Today’s unfortunate police shooting in Lilydale has yet again highlighted the failure of the Andrews Labor Government to properly resource frontline police officers.
Officers responding to calls of an armed offender outside a Lilydale marketplace earlier today were not equipped with tasers. Tasers are an important tool for police to safely and non-fatally deal with situations such as these.
This incident has triggered renewed calls from Victorian Police Association Secretary Wayne Gatt for a full rollout of tasers to all frontline officers across the state.
The Victorian Liberals have long supported the resourcing of all frontline officers with tasers, including prior to the 2018 State Election and again in March 2019.
Fatal shootings and escalating violence can be prevented if police are properly equipped to do their job.
For too long Daniel Andrews has ignored calls for a full rollout of this important policing tool. The Andrews Labor Government’s failure to fully resource frontline police has placed the safety of the community at heightened risk.
Comments attributable to Shadow Minister for Police, David Southwick:
“When frontline officers don’t have the tools they need, the community and police themselves will only be placed at greater risk, more often.
“The Andrews Labor Government has had its head in the sand on tasers for too long and now must urgently commit to a full rollout across the state.
“The Victorian Liberal Nationals have long supported the full rollout of tasers and Daniel Andrews must now take responsibility for putting lives at risk.”
