Use of force is a priority issue for Victoria Police and we are working to ensure members have the right skills and support to deal with the frequently critical situations they are faced with.

Policing is a tough job and increasingly they are finding themselves in challenging and vulnerable situations. We must do all we can to support them and ensure the training is absolutely relevant so they can deal with these incidents as safely and confidently as possible.

And we are making progress.

Our Operational Safety Tactics and Training Coordination Unit has enhanced its training package which deals with the use of force in both self defence and the defence of others.

Members are currently undertaking this training which also has a strong focus on dealing with vulnerable people - including those with mental health and/or those effected by drugs and alcohol.

We have also introduced, in 2006 and following the Office of Police Integrity report in 2005, additional training in mental health first aid, tailored to the needs of operational policing in consultation with Melbourne University.

More recently, we have developed a new regime of critical incident training for all operational ranks, including refresher courses, ongoing training and practical exercises for operational supervisors.

All of our operational members must attend training twice a year to ensure their skills are kept up to date, and our training programs have always been considered top of the field in comparison with other jurisdictions.

So progress is evident, but we can not and will not be complacent.

Without being critical of the past we can and will improve our practices and ensure our training is informed by thorough evaluation, research, and best practice.

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