COPS LOOK FOR DIVERSITY

VICTORIA Police is on a recruitment drive with the aim of better reflecting Australia’s cultural diversity as its workforce undergoes expansion.

The force wants to improve ethnic diversity among its employees to enhance connectedness with the Victorian community, after a tumultuous 18 months enforcing lockdown restrictions.

New data shows 11 per cent of the workforce were born overseas and 10 per cent of staff speak a language other than English – metrics the force is keen to improve.

Assistant Commissioner Brett Curran said it was vital the force better reflected the community they police.

“Many Australian migrants come from war-torn countries or where there is corruption, or the profession is viewed as not one to aspire to,” he said.

“It is important we dispel those myths.”