Cultural sensitivity warning: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are advised that pages 14–15 contain the name and images of an Aboriginal person who has passed away.
PAGE 18 SPEAKING MY LANGUAGE
PSO Acting Sergeant Stefano Cusumano says conversing in his native Italian has helped in many ways.
12 CHANGING BEHAVIOUR
Newly-formed Crime Reduction Teams are netting strong results.
25 PATH TO POLICING
How one member is living out her teenage dream.
26 RIDING A FINE LINE
E-scooters offer convenience but also raise safety concerns.
28 TEAM EFFORT
Building community connections through cricket.
NEVER
MISS A MOMENT
Subscribe to keep up with the latest and greatest Police Life stories. Visit police.vic.gov.au/policelife
A tenacious detective brings a vandal to justice after almost two decades.
As Police Life prepares to enter a new era, we delve into the archives for a trip down memory lane.
Police Life is produced by the Media, Communications and Engagement Department, Victoria Police, GPO Box 913, Melbourne 3001
Crown Copyright in the state of Victoria. For permission to reprint any part of this magazine, contact the editor. Opinions expressed are not necessarily the opinions of Victoria Police.
COVER PHOTO
Police patrol the evening crowd at Melbourne’s Federation Square. Full story, PAGE 8
Cover photography: Jesse Wray-McCann
A SAFER WAY TO SELL
A new Victoria Police initiative is helping to shore up the safety of buyers and sellers using online trading platforms such as Facebook Marketplace and Gumtree.
Special zones where people can exchange items purchased online have been set up outside 35 of Victoria Police’s 24-hour police stations to provide a safer alternative to meeting up with a stranger at a private home, park or carpark.
Each Safer Exchange Site has clear signage outside the police station, along with CCTV coverage and lighting.
North West Metro Region
Commander Tim Tully, who oversees Melbourne’s northern suburbs, said the concept was developed after an increase in robberies, thefts, and assaults linked to online trading in the community.
Cmdr Tully said while the number of crimes connected to online exchanges remained low, “we don’t want to see any occur”.
“With the popularity of online marketplaces continuing to grow, this initiative is all about police getting on the front foot to ensure an emerging crime theme doesn’t become an embedded trend," Cmdr Tully said.
Designated physical sites to transact are well established overseas in places like the United States and are frequented by buyers and sellers to avoid opportunistic crime.
Victoria Police saw the benefit of establishing a similar initiative in the state and Cmdr Tully led a trial that involved Safer Exchange Sites being set up at a small number of 24-hour police stations across Melbourne’s northeast.
After a six-month trial, it was clear there was a desire and need for these in the broader community.
“During the trial, the chance of thefts and robberies stemming from online sales decreased because police officers observed members of the community exchanging items on a regular basis,” Cmdr Tully said.
“Having these sites on police property helps remove the opportunity for crime to occur at common transaction places like a purchaser’s or seller’s home, community parks, and carparks at the time of payment or item collection.
“People feel safe and reassured knowing if assistance is needed, police are only a short distance away.”
Cmdr Tully said even though most people’s experiences of meeting other community members to exchange items is positive, it’s important to consider the risks of meeting up with someone you don’t know.
“Police will always act to keep everyone safe, but we can’t be everywhere at once, so make use of your closest Safer Exchange Site as much as possible,” he said.
“If you can’t get to one, meet in another well-populated, well-lit area. Try to meet during daylight hours and bring someone with you to the exchange.”
To find your local Safer Exchange Site, visit police.vic.gov.au/ online-marketplace-safeexchange-sites n
Editorial: Emily Wan
Photography: Jesse Wray-McCann
KEEP UP WITH THE LATEST NEWS FROM VICTORIA POLICE
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A MESSAGE FROM THE ACTING CHIEF COMMISSIONER
Victoria Police is proud to serve a diverse community.
We’re also proud to be a diverse workforce, welcoming employees from all walks of life to ensure our organisation reflects the range of backgrounds and experiences we see in the Victorian community.
One element of our workforce diversity can be heard in daily interactions between our police and protective services officers and members of the public — although you might not understand what you’re listening to.
That’s because more than 100 languages are spoken by our employees, and, on any given day, those employees might be using their unique skills to help a lost tourist, provide comfort to a victim of crime, or diffuse situations where language is a barrier.
In this edition of Police Life, you’ll read about five police and protective services officers who have the ability to speak a second language and how this assists them in their job — including Leading Senior Constable Lisa Lorenz (pictured), who can communicate using Australian Sign Language (Auslan).
Also featured in this edition is an update on the important work being undertaken by our Crime Reduction Teams across Melbourne.
While the teams have been in operation for less than a year, their impact on the behaviour of serious and high-risk offenders — many of them child and youth offenders — is already being felt.
We’re also working hard to engage with Victorian youths on another notable and potentially life-changing topic — road safety.
The Victoria Police Cricket Club is using a shared love of sport to engage with teenagers about safe road behaviours and good decision-making when it comes to driving.
In 2024, an average of five people were killed each week on roads across our state, and eight people were hospitalised every day, meaning the stakes are high when getting behind the wheel of a vehicle or travelling as a passenger.
Finally, Police Life magazine has been a mainstay for many Victorians for 70 years, with each edition providing you an insight into our people and our work.
This Autumn/Winter 2025 edition will be our final printed magazine, as we transition to a new digital platform via the Victoria Police website later this year.
Rest assured, we will continue to tell the same great stories and introduce you to our dedicated police officers, just as you’ve come to expect from Police Life — only the format has changed.
You’ll now be able to access these stories on our website, our social media channels and by listening to our terrific podcast Police Life: The Experts.
More information about the evolution of Police Life can be found on page 16.
Finally, I would like to acknowledge and thank former Chief Commissioner Shane Patton for his dedication, passion and hard work during his more than 45 years with Victoria Police, and wish him well for the future.
Acting Chief Commissioner Rick Nugent APM
LEADING SENIOR CONSTABLE
JACINTA STEVENS Police Artist, Criminal Identification Unit
The ability to be creative and use my existing art skills to create facial composites to assist investigations. I’m ticking the box for my creative outlet, plus encouraging and supporting victims and witnesses, which is still a passion now I’m away from operational duties.
SENIOR CONSTABLE
STEPHANIE REID Craigieburn Operational Safety Unit
The best part of my job is being able to speak with police officers, protective services officers and police custody officers from all different areas, helping them become more comfortable around our operational equipment and hearing their experiences of using these skills in the real world to keep themselves and the community safe.
PSO SERGEANT
JASPAL SINGH
Transit Safety Division, Fawkner Cluster
I have the opportunity to make a positive impact on society by maintaining law and order, promoting safety especially on our rail network and helping those in need. This job has also provided me with lifelong friendships and a strong sense of belonging.
LEADING SENIOR CONSTABLE
CRAIG SAXON Heavy Vehicle Unit
I get to travel from the South Australia border to the New South Wales border and police everything in between. I work with some of the most knowledgeable members in the heavy vehicle scene and every day is a training day. I get to pass on my expertise and knowledge to other members, and to corporate entities in training packages we provide.
The best part of my job is that we get to assist the frontline at incidents they are attending by working on intelligence behind the scenes. Sometimes it’s like trying to solve a puzzle, there’s always something new to learn and every day is different.
WHAT’S THE BEST PART OF YOUR JOB?
The best part of my job is undoubtedly the friendships I have made. Throughout my career, I have had the privilege of meeting incredible people from various walks of life, including police colleagues, people affected by crimes, community members, partner agencies, and other law enforcement agencies. Forming these connections is truly rewarding.
LEADING SENIOR CONSTABLE
I’m currently working at Foster, which has the tourist spots of Wilsons Promontory, Waratah Bay and Shallow Inlet in its patch. Enough said!
The best part of my job is serving others. Sure, there are elements of excitement and action. But the greatest satisfaction is being there for those in need, whether it be someone simply attending the watch-house with an enquiry, someone who is in crisis or has become the victim of a crime.
Being part of a team that keeps the community safe with great investigation and disruption results in the challenging counter terrorism environment, but also helping turn individuals away from violent extremism, terrorism and fixated threats through groundbreaking therapeutic intervention and prevention programs.
I love working with a dedicated team of investigators who work hard to support victims of family violence and hold perpetrators to account. It’s rewarding gaining the trust of a vulnerable victim, having them know they will be believed and supported and the flow on effect this has.
SENIOR SERGEANT JULES THOMAS Victoria Police Monitoring and Assessment Centre
SENIOR CONSTABLE LUCAS WILSON Camberwell Police Station
ACTING SUPERINTENDENT TIM TUCKER Western Region Division 5
INSPECTOR JULIAN HORAN Counter Terrorism Command
ADAM PAGRAM Foster Police Station
DETECTIVE SENIOR SERGEANT PETA YOUNG Prahran Family Violence Investigation Unit
RANCE PAYS OFF
When graffiti vandal James Scott-Howarth fled the country with police on his tail in 2005, many thought he had narrowly escaped the hand of justice, especially as the years ticked by.
But those people had obviously never met Detective Sergeant Sam Greenham (pictured).
As the ringleader of the infamous 70K graffiti crew, Scott-Howarth and his associates wreaked havoc on Melbourne’s public transport network and broader infrastructure throughout the early 2000s.
The crew’s relentless vandalism of trains and buildings resulted in hundreds of thousands of dollars in property damage and significant transport disruptions.
Police were initially keeping a watchful eye on the vandals to gather intelligence, but a dedicated operation to stop the crew’s damage kicked into gear after a police memorial train was defaced in 2004 with an offensive message accompanying the group’s tag.
Det Sgt Greenham, a constable at Transit Divisional Response Unit (DRU) at the time, was among the Operation Sensa team and quickly took a keen interest in the investigation.
“The offending was so brazen and prolific, it didn’t take long for me to become invested in the job,” Det Sgt Greenham said.
The Transit DRU had its work cut out to track down the vandals but the frequency of offending meant that, with the help of Victoria Police surveillance units, local uniform members, and other intelligence gathering methods, police were able to identify the main offender, Scott-Howarth, and his associates over a five-month period.
Operation Sensa then moved into the arrest phase, with concurrent search warrants planned for December 2005.
“Scott-Howarth was in his early 20s at the time, working in the office of his father’s business and, when we executed a search warrant there, we seized his work computer which revealed a large volume of photos and videos of his graffiti damage from over the years,” Det Sgt Greenham said.
“Just prior to leaving the business address, we noticed a false ceiling, so I had one of my colleagues boost me onto the roof where we located a treasure trove of items.
“There were thousands more photographs and negatives of his graffiti damage, along with clothing subsequently identified as being worn during offending and about 500 spray paint cans. It was what I would call the mother lode of evidence.”
The members working the investigation thought they’d struck gold and were ready to make an arrest, but they soon learned about a spanner in the works that would delay their meeting with the offender for nearly two decades.
“Unbeknown to us, Scott-Howarth boarded a plane to England two days prior to that search warrant. It was just by chance that he had these travel plans and, at that stage, he didn’t know we were targeting him,” Det Sgt Greenham said.
“His father got in contact with his son and let him know that we wanted to speak to him, and he made the decision to not come back for the next 17 years.”
Not one to rest on his laurels, Det Sgt Greenham kept an eye on Scott-Howarth’s life overseas by making regular enquiries with counterparts in the UK, Europe and New Zealand, while also checking in with his father once or twice a year.
In the meantime, police worked to hold seven other members of the 70K crew to account for their involvement in the vandalism, with one offender serving three months imprisonment.
“A couple of them had also fled overseas for a number of years so all of their court matters didn’t conclude until 2018,” Det Sgt Greenham said.
While the crew’s lower-level offenders were facing court, Det Sgt Greenham’s determination to catch Scott-Howarth never waned, and he had a visual reminder of his dedication.
“Much to the chagrin of some of the people I’ve worked with, about 16 boxes of case material followed me around to different stations I’ve worked at over the years,” he said.
“It was an ongoing effort to compile the 2000-page brief, and I couldn’t have done it without Sergeant Bob Derrett, now-retired Glenn Forsyth and Sergeant Duncan Browne, who I worked with on the investigation from day one.”
As part of his ongoing monitoring of Scott-Howarth, Det Sgt Greenham created a border alert that would inform him if and when he decided to return to Australia.
Det Sgt Greenham renewed this border alert every three months for 17 years, until early 2023 when he finally received the news he’d been waiting for.
“Scott-Howarth’s solicitor contacted me that March, stating that he wanted to come home and negotiate his terms of surrender,” Det Sgt Greenham said.
The next month, Scott-Howarth returned to Melbourne and, as agreed, presented at Sunshine Police Station.
After 17 years, Det Sgt Greenham finally met the offender he’d been chasing for almost all of his career.
“It was a long time coming and a very satisfying moment,” he said.
Scott-Howarth was issued a range of charges including criminal damage and theft. After surrendering his passport, he was bailed to appear in court at a later date.
While Scott-Howarth’s long overdue homecoming was a key milestone in the investigation, Det Sgt Greenham knew it was just the beginning of the justice process. It wasn’t until more than a year later in May 2024 that Scott-Howarth finally faced the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court to learn his fate. He was convicted of 14 rolled-up charges encompassing more than 80 incidents of offending and sentenced to a two-year community corrections order and 300 hours of community service.
For Det Sgt Greenham, seeing the case closed after nearly two decades of investment brought a huge sense of satisfaction.
“It’s been a real passion project for me and my colleagues, and I’m glad to have seen it through after all these years.” n
Editorial: Cassandra Stanghi
Photography: Jesse Wray-McCann
The 70K graffiti crew caused hundreds of thousands of dollars in property damage.
Det Sgt Sam Greenham collected many boxes of case material relating to the 70K graffiti crew.
Sergeant Jane Richer sits in the driver’s seat of her police car at a set of traffic lights as a carload of young women pulls up beside her with music blaring.
It’s about 9pm on a Saturday night on the edge of Melbourne’s CBD and the women are having a great time, singing at the top of their lungs.
Sgt Richer rolls down her window and says, “G’day girls”.
The women freeze up and stop singing.
“You all look like you’re having a great night already,” Sgt Richer says with a beaming smile.
“Um, yeah, it’s her birthday,” one of the women nervously says, pointing to her friend in the front seat.
“Well happy birthday to you! I hope you have a fantastic night,” Sgt Richer says.
The women all begin to relax and then a carload of young men in the next lane starts singing “Happy Birthday” loudly.
Everyone joins in, even Sgt Richer.
The lights go green and both the car of women and car of men continue on their way into the CBD.
It’s the perfect example of what Sgt Richer aims to achieve while policing in the city after the sun has gone down.
"It's all about allowing the general public to enjoy themselves, to come into the city, to experience what our great city has to provide them and ensuring that they can do it safely,” Sgt Richer said.
“That interaction we had was only a small thing, but we ended up with two carloads of young people that have had a positive experience.
“By getting our officers out there engaging with people, engaging with licensed venues, especially earlier in the night, it generally means that when witching hour rolls around at about 3am, things aren’t going to be as bad as they could have been.
“I certainly don't want us police to be seen as these big scary killjoys.
CONTINUED PAGE 10
Police arrest a young offender near Flinders Street Station.
Police in the city (above and below) aim to keep residents and visitors safe from those intent on causing trouble.
“We are, after all, out there to ensure that people are safe and are having a good time.”
Inspector Dale Huntington is the local area commander for the Melbourne East and Southbank police stations, and he is incredibly proud of the work his officers do in the city every day.
“I often say that when a car catches fire out in the suburbs, it’s not big news. But when a car catches fire in Elizabeth Street in the CBD, then the whole state of Victoria wants to know what’s happening,” Insp Huntington said.
“So that's the level of scrutiny our members are under all the time, but they go about their work every day with a smile and with a determination to make sure the city is a safe location.”
Insp Huntington said policing the city at night in 2025 is a drastically different experience to when he used to do it many years ago.
“Back then, there were really only two places of interest — King Street and the top of Bourke Street, and in between was a bare desert of licensed venues.
"But in that area, there's now more than 1500 licensed venues of all shapes and sizes, and you can get liquor until 5am, 7am, even 24 hours.
“If you had told a young Dale Huntington what it’s like now, he would have been stunned and thought that crime would be out of control.
“But it’s the actions and partnerships of police, the council, businesses, liquor licensing forums and industry groups over the years that have created a city that is both enjoyable and safe.”
After 28 years as a police officer — 27 of those spent working on the frontline — Sgt Richer made the very deliberate return to CBD policing last year after years working in other areas.
"I love working in the city and I'm very committed to keeping the community within it safe,” she said.
“We also have a lot of new and junior police officers who start
their careers off working at Melbourne East or Melbourne West police stations.
“I feel that, with my experience, if I can impart just a small bit of knowledge to these members that will have some sort of positive impact throughout their career, then I’m playing an important part.
“Most times after I work a shift in the city, I come home and I feel like I've achieved something.”
In the hours after her interaction with the birthday girl and her friends, Sgt Richer and the two new police officers with her for the night spend their time responding to several jobs and doing foot patrols around the CBD.
Then, just before midnight, the call comes over the radio that someone has been mobbed and robbed just outside the CBD, on the other side of the Yarra River.
The offenders are described as a group of male youths who were last seen walking north on Swanston Street into the city.
Sgt Richer drives immediately down Swanston Street and spots a group of young males matching the description outside Federation Square.
She puts the lights and sirens on and shouts at them to stop, while her two offsiders Senior Constable Zakari Hussain and Constable Dimmi Christou leap out of the car to catch the group.
Fellow CBD officers, nearby transit officers, and protective services officers help out with the arrests and processing of evidence.
The offenders — one of whom is a 14-year-old boy with more than 150 prior charges to his name — are bundled into divisional vans and taken into custody.
It’s yet another example of the aims of CBD night policing.
While Sgt Richer and her colleagues were very happy for two carloads of fun seekers to enter the city earlier in the night, they have no tolerance for troublemakers and successfully stop them from making it into the CBD.
“There are people who just want to enjoy themselves and the city, and there are those who are out to cause trouble and commit crimes,” Sgt Richer said.
“It’s our mission to make sure the two don’t meet.”
As Sgt Richer drives away from the scene of the arrests, she turns to the two new recruits working with her.
“Whatever happens with those young offenders tonight or tomorrow, by stopping them from coming into the city, I know without a doubt that we have stopped another three or four or more robberies or assaults from happening tonight,” she said.
“We’ve made sure that more people haven’t had their night, their weekend, their week or even their lives ruined, and that’s a positive outcome.” n
Editorial and photography: Jesse Wray-McCann
Sgt Jane Richer processes evidence with her colleagues following the arrest of some young offenders.
ON THE RIGHT TRACK
Senior Constable Amy Holden sits down at her desk to contact the mother of two teenage brothers with a significant criminal history.
For the past few months, Sen Const Holden (pictured above left) has been tasked with monitoring and engaging with the youths, who had committed a long list of serious, violent offences, including aggravated burglaries, robberies and theft of motor vehicles.
One of the brothers had previously been issued more than 50 serious charges in a three-month period, with the other not far behind at about 40 charges.
Regular contact with the youths’ mother had become the norm for Sen Const Holden as she worked to keep their family informed about how the youths were tracking — either forwards or backwards — on their path to law-abiding lives.
But today’s message is different.
Now, after months of constant proactive police contact with the youths, their family and external support services, their offending has come to a sustained halt.
“James* and Marcus* are now too good to stay on our books, so we are taking them off and turning our focus to other high-risk youths,” Sen Const Holden says to their mother.
The brothers are just two of 12 high-risk young offenders managed by the Somerville Crime Reduction Team (CRT) who were put on the right track and cleared from the unit’s list in its first six months of operating.
Targeting recidivist, serious and often young offenders, CRTs were established throughout Melbourne and Geelong in July 2024 to improve community safety.
CRTs have two main objectives: stopping further offending and providing support pathways to encourage rehabilitation.
For Acting Sergeant Trent Delaney, who leads the Somerville CRT covering the Frankston and Mornington Peninsula areas, this two-pronged approach to showing young offenders a better path is paying off in spades.
“We operate with the intention of giving these offenders pathways away from crime, but we have no hesitation in arresting them if they offend,” A/Sgt Delaney (pictured above right) said.
“Before we even knock on their door, we’ve done our research, spoken to external support services and come up with a plan to help get them back on the right track.”
Those support services include youth workers, rehabilitation services and advocates to name a few — all tailored to suit the needs of individual offenders.
Each offender is allocated a single police officer to allow for
TRACK
continuous building of rapport, making the CRT member a consistent element of an offender’s day-to-day life.
“The engagement and relationship are important, but we’re not a toothless tiger either — we make it very clear that the minute they stuff up, we’ll be coming to arrest them,” A/Sgt Delaney said.
“When someone on our books messes up and there’s a warrant out for them, we want it executed as quickly as we can, so the close working relationship we have with our local detectives is vital.”
Sen Const Holden said the speed of enforcement action is a key element of the team’s strategy to nip any further offending in the bud.
“We know that, if we’re not giving these kids consequences quickly, they won’t associate them with the offence and they’re not going to learn that lesson,” she said.
For CRT officers, the need to build strong relationships extends beyond just the offender. Regular contact with parents and family members is just as important, to ensure the good work is continuing at home.
Thrilled by the news that her sons would no longer be on the CRT’s monitoring list, James and Marcus’ mother thanked Sen Const Holden and her colleagues for their commitment to helping the brothers get back on the straight and narrow.
It’s hard to believe that Sen Const Holden and the youths’ mother had a challenging start to their relationship when the CRT came knocking six months earlier.
“She was initially frustrated with police due to previous interactions and had an extreme distrust for police, which her kids shared,” Sen Const Holden said.
“I gave her the space to express her frustrations, which de-escalated her heightened emotions and allowed us to communicate more effectively. Over time, I proved to her that she could trust me.”
That trust grew to a point where the youths’ mother was actively assisting police in their efforts to hold them to account.
“There were times when the youths faltered and they had a warrant to their names, when Amy was able to simply call the mum and tell her we needed to speak to them,” A/Sgt Delaney said.
“The mum would then either bring them in to us or give us all the information we needed about their whereabouts so local detectives could walk in the door and find them.”
The full circle moments for Sen Const Holden come when offenders start to take responsibility for their own behaviour.
“We’ve had people that we have been monitoring call us to say, ‘Hey, I missed court, I was an idiot, how can I get it fixed?’, or even, ‘That rehab you got me into was really good and I’m worried I might slip up soon, do you mind if you help me get back into it for a couple of weeks?’,” she said. It’s an approach that is proving successful for the team at Somerville, with offenders managed in the CRT’s first six months of operation achieving a 200 per cent increase in time at freedom before enforcement action is required, when compared with the 12 months prior.
But for Sen Const Holden, the best measure of success is seeing the people she works with come out the other side of their criminal past.
“We see offenders we work with back on the right track where they are engaging with school, they’re working and they’re back participating in society,” she said.
“It makes me so proud of the work that we do.” n
Editorial: Cassandra Stanghi Photography: Gary Richardson
Cultural sensitivity warning: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are advised that the following story contains the name and images of an Aboriginal person who has passed away.
LEGACY LIVES ON
Editor’s note: Senior Sergeant James Egan sadly passed away in November 2024, following a brave battle with illness. In the weeks before his passing, he spoke with Police Life about his career.
When Senior Sergeant James Egan first walked through the doors of the Victoria Police Academy in 1985 at the age of 18, he was looking for a long-term career.
Nearly four decades on, it’s fair to say he found what he was looking for.
After a few years spent at metropolitan stations including South Melbourne, Frankston and Cheltenham, Sen Sgt Egan ventured into general duties roles in regional Victoria’s Gippsland region. It was here that he discovered his passion for country policing.
“One of the things I enjoyed most about working in the country was the fact that for any decisions you make and anything you do within the community, you can actually see the results for yourself,” he said.
“Being able to see how the relationship with the community improves as a result of your work is very satisfying.”
Sen Sgt Egan’s roles in large regional stations set him up with the skills he needed for an eventual eight-year stint as the sole police officer at Raywood in northern Victoria.
“Being the only police officer in town, your life will become very challenging without the support of your community, so you really need to have that community focus,” he said.
Another passion Sen Sgt Egan discovered in his policing career was training, an area he stumbled across completely by accident in the late 1990s.
“I was working at Traralgon at the time and a local sergeant pulled me aside at the end of an operational safety course, told me there were some instructor
Sen Sgt Egan receives his Aboriginal Service Medal from former Chief Commissioner Shane Patton in 2024.
A proud moment for Sen Sgt Egan at his brother Leon’s police graduation.
courses coming up and that I should think about doing them,” he said.
“It wasn’t something I’d ever considered, but I threw myself into that space to see how I’d go. I quickly discovered that I enjoy training and teaching people.”
Through several training positions at the Victoria Police Academy, Sen Sgt Egan played an important role in preparing police for pivotal operational changes, including the two-year transition to the semiautomatic pistol in the early 2010s.
Having spent about half his career in training roles, Sen Sgt Egan considered it a privilege to help police be the best they can be — a sentiment he carried into his final role as the Regional Training Officer at Moorabbin in Melbourne’s south-east.
“The most interesting part of these training roles is seeing total organisational change, and always evolving to make sure that what we’re delivering to the members who go out on the van every day is what they need to keep themselves safe,” he said.
Another source of personal pride for Sen Sgt Egan was his involvement in delivering Aboriginal Cultural Awareness Training (ACAT) to police, protective service officers and Victorian Public Service employees since its inception in 2020.
The training package was created to educate Victoria Police employees about the historical context of the relationship between police and the Aboriginal community, improving their understanding of the rich culture and history of Aboriginal Victorians to enhance their ability to provide a culturally safe and appropriate service response.
For Sen Sgt James Egan, a proud Bangerang/Gunditjmara man and the longest serving Aboriginal Victoria Police employee, the program was also an opportunity to reflect on his own story.
“I didn’t join the job because I’m an Aboriginal man, I joined because I thought it would be a good, long-term career,” he said.
“It was the 1980s and there were a lot of issues in the relationship between my community and the police, and maybe through my own immaturity at the time I didn’t really take those into account.
“My mum, who was my greatest supporter, brought those issues to my attention. Her greatest concern wasn’t about Victoria Police as an organisation, but how my family and community would react to my new job.”
Being able to share his reflections with his colleagues through the ACAT program brought about benefits for Sen Sgt Egan beyond educating his peers about his and his community’s experiences with police.
“Delivering the program has been challenging, but I’ve actually found it pretty therapeutic, and I’ve really enjoyed sharing my culture,” he said.
“Sharing my life journey through the program helps people understand that we all don’t come from the same side of the fence, but that doesn’t mean we all can’t look over the fence and see benefits from both sides.”
Sen Sgt Egan’s many achievements from nearly 40 years of service are extensive, but a highlight
was being among the first to be awarded the Victoria Police Aboriginal Service Medal last year. The medal was created to acknowledge the unique duality embodied by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employees who honour their heritage while serving within the police force.
For Sen Sgt Egan, he was humbled by the award and what it means for his community more broadly.
“I think the medal is representative of the journey Victoria Police is on, making really big strides towards improving the relationship between Victorian Aboriginal people and our police force,” he said.
“I was very proud to receive it and be part of history.”
Sen Sgt Egan was also recognised with the Australian Police Medal posthumously in the 2025 Australia Day Honours.
Of all the changes Sen Sgt Egan saw in the relationship between his community and his workplace over the past four decades, the most promising was the increase in Aboriginal people choosing to work at Victoria Police.
“When I came into the job, from memory I was one of three employees who identified as Aboriginal, and now we have about 150 across the state,” he said.
“At the end of the day, you can’t change things overnight so, for me, it’s about grabbing the really positive aspects of change and carrying them on.”
Southern Metro Region
Superintendent Wayne Viney said Sen Sgt Egan’s lasting legacy will be recognised by the thousands of employees he crossed paths with during his long and impressive career.
“James was an outstanding mentor which was realised through his years as an operational safety instructor and right through to his most recent training position at Moorabbin,” Supt Viney said.
“Those positive aspects of change that he spoke about and brought about himself will live on for years to come.” n
Editorial: Cassandra Stanghi
Photography: Stephanie Pitts-Clark, Kureng Dapel and supplied
As Victoria Police's longest serving Aboriginal police officer, Sen Sgt James Egan honoured his heritage while serving the community.
EVOLUTION OF
For 70 years, Police Life magazine has given readers an insight into what makes Victoria Police tick. To mark the final print edition of the magazine, we took a walk down memory lane and put a spotlight on some of its defining moments.
1955
WHERE IT ALL BEGAN
The inaugural edition of Police Life was published in May 1955, back when black and white publications were the norm.
In the words of former Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Selwyn Porter, printed on the very first cover (below),
"This little newspaper would find its way into the homes of members and friends of the force throughout the community” and eventually be mailed out to keen readers in “far corners of the world”.
For police members at the time, the magazine was one of few ways to catch up on news within the force — and for the Victorian community, it was a behind-the-scenes look into what life as a police officer was all about.
MAKING HISTORY
In the first decade of the magazine, Police Life journalists reported on topics of all kinds — from successful operations and police member achievements, to advances and innovations that became part of modern policing.
In July 1964, the latest innovation was ‘stations on wheels’ — mobile canteens which had been repurposed into police vehicles (below).
Known today as Mobile Police Facilities, the vehicles provided Victoria Police with space to conduct examinations at crime scenes, discuss operations during major emergencies, or house police members on temporary duties in locations that didn’t have a police station.
POLICE LIFE IN COLOUR
In December 1973, Police Life published its first cover in full colour (above).
The cover showcased images from a Victoria Police Christmas card — featuring members at the Academy, on horseback, managing city traffic, and checking on livestock at a rural property.
1973
1980s IN THE FRAME
In their first year, the portable stations not only became part of police operations across the state, but were also in use when thousands of concertgoers flocked to Melbourne to see The Beatles.
The 1970s might’ve brought colour, but the 1980s brought posters — and Police Life included one in every edition. They were a popular addition to the magazine, featuring members from all parts of the force, and adorned plenty of walls in homes and schools across Victoria.
In one poster (right), a police member catches a would-be thief in the act.
POLICE LIFE
NEW BEGINNINGS
In 1994, Police Life reported on a significant milestone for Victoria Police — a new headquarters which would see the force into the 21st century (above).
Located in Melbourne’s World Trade Centre, the Victoria Police Centre brought employees from CBD locations like William Street and Russell Street under one roof.
Twenty years later, the Victoria Police Centre moved to a different, purpose-built location in Docklands. And, of course, Police Life reported on that, too.
2000
TURN OF THE CENTURY
The new millennium was the springboard for change of all kinds within the force, including the introduction of new technology and establishment of world-class facilities, but age-old hallmarks of Police Life remained the same.
Popular sections of the magazine, which had been printed for decades, like ‘Out and about’ (below), continued on into the 2000s — giving readers insight into the day-to-day operations of police in different locations across the state.
ENTERING THE DIGITAL AGE
From February 2010, Police Life magazine became available online. Members of the community could still subscribe to receive a print copy but now also had the option to read it on the world wide web.
Going digital meant that people could read Police Life from devices anywhere in the world, and stories could be shared via newly-established social media platforms like Facebook.
2010
HERE AND NOW
In 2024, Police Life expanded its offering to include a podcast series, Police Life: The Experts (above), featuring true crime stories from our police, detectives, forensic scientists and more.
In 2025, Police Life will transition to a digital-only format, with the same great stories you’ve come to expect from the magazine available on the Victoria Police website.
Combined with the podcast, the new approach will help Police Life reach a wider audience, while still providing a valuable insight into our work and our people. n
Editorial: Lane Mihaljevic
LANGUAGE NO BARRIER
Just like the Victorian community, Victoria Police members hail from all walks of life, and some have the ability to speak a second language.
To find out how the force’s bilingual police and protective services officers use their language skills day-to-day, Police Life spoke to five members who say they feel privileged to be able to connect with the community in a way others can’t.
LEADING SENIOR CONSTABLE LISA
LORENZ
Photography: Senior Constable Jessica Wells
Tell us a bit about your job.
I am the officer in charge of the single-member police station in Tangambalanga, in Victoria’s north east.
What languages do you know?
My Dad was German, and I know just enough to ask German-speaking drivers for their licenses and tell them off for speeding, which has been useful at times. In 2018, after using the notes app on my phone to muddle through a conversation with a driver who was deaf, I decided I wanted to learn Auslan, which is Australian Sign Language.
How did you learn Auslan?
I did everything I could find online to learn Auslan myself and, once I was comfortable with the basics, I decided to keep going and started my Certificate 2 in Auslan through Melbourne Polytechnic. I studied part-time for four years, completing my Diploma of Auslan in 2022. While I’m not qualified to be an interpreter, I can sign to communicate with deaf and hard-of-hearing people, as well as people who use Auslan with disabilities such as speech apraxia and autism.
When has being able to sign Auslan come in handy?
Earlier this year, I went to a rural property to look for a missing person and needed to speak to a young woman. While I was chatting with her, I noticed that she was mostly watching my lips. When I asked if she could hear me OK, she told me that she was deaf in one ear and needed a hearing aid in the other, which she didn’t have in. But by signing at the same time as speaking, I was able to continue my conversation with her, and she opened up to me about her situation and shared information that I would not have received otherwise.
What is your favourite part about being able to sign Auslan?
So many students learn a language other than English in schools, yet deaf people in our own communities are often forgotten. What I love most is when I sign to a deaf or hard-of-hearing person and they are genuinely pleased that a hearing person would learn their language and know the conversation is going to be easier on them.
FIRST CONSTABLE ABDELRAHMAN BAKRI
Photography: Danielle Ford
Tell us a bit about your job.
I’m a general duties police officer at Avondale Heights. My job involves patrolling neighborhoods, responding to various incidents and keeping the community safe.
What languages do you know?
I speak both English and Arabic fluently. Arabic is my native language, which I’ve known my whole life, and I’ve spoken English for many years, especially since moving to Australia, and it’s become just as natural for me.
When do you typically speak Arabic at work?
I usually speak Arabic when dealing with people from the Arabic-speaking community who struggle with English. It’s especially useful when they’re in distress or involved in incidents where clear communication is crucial, such as when they need urgent assistance, or they’re part of an investigation.
Tell us about a time where being able to speak Arabic was helpful.
One time, I helped an elderly woman who had dementia and was lost. She only spoke Arabic and was unable to communicate with anyone else. I was able to comfort her, find out her details and reunite her with family. Another time, I responded to a vehicle collision where the offenders were Arabic speakers. They didn’t realise I could understand them and were trying to hide the real cause of the accident. Because I spoke Arabic, I managed to uncover the truth.
How does speaking a second language assist with your role?
Being able to communicate in both English and Arabic helps me build trust with members of the community who might otherwise struggle to express themselves. It also makes my job more efficient, as I can get accurate information faster and de-escalate situations that could easily get out of hand because of misunderstandings.
What is your favorite part about being able to speak Arabic in your role?
The best part is being able to help people who are often overlooked because of the language barrier. It’s satisfying to know that, because of my language skills, I can make sure they’re heard and get the help they need.
CONTINUED PAGE 20
ACTING
SENIOR SERGEANT YUKI ONUMA
Photography: Brent Houghton
Tell us a bit about your job.
I’ve been a police officer since 2009 and am currently working in Victoria Police’s Organisational Policy Unit three days per week and as the Joint Organised Crime Taskforce’s human trafficking liaison two days per week. I also assist with cases involving Japanese nationals as requested by other Victoria Police departments, as well as the consulate office, embassy or law enforcement agencies of Japan.
What languages do you know?
I speak English and Japanese.
When do you typically speak Japanese at work?
There are several scenarios across my roles that require the use of my Japanese language skills — including assisting with investigations, supporting Japanese victims, and engaging with the Japanese community in Melbourne, as well as assisting Victoria Police executives’ engagement with Japanese dignitaries.
Tell us about a time where being able to speak Japanese was helpful.
I have worked across a number of serious offences involving Japanese nationals where being able to speak Japanese was vital. Unfortunately, one of them was the Bourke Street tragedy in 2017, where I supported a victim’s family for a number of years. These serious incidents often involve a lengthy investigation and court process, as well as external stakeholder engagements with foreign delegates.
How does speaking a second language assist with your role as a police officer?
Having a language ability other than English is just like having an additional ‘tool’ in the kit bag. But communicating in another language in policing can be a lot more than simply switching between two languages — especially when speaking to people experiencing difficulties or trauma. It’s important that we consider cultural appropriateness, as well as the differences in judicial systems and laws that greatly affect a victim’s expectations from police.
What is your favourite part about speaking Japanese in your role?
When I get to experience the moment the tension in a person eases instantly after a single word of Japanese. Being able to offer the Japanese community additional support and understanding of culture and language is one of the best parts of my job.
CONSTABLE VISHAL GHUMRA
Photography: Brent Houghton
Tell us a bit about your job.
I’m a constable working general duties at Melbourne West Police Station and have been in the role for just over a year, but was a protective services officer (PSO) for four years before that.
What languages do you know?
I was born in India, so I can speak English, Hindi and Gujarati, and I’ve been speaking these languages pretty much all my life.
When do you typically speak Hindi or Gujarati at work?
I’ve used both Hindi and Gujarati in many scenarios at work, especially when I’m working in Melbourne West Police Station’s watch-house, as lots of people from the Indian subcontinent visit the station for different reasons. As soon as they read my name, they guess that I would speak a language other than English, and so they are comfortable speaking in their native language.
Tell us about a time where being able to speak Hindi or Gujarati was helpful.
There was a family violence incident where the affected family member spoke really limited English. When I told her that I can speak and understand Hindi, she was so relieved and was able to explain everything about the scenario to me in the language she felt most comfortable using.
Has being able to speak Hindi or Gujarati been useful on other occasions?
When I was working as a PSO, I helped other police units with translating, and was also able to use Hindi and Gujarati to help train, tram and bus passengers. People often get lost travelling in the city, especially if they are tourists or overseas students, so being able to speak a second language definitely helped in these situations.
What is your favourite part about being able to speak Hindi and Gujarati in your role?
I like to surprise people by speaking to them in Hindi or Gujarati, as they don’t expect a police officer to talk to them in their native language. It’s fun to see the shock on their face and to see them smiling afterwards. It’s also rewarding to be able to help with investigations, and impress the bosses.
PSO ACTING SERGEANT STEFANO CUSUMANO
Photography: Gary Richardson
Tell us a bit about your job.
I’ve been a PSO since 2019 and currently work in the Epping area, patrolling the last eight railway stations on the Mernda line.
What languages do you know?
My first language is Italian, as I was born and raised in a little town on the outskirts of Milano, but my dad is from the south of Italy, so I can understand Sicilian dialect too, which is one of the most commonly-spoken dialects in the Epping area. I moved to Australia at the end of 2010, where I learnt English while studying for my diploma and working in hospitality.
When do you typically speak Italian at work?
In this area, there are a lot of Italian people, especially elderly people who migrated here a long time ago, but also younger people who recently moved to Australia and use public transport to go to work. So, it’s normal to patrol the railway station and meet people who speak Italian. When I do, I always greet them with a ‘buongiorno!’ or ‘ciao!’ and they're usually very surprised to meet a PSO from Italy.
Tell us about a time where being able to speak Italian was helpful.
One time, I remember hearing over the radio that there was an elderly female walking alone on High Street in Thomastown after midnight, looking lost and confused. The location was close to the railway station, so my colleague and I attended and found her in front of a pizza shop. She couldn’t speak English, but I recognised her accent, so I started asking questions in Italian and found out she lived nearby. After escorting her home, an ambulance attended to check on her and said that she had possibly been out all day without food or water. I felt proud of being able to help and reassure her using my native language.
How does speaking a second language assist with your role as a PSO?
In our role, we are constantly in contact with the community and, in Australia, being a kind of melting pot, we encounter people from diverse backgrounds very often — so it’s good to be able to communicate in another language. n
Editorial: Lane Mihaljevic
LOOKING OUT FOR ELDERS
Senior Constable Kim McKeown is the first to admit most of her regular interactions with the seniors community in the Hume area are casual catch-ups — often over a cuppa — focused on building connections and sharing crime prevention tips.
But Sen Const McKeown, from Sunbury Proactive Policing Unit (PPU), knows these catch-ups can lead to far greater conversations down the track.
“I was recently asked to give a talk at a Country Women’s Association meeting on general crime prevention and about phone and online scams,” she said.
“When I was getting ready for the talk, I asked one of the organisers if they would mind if I spoke a bit about elder abuse at the end of the presentation and about the support available, whether through police or elders’ rights advocacy groups.”
Elder abuse is defined by the World Health Organisation as a single or repeated act, or lack of appropriate action, occurring within any relationship where there is an expectation of trust, which causes harm or distress to an older person.
Sen Const McKeown said while abuse could be physical, it’s most often neglect or in the form of financial, psychological or emotional abuse.
“Elder abuse can be a tough topic to talk to older people about, often because it’s committed by a family member, which can create shame and a hesitance to report it,” she said.
“And it can be difficult for older people, or people of any age, to take on information about such a personal crime theme if they don’t feel comfortable with, and respected by, the people talking to them about it.”
A Victorian Government report predicts that, by 2046, 25 per cent of Victorians will be aged 60 or older.
And, with Victorians living longer than ever before, making sure police are connected with the older community is increasingly important.
In recognition of this, Victoria Police has partnered with the aged care sector for a new initiative, Stronger Together, to help older people feel empowered to report elder abuse.
As part of the initiative, local police across the state, just like Sen Const McKeown, work with Victoria Police’s Priority and Safer Communities Division (PSCD), Family Violence Command, and Elder Rights Advocacy, to visit aged care facilities.
The initiative was launched as a pilot in October last year, with Sen Const McKeown and the Sunbury PPU approached by PSCD — which developed the initiative — to hold the first Stronger Together forum in the Hume Police Service Area (PSA).
“We already have great connections with aged care facilities and senior community groups in our area, but this initiative puts a formal process in place to make sure we are connecting with as many people as we can,” Sen Const McKeown said.
The forum included presentations from police and the aged care sector to educate staff and the broader community on the forms of abuse and what it involves, as well as providing advice on how people can seek help, including through the Victims Assistance Program (VAP).
VAP includes victim support services, access to counselling, and legal and financial support.
Sunbury resident Anne Fitzpatrick attended the forum and said the information provided was extremely valuable, not just for older people, but for aged care workers and community group volunteers.
Ms Fitzpatrick is a volunteer with the Sunbury Police Community Register, a group of 24 volunteers who keep in regular contact with more than 150 Hume PSA residents through fortnightly welfare checks for seniors living independently.
If you, or someone you know, is a victim of abuse, you are encouraged to contact police or call the National Elder Abuse Phone Line.
NATIONAL ELDER ABUSE PHONE LINE
Call 1800 ELDERHelp ( 1800 353 374) to connect to a support service.
IN AN EMERGENCY
Call Triple Zero (000). If you can’t get to a phone, ask someone else to do it for you.
IN NON-URGENT CASES
If you know or suspect an older person is being abused and prefer to make an anonymous report, you can do so online via the Crime Stoppers Victoria website –crimestoppersvic.com.au/report-a-crime
“For some older people, approaching police for any reason can be daunting, so having police and Elders Rights Advocacy at the forum and sharing all the different ways support can be accessed was great,” Ms Fitzpatrick said.
Victoria Police is the first force in Australia to partner with the aged care sector for an initiative like Stronger Together and PSCD is working towards holding forums for the aged care workforce and older people across the state.
“Stronger Together was developed in consultation with older Victorians across the state so that it could be designed to best address the issues of most importance to them,” PSCD Commander Jo Stafford said.
Cmdr Stafford said police see firsthand the impact of older members of the community being abused each year and these forums would help further the work already happening across the state.
“While police continue to respond to increasing rates of abuse of older people, it remains underreported,” Cmdr Stafford said.
“These forums and visits to aged care facilities are crucial in raising awareness about the problem and
encouraging aged care workers to speak up and make a report so any suspected behaviour can be investigated.”
Sen Const McKeown recalls that, after her recent presentation at the Country Women’s Association, several women came up to her to talk specifically about the elder abuse information she had shared.
“Many of the examples and situations I mentioned resonated with a lot of the women, whether it was their own situation or friends of theirs, and many noted they weren’t aware of the support options available,” she said.
“Sadly, though, a couple of them said things along the lines of, ‘Oh well, it’s too late to do anything now’ and that’s the thinking we as police can help change.
“It’s never too late to come to us for assistance if you think you are the victim of any crime.” n
Editorial: Danielle Ford
Photography: Jesse Wray-McCann
Sen Const Kim McKeown chats with Marilyn Bray (left) and Anne Fitzpatrick from the Sunbury Police Community Register.
54 is the number of Police Service Areas across Victoria.
45 minutes is the time it takes to fill out an online application to join Victoria Police.
Go to police.vic.gov.au/ police-officer-careers to find out more.
35 Safer Exchange Sites have been set up outside police stations across the state for members of the community to exchange items purchased online.
Find out more about the sites on PAGE 3
10% is your chance of survival in a head-on crash when travelling at 100 km/h.
16 boxes of case material were compiled by Detective Sergeant Sam Greenham and his colleagues during their investigation into the infamous 70K graffiti crew.
Find out more on PAGE 6
8 is the number of episodes in the second season of Victoria Police’s official podcast, Police Life: The Experts.
To listen, go to police. vic.gov.au/policelife or wherever you get your podcasts.
20 km/h is the speed limit for e-scooters in Victoria, regardless of the signed speed limit for motorists.
Read more about e-scooters on PAGE 26
104 languages are spoken by members of Victoria Police.
To meet five of the force’s bilingual police members, go to PAGE 18
RACHEL SHENTZER
RANK: ACTING SENIOR SERGEANT GRADUATED: 25 FEBRUARY 2011
STATION: CHELSEA POLICE STATION
WHY DID YOU JOIN VICTORIA POLICE?
I'd always wanted to join since I was a teenager. After school I studied early childhood teaching and soon after graduating decided it wasn’t what I wanted to do. So I started a media degree and worked part-time writing the morning and afternoon traffic reports for radio journalists. When my kids were two and four, because I didn’t already have enough on my plate, I thought it was a really good idea to join Victoria Police. I remember saying to my family that I'd always wanted to be a police officer, and being told to stop talking about it and just do it.
TELL US ABOUT YOUR CAREER.
My training station was Doncaster, which was great as I got exposure to semi-rural areas because we'd cover Warrandyte when that station was closed. You could go from a shoplifter at Doncaster shopping centre to a fire in a bushland area. Once I was confirmed I worked at Caulfield Police Station. I then went on to Bayside and Dandenong stations where I did sergeant upgrading before I got my sergeant position at Moorabbin in 2020. Now I’m upgrading at Chelsea and hope to get a senior sergeant position.
DO YOU HAVE A CAREER GOAL AT VICTORIA POLICE?
I’d definitely love a management role. I’ve been lucky to receive upgrading opportunities and a secondment to the Victoria Police Monitoring and Assessment Centre (VPMAC). I didn’t know how I’d go at the VPMAC, as being at a station is all I've ever known, but I learned a lot in the intelligence space. That experience has encouraged me to apply for senior sergeant positions and not just operational officer in charge positions.
WHAT’S
ONE OF THE MOST MEMORABLE JOBS YOU’VE WORKED ON?
When I was a senior constable at Bayside in 2017, I was tasked with assisting in the execution of a warrant at an address where a man was hoarding animals. He had surrendered nine dingoes already, however when we attended, we found a further seven dingoes, two crocodiles, goannas, a rat kangaroo as well as exotic birds, geese, ducks, and domestic dogs and cats. It was the first time I had seen some of these animals up close, maybe a bit too close because a crocodile suddenly snapped at the glass and splashed water out of the tank. I jumped a mile, much to the amusement of my colleagues. Pleasingly, the dingoes were much friendlier. It wasn’t the type of job we’d usually attend on the van.
WHAT’S
IT LIKE WORKING AT CHELSEA POLICE STATION?
Chelsea's fantastic and the crew here are a dream to work with. In summer, it’s flat out because we’ve got everybody coming from everywhere to enjoy the beautiful beaches. We make a big effort to task units to the beach from the morning so we can knock any antisocial behaviour on the head. Southern Metro Region, where Chelsea is located, has had some specific crime challenges recently that we’ve worked hard to tackle because we want everyone to be safe while living in or visiting this area.
WHAT’S
THE MOST REWARDING PART OF YOUR JOB?
Getting a good result for a victim is definitely one of the most rewarding parts of this job. I really enjoy working with our members too. You learn a lot from them because not all new members are 19-year-olds, some of them are 45-year-olds with previous careers as geologists, teachers, pilots — the list goes on. I love hearing about their past careers and seeing what they bring to the job. The diversity of the people you get to work with and the diversity of the job are very rewarding. I just love that. n
Editorial: Emily Wan
Photography: Danielle Ford
EASY, RIDER
While zipping across town on an e-scooter might not be everyone’s cup of tea, this increasinglypopular mode of transport is here to stay in Victoria.
Following a two-year trial in metropolitan and regional areas, the Victorian Government permanently legalised e-scooters statewide in October last year.
Seen by many as a quick and convenient way to get from A to B, thousands of Victorians and tourists have jumped on board the e-scooter trend, either through a hire scheme provider or their own privately-owned vehicle.
While there is no requirement for e-scooters to be registered, the Victorian Government estimates there are about 100,000 privatelyowned e-scooters across the state, in addition to hire scooters.
And while the convenience of e-scooters is undeniable, police have seen alarming behaviour putting riders and other road users alike in harm’s way.
A four-day e-scooter blitz by police in Melbourne’s CBD last year detected more than 300 offences from riders, ranging from failing to wear a helmet, to putting pedestrians at risk by riding on the footpath.
For Sergeant Rob Petrou and his colleagues at State Highway Patrol, these actions are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to unsafe behaviour.
“In the city in particular, the vast majority of offences we pick up are for failing to wear a helmet, but we also see a lot of people riding under the influence of drugs and alcohol and failing to consider the impact it could have on their car or motorcycle licence,” Sgt Petrou said.
“The nature of the area means that many people are using e-scooters to replace a car after a few drinks on a night out, knowingly or unknowingly exceeding the legal alcohol limit.”
While the high concentration of e-scooters in the city presents its own safety risks, Sgt Petrou said it’s not the only part of the state that is causing concern.
“The Melbourne CBD is a condensed area with slower vehicle speeds and pedestrian activity, which slows riders down to a certain degree, but when we get out to the suburbs, we see speed become a real issue,” he said.
“We see privately-owned e-scooters flying along main roads with higher speed limits for cars, zooming around shopping centres, and I’ve even seen dangerous riding near hospitals putting elderly and sick people at risk.”
Police may be on the frontline of e-scooter collision scenes, but Deputy Director of Alfred Health Trauma Services Associate Professor Joseph Matthew and his colleagues are at the coalface of treating riders afterwards.
“The predominant injuries we see from e-scooter collisions are head injuries, which include brain bleeds, skull fractures and facial injuries caused when a rider lands on their face,” A/Prof Matthew said.
“Then we also see spine injuries, upper limb fractures and lower limb injuries, too.”
While the injuries are horrific, A/Prof Matthew said the impact of risky behaviour extends far beyond a trip to a hospital’s emergency department.
“Most of the people we see injured from an e-scooter collision are between the ages of 15 and 45, people who are highly productive to society and to the economy, and these injuries are taking them away from that,” he said.
“The repercussions of those injuries can have lifelong impacts, from cognitive deficits to bone-related deficits. Some people will never recover.”
While police will continue their work to stop dangerous e-scooter behaviour, riders, like all other road users, have their own responsibility to stay safe.
“I strongly urge all e-scooter riders to think about their own safety and the safety of others before and while they’re riding,” Sgt Petrou said.
“You’re not above the law of physics if you’re involved in a collision without the appropriate safety gear or when you’re under the influence. You are going to hurt yourself and possibly hurt others.” n
Editorial: Cassandra Stanghi
Photography: Bliss David
E-SCOOTER MYTHS
× “A helmet is optional.”
All e-scooter riders must wear a helmet to protect them from head injuries in case of a collision. Failing to do so attracts a penalty ranging from $395–$642.
× “I can ride with a passenger.”
Only one person, the rider, is permitted on an e-scooter at a time. Carrying a passenger is illegal and attracts a fine of $247.
× “It’s fine to ride wherever I want as long as my speed is aligned to the signed limit.”
E-scooters must not be ridden faster than 20km/h regardless of the signed speed limit for motorists. They can only be ridden on roads with a speed limit of 60km/h or less, in a bicycle lane when available, and must not be ridden on footpaths. Significant penalties apply.
× “Any e-scooter available to purchase is legal.”
Only e-scooters with a maximum speed capability of 25 km/h or less can legally be ridden on public roads in Victoria. E-scooters with higher speed capabilities can only be ridden on private property. Penalties apply.
× “I can ride after a few drinks.”
The prescribed concentration of alcohol for the rider of a compliant e-scooter rider is 0.05. Riders of non-compliant (i.e. high-powered) e-scooters are restricted to a blood alcohol concentration of 0.00 unless they hold a full and unrestricted motorcycle licence. Significant penalties and potential implications on your driver or motorcyclist licence may apply.
For more information about e-scooter rules, visit transport.vic.gov.au/road-rulesand-safety/e-scooter-road-rules
FATHER, LIKE
READY TO RESPOND: Police attend a simulated light plane crash at Stawell Airport as part of a multi-agency training exercise.
SUPPORT WITH A SMILE: Disability Liaison Officers Sergeant Gemma Hargreaves and Leading Senior Constable Michelle Neil at Run Echuca Moama.
DETECT AND DETER: Maribyrnong’s Neighbourhood Policing Team and Dog Squad members patrol Footscray Railway Station to address community concerns about drug use in the area.
MIRROR, MIRROR: Wodonga's Police Custody Officers take a quick snap mid-shift.
COFFEE WITH A COP: Senior Constable Nancy Lemieux and Constable Shannon King catch up with a local resident in Dandenong Square.
LIKE
SON: Constable Liam Scopelliti works a shift with his dad, Leading Senior Constable Frank Scopelliti, in Kyabram.
DREAMING BIG: Senior Constable Scott Kaye with future police officer Christopher at Hastings Police Station.
COMMUNITY FIRST: Geelong’s Leading Senior Constable Leonie Hill and Leading Senior Constable Christine Wilson say hello to the locals in Highton Reserve.
LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION
It’s 6am on Thursday and two members from Melbourne’s western suburbs are kitted up to patrol the roads of Keilor Downs. But today, they’ll have extra passengers in tow.
With the help of Victoria Police’s Film and Television Office, Acting Sergeant Jason McDonald and Senior Constable Morgan Bartlett will capture the ups and downs of road policing for the television show Highway Patrol
Watched by millions on the Seven Network every year, the series gives viewers a behind-the-scenes look at the shocking array of offences detected by Highway Patrol units every day, as well as the members’ dedication to keeping Victoria’s roads safe.
After a quick chat with one of the show’s hosts, Acting Sergeant Holly Gibson, Brimbank Highway Patrol’s A/Sgt McDonald and Sen Const Bartlett set off down one of Keilor Downs’ busiest thoroughfares.
A/Sgt Gibson, trailing behind with the production team, said it was key that the members paid very little attention to her and the film crew.
“I always say to the members, just do exactly what you’d normally do,” A/Sgt Gibson said.
“They’re mic’d up and have cameras inside their vehicles, capturing where they’re going and what they’re saying. So aside from us pulling them aside for a chat in front of the camera between jobs, they can pretty much forget about us.”
As soon as they hit the road, the pair spotted an unregistered vehicle. But this wasn’t the only problem.
The vehicle was also travelling with a trailer containing a large amount of unsecured building material.
If it were to fall off while the vehicle was travelling at high speeds, it could pose a significant danger to surrounding drivers, so A/Sgt McDonald and Sen Const Bartlett pulled the vehicle over.
Having attended a devastating incident involving unsecured trailer contents in the past, the duo was keen to educate the driver on the potential consequences of his actions.
“It’s an offence to transport a load that is not properly secured, so pulling the vehicle over meant A/Sgt McDonald and Sen Const Bartlett could communicate this to the driver,” A/Sgt Gibson said.
After a quick debrief on camera, the pair got back on the road.
Not long after, they spotted several more unregistered vehicles, one of which was occupied by a man who was more than happy to talk to police — until A/Sgt McDonald questioned the legitimacy of his driver license.
The license photo didn’t resemble the driver whatsoever.
Initially, the man stuck to his story, claiming that he’d changed his hair and lost weight since the ID photo was taken.
But eventually, with persistence from A/Sgt McDonald and Sen Const Bartlett, he admitted to producing identification that belonged to someone else.
“He had been caught speeding just a few months earlier and his license was still suspended,” A/Sgt Gibson said.
“So the members reinforced the suspension by impounding his vehicle, preventing him from continuing to drive dangerously.”
Senior Sergeant Anthoula Moutis, from the Film and Television Office, said the unpredictability of road policing is just one of the things that have kept Highway Patrol fans hooked since the show premiered in 2009.
“We’re now up to Season 14 and it continues to attract consistently high ratings, not only because it’s entertaining, but because it gives viewers a rare glimpse behind the scenes,” Sen Sgt Moutis said.
“The series is relatable, educational, portrays a strong sense of fairness, and most importantly, reminds Victorians to stay safe on the roads.” n
Editorial and photography: Lane Mihaljevic
Sen Const Morgan Bartlett speaks to a driver as A/Sgt Holly Gibson and the Highway Patrol film crew watch on.
MORE THAN A GAME
There were runs scored, wickets taken and a winner at the end of the match. However, for the Victoria Police Cricket Club (VPCC) and students from Peninsula Grammar, the annual Road Safety Shield T20 match is about more than cricket.
The match is the brainchild of Somerville Proactive Policing Unit members, who were looking for a new way to engage with the community and educate students about the importance of road safety.
“While it’s only the third year the match has been held, the significance behind it goes back to 1998 when three Peninsula Grammar students were killed in a car accident in Frankston,”
VPCC president Detective Sergeant Kieran Rodgers said.
“Every year it’s gotten bigger and it’s an effective way for us to engage with the students, who are all at an age where they are either learning to drive or getting their licences.
“We find that using cricket as the icebreaker means they open up to us more and it makes it easier to have those impactful conversations about safe road behaviours with them.”
Road Policing Command Assistant Commissioner Glenn Weir has attended the match each year to share the importance of road safety and to enjoy an afternoon of cricket.
“I’m always grateful to have a chance to speak with the
community about the importance of road safety, and to do it at an event where people are also connecting over a shared love of cricket is a great thing,” AC Weir said.
“Data shows us that under 25s make up a significant percentage of road users injured or killed on the road and education is so vital for this age group to help them learn about risk assessing, good decision making and how to be responsible when using the roads.
“Engagement is a key focus of our road safety strategy and the VPCC’s work is an excellent demonstration of that.”
The Road Safety Shield is just one of more than 15 community engagement or fundraising events the VPCC takes part in every year.
In 2015 the club established the Luke Batty Memorial Shield, played annually against the Tyabb Cricket Club in honour of Tyabb youngster Luke Batty.
Luke was tragically killed by his father in 2014, and the Memorial Shield is a marquee event for both the club and the Tyabb community.
The VPCC also participates in events with various other schools across Victoria to strengthen
relationships with young members of the community, with the majority of Victoria Police employees involved giving up their own time to take part.
VPCC captain Detective Senior Sergeant Steven Oates said swapping police uniform for cricket kit allows members to engage with the community on a different level.
“Rather than just seeing the uniform, they see us as people that they can relate to and talk to,” Det Sen Sgt Oates said.
“Regardless of our different backgrounds, experiences or interests, during a match, we instantly have one thing in common with every person on that field — cricket.” n
Editorial: Danielle Ford
Photography: Supplied
The Victoria Police Cricket Club and Peninsula Grammar students faced off in the third annual Road Safety Shield in late 2024.
THE LAST RIDE
After an extraordinary 17-year career, Victoria Police’s last police-bred horse, Xavier, has trotted into retirement.
Xavier was born at ‘The Police Stud Farm’ in Attwood, home to the Mounted Branch and its many serving police horses.
Throughout his service, Xavier was known for his calm and reliable nature.
“I miss seeing the world between his ears and sharing my meal pack with him, even though he was always very greedy,” Xavier’s Mounted Branch partner Senior Constable Kara Fiorentino (pictured) said.
His retirement marks the end of an era for police-bred horses. For almost 25 years, the breeding program saw four to 12 foals born each year. When grown, only a few of these would possess the unique traits required to be a successful police horse. The program ended in 2006 and a new approach was taken to acquiring police horses.
These days, Victoria Police purchases horses from the open market and each one is trained at the Mounted Branch before being deployed for duty.
Xavier is now enjoying his retirement in the paddock at Sen Const Fiorentino’s home, where he is getting thoroughly spoiled. n
HOPEFUL OFFICER GETS VIP TREATMENT
An aspiring police officer cemented his desire to join Victoria Police when he was given a front-row glimpse at some of the career pathways on offer.
Twelve-year-old Luka took part in a ‘Junior Police Officer for a Day’ experience, which his mum Johanna won in an auction at the Blue Ribbon Ball — a fundraising event for the Blue Ribbon Foundation.
As part of the experience, Luka was treated with visits to the Air Wing, Dog Squad and Mounted Branch, an exhibition from the Special Operations Group (SOG) and Critical Incident Response Team, and a trip to the Victoria Police Academy to watch a graduation ceremony.
Luka (pictured right, with SOG members), who attends Wonthaggi Secondary College, said the day cemented his desire to join the force one day.
For Johanna, a highlight was visiting the Victoria Police Academy, which her late sister,
who worked for Victoria Police for 15 years, spoke so fondly about.
“It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and we feel so extremely lucky that we got to experience it,” Johanna said.
“Going to the Academy, a place my sister loved, was a wonderful way to end the day and I hope one day I will sit there and watch Luka graduate.” n
YOUTH CRIME PROJECT REWARDED
Police from Melbourne’s north west celebrated the success of their Youth Crime Prevention and Early Intervention Project (YCPEIP) with a Silver Award win at the Australian Crime and Violence Prevention Awards.
The YCPEIP program aims to prevent local 10- to 24-yearold participants from entering or becoming entrenched in the criminal justice system by equipping police to better manage youth offenders who come into their custody.
Sunshine Police Station’s Sergeant Stephen Turner (pictured below left, at the awards ceremony), who led the project in his division, said police are provided with training and are supported to issue warnings, cautions, and referrals for young people.
“Since implementation, YCPEIP has substantially reduced the rate of offending and re-offending among participants,” Sgt Turner said.
Commander Mark Galliott, Victoria Police’s youth portfolio
holder, said support service youth referrals and engagement had significantly increased since the program’s implementation.
“This award celebrates the project team’s hard work in getting better outcomes for these young people,” Cmdr Galliott said.
Victoria Police’s text-based notification service to report nonurgent unwanted sexual and antisocial behaviour, STOPIT, won a Gold Award at the same event. n
