Victoria Police investigating automated smart police stations

CRIMINALS could soon be reporting for bail at self-serve kiosks under a policing model being looked at by Victoria Police.

More automated police stations are under consideration, but it won’t be like popular 80s film Robocop. Picture: Orion Pictures

AUTOMATED police ­stations are being considered to bolster Victoria Police and get more officers on the beat.

The Herald Sun can reveal force command is looking at Dubai’s “automated smart ­stations” as it continues to consider options for its self-service kiosks.

Under the model, the public can go into a kiosk and report crimes at any time of day or night, file criminal complaints and talk to police in private ­cubicles via video link.

Other services, including paying fines, dropping off lost and found items, and social support for victims of family violence, all form part of the smart station.

As part of a revolutionised police force, Victoria Police intends to have self-serve kiosks for non-urgent crime, accessing information and even ­reporting for bail.

Victoria Police spokeswoman Sophie Jennings said the ­vision was “still under consider­ation”.

“Victoria Police is constantly exploring advances in technology that may enhance or complement our service to the community,” she said.

But Police Minister Lisa Neville said a new police assistance phone line was the government’s priority.

“We’re backing in the police assistance line, online reporting and getting more police out proactively on our streets.

“You never discount any new ideas,” she said.

“At the moment it’s not on our priority list or the police priority list.

“(The police assistance line) is a really important tool for people to report non-urgent crimes and raise issues. That is what we are backing in.”

The Opposition dismissed any plan for automated stations, saying they would be out of touch with what Victorians want.

“Putting a telephone and computer in a kiosk without an actual police officer is no substitute for the real thing,” opposition police spokesman Ed O’Donohue said.

“When Victorians are in fear or need help they want to speak to a real police officer, not a robot or an automated voice message.”

As part of research into automated police stations, Dubai’s model will be looked into.

The kiosks are part of a 10-year strategy identified in the Victoria Police Blue Paper wish list, and aimed at revitalising the force and equipping it for the future.

Victoria Police wants to get more officers on the beat. Picture: Ian Currie

Ms Jennings said that in the meantime, the newly established 24-hour police assistance line and an online reporting site would continue to deal with non-emergency calls and non-urgent matters.

“Importantly, these services will provide greater convenience to the community as they can be used anywhere with a phone or internet connection,” she said.

Under the Blue Paper, the kiosks would form part of plans for a more mobile force where some stations are closed and “supersites” created.

“The traditional police service delivery model needs to shift from one based on an historical geographic footprint, to one that is mobile, technologically advanced, and more responsive to changing de­mand,” it reads.

“The type and location of police operations should be determined by what is required to provide the best possible service to the community.

“For example, larger, consolidated ‘supersites’.

“The supersite — or sites — in each division should be the central ‘hub’ that supports a variety of other Victoria Police service points for local communities, such as ‘shopfronts’, mobile police stations, and self-service kiosks for non-­urgent issues.”

The Police Association of Victoria is critical of police supersites, with fears stations would close and be replaced with the self-service kiosks or shopfronts.

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