Visitor counters to close at four police stations in Melbourne
In Melbourne, Australia, visitor services at counters in four police stations — in Collingwood, Fitzroy, Southbank and North Melbourne — will cease from October 4. As ABC News Australia reports, the stations themselves will continue operating as police operational bases.
More police officers on patrol
Victoria Police Assistant Commissioner Jo Stafford said the changes are intended to increase the number of officers available for frontline work in Melbourne's inner suburbs. According to her, police officers will work at these locations around the clock and deploy from them to assignments.
Stafford said the new arrangement should enable police to be more visible in communities, patrol, prevent crime and respond to incidents where this is most needed. Additional staff are also expected to support Operation Harmony in Melbourne's central business district and Operation Assurance on Victoria Street.
According to Stafford, the changes should also strengthen police capacity to hold offenders accountable and work with people in custody.
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Alternative stations remain available
Police said the four stations where visitor counters are closing are located close to other police stations. Round-the-clock visitor services will remain available at Melbourne West, Melbourne East and Richmond stations.
The changes come amid a debate over police funding and staffing ahead of Victoria state elections, scheduled for November 28. Last month, Victorian Premier Ben Carroll accused the opposition of planning a significant cut to police funding should the Coalition win the election.
Government and opposition statements
In August, Carroll said Victorians want to see a staff member behind the counter at their local station. A state government spokesperson said the authorities had announced the recruitment of 400 reservists to work at counters and free up police officers for patrols. According to her, every reservist working at a counter is a sworn police officer.
Opposition police spokesperson Brad Battin called the closure of the counters a breach of the premier's promise and accused the Labor government of failing to provide sufficient resources to police. The government spokesperson responded that Victoria Police makes operational decisions independently of the government.
