By BRIDGET COOK
THE City of Casey is leading a push to get local councils to band together to bring back an initiative they say is instrumental to the community.
The council has resolved to write to Victoria Police and the State Government seeking the decision of significantly reducing the police bands to be reversed and funding restored.
That council will also write to neighbouring municipalities informing them of its action in support of the bands and requesting them to do the same.
Victoria Police announced last month that the bands would be reduced and civilianised under a newly proposed structure that would see 48 sworn positions returned to the frontline where they were needed most.
The new band structure will only comprise of 15 unsworn pipe band members and the band leader, who would focus on high priority events including ceremonial and large scale community events.
Councillor Wayne Smith, who led the push, said he wanted the bands reinstated as they were a great community asset.
“The Victoria Police bands are an important and essential resource to Victoria,” he said.
“The bands promote a positive image of Victoria Police to the community.
“It is very likely charities, schools, police, retirement villages and community organisations in Casey will have either used or benefited from the use of the bands.
“The loss of the bands will affect many in the community.”
A Victoria Police spokeswoman said reducing the band from 48 sworn positions to 15 unsworn positions was a move that had to happen.
“The 48 musicians occupy sworn operational positions however they are not operational police but employed under special musician category contained in the Police Regulation Act 1958,” she said.
“Since their inception the bands have engaged with the Victorian community through music in a positive way.
“However times have changed and Victoria Police must adapt to the changing needs of the Victorian community.
“By focusing on ceremonial and large scale events only, there is an opportunity to reduce the size of the bands to 16 rather than 48 positions.
“Essentially this means the new band structure would give more bang for the tax payer’s buck and 48 sworn positions, which is enough police to staff a 24-hour medium-sized police station, could be returned to frontline operational policing.”
