Latest News
• Add My News • Search Old News
More Police on the Beat in Gipssland Thanks to New Custody OfficersFour hundred police custody officers to help in Bairnsdale, Sale and Morwell.
By Portal Admin - 18th February 2018 - Back to News The Andrews Labor Government has delivered on its election promise to deploy 400 Police Custody Officers (PCOs) at police stations across Victoria to free up police to return to the frontline and protect the community.
Member for Eastern Victoria Region, Harriet Shing has welcomed the news that all PCOs are now in position at Bairnsdale, Sale and Morwell.
The final PCOs graduated on Friday, with the number of police officers performing custody shifts at police station jails dropping by more than 90 per cent at the 22 stations where PCOs are stationed.
At Bairnsdale, Sale and Morwell, PCOs have delivered 2374, 1538 and 5051 shifts respectively since January 2016, helping to release police officers from custody duties so they can focus on catching criminals and targeting their attention on keeping our community safe.
The Labor Government invested $148.6 million in the Victorian Budget 2015/16 with PCOs now in place in areas across Melbourne and regional Victoria.
PCOs and Supervising PCOs have become a valued and skilled part of some of Victoria’s busiest police stations, managing prisoners in cells, supporting police, supervising offenders and transporting them to and from court.
The Police Custody Officer position has also been a valuable employment opportunity for our Gippsland community, giving people experience in policing and the justice system.
The Government announced a new Supervising PCO role early last year, with 56 now in place across the state, leading a team of PCOs and further freeing up police time to prioritise frontline duties.
The safety of the community is the Labor Government’s highest priority with an additional 3,135 new frontline police to be delivered on top of attrition over the coming years. This is in contrast to the Liberals who cut front-line police when they were in government.
The first 300 police have already been allocated to Victoria’s booming growth areas with more police officers to be allocated when and where they’re needed most.
The Labor Government is delivering a massive community safety boost through it historic $2 billion Community Safety Statement, including more resources, tough new laws and police powers, improved mobile technology, new and upgraded police stations and training facilities.
Quotes attributable to Member for Eastern Victoria Region, Harriet Shing:
"Our PCOs play a vital role in managing prisoners in police stations and they also free up more police so they can focus on what they do best – preventing crime, catching criminals, reducing harm and keeping the Gippsland community safe."
"With PCOs now in place at Bairnsdale, Sale and Morwell, we’re seeing a huge reduction in the number of police officers carrying out custody shifts and more opportunity for police to get out into our community."
"We promised we would deliver these additional Police Custody Officers here in Gippsland and we’ve done just that."
Source: http://gippsland.com/ Published by: support@gippsland.com
Related Articles- Danny O'Brien criticises Labor's police station maintenance cuts despite backflip restoring partial funding for grounds upkeep
Danny O'Brien has criticised Labor's partial backflip on police station maintenance cuts, saying Gippsland officers deserve safe, clean workplaces and stronger government support amid rising regional crime rates. - Darren Chester joins East Gippsland community to honour fallen Victoria police officers on Remembrance Day
Darren Chester joined the East Gippsland community for National Police Remembrance Day in Bairnsdale, honouring Victoria Police officers who lost their lives and recognising those who continue to serve. - Cowes Foreshore Precinct Project begins, for safer, more accessible visitor experience from $9.6M shared investment
Work has begun on the $9.6 million Cowes Foreshore Precinct Project, delivering staged upgrades to create a safer, more accessible, pedestrian-friendly destination while supporting businesses and preserving Cowes' vibrant visitor appeal. - Latrobe Valley residents invited to crime and community safety forum with Shadow Police Minister David Southwick
Latrobe Valley residents are invited to a free crime and community safety forum with Shadow Police Minister David Southwick on 6 November, hosted by Martin Cameron MP at the Morwell RSL. - Latrobe Health Assembly to continue, thanks to strong community support and new independent, community-owned future
Defunded in the 2025 State Budget, the Latrobe Health Assembly will continue as a leaner, community-owned organisation tackling local health and wellbeing challenges through collaboration and grassroots leadership. - Melina Bath thanks community for support, generosity, and resilience during festive season and year’s end
Marking the festive season, I thank eastern Victoria’s community for generosity, resilience, and support, celebrating local businesses, families, and volunteers while wishing everyone a safe, joyful, and prosperous 2026. - Danny O’Brien thanks Gippsland community for generosity supporting foster children’s Christmas Giving Tree appeal
Danny O’Brien thanked Gippslanders for their generosity in supporting the Giving Tree appeal, helping ensure foster children receive Christmas gifts and feel remembered, valued, and cared for this holiday season. - New drinking fountains installed in Sale and Briagolong Parks to promote health, sustainability and community wellbeing
Gippsland Water and Wellington Shire Council have installed two new drinking fountains in Sale and Briagolong, promoting health, sustainability, and reusable bottles. Featuring artwork by Gunai artist Alice Pepper, they support community wellbeing. - New drinking fountains installed in Sale and Briagolong Parks to promote health, sustainability and community wellbeing
Gippsland Water and Wellington Shire Council have installed two new drinking fountains in Sale and Briagolong, promoting health, sustainability, and reusable bottles. Featuring artwork by Gunai artist Alice Pepper, they support community wellbeing. - Gippsland New Energy Conference showcases Latrobe City as Australia's leading hub for renewable energy innovation
Latrobe City hosted the 2025 Gippsland New Energy Conference, attracting 1,000 attendees and showcasing the region's renewable energy leadership, delivering major economic benefits and fostering industry, government, and community collaboration. - Omeo gains new modular worker accommodation, supporting healthcare staff and strengthening regional community
Omeo District Health's new modular worker accommodation is underway, providing housing for healthcare staff, supporting regional jobs, and helping the town attract and retain doctors, nurses, and essential workers. - Latrobe Valley's new 100MW big battery boosts energy reliability, cuts power bills, and supports Victoria's renewable transition
A 100MW Latrobe Valley big battery has officially opened, boosting energy reliability, cutting power bills, and supporting Victoria's renewable transition, helping achieve government storage targets while delivering affordable electricity. - Martin Cameron says new emergency services tax replaces fire levy, adding enormous pressure to struggling small businesses
Latrobe Valley small businesses face soaring costs as Labor's new Emergency Services Tax replaces the Fire Services Levy, with Nationals warning it punishes regional communities and fuels insolvencies amid financial mismanagement. - Darren Chester meets new BRHS CEO Peter Abraham to discuss future opportunities for East Gippsland Healthcare
Darren Chester met new BRHS CEO Peter Abraham to discuss healthcare challenges, commend local innovations improving patient care, and strengthen collaboration to deliver high-quality, accessible health services across East Gippsland. - Bass Coast Shire Council delivers new shared path linking Cowes and Ventnor, boosting transport safety and community connectivity
Bass Coast Shire Council will deliver a new 2km Ventnor Road Shared Path, linking Cowes and Ventnor, improving safety, accessibility, and community connectivity. The $1.96m project is jointly funded with the Australian government. - David Littleproud says new mapping reveals Labor's renewables damage, strengthening the call for nuclear energy
The Defence Honours and Awards Appeals Tribunal has accused the Albanese government of removing veterans' rights to review bravery awards, warning proposed reforms undermine fairness, independence, and recognition of Australia's war heroes. - East Gippsland Water launches new Voice of Customer program to enhance service through feedback
East Gippsland Water has launched a new Voice of Customer program, inviting feedback via SMS surveys to guide service improvements, with participants eligible for monthly $50 water bill credits. - Danny O'Brien urges Labor government to fund new Port Welshpool Coast Guard vessel for community safety
Danny O'Brien urges the Allan Labor government to urgently fund a new $2 million vessel for Port Welshpool Coastguard, ensuring volunteers can safely cover Corner Inlet, Wilsons Promontory, and protect locals. - Melina Bath criticised Labor's plan to create new national parks, locking out long-term bush users
Liberals and Nationals oppose Labor's plan to convert 65,000 hectares into national parks, citing unfair exclusion of bush users despite strong opposition and a 40,000-signature petition against the proposal. - Baw Baw Shire Council appoints experienced leader Tilla Buden as new chief executive officer commencing on November 2025
Baw Baw Shire Council has appointed Tilla Buden as its new CEO, bringing extensive leadership experience and community focus. She will formally commence in the role on 17 November 2025.
|
|
