DEEP concern has flared over a chronic under-resourcing of Wodonga police, hindering their fight against the city’s “ice” problem.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
Police Association Victoria delegates held fears for the health and well-being of their members after a 90-minute meeting on Thursday.
They told the association 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 said if it wasn’t for the goodwill of officers, Wodonga would not have a police service at all.
"They are using antiquated technology and have nowhere near enough people to deal with ice-affected people and people with mental illness," Insp McKenzie said.
"We are absolutely shocked, disappointed and saddened by what we have heard off our members in Wodonga.
“Officers don’t have smart phones, their computers are outdated and some units at this station don’t even have a printer.
“The LEAP database they use is a relic from the 1980s and is supposed to be used with another software called Interpose.
“However, the two systems aren't compatible.”
The association has visited Shepparton, Morwell and Bendigo, though ice-related crime was found to be more prevalent in Wodonga than other regional areas.
Eighty per cent of burglaries in Wodonga are committed by people affected by ice, or methamphetamine.
To further compound the issue, since January 2012 there have been nearly 6000 reports of family violence made to the Wodonga station.
About 1700 of these reports were linked to criminal offences.
Victorian branch delegate Wayne Gatt said crimes relating to ice, mental health and family violence were high in Wodonga.
But he said that despite that, the station received minimal resources.
“We heard that when a person who officers repetitively deal with presents for the first time on ice, they are completely different, they become unpredictable and aggressive,” he said.
“The criminal element they are dealing with here in Wodonga are much more advanced when it comes to technology than the police are, and when it gets to that stage it’s embarrassing, disappointing and it's really unforgivable.
“We don't know why the resources aren't reaching this part of the state, but we intend to find out why.”
The association has blamed Victoria Police and and the state government and said it would these issues before them.
