To help with the tens of thousands of phone calls regarding breaches of coronavirus restrictions, the Australian Defence Force has deployed a number of staff in Ballarat.
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Army reservists from 7/8 Battalion are taking on the calls at the Police Assistance Line call centre - every single report is funnelled through the centre, and the personnel have allowed police to focus on other calls.
According to Victoria Police Media, the assistance line has received 90,880 calls since it was set up to take reports of alleged breaches of the Chief Health Officer's directions.
Since the Stage Three restrictions were re-imposed on metropolitan Melbourne, there have been 7116 calls in six days, and 2634 online reports.
These numbers also include general enquiries relating to the Chief Health Officer's directions.
The reservists involved said they were glad to be helping keep the community safe and informed.
Infantryman Private James Keyte, from 7/8 Battalion Royal Victoria Regiment, has been reviewing cases at the phone assistance line.
"I'm proud to be able to work alongside the police," he said in a statement.
"This is not something you usually get to do, so it's a great experience - I love it."
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Senior Sergeant Paul Maslunka is the Victorian Police officer managing the centre.
"With the volume of additional calls and without the ADF picking up the extra workload, police could be missing other crime reports," Senior Sergeant Maslunka said.
"The work they're doing has a direct knock-on effect for crime rates and community safety."
Senior Sergeant Maslunka said he was pleased with ADF support.
"When ADF staff come in, they fit straight into the culture of the police," he said.
"They're positive, love to learn, intuitive and understand the importance of good information.
"The work we're doing together is integral to the enforcement of the Chief Health Officer's directives, thereby making Victoria safer."
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More than 500 ADF personnel have been deployed throughout Victoria in a number of roles, including 184 supporting Victoria Police checkpoints and other logistics roles, including the Police Assistance Line call centre in Ballarat.
Another 188 personnel are involved in medical testing initiatives, and 10 personnel are involved in planning and logistics support.
The community can continue to report non-urgent crime and events, as well as breaches of the Chief Health Officer's directives, by calling the Police Assistance Line on 131 444 or submitting an online report at police.vic.gov.au/palolr.
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