COVID pressures force police station closures

An “unsustainable” exodus of officers is forcing the closure of our stations across Victoria, with investigative work “put on ice”. Here’s why.

Police stations may be forced to close due to resourcing demands. Picture: James Ross/AAP.

Victorian police stations will be forced to close as the force battles an exodus of officers to border checkpoints and the hotel quarantine program, police say.

Thousands of officers have been deployed to border checkpoints or to supervise the hotel quarantine program for returned travellers and Australian Open participants.

Police sources have described the ongoing situation as “unsustainable” and say there has been a huge impact on police operations.

While efforts have been made to ensure limited impact on frontline policing, sources said a lot of investigative work “had been put on ice”.

The Victorian government has revealed it is planning to run the state’s quarantine program until at least November.

A Victoria Police spokesperson said a number of stations would be closed while others would suspend their reception counter services to combat the ongoing resourcing issue.

Some 24 hour stations have already limited their counter services, shutting down overnight.

“A number of Victoria Police stations will be closed or suspending their reception counter service while officers are deployed to border checkpoints and the mandatory quarantine program,” she said.

“These measures will apply to a number of stations across Victoria, however this figure is constantly changing due to the fluid nature of police resourcing requirements.

“We encourage Victorians to continue contacting the Police Assistance Line on 131 444 or using online reporting for non-urgent matters. In an emergency, contact triple-0.”

Victoria Police manned checkpoints along the Victorian border. Picture: Mark Stewart.

Police say service delivery to the community would remain unchanged.

Premier Daniel Andrews on Friday praised the efforts of Victoria Police throughout the pandemic.

“It’s not what was planned for the start of 2021 for those who are doing that work, but when you consider what’s at stake here, it makes perfect sense to make sure that you are doing everything you can,” he said.

A government spokesperson said while some stations had reduced their hours, no station had stopped operating.

“It’s only the counter service at various police stations — used for things like signing statutory declarations or dropping off a lost wallet — that has been impacted. The majority of counters are operating as normal,” she said.

“This decision was made by Victoria Police at a local command level and will not have an impact on police response or service delivery to the community.

“All Victorians, no matter where they live, can also engage with police on all non-urgent matters at the Police Assistance Line on 131 444. In emergencies, always call triple-0.”

Opposition police and community safety spokesperson David Soutwick said more police were needed on the road now, not less.

“Daniel Andrews mismanaged COVID response is seeing fewer police on our roads and in our communities just as Victorians need them the most,” he said.

“Cuts to highway patrol units and in stations leading into the busy summer period is a recipe for disaster and Victorians must not be left fending for themselves on our roads.

“With more people travelling and holidaying locally, road safety must remain a priority and Daniel Andrews must provide additional resources and ensure these cuts are reversed.”