Twice as many posties as cops shocking figures renew police calls

Alex de Vos
New figures showing the Barwon region has almost twice as many posties as police have sparked renewed calls for more cops.
City of Greater Geelong’s annual Economic Indicators Bulletin shows Australia Post had 624 employees in the region last year compared to 389 Victoria Police staff.
Almost as many people were employed at Barwon Water as local police stations, the bulletin revealed.
The 389 police have a beat covering Geelong, the Bellarine Peninsula and Surf Coast, Golden Plains and Colac Otway shires.
The bulletin said the Barwon region had a population of 273,389, meaning a below-state-average ratio of one police officer for every 703 residents.
Victoria Police Association’s Greg Davies said the shocking figures underlined the region’s lack of officers.
The association has been lobbying State Government for years to boost police ranks in Geelong and surround municipalities.
Senior Sergeant Davies said the report highlighted Geelong’s “critically low” police resources.
“It’s disappointing yet hardly surprising that Australia Post has almost double the number of employees in the region than Victoria Police,” he said.
“Geelong has for a long time been suffering a chronic shortage of front-line police.
“Latest research has revealed that local police numbers in Geelong have failed to keep pace with surging population growth. An urgent boost to police numbers is the message we need to deliver to the Brumby Government.”
Last month Snr Sgt Davies said State Government had to provide Geelong with an extra 133 police to deliver “an adequate, visible and proactive service to the community”.
The shortage was leading to temporary station closures and cancellations of patrols.
“The incredible shortfall clearly shows the strain local police are under,” Snr Sgt Davies said.
A spokesperson for state Police Minister Bob Cameron did not return the Independent’s call for comment before the paper went to press yesterday.