Boost to police numbers

POLICE numbers in the south eastern suburbs have received a boost, with six new police officers to be placed at the Springvale and Dandenong stations.
Police Minister and Lyndhurst MP Tim Holding said the six new officers were among 48 to graduate from the Police Academy last week.
Mr Holding said the officers were now part of the largest police force in Victoria’s history.
“More police lead to safer streets and neighbourhoods,” he said.
Mr Holding congratulated and thanked the new officers as they were officially sworn in at a ceremony in Glen Waverley.
“Certainly it takes physical stamina (to be a police officer),” he said. “But it also takes mental strength, determination and compassion.”
Mr Holding said the boost to police numbers coincided with a program to build new stations, including one in Springvale and one in Cranbourne. “The government is in the midst of the biggest police station building program in history, and we’re on track to deliver on our promise of 1400 additional police over two terms of government,” he said.