of violent crime.
“The station’s interview room is also located at the back of the building near the rear exit door, which means that an officer needs to be with an interviewee at all times to ensure they don’t escape out the back door.
“This is time consuming and a poor use of resources in a five-person station.”
The building also has just one toilet, which is shared between officers, criminals and victims.”
Ms Ryan said the size of the block meant there was scope to undertake a rebuild of the station at the existing site to ensure local police had a modern and safe working environment.
“Our local police do a wonderful job, often in trying circumstances,” Ms Ryan said.
“I have invited the Minister because I want to see them properly supported. Having a modern and safe workspace that is equipped to service our community properly shouldn’t be an afterthought,” Ms Ryan said.