A message from the Chief Commissioner

Having spent many of my years at Victoria Police in investigative roles, I am always keen to hear about excellent detective work being undertaken by our members.

And while the focus is often on our high-profile crime squads and taskforces in Melbourne, the talent and diligence of detectives at stations right across the state is second-to-none.

This edition of Police Life highlights the commendable work of two detectives from Latrobe Crime Investigation Unit, who left no stone unturned in their bid to solve a 30-yearold missing person case.

I am very proud of their efforts, and the efforts of all our investigators, to solve crime, hold offenders to account and – in this case –give closure to a family after decades spent wondering.

Two of Victoria Police’s youth engagement programs are also highlighted in Police Life

Our updated Schools Engagement Model is helping us strengthen connections with children at primary and secondary schools, while the Embedded Youth Outreach Program is partnering police and youth workers to assist at-risk young people.

Both are extremely valuable programs and help to deliver on our key priority of community safety.

Since the Victoria Police Air Wing took delivery of its three new helicopters in June 2020, the fleet has been deployed to more than 30,000 tasks and played a crucial role in more than 3000 arrests and 60 winching tasks.

The volume of work is enormous – be it following stolen cars or erratic drivers, searching for a missing person or flying specialist police to critical incidents around the state.

In this edition, you’ll learn more about the wellestablished link between our eyes in the sky and police on the ground, along with the exceptional skills and expertise of our Air Wing personnel.

On 29 September, as we do every year, Victoria Police will join members of the community on National Police Remembrance Day to stop and remember our brave colleagues who have died in the line of duty.

This year’s event will have particular significance for our colleagues in the Queensland Police Service, with the loss of Constables Rachel McCrow and Matthew Arnold in the line of duty at Wieambilla in December 2022, and our colleagues in the Western Australia Police Force, who lost Constable Anthony Woods in the line of duty at Ascot in June this year.

As we pause and reflect at our Victorian remembrance day services, our thoughts will be with the family and friends of those members who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving their communities.

Stay safe.

- Chief Commissioner Shane Patton