Victoria Police is set to temporarily reduce reception counter hours at several stations across the state in an attempt to ensure as many officers as possible are diverted to the frontline.
Reception counter hours will be reduced during off peak times at 43 police stations across Victoria – predominantly at night when counters are rarely attended by the public.
When a station reception counter is closed, police will always be patrolling the local community and in many cases, still working from within the station.
As a result of these changes, officers formerly rostered on reception shifts will instead be used for frontline policing duties, such as community patrols.
This gives police the best opportunity to respond to urgent incidents, prevent crime before it can occur, and engage with large sections of the community.
This also provides important rostering flexibility at a time when Victoria Police is currently managing a significant number of officer vacancies due to attrition.
Similar changes to reception counters were implemented during the pandemic, with no adverse impact on the Victorian community.
It is expected 23 police stations will reduce reception counter hours towards the end of November.
Further scheduling work is underway and once this is confirmed, the community will be notified around the exact dates that changes will occur.
A further 20 stations are also earmarked for reduced counter hours in the coming months.
The vast majority of impacted stations will retain reception counter coverage for either 16 or 8 hours per day, while most impacted stations are within 10km of the nearest 24-hour reception counter.
Victoria Police deputy commissioner regional operations Neil Paterson said for locals to make no mistake, police are not closing any stations.
“Reception counter hour reductions will occur predominantly during the evening or overnight when we know they are rarely attended.
“Even when reception counters are unstaffed, police continue to patrol the local community and often, still work within the station.
“Every Australian policing jurisdiction is currently experiencing resourcing challenges and police counter reductions are also occurring in other states,” he said.
Boronia Police station will introduce new reduced hours in phase two of the roll out.
Currently the station has 24 hour reception hours, which will reduce down to 16 hours per day under the new conditions.
The nearest 24 hour stations will include Knox Police Station (6km) and Ringwood Police Station (8.6km).
Signage will be clearly displayed on any police stations affected by counter reductions – re-directing the public to their nearest open reception counter, while the Victoria Police website will also reflect amended station counter open hours.
In an emergency, the community is always directed to call Triple Zero (000) for emergencies or the Police Assistance Line for non-urgent reports.
Updated reception counter hours will remain in place at each of the 43 stations while Victoria Police continues to recruit to fill current vacancies.
Victoria Police is starting to make inroads in this regard, with all recruits entering the academy since mid-August going towards filling the current attrition vacancies.
Mr Paterson said when given the choice, police know crime is most effectively deterred and detected via highly visible patrols in the community, rather than from behind a scarcely attended reception counter.
“The vast majority of people attending police stations do so during the day, most regularly to have statutory declarations signed or documents certified.
“Redirecting officers towards frontline policing duties will increase the likelihood of crime being prevented, offenders being arrested, and the community remaining safe,” he said.
The first double squad since May 2021 will graduate from the Academy in early November 2023.
From that point onwards, the Academy will be at full capacity for the foreseeable future, with 48 new constables graduating each fortnight.
