A NEW crime scene investigation unit will operate in the Wimmera.
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Horsham Inspector Trevor Ashton said Victoria Police Western Division 4, which includes Horsham and Northern Grampians Police Service Areas, had been lobbying for a boost to its crime scene management and investigation capacities for more than two years.
“The crime scene desk will give us a greater scope of crime scene management and investigation,” he said.
The unit will comprise a managing sergeant and four specialist members.
“They will be responsible for internal processes of crime reporting, but more importantly, will be responsible for crime scene investigation, management and gathering of evidence,” Mr Ashton said.
He said two members of the new unit were already working in the division.
Another three positions will be advertised, including the role of managing sergeant.
“We are hoping the positions will be released come late September, leading into October,” Mr Ashton said.
“It is a wonderful opportunity that we haven’t seen here within the division.”
He said the crime scene staff would not be the only specialist police members to join Western Division 4 in coming months.
A position in Ararat’s Sexual Offences and Child Abuse Investigation Team is now open.
Victoria Police is also recruiting four more frontline police, who will be distributed between Horsham, Stawell and Ararat.
The State Government made an election commitment to put 1700 more police on the beat in Victoria.
Member for Swan Hill Peter Walsh said Western Division 4 stations had an extra 23 officers as a result.
Meanwhile, he said another 478 aspiring police members were completing their final training.
“A record $2.43 billion is being provided to Victoria Police in 2014-15, representing a $439 million or 22 per cent increase on the previous Labor government’s last budget in 2010,” he said.
Last year, Victoria Police sacrificed its Pipe Band, Code One rock band and Showband for more front-line police.
Mr Ashton said Horsham had welcomed two new sergeants and six new members in the past 18 months.