Have your say on policing

GEELONG and the Surf Coast’s police are urging community members to share their views on how policing should be delivered now and into the future.

Victoria Police has started a major program of reform to how it delivers policing services so it can continue to keep Victorians
safe.

The Victoria Police Service Delivery Survey, which launched earlier this month, seeks people’s views on what police – which includes police, Protective Services Officers, Police Custody Officers and civilian staff – should do and how they should best serve the community.

Acting Senior Sergeant Gareth Rowe from Geelong police said his team knew it was vital to gauge the needs and expectations of not only the community but also the police, and was particularly interested to hear from people who have had recent or regular contact with Victoria Police.

“We’re looking for as many responses as we can,” S/Sgt Rowe said.

“We’re seeking input from all our stakeholders, and the public is a very large stakeholder for us.”

He said the survey only took a few minutes to fill out and could also be reached via a QR code on the Eyewatch pages on Facebook for both the Geelong and Surf Coast Police Service Areas.

S/Sgt Rowe said Victoria Police expected and wanted people to be honest in their answers.

“We wouldn’t ask the question if we weren’t prepared to listen to what people are prepared to tell us,” he said.

“The way Victoria Police looks now is very different from 21 years ago when I first joined, and I would expect it will look different 21 years from now.

“People can be assured that all their responses will be taken seriously.”

The survey closes on April 10, with responses reviewed in April and police to provide feedback to the community in May.

To complete the survey, head to engage.vic.gov.au/transforming-victorias-police-services/service-delivery-survey.