400 custody officers to free up police

CUSTODY officers could be freeing up Dandenong police time by January.
The State Government is set to introduce legislation on Tuesday 6 October to create the new role.
Police Minister Wade Noonan said the 400 new custody officers would free up police to do the job they were trained to do.
Recruitment started last month and training at the Police Academy will start in December.
The officers will be deployed to six pilot sites – including Dandenong – from January and to 22 police stations in Victoria over the next three years.
Custody officers will have the power to manage prisoners in police cells, supervise offenders in police stations, transport people to and from court, police stations and other places, and guard offenders in hospital.
Officers will also be able to supervise offenders while they take swabs for DNA samples and help with breath and drug testing in police stations.
They’ll be employed as public servants and will not use guns or tasers.
The State Government developed the legislation in close consultation with Victoria Police, The Police Association and the Community and Public Sector Union.