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They’ll combine with 250 officers already rostered on to perform coronavirus response to triple zero calls, patrols and reports of breaches.
Deputy Commissioner Rick Nugent said four options for keeping Melburnians out of regional Victoria had been put to the state government, including the use of a hard border which would’ve required about 400 police each day.
Acting Premier James Merlino said on Wednesday the government had chosen the mobile patrol model instead of a hard border between the regions after it was put forward by police command as the force’s preferred option.
“Ultimately the decision was a matter for government and the public health team. We did not put forward any preferred option,” Mr Nugent said.
After calls from Opposition MPs to send a message of support to Victorians who have been locked down since last Thursday, Mr Andrews finally posted a statement on his accounts.