Millions of dollars for new police guns
POLICE will get a $25 million investment so more officers are equipped with military-style semiautomatic rifles. The move will allow 600 more police powerful weapons to fight terrorism statewide.
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POLICE will get a $25 million investment so more officers are equipped with military-style semiautomatic rifles.
The move will see 600 more police officers in Victoria armed with the powerful guns to fight terrorism and gun crime across the state.
Officers from the Operations Response Unit (ORU) will be equipped with the weapons as well as police members in four regional areas.
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Geelong, Ballarat and Shepparton are among the places the weapons are expected to be deployed.
At present only the Special Operations Group (SOG) and the Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT) have similar firepower.
Victoria Police will also soon have five mobile police units which will be deployed to country towns as well as for incidents such as the Bourke St tragedy.
They may also be needed at major protests, sporting events and regional festivals.
The $5 million investment will see the mobile units fitted out with specialist equipment to deal with crime at a local level.
The rollout of the long arm guns will include infrastructure upgrades at some 24-hour police stations with the new weapons assigned to trained members.
Police will be trained to handle, carry and store firearms with strict guidelines, policies and storage requirements.
The procurement of the firearms and development of required training programs will occur over the next 12 months, with the rollout to begin next year.
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Select police will have access to the new weapons as part of their day to day duties.
Premier Daniel Andrews, Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Graham Ashton and Police Minister Lisa Neville will announce more details about funding associated with the state government’s second Community Safety Statement on Thursday morning.
“We know the threat of terrorism is real – and these firearms will provide an extra layer of protection for the Victorian community and police officers,” Ms Neville said.
“Equipping police with the best new tools will provide Victoria Police with a tactical advantage in high risk situations and ensure the safety of both the community and police.
“This investment will ensure Victoria Police have the equipment and technology they need to reduce harm and crime in the community.”