By Cam Lucadou-Wells
AN ENDEAVOUR Hills senior police officer has confirmed the station’s front counter has been shut due to staff illness.
Senior Sergeant Karen Porter confirmed that the front counter closed on Saturday 10 September due to three officers in Casey calling sick that day.
“There have been days when there have been sicknesses that have affected our ability to open.”
The trialled shutdown of the counter from 5pm on weekend nights – to free up an extra patrol – was set to begin on the same day, Sen Sgt Porter said.
The trial had been deferred, subject to approval of police command and consultation with the Police Association, she said.
Meanwhile, Dandenong MP Gabrielle Williams has attacked Casey Council’s call for more police.
In a Facebook post, Ms Williams attacked Casey Council, and particularly Rafal Kaplon, for “pedalling of misinformation” that police numbers in Casey had reduced.
According to official police numbers data, Casey police officers dropped from 157 full-time equivalent positions to 153.42 between November 2014 and June 2016.
“The Andrews Government has not reduced police numbers in Casey,” Ms Williams said.
“In fact, we have funded an additional 406 police and the Chief Commissioner has indicated they will go to growth corridors like Casey.
“The former Coalition government didn’t fund a single additional sworn police officer.”
Cr Kaplon retracted his original post, and instead expressed hope that the extra police officers would be directed to growth regions like Casey.
Mayor Sam Aziz said he found it “rather disturbing” the local members were “oblivious” to the law and order issues faced by residents.
“I’m working as the mayor for the safety of our community and I find it very disturbing that a police station will close whenever a police member has to take a day of sick leave.
“Ms Williams’ government has been in power for nearly two years and should have addressed that by now.”
