THE Baillieu government's plan to hire 1700 police in its first four years is likely to deliver lower-quality recruits because it has been designed to cater to a "strict political timetable", the police watchdog has warned.
The Office of Police Integrity has also painted a worrying picture of a rapidly ageing police force, with growing numbers of unfit offers assigned to desk jobs and a culture of complacency as some wait out their time to access their superannuation.
In a report tabled in Parliament yesterday, the office said the drive to rapidly increase police numbers had been "causing strain" on Victoria Police.
The report said that although efforts were being made to make sure professionalism was not lost in the rush to increase numbers, maintaining the quality of candidates was proving a challenge.
"In the past, rapid increases in police recruits have had a flow-on effect in relation to increased numbers of complaints about police conduct five to 10 years post-recruitment," the report warned. "The focus on police numbers as part of the political cycle not only detracts from the capacity of Victoria Police to conduct effective workforce planning, it also limits the capacity of Victoria Police to determine the future profile of its workforce."
The report said that 32 per cent of police were now more than 45 years old, with growing numbers no longer fit for active service. "Budget allocations with a focus on raw figures of sworn police have also meant many operational police have been assigned non-operational duties in roles perfectly capable of being undertaken by public servants," it said.
It also criticised rules automatically promoting constables to the rank of senior constable after four years' service and promoting senior constables to leading senior constables after 12 years. "The in situ promotion of employees without any assessment of merit is an integrity risk for Victoria Police and undermines the professionalism of the organisation," it said.
It said rules restricting police from accessing their superannuation until they were at least 50 had also resulted in loss of motivation for police who may have planned to leave the workforce at an earlier age.
The report comes as police step up action over a pay dispute with the government.
The report blamed "outmoded" employment practices on the Police Association, saying it had created a "highly politicised industrial framework" by claiming it could "make or break" successive governments.
Sonia Heath, a spokeswoman for the Police Minister, did not respond to the issues raised in the report, saying the government would consider the findings in conjunction with the Rush inquiry report on Victoria Police senior command, due later this year.
"Victoria Police maintains the highest standard for recruiting police officers and PSOs as part of the Coalition government's commitment to deliver 1700 more front-line police and 940 PSOs to protect families and make our streets safer," Ms Heath said.
Police Association secretary Greg Davies said there should be bipartisan agreement to keep police numbers at no less than the national average.
Mr Davies said any suggestion that police officers "no longer able to wrestle a group of drunks in their late teens" should be encourage to leave the force because of their age was "outrageous".
Frequently Asked Questions about this Article…
What is the Baillieu government’s police recruitment plan in Victoria?
The Baillieu government has pledged to recruit 1,700 more front‑line police in its first four years and to deliver 940 protective services officers (PSOs) to bolster street safety, according to the report and government statements quoted in the article.
Why does the Office of Police Integrity warn rapid police hiring could be a problem?
The Office of Police Integrity says the rush to increase police numbers to meet a political timetable is straining Victoria Police, making it harder to maintain candidate quality, and could lead to higher numbers of complaints about police conduct five to ten years after large recruiting drives.
How might rushed police recruitment affect government workforce planning and effectiveness?
The report says focusing on raw headcount as part of political cycles detracts from effective workforce planning, limits Victoria Police’s ability to shape the future profile of its workforce, and has led to operational officers being moved into non‑operational roles to meet budgetary headcount targets.
What does the report say about the age and fitness of Victoria Police officers?
The report found the force is ageing: about 32% of police were over 45, with growing numbers no longer fit for active service. Some older or unfit officers have been assigned to desk roles rather than frontline duties.
Which employment practices in Victoria Police did the report criticise, and why does that matter to investors?
The report criticised automatic, time‑based promotions (constables to senior constable after four years and to leading senior constable after 12) without merit assessment, calling it an integrity risk. For investors, outmoded or politicised employment frameworks can signal operational risk, potential industrial disputes and longer‑term costs for government services.
What did the report say about superannuation rules and police motivation?
The report noted rules that restrict police from accessing superannuation until at least age 50 have reduced motivation for some officers who might have planned to leave earlier, which can affect retention and workforce planning.
How have police and government representatives responded to the report’s findings?
A government spokesperson (Sonia Heath) said the findings would be considered alongside the Rush inquiry into Victoria Police senior command due later in the year, and Victoria Police defended its recruitment standards. The Police Association’s secretary, Greg Davies, pushed for bipartisan agreement to keep police numbers at least at the national average and criticised age‑based suggestions about capability.
What should everyday investors watch next regarding Victoria Police recruitment and related risks?
Investors should watch the Rush inquiry report due later this year, any developments in the pay dispute and industrial action, and follow government decisions on recruitment policy and workforce reforms—since these can influence state budgets, public‑service efficiency and political risk.
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