By Denise Deason
A VICTORIA Police admission that police numbers have been cut has angered Wyndham activists.
Former Assistant Commissioner Noel Ashby alleged last week that traffic police numbers had been cut by 13 per cent and transit police on public transport by 28 per cent.
In denying he’d been trying to undermine Police Commissioner Christine Nixon, he said he could have leaked the information while he was still in the force.
“I could also have leaked the fact there were, and still are, serious staff shortages in the growth corridors of Casey, Cardinia and Wyndham,” he said.
Mr Ashby, who faces possible charges of perjury and misconduct in public office after an Office of Police Integrity inquiry, said hundreds of police had been appointed as multicultural officers, youth affairs advisers and gay and lesbian liaison officers.
Assistant Commissioner Simon Overland confirmed traffic police numbers had been cut by 14 per cent since 1999, or 32 officers.
However, he denied public transport police numbers had been cut by 28 per cent, saying officers had been diverted into prosecuting offenders.
A police spokesperson said because of operational reasons, they did not disclose the number of members at an individual police station.
Crime in Wyndham increased by 36.3 per cent in 2006/07, with 8111 offences recorded, compared to 5953 in 2005/06.
Attempts by Star to get a response from Werribee Police on the cuts were not successful before going to press.
Wyndham Action Planners spokesperson Lori McLean said the situation was not good enough.
“I believe everything Noel Ashby is saying is true because these are the stories I’m hearing from police from all over the western suburbs.
“I’ve known all along there’s been these cuts and the biggest have been to traffic management units,” she said.
“I believe Werribee Police has eight traffic officers, which is two short, but even 10 would not be enough.
“Wyndham is still short on overall police numbers. Officers are doing double shifts and coming in on holidays.
“I take my hat off to these guys, but eventually they’ll burn out. I’m worried about the impact on their families.”
Ms McLean said she knew members had been moved from operational police to administration positions.
“We need on-the-beat officers, not people sitting behind desks,” Ms McLean said.
