By Cam Lucadou-Wells
POLICE Minister Lisa Neville has confirmed that the trialled closure of Endeavour Hills police station on weekend nights has been deferred for several months.
Senior Sergeant Karen Porter of Endeavour Hills police had previously said that the trialled shutdown of the counter from 5pm on weekend nights – to free up an extra patrol – was set to begin on 10 September.
The police station had once been touted as a 24/7 station.
However on the same day, the front counter was closed due to three officers in Casey calling in sick that day.
“There have been days when there have been sicknesses that have affected our ability to open,” Sen Sgt Porter said.
The trial had been deferred, subject to approval of police command and consultation with the Police Association, she said.
A spokesman for Police Minister Lisa Neville said the trial would begin “within the next few months”.
“We will communicate the start date to the community closer to the time.
“We have been and will continue to work through the details of the trial with The Police Association to deliver the best outcomes for the community.
“We still expect the trial to begin within the next few months.”
Meanwhile, Dandenong MP Gabrielle Williams has attacked Casey council’s call for more police.
In a Facebook post, Ms Williams criticised Casey council, and particularly Rafal Kaplon, for the “pedalling of misinformation” that police numbers in Casey had reduced.
According to official police numbers data, the number of Casey police officers dropped from 157 full-time equivalent positions to 153.42 between November 2014 and June 2016.
“The Andrews Government has not reduced police numbers in Casey,” Ms Williams said.
“In fact, we have funded an additional 406 police and the Chief Commissioner has indicated they will go to growth corridors like Casey.
“The former Coalition government didn’t fund a single additional sworn police officer.”
Cr Kaplon retracted his original post, and instead expressed hope that the extra police officers would be directed to growth regions like Casey.
Mayor Sam Aziz said he found it “rather disturbing” the local members were “oblivious” to the law and order issues faced by residents.
“I’m working as the mayor for the safety of our community and I find it very disturbing that a police station will close whenever a police member has to take a day of sick leave.
“Ms Williams’ government has been in power for nearly two years and should have addressed that by now.”