Victoria police slam state decriminalisation of public drunkenness

The Victorian government has defended its plan to decriminalise public drunkenness on Melbourne Cup Day despite concerns from police officers.

Victoria’s Police Union has raised concerns officers are not prepared for public drunkenness to be decriminalised next week.

Police in the state will be stripped of their powers to arrest anybody that’s drunk and intoxicated unless they have committed a crime.

It has also been revealed Melbourne’s first sobering up centre in Collingwood will not be ready by the time the new laws come into effect.

Victoria’s Police Association has slammed the decision, saying the government is acting recklessly by not having proper plans in place.

Victoria Deputy Premier Ben Carroll has insisted the government is “confident” in the law changes.

[bretloyd]

If Australian politicians can be pissed on the job so can the rest of us.

[Poorlineforeva]

Are they going to slam Melbourne cup day too? The biggest cause of public drunkenness in Victoria?

[Fire.Effect]

New number plate logo.
Victoria.
The Shiffaced State
😂😂😂😂

[aussiert]

If I was a cop I would be telling my family to stay at home and turning the other way if I see drunk idiots.

[stevewiles]

Drunks and druggies as far as the eye can see, welcome to Victoria.

[zenithblack]

Protecting women and blacks from jail. This is a joke and will be so funny.

[spindoctor]

What the hell does it even mean for police "not to be prepared" for public drunkenness to be decriminalised?
They haven't worked out another way to arrest people for no reason yet?
They should shut up and do their job, they don't get to make the laws. One less law to enforce, the job just got easier.

[richardsaunders]

Time was, when those who were observed to be drunk, were often placed in the lockup overnight.

[darealone]

Ahh Melbourne Cup day when snobby white collar workers let their inner bogan come out on full display

[antonmiles]

The aftermath of Melbourne Cup Day will provide excellent content for those with a camera and YouTube channel.

[davidcarter]

Dan's farewell gift to Victorians.

[armoredghost]

If it prevents the coppers from behaving like tyrannical busy bodies like they did during the you know what global thingy thing, then maybe this decriminalization is way more good than bad.

[PresidentNotSoSure]

That cover photo is prime meme material.

[drunkdunc]

Me being intoxicated in public is the safest bet of the day 🏆🍻

[NaturingIFindNatural-august]

the uncouth yob
is free to roam.!

i’m glad im based in queensland working in health, not victoria..
☺️😊

good luck.!

✌🏻🌏🇦🇺🤘🏻

[timhinchcliffe]

I think the sped up stock footage of the Melbourne Cup was very appropriate... needed some Benny Hill music too.

[richardtravers]

And when it all turns to Crap watch the Back Stabbing about who's fault it was.

[speedymccreedy]

Surprised the highly politicised Victorian police would bother making a statement like this, the overlords must have been on holiday.

[isomorph]

Instead of arresting drunken knobs, now you arrest knobs who just happen to be drunk. Its called diversification.

[tonycooke]

Hands up if you trust the Victorian police?