07-12 N summer policing

A “restricted leave policy” for police during summer will be “unfortunate and unfair” for members working and living locally, according to their union.
Police Association spokesperson Greg Davies said local officers would be subject to “fairly severe restrictions” regarding holiday leave this year.
“Local command at Geelong is desperately trying to find extra people,” he said.
Mr Davies said limited availability of government funds restricted temporary relocation of officers.
“In the past people from Ballarat and other areas came to these holiday spots but they’ve got to be accommodated and money’s very tight.”
Geelong area commander Inspector Gary Thompson said police living locally but working elsewhere would be redeployed to the Geelong and Surf Coast region to assist with summer demand.
“Our restricted leave policy will boost our general numbers within Geelong and Surf Coast. We like to think we’re fair and equitable and we try to treat everybody’s request with the same understanding across the board,” Insp Thompson said.
A “co-ordinated effort” would ensure efficient use of police resources, he said.
“Some units will be tasked from Geelong to look at Bellarine and Surf Coast, as per intelligence tells us.”
Bellarine officer-in-charge Senior Sergeant Angelo Ferrara said police would “beef-up” their response as coastal populations tripled or quadrupled.
“I’m satisfied we’re getting sufficient numbers to put on our service delivery as is required with the busy period.”
A permanent divisional van began patrolling the Bellarine Peninsula 24 hours a day in early November, he said.
Member for Bellarine Lisa Neville in parliament said “a decision not to double the numbers of police” had raised community concern.
“Claims by the (State) Government that police numbers have increased … are irrelevant when towns like Ocean Grove, Queenscliff, Portarlington and Drysdale can be left without a police presence,” she said.
Divisional Commander Superintendent Paul Pottage said police resources on the peninsula had “never been doubled”.
“The demand for police services, while rising to some degree over the Christmas period, is generally far lower than for other areas of Corio and Geelong,” he said.
Police numbers assigned to the Bellarine Peninsula would be “the same as those assigned last season”, Supt Pottage said.
Police Minister Peter Ryan said Victoria’s west would gain 232 additional frontline police by June.