Victoria Police has today responded to a story that was on the Neil Mitchell Program yesterday, critical of the decision to appoint 24 public servants as educators at the Centre for Law and Policy. 

To be clear, there has been no reduction in the number of sworn police members working at the Academy, in fact, the numbers have increased.

The introduction of VPS staff into the education environment is part of wider structural developments that have been undertaken over the past three years.  It also represents a shift in the development of the curriculum and education methods that will be used into the future. A diversity of staff, which includes those with experience in police practice and those with experience in educational practice is seen a necessary and important step in the professional development of our people.

We have an ongoing commitment to deliver training which is contemporary and meets the needs of Victoria Police and the community. 

The new Foundation Curriculum implemented on 10 January, 2011 will deliver higher performing constables thus strengthening the organisation's capacity and capability.  

Appointment of the additional staff and Academy upgrade has prepared us to deliver on the additional 1700 sworn police officers over the next four years.