Safety House Police Checks

From time to time we find problems with the police checks and as this causes extra work for the committee members and delays in putting up house plates here are the guidelines and remind everyone that if you have any queries or are unsure about how to apply for police checks then please feel free to call the office and someone will happily go through the procedures with you step by step.

1. When a person requests to join the Safety House Program, as either a Group member or a Safety House householder or both, they are first given the “Safety House Program” brochure outlining the Program and the criteria that needs to be met.
2. A representative from your Local Community Group attends the address, interviews the applicants and assesses the premises.
3. The Interview form (Form 17) is completed and retained by the local Group.  (Do not post this Form to Central Records)
4. Also, each Householder and Group Member needs to complete an “Application Form to join the Safety House Program” (Form 19) and sign the declaration.
5. Each member of the household 17 years and over must complete the Victoria Police Consent to Check and Release Police Record Form (Form 20), sign it, and understand that they are signing permission for a national police check as well as an ongoing check by the Victoria Police.  A Group representative must witness the signature.
6. Attach a photocopy of driver’s licence, passport or birth certificate to the Victoria Police Consent to Check and Release Police Record Form. (If these forms of I.D. are not available then copies of 3 other forms of I.D. would be accepted such as pension card, healthcare card, bank account or medicare card). Please make sure each ID is on a separate A4 or A5 page.
7. The Application Form (Form 19) and all the Police Consent to check forms (form 20) along with photocopies of I.D. (per household) are then attached together and forwarded to Central Records Branch:
   

   The Safety House Information Officer
   Information Services Section
   Central Records Branch
   Victoria Police Centre
   P.O. Box 415
   MELBOURNE    Vic.    3005

PLEASE NOTE: It is vital that the Form 19 is forwarded with the paperwork to Central Records (which they then forward on to us) as this is proof of membership to a nominated Group and is required not only by our office but also a documented record if ever a need for an insurance claim arose. (Please always ensure that the Group and contact name is written on the Form, in the appropriate column).

Also, All Group members, monitors and representatives of the Safety House Association must complete the Form 19 as well as the police Consent to Check (Steps 5 & 6). The Victoria Police keeps the Police Check form and the photocopy of I.D. and returns the Form 19 to our office.

All results of police checks will be returned to the Executive Director, Safety House Association of Victoria Inc. The local Groups will then be advised whether the applicant is suitable or not suitable. If an applicant is not suitable then they will be advised in writing by the Executive Director and have 21 days in which to contact the Executive Director in writing to make an appointment to discuss the matter.

To ensure confidentiality all discussions will be in person and if necessary a sub officer of the Victoria Police will also be available to advise. If the applicant does not wish to discuss the matter then the application information will be destroyed after the 21 day period.

If you have any queries or wish to discuss the procedures please do not hesitate to contact our office.