By Cam Lucadou-Wells
The South East’s new police boss lists family violence, lawlessness in Dandenong’s CBD and hooning as among her greatest priorities.
Superintendent Jo Stafford – a former nurse and a police officer for 25 years – told Star Journal that she wants police who help “make our community a better place”.
Supt Stafford says it’s not enough to just focus on traditional policing issues.
There’s a need to “rise to the challenge” to tackle complex issues such as family violence alongside of other agencies like child protection, councils and emergency housing.
“Family violence is at the heart of everything.
“If you can keep a family safe and ensure the children are brought up in a loving environment, it sets them up for a better future.”
In a current operation, police have renewed focus on “high-risk” family violence offenders.
In the past two months, 37 of them in the South East have been arrested and brought before courts.
According to official crime stats, Greater Dandenong’s family violence offences have fallen from 785 to 755 in the 12 months up to March 2022.
Five years ago, there were 1024 offences.
In the past year, Casey’s offences fell from 1402 to 1320.
However, incidents were up by a third in Cardinia, from 332 to 445 – perhaps partly attributable to steep population growth.
Higher numbers of family violence reports can also show that more victims are confident enough to coming forward.
It’s important to build that trust, Supt Stafford says.
And for victims to know that police – including dedicated family-violence detectives – will respond, investigate, and hold offenders to account.
Hooning has been another focus for South East police, including a community forum in Casey last week.
Since June 2021, police have arrested 22 high-risk hoons in the South East and laid more than 400 charges.
Across the state, 240 offenders have been charged and 150 cars impounded.
Supt Stafford says hoon activity has in turn declined.
But she urged the public to report hoon gatherings on triple-0 or Crime Stoppers before there’s harm on the roads. CCTV and dash-cam footage is particularly useful.
She cites an anonymous tip-off on Crime Stoppers on the afternoon of Tuesday 26 July, warning of a “high-risk driving event” planned that night.
During a patrol of known hoon hotspots in Greater Dandenong, police found and dispersed a large group of cars in Commercial Drive, Lynbrook before any hooning started.
Another priority are unruly groups of youths inflicting mayhem and damage in Dandenong’s CBD, particularly Lonsdale Street.
Police were increasing patrols in Lonsdale Street and the CBD, and had made arrests for a recent high-profile criminal damage spree at Dandenong Plaza, Supt Stafford said.
“We have listened to the community and made sure we had more members down there. We’re continually engaging with business and shop owners in the area.”
There was also dialogue with City of Greater Dandenong and the youths themselves.
Supt Stafford also responded to recent fatal shootings, including one in Cranbourne on 29 June and Noble Park on 11 July.
Neither of those shootings were linked to outlaw bikie gangs. Most of the OMCG shootings had occurred in Melbourne’s North West, she noted.
“I want to assure the South East that we understand if you see a shooting in your back yard or on the other side of the street it makes you feel unsafe.
“We understand that gun violence can really make community members feel shaken and we will not stand for it.
“Everyone involved in that activity can expect a swift response from police. We have zero tolerance for any kind of violent criminal behaviour, particularly when it involves firearms any other type of weapon.”
Supt Stafford highlighted some crimes were at their lowest rates for some years, including thefts from vehicles, serious assaults and robbery.
“A big part of it is being proactive, using our resources to focus on those areas of greatest community concern.”
A Victoria Police officer for 25 years, Supt Stafford brings an unconventional array of experience.
Just two years in, she questioned her vocation after a police shooting
She took time out to travel overseas, and studied and worked in emergency-and-trauma nursing at Melbourne hospitals.
At one point, she juggled policing, nursing and parenting at the same time.
In 2016, it got to the stage that she had to opt for one career path.
She chose full-time policing – serving on the front-line, media and comms, professional standards command unit, investigating sexual offences and child abuse, as well as training officers.
“I love policing. It’s an exciting job.
“It has so much meaning in terms of what drives people, to give back to your community and make your community a better place.
“As I’ve got older and had more experience and investing in the next generation of police officers coming up the ranks with juniors that are so committed.
“It’s a pleasure working every day.”
