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The early settlers of Melbourne provided their own Police force and in 1840 there were 12 constables who were paid two shillings and nine pence per day and the chief constable was Mr. W (Tulip) Wright.[4] Charles Brodie followed Wright as chief constable in 1842 and was succeeded by W. J. Sugden who held the positions of 'town chief constable' and superintendent of the local fire brigade.[4] By 1847 there were Police in 'country centres' and the Melbourne force was composed of 'one chief officer, four sergeants, and 20 petty constables'.[4] There was also 'a force of 28 mounted natives' enlisted and trained by DeVilliers and, later, Captain Pulteney Dana.[4] The Snodgrass Committee was established in early 1852 to 'identify the policing needs of the colony' and, following the Committee's report in September, 1852, the Victoria Police was formally established on 8 January 1853[5] from an existing colonial police force of 875 men. Later that month William Henry Fancourt Mitchell was 'gazetted as Chief Commissioner of Police for the Colony of Victoria'.[6] Their first major engagement was the following year, 1854, in support of British soldiers during the events leading up to, and confrontation at, the Eureka Stockade where some miners (mostly Irish), police and soldiers were killed. From a report at the time: 'the troops and Police were under arms, and just at the first blush of dawn they marched upon the camp at Eureka'.[7] Following the brutality of the police after the stockade, public opinion turned against them, the 13 miners charged with treason were all acquitted and police numbers were dramatically cut. Mitchell resigned as Chief Commissioner and Charles MacMahon, was appointed acting Chief Commissioner that same year.[8] After the formation of the Victorian Police, the first recorded death on duty was Edward Gray in 1853, followed by William Hogan in 1854, both of drowning.[9] The following couple of decades saw the growth of the police force, including the beginning of construction of the Russell Street police station in 1859[10] (site of the later Russell Street Police Headquarters) and the establishment of a special station in William Street to protect the Royal Mint in 1872. Mounted police outside the Sarah Sands Hotel in Brunswick awaiting a march by the unemployed in 1893. Six years later, three more officers (Kennedy, Lonigan and Scanlan) who were hunting the Kelly Gang, were killed by them at Stringybark Creek.[11][12] Two years later, in 1880, the police confronted the Kelly Gang at Glenrowan. A shoot-out ensued on 28 June, during which three members of the Kelly Gang were killed and following which Ned Kelly was shot and captured.[13] 1880 also saw the formation of the Aboriginal Tracker Corps. The corps was disbanded in 1968. In 1888 Senior Constable John Barry produced the first Victoria Police Guide, a manual for officers.[14] (The Victoria Police Manual, as it is now known, remains the comprehensive guide to procedure in the Victoria Police.) Police officers were granted the right to vote in parliamentary elections the same year.[15] In 1899 the force introduced the Victoria Police Valour Award to recognise the bravery of members.[16] Three years later, in 1902, the right to a police pension was revoked.[17] 1923 Victorian Police strike Main article: 1923 Victorian Police strike On 31 October 1923 members of the Victoria Police Force refused duty and went on strike over the introduction of a new supervisory system. The police strike led to riots and looting in Melbourne's central business district. The Victorian government enlisted Special Constables, and the Commonwealth of Australia called out the Australian military. Victoria Police are the only Australian police department to ever go on strike. Only a few of the strikers were ever employed as policemen again, but the government increased pay and conditions for police as a result. Members of the Victoria Police (as its officers are generally known) now have among the highest union membership rates of any occupation, at well over 90%. The Victorian police union, the Police Association, remains a very powerful industrial and political force in Victoria. Recent history – controversy and corruption allegations In the 1980s and 1990s allegations were made against most Australian police forces of corruption and graft, culminating in the establishment of several Royal Commissions and anti-corruption watchdogs. Inquiries have also been held into Victoria Police (Beach et al.). The force was criticised because members of the public (both innocent and guilty) were being fatally shot at a rate exceeding that of all other Australian police forces combined.[18] In 2001, Christine Nixon was appointed Chief Commissioner, becoming the first woman to head a police force in Australia. In addition to allegations of corruption among the Uniformed Members of Victoria Police, allegations also surfaced in respect of senior members of the Civil Service serving in Victoria Police. Two Motions were raised in the Supreme Court of Victoria. One, Motion 5771/2002 alleged that senior members of Victoria Police divulged the name of a senior Victoria Police Whistleblower to the detriment of his safety. The other, Motion 6337/2002 alleged that the Ombudsman's Office and Auditor General's Office in Victoria had falsified evidence and produced a whitewash report into allegations of corruption in relation to several multi-million dollar contracts. For reference, these documents may be viewed at the Prothonotary's Office at the Supreme Court of Victoria in Melbourne. In June 2003, Taskforce Purana was set up under the command of (then) Assistant Commissioner Simon Overland to investigate Melbourne's "gangland killings". Victoria Police boat docked. In May 2004 former police officer Simon Illingworth appeared on Australian Story to tell his disturbing story of entrenched police corruption in Victoria Police. He has also written a book about his experiences entitled Filthy Rat.[19] In early 2007, Don Stewart, a retired Supreme Court judge, called for a Royal Commission into Victorian police corruption. Stewart alleged that the force was riddled with corruption that the Office of Police Integrity was unable to deal with.[20] In early February 2009, in response to evidence that many of the 2009 Victorian bushfires were deliberately lit, Chief Commissioner Christine Nixon announced the creation of Taskforce Phoenix to investigate all related deaths during the fires, to be led by Assistant Commissioner Dannye Moloney of the crime department and was composed of around 100 police officers.[21] On 2 March 2009, Simon Overland was named as the new Chief Commissioner, replacing Christine Nixon, who was retiring.[22] Simon Overland prematurely resigned on 16 June 2011.[why?] In November 2011 then Acting Chief Commissioner Ken Lay was named as Chief Commissioner after five months in caretaking. On 21 October 2011 the Police Force evicted Occupy Melbourne protesters from Melbourne City Square. Despite 173 arrests being made, no charges have been laid against any protesters.[23] As the protest continued at other locations through November and December 2011. Rank structure Question book-new.svg This section does not cite any references or sources. Please help improve this section by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (August 2012) Victoria Police Highway Patrol Victoria Police motorcycle escort in Geelong See also: Australian police ranks The Victoria Police is run in a para-military structure. All sworn members start at the lowest rank of Probationary Constable / Constable and work their way up. Confirmed Constables are promoted in situ to Senior Constable after 4 years and successful completion of re-introduced exams. Promotion beyond Senior Constable is highly competitive. Constable & Non-Commissioned Ranks Rank Constable First Constable[24] Senior Constable Leading Senior Constable Sergeant Senior Sergeant Insignia Vic-police-constable.png Rank epaulette of a First Constable of the Victoria Police. Vic-police-senior-constable.png Vic-police-leading-senior-constable.png Vic-police-sergeant.png Vic-police-senior-sergeant.png Commissioned Ranks Rank Inspector Superintendent Commander Assistant Commissioner Deputy Commissioner Chief Commissioner Insignia Vic-police-inspector.png Vic-police-superintendent.png Vic-police-commander.png Wa-police-assistant-commissioner.png Vic-police-deputy-commissioner.png Wa-police-commissioner.png Non-Commissioned Ranks Victoria Police vehicles in Melbourne Promotion to the Rank of Sergeant and beyond is based upon a "merit based" promotion system. A Sergeant normally manages a team during a shift, like Patrol Supervisor of a district for a shift. A Detective Sergeant is normally in charge of a team in a specific part of either Local Detectives at Police Stations or crime squads. A Senior Sergeant oversees the Sergeants and traditionally perform more administrative work, coordination of policing operations or specialist work other than active patrol duties. They perform middle management duties. General duties Senior Sergeants are traditionally in charge of most police stations or can be a sub-charge (or second in charge) of larger (usually a twenty-four hour) police station. In each Division, or group of divisions on a night shift, a Senior Sergeant is the Division Supervisor for a shift and is responsible for managing and overseeing incidents in their area. Detective Senior Sergeants are usually Officer in Charge of the Crime Investigation Units. Designations Additional classifications are available for members skilful enough, and upon completion of certain training and work-based performances, for classification of Detective at Senior Constable level. Detectives also hold classification up to Chief Superintendent. Desolved Ranks Victoria Police 2004 Holden VZ Commodore SS. Rank Chief Inspector Chief Superintendent Insignia Vic-police-chief-inspector.png Vic-police-chief-superintendent.png The ranks of Chief Inspector and Chief Superintendent are no longer promotable ranks, however some officers still hold these ranks. Positions It used to be the case that Leading Senior Constable (LSC) is a position listed in the Rank structure but was not a Rank per se. It was only open for Senior Constables to apply for and was not a permanent position. If a member transferred to another duty type or station, the officer was then relieved of the position of LSC. It was primarily a position for Field Training Officers who oversees the training and development of inexperienced Probationary Constables or Constables. The most recent round of wage negotiations however saw the title of Leading Senior Constable become an actual rank. It is awarded "in situ" but only after assessments have been made against the Senior Constable's ability to move to the higher position. Leading Senior Constables are now capable of being upgraded to Acting Sergeant and it is expected that the position is one that people will move through as they are promoted. Members who held the position or classification of Leading Senior Constable under the last Enterprise Bargaining Agreements will retain their title and position. Detective branch Question book-new.svg This section does not cite any references or sources. Please help improve this section by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (August 2012) Flag of the Victoria Police Detectives form an integral function in Victoria Police for the detection and investigation of serious crime. Crimes ranging from Burglaries and major thefts, serious assaults and now, as a result of the reorganisation of the Crime Department, Murder/Suicides are just some of the crimes investigated by Suburban (Divisional) Detectives. Many major police stations, in places such as Prahran, Fawkner, Broadmeadows, Dandenong, Geelong and Melbourne West have a Crime Investigation Unit attached to the station, which looks after crime within those and other neighbouring sub-districts falling within their area. The State Crime Squads, situated in St Kilda Road, have been recently realigned and contain a number of squads and mini taskforces responsible for the investigation of major drug trafficking activities, major frauds, Homicides, Armed Robbery and Firearms Trafficking and sex offences to name but a few. A flag of the Victoria Police, dedicated on 7 February 1997, held at the Chapel of the Victoria Police Academy. To become a Detective within Victoria Police members must be confirmed Senior Constables, with at least 4 years service, have completed the Field Investigation Course and obtained sufficient experience to sustain the application and interviewing process. Upon obtaining a position at a CIU/Squad, members must then complete the training package (preliminary portfolio of work and course attendance) at the School of Investigation (Detective Training School) to confirm their position as a qualified Detective. Detective positions within Victoria Police are highly sought after and awarded, generally, to only the best police applying. Traditionally, more experienced detectives cut their teeth at divisions and then moved into the crime squads. However the last 10 years has seen a switch in that progression, in that many junior detectives first obtain positions at the sometimes easier to fill Crime Department positions and then later moving onto divisional work. One major reason for this is the travel and often heavy hours involved in working within Metropolitan Melbourne. Honours and Awards Recognition of the bravery and good conduct of Victoria Police employees is shown through the awarding of honours and decorations. Employees (including both sworn and unsworn personnel) are eligible to receive awards both as a part of the Australian Honours System and the internal Victoria Police awards system.[25] Australian Honours System Victoria Police Employees, like those of their counterparts in other states police forces, are eligible for awards under the Australian Honours System, including: Australian Bravery Decorations,[26] namely the Cross of Valour (CV), Star of Courage (SC), Bravery Medal (BM) and the Commendation for Brave Conduct. Australian Police Medal[27] – The Australian Police Medal (APM) recognises distinguished service by a sworn police employee and is awarded on Australia Day and Queen’s Birthday each year; Police Overseas Service Medal[28] – The Police Overseas Service Medal (POSM) recognises service by employees of Australian police forces with international peacekeeping organisations; Humanitarian Overseas Service Medal[29] – The Humanitarian Overseas Service Medal (HOSM) honours members of recognised Australian groups that perform humanitarian service overseas in hazardous circumstances; National Medal[30] – Available to sworn police employees only, the National Medal (NM) is awarded to specified categories of employees from recognised organisations for diligent service and good conduct over a sustained period. Issued for 15 years service with a clasp issued for each additional 10 years of eligible service; Public Service Medal[31] – The Public Service Medal (PSM) is awarded for outstanding public service and is awarded on Australia Day and Queen’s Birthday each year; Campaign Medals such as United Nations Medal For Service, when seconded or attached to an appropriate United Nations position overseas. Victoria Police is the primary law enforcement agency of Victoria, Australia. It was formed in 1853. As of 2013, Victoria Police has over 12,539 sworn members, along with over 103 Recruits, 7 Reservists, 589 Protective Services Officers and over 2,522[1] civilian staff across 325 police stations.[1] It has a running cost of approx. 2.1b $AUD which mounts to A$372 per Victorian resident.[3] |
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