Two new police officers will be added to Whittlesea police station in a bid to address community safety concerns.
The Police Association has been told the positions, which are among four vacancies at the station, will be filled immediately.
Police command also vowed to stick to staff numbers for the next 12 months until the impacts of the new Mernda police station were known.
The commitment from police comes as Whittlesea residents held a public meeting last Wednesday night amid concerns about dwindling staff levels at the Church Street station.
The station’s gazetted strength is one senior sergeant, two sergeants, and 12 senior constables or constables but it is currently manned by one senior sergeant, two sergeants and eight officers, two of whom are on leave.
Residents fear the station’s staffing levels will be further reduced when the Mernda station opens later this year.
Whittlesea resident Shane Lepp, who helped organise the meeting, said the community was pleased the Whittlesea station would receive two more officers, but he was concerned it would still be short-staffed.
“We don’t feel like we are safe in our community,” he said.
“A lot of residents have suggested they don’t feel safe walking around the streets at night.”
Whittlesea Inspector Andrew Falconer said he understood the community’s concerns and that they would be passed on to Victoria Police’s executive command, who make staffing decisions.
