Speaking on radio this morning, Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Graham Ashton highlighted the concerning impact on community safety due to the ongoing Lawyer X Royal Commission.
The Chief Commissioner confirmed 100 Victoria Police staff, including detectives, have been pulled of the frontline to assist in the response to the Lawyer X Royal Commission.
It was also confirmed that Victoria Police have received no additional funding to cover the $1.5 million a month cost of the Royal Commission, resulting in cuts to police overtime and volunteer duties to cover the funding shortfall.
With serious crime such as shootings, drug offences and carjackings all on the increase, any reduction in frontline policing services is simply unacceptable.
Daniel Andrews must step up and deliver Victoria Police the necessary resources to respond to the Royal Commission and ensure frontline services and community safety are not compromised.
Comments attributable to David Southwick MP, Shadow Minister for Police:
“Labor have left Victoria Police to pick up the check for the Royal Commission resulting in unacceptable cuts to frontline Policing services.”
“Daniel Andrews must step up and provide additional resources so there are no more cuts to frontline policing services and ensure community safety is not compromised.”