RETIRED police officers are being recruited to return to police station counters to free up officers for frontline duties.
Victoria Police is recruiting 200 reservists to fulfill the role of frontline support officer. In a statement it said that retired police officer Pauline Kostiuk, whose son Felix is a sergeant based at Mordialloc Police Station, is among those putting their hand up to return to work.
“Retired Supt Pauline Kostiuk, who served for 35 years, is among former officers to express interest in becoming a reservist,” a Victoria Police statement read. “It has particular significance because the 70-year-old’s late husband Victor was a police officer for 38 years before being tragically killed in the Wall to Wall Ride for Remembrance in 2018.”
Victoria Police acting assistant commissioner Karen Nyholm “policing is a calling and we know that drive to help the community never leaves you.”
“These reservists will play a crucial role in helping free up serving police so they can be out detecting and preventing crime. The best place for police is out in the community keeping people safe, not sitting behind a desk,” Nyholm said. “The response from former members so far has been extremely encouraging.
“We have an incredible pool of talent and experience to draw from and I know our former police will step up to this challenge, just like they did when they were in the job.”
First published in the Frankston Times – 26 May 2026