Victoria Police announces reforms to shrink executive ranks and strengthen frontline policing
Victoria Police has outlined a bold plan to slim down its executive team and divert more officers to the front line in a bid to curb rising crime across the state. The reforms, announced by Chief Commissioner Mike Bush, aim to reduce administrative burdens on frontline officers and free up significant personnel hours for actual policing on streets and neighborhoods.
“We have a crime problem here in Victoria,” Commissioner Bush said, emphasizing that the current levels of offending are unacceptable. The proposed restructure would see fewer centralised commands and departments, with a notable reduction in deputy positions from six to four, a figure still subject to staff feedback before final confirmation.
The timing of the announcement comes amid a record-breaking crime wave, with Crime Statistics Agency data showing the 12 months to July recording a 15.7% jump in offences compared with the previous year. In concrete terms, that equates to 86,587 more crimes, underscoring the urgency of reforms that prioritize frontline response and prevention.
As part of the reform package, Victoria Police also pledged to reduce serious and violent crime by 5% each year—the first time a formal annual target of this kind has been set. A key feature of the plan is a new deputy commissioner role focused on prevention, community engagement, and partnership development, with a particular emphasis on addressing youth crime.
Commissioner Bush highlighted the persistent challenge of youth crime, noting that some offenders are involved in serious offences that carry long-term consequences. He called for an “early intervention end” and an equally firm “consequence end” to deter future offending. In a bid to complement preventive measures, the force has reported that about 15,000 machetes have been removed from streets so far, with ongoing amnesty programs designed to reduce violence.
One of the operational innovations involves trialing a model in which sworn officers are temporarily released from front desk duties and counter service at police stations. Bush acknowledged that public counters and call-taking are essential services but argued that some tasks do not require highly trained frontline officers. The goal is to free up more officers for patrols, investigations, and proactive policing, while administrative tasks could be handled by non-officer staff or specialized support roles.
By directing resources more efficiently, Victoria Police expects to save about 1.4 million personnel hours in the coming year. The plan also includes establishing a State Crime Coordination Centre by mid-next year—a high-tech hub designed to aggregate data, intelligence, and operational insights to assist frontline police in identifying crime links, patterns, and real-time opportunities for intervention.
A dedicated admin support team, including former officers, would assist with paperwork after arrests, further ensuring that frontline officers can return to the street more quickly. While the reform is framed as a reorganization rather than a major new expenditure, it remains to be seen how the changes will be funded, with officials stating that costs will be managed in-house.
Community trust and confidence in Victoria Police has been a recurring theme in public discourse, and Commissioner Bush acknowledged this as a critical factor alongside rising crime rates. He stressed that the restructure is designed to be a “rearranging of current resources,” with feedback from staff sought over the next three months before finalizing a plan in the 12-month timeframe.
Secretary of The Police Association Victoria, Wayne Gatt, welcomed the emphasis on frontline and preventive measures, while promising an open dialogue with members about the impacts of the changes. The two-phase review process will continue with a second phase slated for early next year, signaling ongoing adjustments as the reforms unfold.
In summary, Victoria Police’s executive slimming and frontline investment signal a shift toward more visible policing, targeted crime prevention, and data-driven operations. As the state grapples with crime trends, authorities hope the reforms will restore public confidence while delivering tangible safety outcomes for Victorians.
