In short:
Victoria Police has unveiled major reforms to redirect over one million hours toward frontline duties and reduce crime across Victoria. Amid public criticism of Labor’s soft crime response, the force is focusing on prevention, technology, and operational efficiency.
Major overhaul to free up police resources
Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Mike Bush has unveiled a major overhaul of the force, promising to redirect tens of thousands of hours to frontline duties each year as part of the most significant structural changes in years.
The proposed restructure aims to cut bureaucracy and free up officers for crime prevention and community safety, with a slimmed-down executive and fewer centralised departments. It marks the beginning of a two-phase transformation that will reshape how the force operates.
At the centre of the changes is the Victoria Police Uplift Program, targeting five core areas: leadership, bureaucracy, technology, organisational design, and workforce management. The program includes reforms that will ease administrative burdens and support officers in the field.
Among the changes, a new State Crime Coordination Centre will be launched in the first half of next year, providing 24/7 real-time data, intelligence and operational support. A trial to replace sworn officers at station counters with alternate staff is also underway, as is a plan to embed Investigation Support Units inside stations to handle arrest-related paperwork.
Chief Commissioner Bush acknowledged a rising crime problem in Victoria, calling for urgent reform: “Good people, innocent people going about their everyday lives, are being victimised, on the streets and in their own homes. This cannot continue.”
He said prevention and deterrence would be the focus going forward. “We must get more police – your police – out of their stations and onto the streets.”
Bush said police spend 1.4 million hours a year on reception desk duties, which he described as a misuse of resources. “Our structures do not support [frontline officers] as effectively as needed… if we are to prevent crime, then it starts with properly resourcing and enabling our frontline police officers.”
But as police push for reform, public confidence in the Jacinta Allan Labor Government’s crime strategy continues to erode. Community members have widely ridiculed the introduction of machete disposal bins, labelling them a public relations stunt that fails to address the root causes of violent crime. Others have pointed to a lack of clear leadership and urgency in tackling the surge of youth offending, home invasions, and street violence.
The Liberal opposition welcomed the reform package but called for the government to reverse its $50 million cut to the police budget, fill the 2,000 police vacancies, and deliver stronger support for police across Victoria. A spokesperson stated the party will introduce Jack’s Law to target knife crime and Break Bail, Face Jail to increase consequences for repeat and youth offenders.
They also pledged to implement a $100 million Safer Communities Plan to support diversion and early intervention programs aimed at reducing youth crime and improving long-term public safety.
Member for Werribee John Lister backed the reforms, stating: “We’re backing in our police, including here in Werribee, so they have the resources and powers they need to crack down on further offending — because this brazen, disgraceful behaviour must stop.”
