Mildura is set to become home to Victoria's first regional police academy, with recruit training to begin at SuniTAFE's Benetook Avenue campus on 18 January 2027.
Victoria Police has confirmed that up to 30 recruits will undertake a 25-week training program, with more than 200 applications received.
More than half of the applicants are from the Mildura area, including Irymple and Red Cliffs, while around 20% are from interstate, predominantly nearby NSW communities.
The academy aims to make joining Victoria Police more accessible to people living in regional areas, removing the need to relocate to Melbourne for initial training.
Recruits will undertake the same training standards as those attending the Melbourne academy, with graduates expected to take up policing positions across the Mallee.
Will It Help Fill Local Police Vacancies?
While the announcement is welcome news, the big question is how many additional officers will eventually be stationed in Mildura and surrounding towns.
The first recruits aren't expected to complete their training until around July 2027, meaning any staffing benefits won't be immediate.
Victoria Police has also not confirmed whether Mildura will host future intakes beyond this initial program.
It's a promising move for regional policing, but the real test will be how many new officers end up on the beat across Sunraysia.
