By Belinda Nolan
UP TO two dozen new police officers will be posted to Brimbank’s police stations over the next three months in a bid to battle the municipality’s chronic shortage.
In an exclusive interview with Star last week, Brimbank’s Superintendent Graham Kent revealed the city would receive between 20-24 new police officers this financial year, with more to come over the next two years.
The new cops will be split equally between the Sunshine and Keilor Downs Police Stations, with three detectives, three highway patrol officers, sergeants and general duties officers filling the gaps.
Meanwhile, the Shire of Melton will also receive a boost, with eight new officers joining the ranks between the Melton and Caroline Springs Police Stations, including senior sergeants, detectives, highway patrol officers and uniform police.
Neighbouring Maribyrnong will also get its share, with Footscray Police anticipating the arrival of nine new police officers in the coming months.
Supt Kent told Star some of Brimbank’s positions had already been filled, while a selection process was underway for others.
But he confirmed that the new recruits would all be in place by 30 June.
“We’re looking forward to it and are confident that it will boost our capacity and give us greater options to do more in terms of particular crimes we’re focusing on,” Supt Kent said.
The new officers are part of a 1700-strong injection pledged by the Liberal Party during the lead-up to the State Election.
In an interview with Star in January Police Commissioner Simon Overland revealed the West and in particular, Brimbank and Maribyrnong, would receive a greater share of new police, after being identified as high needs areas.
Supt Kent said demand for police services in Brimbank was growing at a rapid rate, along with the burgeoning population.
He acknowledged that in the past the city did not have enough police per head of population.
In 2008, Police Association figures revealed an extra 89 officers were needed to boost police numbers in Brimbank.
Supt Kent said he expected the first recruits to arrive within the next six weeks.
