The new Victoria Police Centre at 311 Spencer Street has officially opened its doors, signalling the beginning of a new era for Victoria Police.
The 39-storey building connects to the existing 313 Spencer Street Police Complex via five connection points including bridges and pathways, creating a modern precinct for the state's policing headquarters.
This will ensure all of Victoria Police's CBD operations are consolidated into the one, highly secure location, enhancing the ability to efficiently and effectively deliver police services to the community.
More than 5,300 staff, comprising 26 Commands and Departments, will be housed in the new building, such as the Office of the Chief Commissioner and commands including Counter Terrorism, Road Policing, and Family Violence.
The first Commands and Departments will start moving from the current headquarters at the World Trade Centre from late July.
Almost 7,000 police officers and support staff will be based between the two buildings at 311 and 313 Spencer Street in the new, consolidated police precinct.
Some of the key features of the new Victoria Police Centre include:
• A helipad for the Police Air Wing, enabling the rapid deployment of specialist units located within the building to critical unfolding incidents, including the Critical Incident Response Team, Special Operations Group, and Bomb Response Unit.
• A new State Police Operations Centre linking the existing Joint Intelligence Group and Major Incident Room to better coordinate and manage large scale operations;
• An expansion of state of the art technology, maximising the sharing of information between police units and improving community safety;
• Fully redesigned Victoria Police Museum featuring historical and contemporary displays and multimedia, which will be open to the community, tourists and school groups from 2021;
• A new Media Centre.
After officially opening the building today, Chief Commissioner Graham Ashton said the new facility was a modern, fit for purpose police headquarters that would proudly serve the Victorian community for decades to come.
"This is the latest and most prominent project in our modernisation program, as we usher in an exciting new chapter for Victoria Police.
"This precinct has been designed with police service delivery at the forefront, ensuring our frontline resources and support services will be better placed than ever before to serve the community.
"We also know people feel more confident, and safe, when police are visible. The striking presence of our new headquarters will send a strong message to Victorians that we are here to protect them at all times."
Chief Commissioner Ashton said he believed the new precinct would even further inspire those who pull on the blue uniform each day to continue to dedicate their lives to serving the community.
"The new Victoria Police Centre, combined with the existing 313 Spencer Street building, will become the heart and soul of policing in Victoria."
Victoria Police's history is extensively honoured in the new building, with officers walking past visual reminders of the greater legacy they are part of each time they enter the building; a legacy of serving the community and keeping them safe.
A large mural depicting a decade by decade representation starting from 1853 adorns the foyer, honouring significant people and moments in Victoria Police's history, including those who have served and paid the ultimate sacrifice.
Each Chief Commissioner is featured, as well as historic police cars, helicopters and buildings.
Leading Senior Constable Lynette Taylor, Senior Constable Kevin King, Constable Glen Humphris, and Constable Josh Prestney are also fittingly among those honoured in this piece.
An Honour and Valour Board is also situated in the foyer, while the badge on the floor is designed to represent the fact that Victoria Police will always place the community above itself.
The official opening of the new building at 311 Spencer Street was marked today with a plaque unveiling by the Chief Commissioner of Police Graham Ashton and Minister for Police Lisa Neville.
