Focus on Prevention, Partnership, and Community Safety

Neighbourhood Watch Bayside recently welcomed Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Mike to speak about the future direction of policing in Victoria, the importance of community partnerships, and a renewed focus on crime prevention.

Acknowledgement and Opening Remarks

He thanked Neighbourhood Watch for their long-standing commitment to community safety, saying it was “a pleasure to be invited to talk about prevention — something very dear to my heart.”

A System Under Pressure

Having been in the role for four months, the Commissioner praised Victoria Police’s 22,000-strong workforce for their professionalism and dedication but also noted that Victoria remains over-represented in crime statistics. he said:

“Somewhere between being over-represented and having a crime crisis — whether youth or organised crime — Victorians deserve to be safe. And it is not just about crime itself, but the perception of crime, because perception becomes reality.”

Prevention First: A New Operating Model

Drawing on his experience leading the New Zealand Police’s “Prevention First” model, the Commissioner outlined his goal to embed the same philosophy in Victoria.

“Responding, investigating, and resolving crime are vital,” he said. “But if we don’t put prevention first, we’ll always be turning up after the fact.”

Victoria Police is currently undergoing an organisational redesign, reducing six deputy commissioner roles to four — with one dedicated specifically to Prevention, Partnerships, and Community. This reflects a major shift in focus towards working with the community and strengthening local initiatives like Neighbourhood Watch.

Collaboration with Government

Commissioner Mike Bush revealed that the State Government is also developing a new, prevention-based approach following his presentation to Cabinet.

While details remain confidential, he described it as “a system-wide approach involving government, police, other agencies, and communities — all focused on preventing crime. Please be patient,” he asked attendees. “But I can say prevention is now at the heart of how Victoria will tackle crime.”

Innovation and Deterrence: SmartWater and Technology

The Commissioner spoke about innovative deterrence technologies trialed in New Zealand, such as SmartWater — a liquid with a unique DNA identifier used to mark property and offenders.

He explained how it was used successfully in South Auckland schools to curb thefts:

“If stolen computers were recovered, we could identify exactly which school they came from. The same liquid can also be used as a spray in shops during robberies — invisible to the eye, but traceable for six weeks.”

He suggested that similar community-led initiatives could be adopted in Victoria, noting, “You don’t need government approval — Neighbourhood Watch could lead this yourselves.”

Dealing with Local Crime and Public Concerns

When asked about recent crime concerns in Bayside, the Commissioner acknowledged community frustrations but reinforced that police are reorganising to respond better:

“People’s concerns are real. But it is going to take all of us — police, government, and community — working together.”

Data, Evidence, and Prevention

Responding to a question about evidence-based prevention, the Commissioner emphasised the need for strong data and intelligence:

“Good prevention relies on good intelligence, evidence, and insight. We are strengthening our data and analysis capabilities to make smarter, targeted decisions.”

Addressing Family Violence

Asked about strategies to prevent family violence, the Commissioner was candid about the challenge:

“We must keep improving, but we also must be real — reducing family violence is a long-term challenge. We need to protect victims, support children, and intervene with offenders to break the cycle.”

He also acknowledged the critical role of community bravery in speaking openly about such issues.

Morale and Supporting Police

On boosting police morale, the Commissioner said leadership is focused on cutting bureaucracy, improving technology, and freeing up officers for front-line work:

“We are reducing paperwork, creating support teams, and making sure our people are enabled to be their best. Leaders must be positive — that is how we build confidence from within.”

Setting Realistic but Ambitious Goals

When asked about the goal to reduce crime by 5%, Commissioner Mike explained that the target is annual, not cumulative:

“We have just come off a 15% rise in crime. Turning that trajectory around is already a major challenge. A 5% annual reduction is realistic but still ambitious — it is the first step to changing direction.”

Closing Remarks

The Commissioner thanked Neighbourhood Watch for its partnership and leadership in community safety, reaffirming that crime prevention is a shared responsibility:

“We cannot do this alone. Prevention starts with people — with communities like yours, leading from the front.”

The session closed with warm applause and a reminder that further informal discussion would continue over refreshments.

Neighbourhood Watch Bayside Thanked Commissioner Mike Bush and Victoria Police for their commitment to prevention and community partnership.