Representatives from Victoria Police’s head office will come to Shepparton on May 24 to take part in the CommSafe community forum for the Eastern region.
Shepparton Area Commander Inspector Bruce Simpson said Deputy Commissioner for Regional Operations Rick Nugent and other members of Victoria Police command would be in attendance.
“It gives us an opportunity to hear what the community’s thoughts are about particular issues, but also it’s an opportunity to provide feedback to the community,” Insp Simpson said.
A similar forum is regularly held in each police region across Victoria, but Leading Sen Constable Glenn Gibson said this was the first time it had been open for community members to participate.
“It’s the first time we’re engaging the community,” he said.
“Command is saying ‘let’s get our key stakeholders in’, which is the community.”
Insp Simpson said it was part of new Neighbourhood Policing framework introduced to Victoria Police statewide.
“It’s about linking with the community on a more regular basis and in a proactive manner,” he said.
Based on a similar framework first launched in Shepparton and the Eastern region, it also encompasses the annual Victoria Police Community Survey, which is open for feedback until May 31.
Insp Simpson said it was an important avenue for community members to tell police what they would like them to focus on.
“We ask the community to participate in the survey to provide some feedback about what they see as issues we should focus on,” he said.
Insp Simpson said the new bike patrol soon to be launched in Shepparton was a direct result from the community survey.
“They told us they wanted more foot patrols and more bike patrols,” he said.
“If people are feeling unsafe on the bike tracks between Shepparton and Mooroopna, bike patrols are perfect for that.”
The CommSafe community forum will be held at Parklake, Shepparton, from 12.30pm to 3.30pm on Tuesday, May 24.
To register to attend the CommSafe community forum, email your full name and address to shepparton-commsafe@police.vic.gov.au
You can find more information about the Victoria Police Community Survey and the CommSafe forum on Eyewatch - Greater Shepparton Police Service Area Facebook page.
