Victoria Police has announced it will establish an Organised Crime Command to identify, target and dismantle organised crime networks anywhere across the state.
The Victorian Government has pledged $170 million to support the establishment of the Command within Victoria Police.
The new Command will be made up of 158 additional staff once fully scaled up – including financial investigators, data analysts, technical surveillance specialists, cyber specialists and police working as one.
“When I started in this job I said identifying, preventing, and dismantling organised crime was a key focus and today we are taking the next step,” said Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Mike Bush.
“Our priority is simple: to identify, target and dismantle organised crime networks, and stop the harm they cause in Victorian communities.
“This is not just about arresting offenders. It is about identifying the people directing criminal activity, removing their profits, taking down their operations and breaking apart the structures that allow organised crime to thrive.
“Once established, the Organised Crime Command will provide an enduring capability to identify, target, and dismantle the people, networks and financial structures that underpin organised crime, ensuring Victoria Police is equipped to meet emerging threats now and into the future.”
The Victoria Police State Command and Coordination Centre, which provides a real-time view of activity across the state, will support assessment, coordination and response to emerging threats and incidents as they unfold, the Commissioner said.
Police welcomed the Government’s investment in the new Command and recognised that legislative reform will be critical to ensuring it has the powers and capability needed to combat organised crime effectively.
“These new powers mean police can move faster and hit criminals where it hurts,” said Victorian Attorney-General, Sonya Kilkenny.
Existing Victoria Police taskforces including Hawk, Viper, Lunar and Eclipse will be brought together under the Command.
The Commissioner said work will begin immediately to set up the Command ahead of it commencing operation in coming months.
“Through the establishment of this new Command, Victoria Police will identify, prevent, target, and dismantle organised crime networks from the ground up,” said Commissioner Bush.
“Our goal is not simply to arrest offenders but to break the networks, remove the profits and prevent the next generation of organised criminals from emerging.”
