By Aaron Cordy
SHEPPARTON police are getting a much-needed boost to their man hours with 50 former officers being deployed to 26 stations across the state, including eight reservist officers for Shepparton station. They will perform a range of administrative duties to free up serving police so they can have a stronger presence on the street, preventing and detecting crime.
“Our police behind the counter at the moment can actually get back out on the road, keep the community safe, prevent crime, and be out there patrolling. You’ll see more visual police out in the community in Greater Shepparton,” said Shepparton Police Area Commander Cameron Sanderson.
“With more police out there, more visible police, crime should go down. But we’ll also be able to use police in targeted operations like Operation Securus, where they can target our hotspots like the Shepparton CBD, our issues within Shepparton like the retail crime, any youth issues, family violence, and other local issues that we have here in Shepparton. With extra police out on the road, they can tackle those local issues.”
Victoria Police analysis shows 50 reservists alone will put 1,360 policing hours – the equivalent of 170 shifts – back in the community each week. New reservist Simon Dowling was welcomed by Frank Eyre, the longest-serving reservist formally based in Shepparton, on Wednesday, August 12. Simon is the first of eight reservists to be activated at the Shepparton station.
“When I saw the role that they were offering and being able to come back and assist the members to get out on the road and yeah, to help the community, thought it was a great opportunity. It was perfect timing, just where I am at the moment, and come back and rejoin the force, which I was more than happy to do,” said reserve officer Simon Dowling.
“I joined the police force as a career, and I made it a career. I enjoyed every day, particularly at Shepp where I spent 29 years behind the counter here in Shepparton,” said former reservist Frank Eyre.
Police have now made over 100 arrests as Operation Securus continues in the Shepparton CBD.
