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Spring 2020
Remembering the fallen Tributes to four Victoria Police officers killed in April lead National Police Remembrance Day.
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More tests in the west After a successful trial, drug testing on rural roads will be a more common sight in the state’s west.
COVER: Shane Patton is the 23rd Chief Commissioner of Victoria Police. Photography: Jesse Wray-McCann Police Life is produced by the Media & Corporate Communications Department, Victoria Police, GPO Box 913, Melbourne, 3001 Online police.vic.gov.au/policelife facebook.com/victoriapolice twitter.com/victoriapolice
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Email policelife-mgr@police.vic.gov.au Managing Editor Superintendent Jo Dolan Editor Grant Condon Journalists Jesse Wray-McCann Danielle Ford Nadine Lyford Emily Wan Natalie Butler Graphic Design Fluid – fluid.com.au Subscriptions (03) 8335 8564
Taking on traffickers The work of the Caufield Divisional Response Unit is helping Victoria Police dismantle and disrupt drug trafficking and organised crime networks.
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Developing an identity The expansion of a team dedicated to identifying the child victims of unspeakable crimes has given the Joint Anti Child Exploitation Team a new perspective.
FSC POSITIONAL ONLY PRINTER TO STRIP IN. 100% From wellmanaged forests
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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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By the numbers In Brief Behind the Badge Career in Focus
Victoria Police receives thousands of missing persons reports a year, but specialised training means police across the state are well prepared to find those most at risk.
A MESSAGE FROM THE CHIEF COMMISSIONER recent years, as Deputy Commissioner of both the Regional and Specialist Operations portfolios, I have managed many significant Victorian emergency management responses. Leading Victoria Police through this coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has been an experience like no other. When the State of Emergency was declared on 16 March 2020, we activated the State Police Operations Centre (SPOC) to coordinate Victoria Police’s state-wide response. The SPOC has now broken a record, having been in continuous operation for the longest period in our organisation’s history, a record we were not seeking. It is an honour and a privilege to be appointed as the 23rd Chief Commissioner of Victoria Police. Having joined Victoria Police as a cadet in 1978, I have predominantly worked in investigative and operational roles across my career and in more
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POLICE LIFE | SPRING 2020
I am proud of all Victoria Police officers, Protective Services Officers, Police Custody Officers, forensics officers and all Victorian Public Service employees for their continued and extraordinary efforts to support the COVID-19 pandemic response, and overall commitment to protect the Victorian community.
In this edition of Police Life, I have shared my vision for the future of our Victoria Police force. It is a clear message where community safety is, and will always be, our key focus. I am also excited to highlight the increased capability to our Police Air Wing and Water Police fleet, and the important work we are doing to expand roadside drug testing in rural Victoria. 2020 has been a particularly challenging year and I commend our workforce for their resilience. At this year’s National Police Remembrance Day, Victoria Police and the community remember Leading Senior Constable Lynette Taylor, Constable Glen Humphris, Senior Constable Kevin King and Constable Josh Prestney who lost their lives in the tragic incident on 22 April 2020, as well as the many officers who have died serving their community. I want to reassure you that a fitting memorial service will be held at an appropriate time to honour our four members.
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