Four officers have started work at Wodonga and four at Wangaratta, with more to join in coming months.

They are responsible for managing those arrested, which Wodonga Senior Sergeant Chris Parr said would free up other officers for duty.

“They started (on Monday) and we’re very happy to have them here,” he said.

“The officers will arrest or detain someone.

“That person comes into the station.

“From the minute they come into the station, the custody officers take control of those people and look after all their needs, freeing up our officers to go out on the road much sooner.”

The custody officers bring offenders into and out of court and have a range of other duties.

While they work for Victoria Police, they are different to frontline members.

“The custody officers are public servants,” Senior Sergeant Parr said.

“They only have limited training and limited powers but inside the station there basically is no difference.

“Once the person is brought into the station, the custody officer’s in charge.”

Parliamentary justice secretary Ben Carroll said the new officers needed to be quick-witted, diplomatic and calm.

“They are often dealing with people affected by alcohol and increasingly crystal methamphetamine,” he said.

“Often when people come in they can be quite agitated. 

"(The custody officers) need to be both mentally and physically fit. 

“It's a job that's demanding, it's a job you need to be hungry for.”

Police had 92 applicants for the Wodonga jobs who ranged in age and life experiences. 

New officer Narelle Perry is returning to the Wodonga station after previously spending two-and-a-half years in administration.

“I knew these jobs were coming up and I thought it would be something I could do to help the members get out on the frontline,” she said. 

In other police news, Wodonga officers now have access to Tasers.

The devices give police a non-lethal option to use on violent offenders.