A SOLE cop was forced to attended a violent scene near Avoca alone, because he believed the victim may be at risk of extreme violence from their partner if he waited for back up, a source says.
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The Victorian Police Association is calling for the urgent recruitment of more police to be able to initiate recommendations from the Royal Commission into Family Violence.
Secretary Ron Iddles said the Avoca situation highlighted that police were being forced to choose between their own or public safety.
“That is simply unacceptable. More police are needed urgently,” Mr Iddles said.
Ballarat’s rate of family violence is 50 per cent higher than the Victorian average and police say the need for extra police in regional and country areas is high.
Mr Iddles welcomed the report, which the association provided extensive submissions and information to, but said a significant injection into police resources was needed for police to be able to instigate many recommendations.
“Many of the findings specifically call on Victoria Police and government to do more to eradicate family violence in Victoria,” Mr Iddles said.
He said this lack of on-the-ground resources was unacceptable and having an impact on the members’ ability to do their job.
“It is sad to read comments from victims who state that in some cases, they have called police and either experienced unacceptably long response times or had the phone ring out,” Mr Iddles said.
“We know country and metropolitan police are stretched to the limit.
“If the commission’s time frames are to be met – the recruitment of more police needs to start without delay.”
The association is calling for “additional front line police numbers … over and above” what the association has already called for to cope with increasing challenges, like rising youth crime.
The commission’s recommendations call on Victoria Police to implement dedicated family violence teams, training centre, dedicated family violence court prosecutors and additional your resource officers.
Police spokeswoman Lisa Beechey said Victoria Police was committed to working with the government and other agencies to eradicate family violence.
Member for Wendouree Sharon Knight said the government would invest in resources needed to carry out the report’s 227 recommendations.