Thanks to readers’ feedback Police Life magazine has had a contemporary makeover, giving readers more of what they want – stories of true crime, community policing and good arrests – and reflecting the contemporary organisation Victoria Police has become.

This month Police Life remembers the 20th anniversary of the Hoddle Street murders, which left seven dead and dozens injured, shattering Melbourne’s innocence.

Police Life speaks to the serving police members who were on the scene on the night and to those who interviewed the killer.

Informant on the case Superintendent Graham Kent said police risked life and limb on the night.

“They did some pretty scary stuff. The guy was still at large and was shooting people and police went in with a view to protect people and catch him. They seriously took on the job of trying to protect and save people. There was this incredible sense of vulnerability because they didn’t know where he was. The bullets went flying straight through the car doors. It was freaky to think that some of the police who attended weren’t killed,” Supt Kent said.

Police Life also revisits the Salt nightclub slayings in True Crime. The case became Victoria’s longest running murder case.

Along with the return of regular features Odd Spot, Out and About, Display Case and From the archives, this edition sees Police Life introduce new features, Making News, Small Talk, and Picture This.

Police Life paid a visit to police in East Gippsland, riding in the divvy van with Bairnsdale police.

Don’t miss this month’s lift-out poster, police on skidoos on the slopes of Mt Buller.

Police Life is published bi-monthly, and can be downloaded online by clicking on the link on the right-hand side of this page.

The Police Life team would like to hear your thoughts on the changes, so please email your feedback and story suggestions.