It was with the revelation that some officers had even offered to buy equipment themselves that led to members of the community coming forward, keen to help.

A week ago it was reported in The Border Mail how the under-resourcing of the station was hindering local officers’ fight against the city’s methamphetamine problem.

Members told the Police Association Victoria of the out-dated technology and unreasonable overtime they must work to try to stay ahead of crime in Wodonga.

Association assistant secretary Inspector Bruce McKenzie put it best.

"They are using antiquated technology and have nowhere near enough people to deal with ice-affected people and people with mental illness," he said after meeting Wodonga members.

And as he went on to say, the people who are really get short-changed from this are Wodonga’s residents.

The community’s offers of help have been rejected, something not unexpected given the need for police to be seen to be independent and not in any way open to influence or coercion.

That of course does not let the people at the top in Victoria Police or the government itself off the hook.

Clearly there is a need for proper support of the people who put their lives on the line constantly for this community.

That is the reality, not some empty cliche. Wodonga’s police officers cannot be faulted for their selfless commitment.

It is all because crimes relating to ice, mental health and family violence are high in Wodonga, with nearly 1700 of the nearly 6000 reports of family violence made to the Wodonga station linked to criminal offences.

The time has come when Victoria Police has to make a real effort to support its troops on the ground.

Again, Inspector McKenzie is on the mark when he says Victoria Police senior management “really needs to step back from statistics and rely on talking to its people”.

We support the association on this point. Wodonga must be provided with some constructive support.

And the sooner the better.