Victoria Police is the primary law enforcement agency of Victoria, Australia. As of 2007, the Victoria Police has over 13,600 personnel along with over 2,100 civilian staff across 339 police stations. Image File history File links Vpol1. ... January 8 is the 8th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Special Operations Group (SOG) Police, Victoria, Australia Contents History Mission Principle Roles History The Special Operations Group was formed in 1977. ... For the band, see The Police. ... “VIC” redirects here. ... 2007 is a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

History

Early history

Mounted officers of the Victoria Police

The Victoria Police was formally established on 8 January 1853 from an existing colonial police force of 875 men. The first appointment as Chief Commissioner was William Henry Fancourt Mitchell. Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (3072x2048, 3324 KB)Mounted officers of the Victoria Police ride through the tram stop in front of Flinders Street Station, Melbourne This image has been released into the public domain by the copyright holder, its copyright has expired, or it is... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (3072x2048, 3324 KB)Mounted officers of the Victoria Police ride through the tram stop in front of Flinders Street Station, Melbourne This image has been released into the public domain by the copyright holder, its copyright has expired, or it is... January 8 is the 8th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1853 was a common year starting on Saturday (see link for calendar). ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Sir William Henry Fancourt Mitchell KB (1811 – 24 February 1884) was an Australian politician. ...

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 unarmed miners (mostly Irish) were killed. 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. 1854 (MDCCCLIV) was a common year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar). ... The Eureka Stockade was a gold miners revolt in 1854 in Ballarat, Victoria, Australia, against the officials supervising the mining of gold in the region of Ballarat. ...

A new Chief Commissioner, Charles MacMahon, was appointed that same year. The first death in the line of duty, that of Constable William Hogan, also occurred in 1854.

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 and the establishment of a special station in William Street to protect the Royal Mint in 1872. Year 1859 (MDCCCLIX) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Thursday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ... Year 1872 (MDCCCLXXII) was a leap year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian Calendar (or a leap year starting on Saturday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ...

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 had jailed Ned Kelly's mother were murdered by the Kelly Gang at Stringybark Creek. Two years later, in 1880, the police confronted the Kelly Gang at Glenrowan. A shoot-out ensued on June 28, during which three members of the Kelly Gang were killed and following which Ned Kelly was captured. Download high resolution version (1000x619, 220 KB)Mounted police await an unemployed march outside the Sarah Sands Hotel in Brunswick, Victoria in 1893. ... Download high resolution version (1000x619, 220 KB)Mounted police await an unemployed march outside the Sarah Sands Hotel in Brunswick, Victoria in 1893. ... Brunswick is an inner suburb of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. ... Year 1893 (MDCCCXCIII) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Tuesday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ... Ned Kelly the day before his execution Edward Ned Kelly (c. ... Year 1880 (MDCCCLXXX) was a leap year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a leap year starting on Tuesday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ... Glenrowan is a small town located in the Benalla Local Government Area of Victoria, Australia. ... is the 179th day of the year (180th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Ned Kelly the day before his execution Edward Ned Kelly (c. ...

1880 also saw the formation of the Aboriginal Tracker Corps. The corps was disbanded in 1968. Year 1968 (MCMLXVIII) was a leap year starting on Monday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...

In 1888 Senior Constable John Barry produced the first Victoria Police Guide, a manual for officers. (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. For the toll-free telephone number see Toll-free telephone number Year 1888 (MDCCCLXXXVIII) was a leap year starting on Sunday (click on link for calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a leap year starting on Friday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ... Voting is a method of decision making wherein a group such as a meeting or an electorate attempts to gauge its opinion—usually as a final step following discussions or debates. ...

In 1899 the force introduced the Victoria Police Valour Award to recognise the bravery of members. Three years later, in 1902, the right to a police pension was revoked. Year 1899 (MDCCCXCIX) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Friday [1] of the 12-day-slower Julian calendar). ... 1902 (MCMII) was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ...

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 CBD. 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. On the eve of the Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival in November 1923, half the police force in Melbourne went on strike over the operation of a supervisory system using spooks. Riots and looting followed as crowds poured forth from Flinders Street Station on the Friday and Saturday nights and made... is the 304th day of the year (305th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1923 (MCMXXIII) was a common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... The City of Melbournes coat of arms The central business district of Melbourne, viewed from the north Alternate meanings: Melbourne (disambiguation) Melbourne is the capital and largest city of the state of Victoria, and the second largest city in Australia, with a population of 52,117 in the Central... The Australian Defence Force (ADF) is the military organisation responsible for the defence of Australia. ...

None of the strikers were ever employed as policemen again, and 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. The Police Association Victoria is the union organisation representing about 11,000 members of the Victoria Police. ...

Recent history

Memorial in Kings Domain, Melbourne to Victoria Police officers slain in the line of duty

In the 1980s and 1990s most Australian police forces battled widespread allegations of corruption and graft. These allegations culminated in the establishment of several Royal Commissions and anti-corruption watchdogs. Victoria Police have also had their fair share of inquiries (Beach et al). Criticisms centred around the fact that Victoria Police members were shooting dead members of the public (both innocent and guilty) at a rate exceeding that of all other Australian police forces combined. Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (3072x2048, 4136 KB)Memorial in the Royal Botanic Gardens, Melbourne to Victoria Police officers slain in the line of duty See skinny version of this file This image has been released into the public domain by the copyright holder, its copyright... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (3072x2048, 4136 KB)Memorial in the Royal Botanic Gardens, Melbourne to Victoria Police officers slain in the line of duty See skinny version of this file This image has been released into the public domain by the copyright holder, its copyright... Kings Domain is part of the Domain Parklands in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, on the south side of the Yarra River, that incorporates the Alexandra Gardens, Queen Victoria Gardens and the Royal Botanic Gardens. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Year 1990 (MCMXC) was a common year starting on Monday (link displays the 1990 Gregorian calendar). ... In states that are Commonwealth Realms a Royal Commission is a major government public inquiry into an issue. ...

Mostly the deaths were alleged to be due to ineptitude and mistakes on the part of members - but others were said to be deliberate executions. These views were fuelled when various members of the Armed Robbery and Homicide Squads were charged with murder-related offences after Armed Robbery Squad detectives shot Graeme Jensen while trying to arrest him. The Police Association campaigned on their behalf, and the charges were withdrawn from 7 of the 8 men charged. The officer who fired the fatal shot was acquitted by a Victorian Supreme Court jury in 1995.

In 2001 Christine Nixon was appointed Chief Commissioner, becoming the first woman to head a police force in Australia. Year 2001 (MMI) was a common year starting on Monday (link displays the 2001 Gregorian calendar). ... Nixon being interviewed on TV Christine Nixon was appointed to the role of Chief Commissioner of Victoria Police by the Victorian government in 2001. ...

In June 2003, Taskforce Purana was set up under the command of (then) Assistant Commissioner Simon Overland to investigate Melbourne's "gangland killings". Head of the Purana Taskforce, Victoria Police Assistant Commissioner Simon Overland Operation Purana was the name of the police investigation into the Melbourne gangland killings during the 2000s. ... The Melbourne gangland killings refer to 29 criminal figures who were murdered in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, in a series of retributional killings involving various underworld groups between January 16, 1998 and February 7, 2006. ...

Victoria Police boat docked.

In late 2006 after a meeting with the Premier Steven Bracks, the Victorian Police Association secretary Paul Mullett said that they supported the Bracks' government's electoral campaign. Details of the deal were made public on 20 February 2007 by The Age newspaper [1]. Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... is the 51st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ...

In early 2007, Don Stewart, a retired Supreme Court judge, called for a Royal Commission into Victorian police corruption. Stewart alleged that the force is riddled with corruption that the Office of Police Integrity was unable to deal with^[1]. The Supreme Court of Victoria is the superior court for the State of Victoria, Australia. ... This article is about political corruption. ...

Rank structure

• Recruit

Non Commissioned Ranks

• Probationary Constable (For 2 year period until Probation is lifted)
• Constable
• Senior Constable (Promotion in-situ after 4 years of service)

Senior Non Commissioned Ranks For the painter, see John Constable. ...

• Sergeant
• Senior Sergeant

Commissioned Ranks For other uses, see Sergeant (disambiguation). ...

• Inspector
• Chief Inspector (No longer a promotable rank, however some members hold this rank)
• Superintendent
• Chief Superintendent (No longer a promotable rank, however some members hold this rank)
• Commander
• Assistant Commissioner
• Deputy Commissioner
• Chief Commissioner

Additional classifications are available for members skillful 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 Superintendent. Inspector is a rank in many police forces. ... Superintendent may refer to: Superintendent (education), an education executive or administrator Superintendent (police), a police rank Superintendent (United States Air Force), a United States Air Force position In buildings, a manager, a maintenance or repair person, a custodian or janitor. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ...

Leading Senior Constable (LSC) is a position listed in the Rank structure but it is not a Rank per se. It is only open for Senior Constables to apply for and is not a permanent position. If a member transfers to another duty type or station, the officer is then relieved of the position of LSC. It primarily is a position for Field Training Officers who oversees the training and development of inexperienced Probationary Constables or Constables.

Detective branch

Ensign 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. Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ...

Many major police stations, in places such as Fawkner, Broadmeadows, Dandenong 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.

Ensign 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 5 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. Image File history File links Size of this preview: 472 × 599 pixelsFull resolution (566 × 718 pixel, file size: 42 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Ensign of the Victoria Police, held in the main Chapel of the Victoria Police Academy, Glen Waverley, in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. ... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 472 × 599 pixelsFull resolution (566 × 718 pixel, file size: 42 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Ensign of the Victoria Police, held in the main Chapel of the Victoria Police Academy, Glen Waverley, in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. ...

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.

The more major crime squads, such as Homicide, still attract only the most experienced detectives from divisions. The newly implemented Major Crime Management Model has changed the face of some squads, including the traditional hardmen of the Crime Department, the Armed Offenders Squad, which has lost some of its luster by being forced to choose members who may not have obtained positions were it not for the need to fill these from within the Crime Department.

Firearms and equipment

ASP 21' baton in expandable and collapsed state.

Officers carry the Smith and Wesson Model 10 .38 calibre revolver containing six copper jacketed, notched, hollow point bullets (147 grain) and one speedloader of spare ammunition (six rounds). They also carry an ASP brand 21-inch expandable baton, Oleoresin Capsicum (OC) Spray and Hiatts brand handcuffs. The vast majority of officers carry a Motorola brand tactical radio (with or without handpiece). Other divisions of the Victoria Police have specialty equipment and defensive weapons. Image File history File linksMetadata No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File linksMetadata No higher resolution available. ... The Smith & Wesson Military & Police revolver, later known as the Smith & Wesson Model 10 and (for those produced during WWII) the Smith & Wesson Victory Model, is a . ... The . ... A speedloader is a device used for loading a firearm or firearm magazine with loose ammunition very quickly. ... It has been suggested that some sections of this article be split into a new article entitled Club (law enforcement). ... Pepper spray is a non-lethal chemical agent which is used in riot control and personal self-defense. ... Speedcuffs in one design of holster Speedcuffs are a model of handcuff made by the British company Hiatts. ... Motorola Inc. ...

The weapons issued to police was a politically contentious issue in the 2006 Victorian state election. A deal between the police union and the state government allocated funding sufficient to cover replacement of the revolvers with semi-automatic pistols, and the equipping of all police cars with tasers, was reached without the involvement of police command^[2]. However, despite the allocation of funds in the 2007 state budget, there is no indication that the police command has actually decided to purchase the new weapons^[3]. Summary An electroshock gun or stun gun, is a weapon used for subduing a person by administering an electric shock. ...

Officers killed on duty

Gary Silk and Rodney Miller

• 27 March 1986, Constable Angela Taylor was killed in the Russell Street Bombing. Taylor was the first female police officer killed in the line of duty in Australian history.
• 12 October 1988, officers Steven Tynan and Damian Eyre were gunned down in the Walsh Street police shootings.
• 16 August 1998, officers Gary Silk and Rodney Miller were gunned down in the Silk-Miller police murders.

Chapel of Remembrance, within the main Chapel, Victoria Police Academy.

Memorials to officers killed on duty are maintained at the Chapel of Remembrance within the main Chapel of the Victoria Police Academy at Glen Waverley in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne. Image File history File links Silkandmiller. ... Image File history File links Silkandmiller. ... is the 86th day of the year (87th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1986 (MCMLXXXVI) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link displays 1986 Gregorian calendar). ... The Russell Street Bombing is the name given to a tragedy that occurred at 1pm on March 27, 1986 when a stolen 1979 Holden Commodore left parked outside the Russell Street Police Headquarters complex in Russell Street, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, exploded. ... is the 285th day of the year (286th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1988 (MCMLXXXVIII) was a leap year starting on Friday (link displays 1988 Gregorian calendar). ... The Walsh Street police shootings was the execution style murder of Victoria Police Officers Steven Tynan and Damian Eyre who were gunned down in suburban Walsh Street, South Yarra, Australia on October 12, 1988. ... is the 228th day of the year (229th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1998 (MCMXCVIII) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will display full 1998 Gregorian calendar). ... Gary Silk and Rodney Miller The Silk-Miller murders (also known as the Moorabbin Police murders) were the name given to the murder of Australian Victoria Police officers Sergeant Gary Silk and Senior Constable Rodney Miller in Cochranes Road, Moorabbin, Victoria, Australia on August 16, 1998. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... The Victoria Police Academy is the main induction training establishment for the Victoria Police, located on View Mount Road in Glen Waverley, in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. ... Glen Waverley is a large suburb in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. ... The City of Melbournes coat of arms The central business district of Melbourne, viewed from the north Alternate meanings: Melbourne (disambiguation) Melbourne is the capital and largest city of the state of Victoria, and the second largest city in Australia, with a population of 52,117 in the Central...

See also

• Victoria Police Special Operations Group
• Victoria Police Pipe Band
• Office of Police Integrity
• Corrections Victoria
• Crime in Melbourne
• Victoria Police Academy

Special Operations Group (SOG) Police, Victoria, Australia Contents History Mission Principle Roles History The Special Operations Group was formed in 1977. ... The Victoria Police Pipe Band was a past grade one pipe band champion based in Melbourne, Australia. ... The Office of Police Integrity is an independent authority designed to oversee the work of the Victoria Police in Victoria, Australia. ... Corrections Victoria is the Australian government department established on July 1, 2003, responsible for Victorias corrections system. ... Melbourne, Victoria, Australia has a lower crime rate than Sydney, and it is a reasonably safe city by world standards. ... The Victoria Police Academy is the main induction training establishment for the Victoria Police, located on View Mount Road in Glen Waverley, in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. ...

References

1. ^ http://www.smh.com.au/news/National/Former-judge-says-Vic-police-are-corrupt/2007/01/11/1168105079090.html
2. ^ http://www.theage.com.au/news/vicelection06news/new-lethal-weapons-for-police/2006/11/14/1163266550686.html
3. ^ http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21811,21653253-661,00.html

External links

• Victoria Police website
• Victoria Police official timeline
• Pictures of Victoria Police police cars
• Unofficial Victoria Police recruitment information site and forum
• Memorial to Victoria Police members killed in the line of duty
• One Man's View - Story written by a former Victoria Police Detective
• Melbourne Crime
• Simon Illingworth an anti-corruption cop bashed by colleagues
• Retired judge calls for a Royal Commission into Victoria Police