VICTORIA Police command has distanced itself from claims the Stawell police station is undermanned and under-resourced to an extent that it now has no other option, but to lock its doors on a daily basis.
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Under an interim safety policy enacted earlier this month, all Victorian police officers were told not to work alone and to work 'two-up' when attending a job.
Officers must also wear bullet proof vests when on patrol or when working at reception at a police station.
The measures appear to have had unintended consequences in country communities placing further strain on already stretched police resources.
Northern Grampians Shire Mayor, Cr Murray Emerson said he has been approached by members of the community who are concerned about impacts at the Stawell police station.
Cr Emerson said residents had claimed, in some instances, they had turned up on three to four separate occasions unable to access the station for basic counter services.
He said he will meet with Stawell police senior sergeant, Rob Weppner to discuss the issue of police resources, possibly as soon as Friday.
"The way things are going at the moment it is going to make it very difficult for Stawell to remain a 24 hour a day, seven day a week police station," he said.
Cr Emerson said the Stawell police station has grappled with a shortage of members and the 'two-up' policy introduced more than a fortnight ago has only exacerbated the issue.
"This has been something we as a council have been arguing with ministers and force command about for many years, now it just becomes a little bit more desperate," he said.
"At the same time this hasn't got to the stage where it is something for the community to be alarmed about just yet."
Cr Emerson said an indication from the State Labor Government that it was looking at increasing police numbers in rural areas was positive.
"A few extra police resources would help, any increase in numbers is a very good idea," he said.
"Our wish is that while we want police to service the community, we also want to ensure those officers are in a safe working environment."
Snr Sgt Weppner said he wouldn't address any resource concerns directly, seeking only to reassure people that Stawell police station continues to service the community 24/7.
"The Stawell police station continues to provide a 24 hour a day, seven day a week service to the community, we are not under-rescourced and we are not understaffed," he said.
"The policy is in place to ensure members and the community safety remains paramount.
"With any new policy, there is a period of adjustment.
"If members of the community are concerned they are more than welcome to contact me at the station on 5358 8222."
Police sergeant, Kris Hamilton from Police Media, said force command is liasing with regional stations about the impact the 'two-up' policy is having on police resources in country communities.
"We made it clear that it was an interim policy and we were seeking their feedback in relation to the impacts on them, service delivery, resourcing and, importantly, their safety," he said.
"Already the feedback is indicating that there are resource implications - especially if there are unexpected absences from officers.
"In these circumstances, local management need to consider how to best continue to service the community and that may mean that the station counter service is not available to the community if police need to leave the station 'two-up' to attend a job."
Sgt Hamilton said Victoria Police is continually striving to strike a balance between protecting the community and member safety.
"In this current climate and given the high threat to our police, we have to make changes and this will present some challenges for us given the size of our organisation, the complexities of service delivery and community expectations across Victoria.
"We understand that there will be teething issues created by our current environment. Victoria Police is committed to improving community safety by providing a high level of service. The challenges we currently face will not prevent us from achieving this."