The state government has budgeted $148.6 million to recruit 400 custody officers at 20 police stations across the state. 

The funding announcement follows incidents of Melbourne-based prisoners being relocated to the Ballarat police station due to overcrowding.

Victoria Police said the announcement would mean more officers on the street instead of guarding prisoners.

“We welcome the government’s announcement, which will allow us to free up officers who are monitoring those in police cells,” a police spokesperson said.

“It will boost the capacity of operational police to carry out frontline duties that focus on crime prevention and public safety.”

Custody officers will initially work at the Ballarat, Sunshine, Dandenong, Heidelberg, Geelong and Broadmeadows stations. 

It is not known yet how many will be stationed in Ballarat.

Victoria Police aims to begin the rollout of custody officers between 2016 and 2017, with recruitment expected in late 2015 and early 2016. 

A spokesman for Police Minister Wade Noonan said custody officers would initially be deployed to pilot sites and progressively provided to other stations. 

“Introducing custody officers will help police in the Ballarat area and across the state provide a stronger policing presence in the community,” the spokesman said. 

Victoria Police said there had been a significant rise in the number of prisoners in police custody. 

Remands from additional police and protective service officers, increased focus on warrants of apprehension and arrests from targeted operations had led to the increase.

“Police have also focused on recidivist offenders and targeted high-crime areas,” the spokesman said.

“This again has resulted in numerous arrests and remands.”

The state government is working with Victoria Police and the Department of Justice to prepare legislation about the custody officers’ responsibilities and powers. 

Legislation is expected to be brought before Parliament in the second half of the year.

kara.irving@fairfaxmedia.com.au