Following recent community concern over police staffing levels at the Omeo and Swifts Creek one-man stations, Gippsland East Nationals MP, Tim Bull, has taken the matter to State Parliament, asking the Police Minister what plans are in place to cover absences when they occur.
“I have been advised by several local residents that there have been a number of times recently, including this week, when both officers have been absent or off duty and policing coverage is provided from Bairnsdale,” Mr Bull said.
“This of course is problematic as Omeo is over 90 minutes away and other locations covered by this station are over two hours away from Bairnsdale.
“Particularly as we are now in the fire season, and we have had fires in recent weeks in this area, we must surely have one person on duty locally as a minimum.
“Given the distance from Bairnsdale, I ask the Minister what is the plan to cover these absences when they occur as coverage provided from Bairnsdale is not deemed as adequate.
“There are always short-term absences that are hard to cover, but when the absences are known days or weeks in advance, arrangements should be put in place, especially at this time of the year.
“Local police do a fantastic job in responding to incidents across the region, however the community needs an assurance there will always be a presence provided at one of these stations as a minimum.”
The Minister has 30 days to respond to Mr Bull’s question.
“I look forward to hearing what the Minister has to say, and I am hoping the Omeo and Tambo Valley communities are assured of adequate resourcing in the case of possible absences,” he said.
Caption: Gippsland East Nationals MP, Tim Bull, has asked the Police Minister what plans are in place during staff absences at Omeo and Swifts Creek police stations.
Wednesday, November 8, 2017
