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High attrition rate of Victoria Police and lack of resources in East Gippsland needs to be addressed by Andrews Labor government

Melina Bath, Nationals MP for Eastern Victoria, urges the Andrews government to address the high police attrition rate and provide resources to combat rising crime.

By news@gippsland - 18th May 2023 - Back to News

The Nationals Member for Eastern Victoria Region Melina Bath has called on the Andrews government in State Parliament to reverse the high attrition rate of Victoria Police leaving the force. Ms Bath said law-abiding citizens and victims of crime deserve action from the Andrews government given the ongoing rise in crime in her electorate.

Considering the alarming increase in crime within her electorate, Ms. Bath emphasised the need for the Andrews government to take action in support of law-abiding citizens and crime victims

Supporting the police

Ms Bath said, "The Andrews government promised to recruit 500 new police officers over a two-year period, but it failed to come anywhere near its own target - the reality is there's only 123 police recruits in training for 2023. The Chief Commissioner of Police recently confirmed that 700 police officers left the force in the last financial year, 200 more than the year prior. "He also said police officer recruitments would need to hit 2000 to cover the workforce losses."

"There is no acceptable level of crime, therefore our hardworking local police officers deserve adequate resources to support their important work maintaining law and order. Coming out of COVID restriction enforcement and with an ever increasing administrative burden placed on our police officers, it's no wonder there is a sense of burnout and frustration," said Ms Bath.

Concern for police resources

Ms Bath said community concerns about the rise in crime and the stretched police workforce are valid. "Like my constituents, I hold Victoria Police in high regard, however there is genuine public concern at the lack of frontline officers available to adequately respond to the community's call for help, when they need it."

"Over the last eight years justice procedure offences have risen 85 per cent in Bass Coast, 81 per cent in Latrobe, 129 per cent in Cardinia, 148 per cent in Casey, 186 per cent in South Gippsland and 200 per cent in Baw Baw Shire Council area," MS Bath said.

Police workload and retention

While crimes against the person have increased 37 per cent in Bass Coast, 56 per cent in Cardinia, 51 per cent in Casey, 55 per cent in South Gippsland, 50 per cent in Casey and 50 per cent in Baw Baw. "The Andrews government must act to alleviate the workload pressures on our hardworking police officers so they can perform their important job of keeping our communities safe."

"I call on the Minister for Police to inform my constituents what he is actually doing to stop the drain of VicPol personnel leaving the force." Ms Bath said. The Minister has 30 days to provide a response to Ms Bath.

Pictures from Victoria Police Facebook page.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com