ALP unveils police policy

PREMIER Steve Bracks chose the recently opened multi-million dollar Cranbourne Police Station to launch Labor’s law and order policy on Tuesday.
Mr Bracks pledged to spend $215 million on the package, including $10 million for new weaponry and promised to build nine new police stations for $85 million.
The stations will be built in Sandringham, Box Hill, Ararat, Swan Hill, Kyneton, Foster, Ouyen, and around the Langwarrin and Carrum area.
“Today’s announcement will boost sworn police numbers to 11,250 by November 2010, and Labor will also give police the latest equipment and technology to get the job done,” Mr Bracks said.
The announcement includes $94 million to recruit 350 extra police, 25 forensic investigators, and 25 specialist crime fighters such as forensic accountants and analysts.
Penalties for carrying weapons will be quadrupled.
The Liberal Party is due to release its law-and-order policy within days.