Country cops need better training, police union says
VICTORIA Police will explore the use of virtual reality technology to improve access to training for rural officers. It comes amid concerns of a widening gap between the training of rural officers and their metropolitan counterparts.
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COUNTRY police need vastly improved facilities amid concerns there is a widening gap between the training of rural officers and their metropolitan counterparts, according to the head of the police union.
Police Association secretary Wayne Gatt has called on Victoria Police to modernise the way regional police officers are taught and trained.
“Our regional members deserve the same opportunities as our members in metropolitan areas, and currently there is a wide gap that we fear will only get wider if it’s not addressed soon,” he said.
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Victoria Police said it was exploring the use of virtual reality technology with a view to improving access to training services for regional venues.
The force conducts its operational safety training at 10 sites across Victoria.
The Police Association is calling for the establishment of better operational safety training facilities, satellite training capabilities and virtual classrooms in regional Victoria.
“It is imperative for the professional growth of our regional members that Victoria Police investigates alternate decentralised delivery of training, at professional facilities open to use by regional police,” Mr Gatt said.
It was important the force and the state government looked at ways to modernise regional training, he said.
“Training should incorporate new technologies that provide distance learning platforms, such as virtual classrooms, to link regional members in to courses run from the police academy,” Mr Gatt said.
“Increasing the quality of, and access to, specialist physical training for regional police is another key focus.
“Metropolitan police enjoy ready access to facilities like modern firing ranges, hydra training and scenario-based training facilities. We need to ensure regional members do not fall behind on the latest training practices due to the absence of local specialist training facilities.”
Victoria Police spokeswoman Sophie Jennings told the Herald Sun the force was looking to improve training across the state and that the development of an online learning hub had already greatly increased access to training.
“Victoria Police endeavours to make training and development opportunities as accessible and convenient as possible for all employees,” she said.
“Our metropolitan venues train approximately 70 per cent of the organisation, with the remainder of training undertaken through our regional venues,” she said.
“Victoria Police ensures that training is contemporary and consistent across the state, while also catering for the use of specialist equipment and the unique challenges of local policing environments.
“Victoria Police is currently exploring the use of technology, such as virtual reality, with a view to improve accessibility of training services for regional venues.”