About 450 police officers from the Victoria Police Academy and dozens more from Broadmeadows Police Station stopped work for 30 minutes on Thursday, in the first strike by law enforcement officers in the State for 25 years.

The Victorian Police Association has failed to agree a new pay deal with Victoria Police and the Allan government over the past 18 months, with Victoria Police referring the matter to Fair Work Commission in September.

Police Association boss Wayne Gatt addressed officers at Thursday’s rally, denouncing comments Treasurer Tim Pallas made earlier on the radio.

“Half an hour before our meeting here today, the Victorian Treasurer came on the radio and said ‘if the Fair Work Commission makes us pay more, we will pay more’,” Mr Gatt said.

“Well, I say pay now. If you can pay these members now, pay them now. Don’t suffer the indignity of having to beg the Fair Work Commission.

Rank-and-file officers rejected a pay deal in June that would have given them a 16 percent pay rise over four years, with Mr Gatt previously saying union members did not think it was fair given the increase of pay given to other public sector workers – such as the 28 percent pay increase given to state nurses.

The Police Association is now demanding an annual salary increase of 6 percent over the next four years as well as the introduction of new shifts of 8.5 hours and an additional 14 days off per year.

However, the Victorian Government is refusing to return to the negotiating table until the Fair Work Commission rules on the matter.

Speaking to the media after the rally, the Police Association boss questioned why the Allan government was treating the police differently to other public sector personnel.

“Our teachers and nurses deserve every penny they get for the work they do for the Victorian community, but the police don’t deserve to be underestimated either. The police do not deserve to be disrespected,” he said.

“Nurses did not have to fight at the Fair Work Commission to get the government to come back with a revised pay offer. Why is this government forcing our police officers to do this?

“We want to see a fair and reasonable outcome for the police, which takes into account their value, their contribution, but also the danger and the importance of the work they do to keep us safe. »

Senior Constable Sandy Dowling, who attended the work stoppage, said that as well as a pay rise, police wanted “a bit more respect from our management”, adding that the refusal to return to the negotiating table was “disrespectful”.

“I think we need to be recognized for the work and commitment that we put in when we go to work every day, as well as the efforts that members put into keeping the community safe,” she said.

Justin Polwarth, a police sergeant with 30 years’ service, said without a pay rise Victoria Police would continue to struggle to attract recruits.

“They have a hard time getting people through here, and even when they do, they leave faster,” she said.

“There is a problem that needs to be fixed. This must be recognized and we must be rewarded with adequate salaries.