Bacchus Marsh Police Station
1850's to 2005

Current Location

117 Main Street,
Bacchus Marsh
Location in Google Maps

THE HISTORY

From the early 1850's, Police have been stationed at Bacchus Marsh. The first police were Mounted Troopers and provisions had to be made for stabling their horses. Before the Government buiit their own premises they rented or leased premises. The first of these was at the Woolpcck Hotel (cnr. of Woolpock Road and; The Avenue of Honour), where Court was held and a room was kept exclusively for a lock-up. The remnants of the stables is still present today.

From 1853 to 1856 the Government leased the Manor House and its surrounding land for use as a Court House and Police Barracks for the Mounted Police. A log lock-up was built to house prisoners. The Manor House still stands today in Manor St, and was the residence of Capt. William H BACCHUS after whom Bacchus Marsh was named. The township was surveyed and marked out at Maddingley, provisions being made for police purposes.

In 1856 the Police Barracks, lock-up, stables and Court House were built in Maddingtey. The Court House, which is a sandstone structure is now the Bacchus Marsh Lawn Tennis Club house. The lock-up, which is olso sandstone, was moved to the Main St site where it still stands today (evidence that it was moved is the fact that each stone is numbered) [it is now located at the rear of the Blacksmith's Cottage]. The Police Barracks were demolished in or about 1968.

The township was re-surveyed in 1858 and a decision to move to the Main St was made (the site chosen in 1856 is the present site). The bluestone station / barracks and stable were built by Mr ANDER50N, a local builder, costing 462 pounds and 10 shillings for the barracks and 458 pounds and 7 shillings and 6 pence for the stables.

In the 1930's the station and stables were demolished and a brick premise built which consisted only of 2 rooms (an open fire in only 1 room) and a store room. Staffing consisted of one S.Const and two 1st Const's. In 1954. staffing consisted of one S.Const and three 1st Const's.

In 1967-8 the building was extended to include a muster room, foyer and one of the rooms renovated into a kitchen. The station was also issued with its first police vehicle, a Ford Falcon sedan. Staffing consisted of one Sgt and four 1st Const's

In 1977 the original sandstone cells were decommissioned and a temporary cell was relocated from another station. Staffing during 1978 consisted of one S/Sgt, one Sat and six other ranks. In 1980 members opted for a divisional van to replace the sedan.

During 1993 extensive renovations to this brick premise were undertaken and an interview room, locker room and shower added. A 4x4 vehicle was also added to give access to large and rugged bush country. Staffing consisted cf 1 S/Sgt. 1 Sgt, 12 other ranks and 1 part time admin staff. In 1996 the temporary ceil was officially de-commissioned and used as a property store room.

TODAY

In 2001 the complex was demolished and Police moved to a temporary premise at the disused Post Office building in Main Street.

The new complex was completed in February 2003 on the original Main Street site which was chosen 147 years ago. The original police residence built in the 1890's has been renovated in conjunction with the new complex and the original lock-up has been preserved (since moved to the rear of the Blacksmith's cottage) and is a feature of the courtyard area.

Today the Bacchus Marsh Police Station is a 24 hour station and staffing consists of one Inspector, one S/Sergeant, six Sergeant's, four Leading S/Const's, 19 S/Const's, five Const's and two administration staff. The new complex also has a Criminal Investigation Unit (CIU), consisting of 4 members and a Traffic Management Unit (TMU). consisting of 5 members.

INTERESTING FACTS

• 1856 - Prisoners from the Eureka uprising were locked up over night enroute to Melbourne for trial.
• 1858 - A prisoner named Henry HERBERT escaped from custody and was never recaptured ("Long Harry" escaped by working a stone out of the cells).
• 1883 - Policeman was stabbed outside a local Hotel.
• 1887 - The rail link with Melbourne was established.
• 1911 - Member Feloniously Slain after being struck on the head by a bottle of beer, which had been thrown. The suspect was arrested and charged. 1st trial Hung Jury, 2nd trial found Not guiity.
• 1930's - 1 member was authorised to use his private vehicle and ciaim milage.
• 1967 1st departmental vehicle. Ford Falcon sedan, issued.
• 1977 - The original Sandstone Ceils were de-commissioned and a temporary cell was relocated from another station.
• 1960 to 80's - A drive-by shooting, where six .22 rounds struck the front of the station. Bombed - a stick of gelignite was thrown at the front of the Station, blowing out the front windows. Station was rammed by a car (demolishing the front foyer). Motorist stated he didn't think police would heip him unless he attracted their attention. Sedan replaced by Divisional Van.
• 1993 - The temporary cell was no longer used (except for storage) and prisoners were taken to the new Melton ceils. A 4x4 veh. issued to the station.