By JOHN VAN KLAVEREN
Geelong and the Surf Coast have received an extra 60 police since November 2010, according to State Government.
Premier Denis Napthine said the extra cops represented a 17 per cent increase in police across the region as part of an additional 1700 frontline staff state-wide.
South Barwon MP Andrew Katos said the increase meant police could fight more local crime more effectively.
But Police Association secretary Senior Sergeant Ron Iddles said the number of first-response officers based in Geelong had actually decreased since November 2010.
“If this wasn’t the case we wouldn’t be seeing resources at Lara, Portarlington, Queenscliff and Drysdale being diverted to Geelong at the expense of policing in those communities,” he said.
“We’ve recently seen the Bellarine nightshift van do 10 jobs in Geelong in one night then another 14 jobs in Geelong the next night, including jobs all the way to Little River.
“We’re also about to see the Corio police station doors close at night from August. This wouldn’t be happening if there were sufficient first-response members in the region.
“The community is receiving a diminished police service in greater Geelong, while our first-response members are being continually stretched to do more with less.
“We need to further boost the number of first-response officers in Geelong and surrounding stations and not keep robbing Peter to pay Paul.”
