Repeated calls for the allocation of more frontline police to Wyndham are falling on deaf ears, according to the police association.
The association says that since requesting two years ago that 159 frontline police officers be allocated to Wyndham to bring the region up to the state’s average, just 15 officers have been put on.
Police Association of Victoria assistant secretary Bruce McKenzie said that while Wyndham had received a small increase in policing numbers, the area’s population had continued to boom.
“Police numbers in this area are still ridiculously short compared to population growth,” he said.
“Our members simply cannot keep pace with rising demand for police service.”
Unless more police were allocated, he said, Wyndham would continue to be 56 officers short of the state average of 102 first-response police members for every 100,000 residents.
“Members tell us that there are jobs being held for long periods and times when police can’t attend to all calls from the public,” he said.
“We need to remember that since 2014, a lot has changed in terms of policing.
“It has become much tougher out there. Crime has continued to rise and initiatives like the Family Violence Royal Commission have left police with more and more work to do.
“More frontline police officers are the only solution if we are to see any real change in these disturbing trends and keep our communities safe.”
Wyndham residents are also calling for more police on the beat across the municipality.
A 1200-signature petition will be tabled in State Parliament by Altona MP Jill Hennessy next month, while a separate campaign that was launched a year ago is calling for a new police station at Point Cook.
