VIC: ALP plan for new police is feasible, says Kennett

AAP General News (Australia)
04-12-1999
VIC: ALP plan for new police is feasible, says Kennett

MELBOURNE, April 12 AAP - A state opposition plan to recruit 650 new police in the first
term of a Labor government was feasible, Victorian premier Jeff Kennett conceded today.

"That's fine - that can physically be done. The (police) academy can handle about 200 a
year," Mr Kennett told reporters.

Opposition leader Steve Bracks told Melbourne radio station 3AW that Labor would recruit an
extra 650 new police and redirect 150 existing officers from administrative tasks to
operational duties in its first term of government.

This included a new 200-strong street crime taskforce it has already announced to tackle
what Mr Bracks claimed was an increase in crime in the central city.

Mr Kennett said Mr Bracks appeared to be following a campaign by Victoria's Police
Association for between 200 and 800 additional officers without considering its merit.

"(If) Mr Bracks is just a puppet of the Police Association, so be it," Mr Kennett told
reporters.

"... But I don't think Bracks has, in any sense, had a look at how he would deploy them or
what is the need."

Police numbers were being reviewed and staffing levels would be confirmed during the May
budget process, Mr Kennett said.

"It's not just manpower the police need. It's IT (information technology) which the
government has given in the order of $175 million."

AAP pjb/er/cjh/br

KEYWORD: POLICE KENNETT

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