Our cops under attack

Assaults on Geelong emergency services surge by 60 per cent

VIOLENCE against police and emergency services in Geelong has soared by more than 60 per cent, prompting calls to do more to protect those who protect the community.

The latest Crime Statistics Agency data shows there were 109 cases of violence against police and emergency services in Greater Geelong in the year ending June 2017, a 60.3 per cent increase on the previous year. Statewide the figure rose by just 5 per cent.

Officers say the region’s ice crisis is a key driver behind assaults against police.

The Police Association union is calling on Victoria Police to increase training for regional officers, provide better access to capsicum spray and increase police numbers to help keep the state’s 15,000 workforce safe.

Police Association secretary Wayne Gatt said the changes should include: INTRODUCING a Provision- al Acceptance model to ensure police and PSOs with a mental health condition can get the help they need immediately; INVESTING in improved training facilities and access for members based in regional Victoria; and HAVING all prisoners managed by Department of Corrections personnel, reducing the strain on Victoria Police resources.

“This report is a definitive piece of members’ feedback,” Mr Gatt said.

“We must be looking at ways of ensuring appropriate OC spray is available for our members and other things that impact personal safety.”

The Police Association of Victoria yesterday launched its five-year vision for policing in Victoria, titled Your Safety: Our Priority.

Mr Gatt said while the union welcomed the December 2016 announcement of 2729 additional officers over four years, many would be used to backfill and tackle family violence.

He said additional recruits were needed to cover “intensive initiatives” such as specialist units.

“There is a minimum num- ber of people required to effectively deliver a divisional van and ensure a station remains open,” he said.

“We say minimum station staffing numbers, it’s time to set that in place.

“This will protect our members from being overworked and provide a minimum level of service to the community.

“It’s especially important in regional Victoria around what their expectation is of when a station will be open, which has been a controversial topic in Greater Geelong.”