WYNDHAM police chief Shane Dowling returns to work this week, not to the Werribee station but to regional headquarters in Footscray following his heart attack earlier this year.
The former Geelong mayor has been seconded to work on special projects alongside Superintendent Tim Cartwright “indefinitely,” said Mr Cartwright.
A police insider said the move highlights the lack of direction and on-going problems at the station.
Footscray Senior Sergeant Bill Weatherly has filled in as acting inspector for six weeks and expects to remain at least six more months.
Two meetings were held with management, local police and representatives from the Police Association at the station last week.
Wyndham Police have long held concerns about staff shortages and working conditions.
Mr Cartwright was quick to point out the meetings did not involve a stop work at the station, as suggested by the union.
“These meetings were planned a month ago,” he said.
Mr Cartwright said improvements had been introduced over the past few weeks, showing “everyone was moving in the right direction.”
Two additional officers have been added to the station roster on short-term loan, but Police Association secretary Paul Mullett said 30 more were needed.
“The district continues to operate in a chronically under-resourced environment,” he said.
Victoria Police statistics show Wyndham has 86 full-time equivalent police, for a population of close to 130,000.
Wyndham City Council has also called for 30 more police for the city.
Mr Cartwright said other changes include offering more variety to officers.
“Nobody wants to work day-in and day-out in the divisional van or behind the counter,” he said.
A school portable behind the police station will be headquarters to Werribee’s new crime desk officers.
The nine-member squad will work out of the shed behind the station for an “indefinite period,” said Mr Cartwright.
He said $350,000 had just been spent on upgrading the 21-year-old station, including a new air-conditioning system and carpets.
Meanwhile, plans for a second police station promised three years ago for North Wyndham was moving ahead, said Mr Cartwright.
A parcel of land had now been identified for the $6.5 million station, and the government was waiting to hear from the landowner about its offer, he said.
