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SUMMER 2019-20 COVER: Detective Senior Constable Igor Rusmir broke new ground when he delved into the darknet to catch a dealer of the lethal drug fentanyl. Not only did the landmark investigation lead police to the offender’s door, it also saw Det Sen Const Rusmir named detective of the year for 2019.
Setting out in a new suburb It’s Victoria Police’s newest location, but that hasn’t stopped officers stationed in the suburb of Mernda from already making their mark.
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The changing face of family violence A fresh approach to an all-too-familiar crime is helping police turn the tide against the scourge of family violence.
Photography: John Pallot Police Life is produced by the Media & Corporate Communications Department, Victoria Police, GPO Box 913, Melbourne, 3001, Fax: 9247 5982 Online police.vic.gov.au/policelife facebook.com/victoriapolice twitter.com/victoriapolice Email policelife-mgr@police.vic.gov.au
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Managing Editor Superintendent Jo Dolan
Counter terrorism test Victoria Police has put a new partnership with the Australian Defence Force to the test in a large-scale counter terrorism training exercise.
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Police Legacy’s landmark From humble beginnings in a meeting room, Victoria Police Legacy has been providing support to police families that have lost a loved one for 40 years.
Editor Grant Condon Journalists Jesse Wray-McCann Danielle Ford Emily Wan Graphic Design Fluid – fluid.com.au
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Subscriptions 9247 6894 ISSN 0032-2598L Crown Copyright in the state of Victoria. For permission to reprint any part of this magazine, contact the editor. Opinions expressed are not necessarily those of Victoria Police.
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Snapped on Social By the Numbers Career in Focus True Crime
Students take the test Pupils in Cardinia have been put through their paces in a new program aimed at showing students just how fit they need to be to join Victoria Police.
A MESSAGE FROM THE CHIEF COMMISSIONER In August, the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission (VEOHRC) concluded its four year audit of sex discrimination and sexual harassment in Victoria Police. The release of the third and final report revealed that Victoria Police has taken considerable steps toward becoming an organisation that is safe, inclusive and provides career opportunities for all employees. The journey is not complete and Victoria Police has now taken ownership of the work required to transform our workplace culture and systems. While there is still much work to be done, a positive finding from VEOHRC’s final report was an increase in the number of employees, both women and men, undertaking flexible work arrangements. In this edition, you can read about two senior sergeants who are successfully job-sharing a full-time role at the Victoria Police Academy. Theirs is a perfect example of how flexible work arrangements benefit our employees and the workplace. 2
POLICE LIFE | SUMMER 2019-20
Victoria Police is not only becoming a more inclusive workplace for its employees, we are also taking important steps to create a more accessible service for our diverse community. Police in Dandenong and Box Hill have learned new skills so they can more readily communicate with members of the public who have communication difficulties. Their efforts help make Victoria Police more inclusive and enable members of the community to access police services more confidently. We are also highlighting the work of Victoria Police Legacy, who provide incredible support to police families who have suffered the loss of a loved one. The story, which focusses on two of our legatees, underlines the valuable partnership Victoria Police shares with Police Legacy. I wish you all the very best for a happy and safe festive season. Follow Victoria Police on Twitter at @VictoriaPolice
