New police officer set to go on patrol

By Russell Bennett
THE ranks of Yarra Ranges police were given a boost last week after Victoria Police announced the addition of an extra Highway Patrol officer at Lilydale.
The announcement was made as part of the State Government’s plans to recruit up to 1700 more officers into the force by 2014.
In the 2011/12 financial year, a total of 400 new officers will be added across Victoria.
Though the Yarra Ranges received just one extra officer, Inspector Paul Rosenblum welcomed the Lilydale addition, saying the new officer will be a great help to the community.
“That extra member here will certainly be put to good use,” he said.
Insp Rosenblum was unaware of reports the police force was looking to cut up to 2740 jobs over the next two years.
“I don’t know where that figure has come from,” he said.
As part of the deployment of new staff, the Eastern Region’s Division Two – which includes the Yarra Ranges, Maroondah and Knox – will receive a total of eight new members in 2012.
“The allocation of officers is a comprehensive process based on population, crime rates and the like,” Insp Rosenblum said.
Acting Deputy Commissioner Lucinda Nolan said the staff increases were already making a difference.
“We’re already seeing the positive impact that these kinds of numbers are having on our communities,” she said.
“We’ve got more recruits going through the Victoria Police Academy, we’ve got more graduates ready to go into our stations and onto our streets, and we’re seeing that this increased police presence in our communities is really beginning to show in tackling the local crime issues, such as property damage and assaults.”