Force's ill-conceived SOCAU instruction thwarted

The Police Association has managed to thwart a bid by the Force to impose an ill-conceived and highly questionable uniform policy on SOCAU members.   

The Victoria Police Force had informed SOCAU members that they would be required to wear a Victoria Police uniform. This instruction was given to SOCAU members despite the fact that members traditionally wear plain clothes in order to best assist the abused victims they deal with on a day-to-day basis. 

The Force’s instruction was viewed with a high level of scepticism by members and The Police Association as a penny-pinching measure and an attempt to conceal the resourcing issue.   

The Police Association has written to the Force regarding this issue and the Force has subsequently withdrawn its instruction to SOCAU members.

The Force has advised that further consultation will occur.