The Department of Police and Emergency Management is amalgamating two Victim Safety Response Teams (VSRT) to achieve a more efficient service with Eastern and Southern District VSRTs forming a regional model.
 
The new Southern Regional VSRT will be staffed by one Sergeant and five Constables, a reduction of four positions. Two positions will be transferred to Southern Regional Prosecution Services to meet increasing demand in this area following a review. Two positions will not be filled and will assist in meeting reductions in positions for 2012-13.  The regional VSRT will be allocated to Southern District due to its proximity to the courts and other partners.
 
Changes are also planned for the Northern and Western Districts. The VSRTs in these districts will consist of one Sergeant and two Constables in each team, a reduction of 4 positions in total. The four realised Constable positions will not be filled to assist in achieving the required reduction of positions for 2012-13.
 
Assistant Commissioner of Police, Donna Adams, said a review into the police response to family violence found that general duties police now deliver a high level of service towards family violence. VSRT members will continue to manage high-risk family violence incidents and those involving repeat victims or offenders, and a Safe at Home coordinator will be reinstated to ensure consistency of practice throughout the State.
 
“We are not stepping away from family violence – this move allows specialist VSRT members to have more strategic prominence, concentrating on case management rather than incident response which is the responsibility of front line police,” Assistant Commissioner Adams said.
 
“A six month trial of the new Southern unit found the amalgamation did not diminish service delivery, nor did it compromise Safe at Home principles, including that the safety of victims is paramount.  Feedback from external stakeholders was generally positive and staff involved in the trial supported its continuance.”
 
The Minister for Police and Emergency Management, David O’Byrne, expressed his support for Tasmania Police’s decision to create a more efficient and specialised service.
 
“This move still provides for specialist family violence officers precious time to perform their most important duties – supporting victims and investigating cases,” Mr O’Byrne said.
 
“It reflects the fact that our nation-leading approach in responding to incidents of family violence has been operating long enough and well enough to become a natural part of everyday front-line police work.
 
“Tasmanians can rely on a strong and effective police service. This move is another example of getting the very best out of that service, in the most effective and efficient way,” he said.