Public confidence in Victoria Police plummets to lowest level since records began, internal poll shows

The Victorian public’s satisfaction and confidence in its police force has plummeted to its lowest levels since records began, a development a former chief commissioner blames on harsh Covid lockdown enforcements.

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Public satisfaction and confidence in Victoria Police has plummeted to its lowest levels since records began.

Just 58 per cent of those surveyed said they were ‘satisfied with policing services’, a massive fall from 73.1 per cent from the year before.

The same figure – just 58 per cent of Victorians – agreed they had ‘confidence in police’, a stunning drop of 17 per cent from the 2022-23 high of 75 per cent.

Victoria Police had a target of reaching 80 per cent for satisfaction and 82 per cent for confidence.

The force said the result was “anticipated” due to a change in how the survey results are collected from thousands of people.

Police clash with anti-lockdown protesters in Melbourne CBD in August 2021. Picture: Jason Edwards

The Herald Sun understands this is the first year that answers to the questionnaire were collected online as well as over the phone.

But former Victoria Police chief commissioner Kel Glare said this was “balderdash”.

“There are none so blind as those who do not want to see,” Mr Glare said.

“Unfortunately, what we saw through Covid and the lockdowns was many police actions being unreasonable, violent and indefensible. Victoria Police were seen as tools of the government, not independent, and that cost them dearly.

Victoria Police was well below its target of reaching 80 per cent for satisfaction. Picture: David Crosling

“Officers patrolling playgrounds, moving on elderly women from park benches, a lady being chased down the road and bowled over, rubber bullets at protests … the list goes on and on.”

He added: “It concerns me greatly because for the police to serve the community, it needs the confidence of the community and when that is lost, there can be all kinds of repercussions.”

Shadow Minister for Police, Brad Battin, said the force was under extreme pressure.

“Victoria Police officers work under extreme pressure to keep the community safe, and the main reason confidence has declined is the Allan Labor government refuse to back police with the powers and resources to keep the community safe,” he said.

Kel Glare says Victoria Police’s leadership is in denial over the survey’s results. Picture: Aaron Francis

“As crime rises and we have over 1000 vacancies, the pressure on police increases.

“The outcome is less crimes solved, more delays in responding and an increase in offending. All this could be resolved by delivering what you promise, and Labor failed to deliver on their commitment of more police for Victoria.”

Last year the Herald Sun revealed tens of thousands of burglars and car thieves were free to commit crimes because Victoria Police doesn’t have enough resources to investigate them. Four in 10 crimes were “unsolved” in 2022.

Four-in-10 crimes were “unsolved” in 2022. Picture: David Crosling

Victoria Police said the drop in public confidence is due to the survey being carried out online. Picture: Sarah Matray

“We know the trust of the community is key and something we never take for granted,” a Victoria Police spokesman said.

“Victoria Police has over 800,000 community interactions every year and our police do an amazing job day in, day out.

“We continue to do all we can to connect with Victorians, be it through police out serving the community, regular town hall style meetings with residents, and grassroots initiatives like police in schools.”

He added: “The decline in these survey results was anticipated as a result of change in methodology. The lower figures are expected to be mirrored for other police forces around Australia.”