Police chief blames glitch for shortfall

Alex de Vos
A “glitch” in Geelong’s police roster left the region strapped for patrolling officers over the past fortnight, according to the city’s top cop.
But Police Association secretary designate Senior Sergeant Greg Davies has rejected Chief Inspector Wayne Carson’s explanation, instead attributing the shortfall to a “critical” lack of officers.
The shortage of staff forced police to keep a brawler van off the streets of Geelong during the last two weekends. Police use the van as part of the city’s Operation Nightlife to combat drunken violence around nightclubs.
The van requires two police but the city area was down to one rostered officer for patrols after dark on the weekends.
Insp Carson denied Geelong had a police staffing crisis, blaming a “communication error” for the recent shortage.
“We had a bit of a glitch in the roster,” he said.
“I hand over the roster to our liquor licensing team and there was a bit of a communication error.”
Police staffing was “back on track”, Insp Carson said.
“We don’t anticipate to have the same problem again. In fact, we’ll be upping the ante over summer and will have additional officers on duty.
“We’ve been given funding to conduct a special operation over summer, which is in addition to Operation Nightlife.”
Snr Sgt Davies said Geelong’s police resources were “critically low”.
“There’s no doubt the area needs an immediate boost to police numbers,” he said.
Association-commissioned research had found the greater Geelong area needed an extra 133 police to provide an “adequate, visible and proactive service to the community”.
“This incredible shortfall clearly shows the strain local police are under,” Snr Sgt Davies said.
“It also shows how police numbers have failed to keep pace with substantial population growth in area.
“The Brumby Government must act to address this critical situation in Geelong and commit to providing an immediate and genuine increase to police numbers.”