Wimmera police bolster road capabilties ahead of Christmas

On Friday December 17, eight officers from across the Wimmera completed the specialist course, which aims to develop skills and awareness to help prevent and detect road crimes.

In particular the course linked road policing, criminal offending and prosecution of road crimes.

Divisional road and community safety advisor acting senior sergeant Brent Barclay said the course will help Wimmera police officers keep the region's roads safer.

"The nexus between road policing and criminal offending is an important consideration when delivering road and community safety options," Sgt. Barclay said.

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"People often consider poor driver behaviour such as speeding or impaired driving as a separate issue to criminal offending.

"Unfortunately we, as a community have seen the disastrous effect when these issues interact."

Sgt Barclay said that having qualified officers in the Wimmera will ensure the region's emergency services are better prepared for road crime.

"Having the expertise of qualified road policing investigators situated locally throughout the Wimmera will assist in driving positive outcomes in both road policing and criminal investigation areas," he said.

The course syllabus included crime investigation, major collision investigation, impaired driver response and crimes act offenses.

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The announcement coincided with the commencement of Victoria Police's statewide Operation Roadwise at midnight on December 17.

Across the state, police from state highway patrol, heavy vehicle unit, road policing drug and alcohol Section and public order response teams will be out in force to assist local police promoting road safety and holding those doing the wrong thing to account.

Operation Roadwise will see increased patrols throughout all areas of the Wimmera during the high risk Christmas period with Police targeting Speed, impaired driving, distraction and fatigue.

Victoria Police's fleet of Alcohol and Drug testing vehicles will be out conducting drug and alcohol testing at every opportunity over the Christmas period.

"In the lead-up to and over the Christmas period we see an increase in discretionary travel, social gatherings and alcohol and drug consumption," Sgt Barclay said.

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"We urge people to plan their trips and think about how they will get home safely."

"One poor decision from any of us on our roads can lead to permanent consequences for our community."

Although the operation is only set to run until Boxing Day, Sgt Barclay said drivers should not get complacent.

"We generally find Boxing Day is our biggest day... everybody seems to hitch up their caravans," he said.

"But from a Wimmera perspective, not much will change (after Boxing Day).

"We'll still have a big local presence on the roads."

Police issued over 6,200 infringements for speeding throughout Operation Roadwise during the 2020 Christmas period, with speed remaining the number one cause of road trauma and fatalities according to Victoria Police.

"We will be targeting not only dangerous drivers who excessively speed, but also those who think it's acceptable to speed at low levels," Sgt Barclay said.

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