Anthony Dowsley, Matt Johnston From: Herald Sun March 23, 2010 12:00AM
UPDATE 10.43am: PREMIER John Brumby has said that designing a new uniform is a matter for Victoria Police, but he feels their existing outfits are "pretty good".
As exclusively revealed by the Herald Sun this morning, police are likely to get new, darker uniforms in a sweeping makeover to command more respect on the street.
What do you think of the proposed uniform change? Tell us below
Premier John Brumby said this morning he thought the uniforms were "fine the way they are".
Mr Brumby said any change was a matter for Victoria Police, but no budget bid had been made to the government.
"I actually think their uniforms are pretty good, so I wouldn't have thought there's a rush to change," he said.
"The first I was aware that police were looking at new uniforms was in the media.
"There's been no budget bid, I can assure you there's no budget bid this year so I don't know how seriously they are looking at this matter.
"I think they are just reviewing (the uniforms)."
This morning, the brother of slain hero Luke Mitchell slammed the proposed change, calling it a waste of funds that would be better spent fighting violence in the city.
Victoria Police spokesman Charles Morton said Mr Mitchell was incorrect, and the force believed the new uniforms would save money in the long run.
“We think in the long run it’s actually going to save us money because currently there is 83 different ways in which the Victoria police uniforms can be worn,” he said.
“We’re then going to streamline that, that’s far too many, so we’re going to streamline that something closer to half a dozen.”
Shane Mitchell, whose brother was attacked and killed after he tried to help a stranger in Brunswick last year, said more police were needed on the street rather than a “fashion parade” of new uniforms.
“It’s completely ridiculous, with so many other more productive ways those resources could be used, especially at a time where you’ve got a police force that is grossly underfunded and they’re more worried about what they look like than what they’re actually doing,” he said.
“I’d like to see a bit more money put towards getting more police on the street, I’m led to believe that Victoria has the lowest police ratio per capita than anywhere else in the country.
“I think it's absolute financial mismanagement.
“That light blue everybody associates it with police, it’s not like they’re not recognisable.
“It really comes down to putting more numbers on the street and really focusing on a ground level approach rather than a fashion parade.”
Herald Sun readers will have a say on whether they want to stay with the traditional sky blue uniforms or adopt a bold new look.
A dark blue uniform modelled on those worn by the New York Police Department is likely to be issued to the 8000 police patrolling our streets.
Younger police say the current uniform is perceived as "soft" and want a modern uniform with a harder edge.
A committee is reviewing the uniform, which has remained basically unchanged for 40 years.
Female officers have complained the standard issue trouser does not flatter their hips.
Chief Commissioner Simon Overland has written to police about the possibility of a new uniform and "the impact it has on community perception and behaviour".
Police want Victorians to provide feedback on the change. A committee led by Deputy Commissioner Ken Lay has been established to oversee the new uniform, with first designs just weeks away.
The blue and white chequered band, a world-wide police symbol, will remain.
Committee member Acting Supt Debra Abbott said officers wanted uniforms that met the demands of modern-day policing.
"This is not about fluffing around with the uniform when there are much more pressing issues we have to address," she said.
"We've got new equipment, such as our new vests and semi-automatic pistols, and they have to work with the uniform. We want to have more of an impact."
Police Association secretary Greg Davies said changes should be practical and police should be immediately identifiable.
But he said more police on the beat, rather than a change of colour, would earn respect on the streets.
Critique:
I do agree with the point that they should spend more money on hiring more capable or well-trained police rather than changing their uniforms. The obligation of police is to ensure a peaceful society. They are not hiring to make a fashion show or so. In response to the allegation, Victoria Police spokesman Charles Morton clarified the main purpose of changing the uniform is to cut down the cost on uniform by stating there are 83different styles of police uniforms in Victoria. The view might sound reasonable but I think they should just make a more affordable uniform in the future instead of changing all the existing uniforms which might on the other hand cost them more.
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