NRI cops in Victoria urge Indians to join police force

Updated on: 04 June,2010 07:37 AM IST |
Agencies |

After being severely criticised for advising Indian students to look "poor" to avoid attacks, Victorian Police Commissioner Simon Overland has now appealed to the community members to join his force in a bid to develop "greater trust and understanding" with them

Overland joined four police officers of Indian background in addressing members of the Indian media about Victoria Police's desire to attract a more diverse range of police recruits.

Against the backdrop of a series of attacks on Indian students in Australia, there has been a strong demand to include more Indian faces in the local police force.

Of the 11,904 police officers working for Victoria Police in January, 730 or just 6.1 per cent were born overseas, including 34 officers born in the Indian sub-continent. Dinesh Nettur of Indian descent, who had joined Victoria Police in 1997, said, "I definitely encourage people of all backgrounds to join Victoria Police as we really need people from different cultures and who can speak different languages."

According to Senior Constable Ash Dixit, who came to Australia 11 years ago as a business student, it was a dream come true when he joined the force.

34, number of people of Indian origin among 11,904 police officers in Victoria

"Exciting news! Mid-day is now on WhatsApp Channels