Wednesday, 13 November 2024

Police resources

Ann-Marie HERMANS (South-Eastern Metropolitan) (18:55): (1288) My adjournment is to the Minister for Police, and the action I seek is for the minister to take immediate action in addressing the lack of adequate police numbers in this state by allowing ex-police officers to be re-employed. This will relieve junior members to perform the operational tasks that some may be struggling to meet. Today I and other Liberal–National members of Parliament gave notice of motions in Parliament condemning the Premier for failing to reach a pay deal with police at a time when crimes against the person in this state are up. In my electorate alone, in Carrum Downs crimes against the person increased 20 per cent in 12 months. In Cranbourne burglaries increased 700 per cent in 12 months. In Frankston South burglaries increased 82 per cent in 12 months. In Mordialloc theft of a motor vehicle increased by 48 per cent in 12 months. In Narre Warren South burglaries increased by 77 per cent in 12 months. These are just figures for 12 months, and it is estimated that there are more than a thousand police vacancies statewide. We also know that there are nearly 800 – approximately 747 – police officers on sick leave or covered by WorkCover, and 612 officers are out on mental health issues.

The recent reports about the significant increases in police retirements during July and August of this year raise serious concerns about the adequacy of Victoria’s police staffing levels. While the police force acknowledges the annual fluctuation in retirements, this year’s figures are exceptionally high, potentially making the situation a lot worse. The government’s response to this issue is poor – in fact very poor. In fact I would go on to say it is absolutely appalling and dreadful. While hiring additional professionals to help address the backlog of police applicants will assist, it will not provide immediate relief to the current staffing shortages.

The community cannot afford to wait another 12 months for a solution. The minister needs to provide a clear explanation to the community about how these staffing shortages are impacting service delivery and public safety. Victims of crime deserve to know why their calls for help are not answered promptly and why investigations may be delayed. It is really important that we look at the vacancies that currently exist, because we have people that have been unable to work because they have not been vaccinated – we know that they were stood down – and we need many people to come back into the police force regardless of things that have taken place in the past.

As has been said by Kel Glare, there are literally thousands of former police officers who, with little training, could augment the force staffing demands to flatten out the peaks and troughs, and they are not old. Substantial numbers left their police careers to raise families or for other personal reasons, and those circumstances may have changed.

The PRESIDENT: Before I call the minister, I will indicate that Mr McGowan’s adjournment does not need to be addressed because it was not under state administration. And could you park Dr Heath’s, Mr Welch’s and Mr Puglielli’s – park those; you do not need to address them, because I am going to review them to see if that is a similar thing as far as state administration goes.