In short:
Victoria Police will recruit another 200 reservists, bringing the planned statewide total to 400. The reservists will primarily staff station counters, allowing other sworn officers to undertake frontline duties.
Another 200 To Be Recruited
Victoria Police will recruit another 200 police reservists to staff station counters, as the state continues to grapple with rising crime and pressure on police resources.
The move will bring the planned number of reservists to 400, with the government estimating it will allow frontline police to undertake an additional 86,000 shifts each year.
The expansion comes as the government faces sustained pressure over Victoria’s crime situation, while Victoria Police has also dealt with workforce shortages and difficulties maintaining adequate staffing across stations and frontline operations.
Reservists will primarily staff police station counters, freeing other sworn officers to respond to incidents and conduct patrols.
The program follows changes to opening hours at a number of police stations, introduced as part of efforts to move more officers from counter duties onto the frontline. However, the reduced hours also prompted concerns from communities wanting stations to remain accessible.
Reservists have already been deployed to Altona, Caulfield, Cranbourne, Frankston, Glen Waverley, Knox, Moonee Ponds, Moorabbin, Oakleigh and Richmond.
Since July, 50 reservists have been deployed, with new squads of 25 being sworn in every fortnight.
Applicants must have at least two years of previous policing experience and complete a one-week training course before returning to duty. Reservists working at station counters are sworn police officers.
Victoria Police will determine where the additional reservists are deployed based on operational needs.
The expansion follows the recently announced recruitment of 150 additional Protective Services Officers and changes allowing police to patrol more locations, including shopping strips.
