Victoria Police Annual Report 2025-26

2025-26 in review

Across the state, our police, protective services officers and employees continue to serve with compassion, respect, integrity, professionalism, and courage. They help to keep Victorians safe, and feeling safe, in their homes, on our roads, on public transport and in the places where people live, work, gather and play.

During 2025–26, Victoria Police set a clear direction for the future through our strategy, A Safe Victoria, the Community First operating model and our refreshed organisational values. Together, it describes who we are, what we stand for and how we will deliver policing services for the community.

We completed the first phase of organisational redesign, aligning our structure more closely to our strategy and community needs. This included establishing the Prevention, Community and Partnerships portfolio, reinforcing community-focused policing, prevention, early intervention and sustained collaboration and partnership.

Our priority is straightforward: build trust and confidence, reduce crime and harm, and ensure our people have what they need to serve the community well. These priorities guide the choices we make and the way we respond to the needs of communities across Victoria.

We enhanced visible, intelligence-informed policing through initiatives including Operation Pulse, which increased police and protective services officer presence in major shopping centres, and a more flexible Public Transport Policing Model to better match police presence to risk and demand.

We also continued to respond to complex and serious crime and harm. The newly-established State Command and Coordination Centre has improved how operational information and intelligence is shared, while dedicated operations and taskforces have disrupted organised crime, strengthened our response to serious and violent youth offending, and supported road safety through targeted enforcement.

The safety of police and the community has remained at the centre of everything we do. Following the tragic events at Porepunkah in August 2025, Operation Summit demonstrated the dedication and resilience of our people, and the importance of strong partnerships with agencies and local communities. I again acknowledge all those affected and thank everyone who supported Victoria Police during that difficult time.

During the year, we progressed the Uplift program and other practical reforms to build on our capability, support the frontline and improve the way we work. This included a focus on reducing bureaucracy, improving technology, developing leadership, supporting recruitment and retention, and enhancing coordination across the state.

We have introduced a new code of conduct, reviewed our governance and committee arrangements, and maintained a strong focus on risk, audit and assurance—foundations that are essential to a strong, accountable and trusted police service.

Through recruit training reforms, investment in operational capability, enhanced emergency response support and continued recognition of workplace inclusion, we are building the capability, culture and systems needed to serve the community with confidence.

I thank every Victoria Police employee for their service and commitment, and acknowledge our partners across government, emergency services, community organisations and the Victorian community for their continued support.

As we look ahead, our focus remains clear: delivering our strategy, strengthening trust and confidence, reducing harm and working together for a safer Victoria.

Victoria Police is here for every Victorian.

Mike Bush CNZM

Chief Commissioner
Victoria Police