News briefs

RIFLE ROLL-OUT BEGINS

Victoria Police will soon take possession of 300 new semi-automatic rifles to further strengthen the organisation's response to critical incidents.

The weapons, supplied by Huntsman Aus, will be distributed to the Public Order Response Team (PORT) and 24-hour regional stations: Geelong, Ballarat, Morwell and Shepparton.

From June, more than 700 officers will be trained to use the rifles.

PORT has been selected to receive the semi-automatic rifles as a frontline support unit that can be deployed anywhere in Victoria in response to major events, issues and high-risk incidents.

The four regional stations have been selected to ensure there is a strengthened response in key regional areas

“It will be a very sad day if the rifles are used, but the reality is we need to be prepared if an active armed offender or terrorist attack was to occur in regional Victoria,” Deputy Commissioner Shane Patton said.

“By expanding this capability to four key regional hubs and PORT, the community can be reassured we can respond to these incidents in a timely manner.

“Police will not be patrolling the streets with the rifles as part of general duties. Unless police are responding to a critical incident, the rifles will be securely stored at the police station or in vehicles.”

CAMERAS COVERING THE STATE

All frontline police from the rank of sergeant and below, Protective Services Officers (PSOs) and specialist units are now embracing the use of bodyworn cameras following the completion of a state-wide rollout of the new equipment.

The cameras are attached to an officer’s uniform and used to record video and audio when police are exercising their powers, collecting evidence, feel there is a need to record or if a recording would provide transparency to an interaction

Assistant Commissioner Russell Barrett said it was pleasing to see the way police and the community had responded to the cameras.

“The benefits of body-worn cameras are widespread, improving the processes for victims and witnesses of crimes, and the way police collect evidence,” AC Barrett said.

“Throughout the past several months, many police officers have noted an increase in early guilty pleas, which leads to faster and easier outcomes for victims and witnesses.”

Footage captured on body-worn cameras is stored for a minimum of 90 days and then deleted if it has been deemed non-evidentiary. If an offence is detected or footage is labelled as evidentiary, police may use that as part of an investigation, or a brief of evidence supplied to the courts.

The camera has a visible red flashing light when it is recording.