By LIA SPENCER
A SENIOR Sergeant says there needs to be more police in Casey to combat local crime.
About 100 people attended a community rally in Berwick on Saturday, held by The Police Association of Victoria, to reinforce its call on all major parties heading into November’s state election to boost police resources in Casey to keep up with its booming population growth.
The Secretary of The Police Association of Victoria, Senior Sergeant Ron Iddles said police officers in Casey were “stretched to the limit.”
“Casey needs an additional 155 first-response officers during the next five years just to reach and then maintain the current Victorian average ratio of 102 officers for every 100,000 people,” he said.
“If they don’t have more officers, police won’t be able to keep up with the demand.”
Sen Sgt Iddles said theft of motor cars and assaults were on the rise and detected drugs offences were down because there was a “lack of police.”
“Drug defences are a detected crime, so if they are down, that just tells me there is a lack of police on the street,” he said.
Sen Sgt idles said there also needed to be a new police station in Berwick South to cater for the growing population.
Berwick resident Beverley LeGuier attended the event to show her support. Her husband was a police officer who was shot on duty in the 1970’s and survived, and her daughter is a serving member with 27 years’ experience.
“I heard that this rally was happening and thought I better go because it’s near and dear to my heart,” she said.
“I am concerned about the safety of my daughter, and all the members, especially after the recent events In Endeavour Hills (where two police officers were stabbed),” she said.
“I am also concerned about the residents and their safety.
“Casey is completely undermanned and it’s not good enough.”
Ms Le Guier said she may start a petition in the near future to continue her support.
Sen Sgt Iddles said he would continue campaigning until both Labor and Liberal pledge their commitment.
“Residents are concerned and don’t want to be left in a situation where there is a lack of police in their community,” he said.
Police Minister Kim Wells said the government would reveal its law and order policies “in the lead up to the November election”, but did not specify a date.
“As Minister, I also have an open and ongoing discussion with the Police Association,” he said.
“Fresh figures revealed today show that since November 2010 the Napthine Government has now delivered more than 1818 new police officers across the State.
“As part of this election commitment, the Southern Metro Region, Division 3, which includes the Casey Police Service area, has received a total of 84 extra police officers, which means a 16 per cent rise in frontline police officers on the beat.
“The City of Casey also has a 24-hour operational police response.”
