The Police Association has successfully prevented a bid by the Force to impose an ill-conceived and highly questionable uniform policy on members within the Sexual Offences and Child Abuse Unit.   

In early 2008, the Victoria Police Force had informed SOCAU members that they would be required to wear a Victoria Police uniform. This instruction was given to SOCAU members despite the fact that members traditionally wear plain clothes in order to best assist the abused victims they deal with on a day-to-day basis. 

The Force’s instruction was viewed with a high level of scepticism by members and The Police Association as a penny-pinching measure and an attempt to conceal the resourcing issue.   

The Police Association wrote to the Force regarding this issue and the Force subsequently withdrew its instruction to SOCAU members and advised that further consultation would occur.

As a result of this process, the Force has since advised that SOCAU members will not be required to wear a uniform and will wear plain clothes while on duty.

The Force has also advised that these members will be paid the full civilian clothing allowance.