Victoria Police has confirmed two leading senior constables from its Western policing region are performing “alternative operational duties”, pending the ongoing internal investigation.

The Bendigo Advertiser understands these officers are based in Elmore and Goornong, both towns with single-officer police stations, and the investigation relates to a police pursuit.

Meanwhile, Elmore residents have raised concerns about police coverage in the town.

“My biggest concern is that Elmore is now without a police presence, and the community wasn’t informed at all we don’t have a police presence,” Norma Tieman, owner of the town’s Shamrock Hotel, said.

In a statement, Victoria Police said the changes had no effect on service to the towns.

“The police officers’ duties are being delivered by alternative arrangements and service delivery to local areas has not been impacted,” Victoria Police said.

“The investigation is still in progress and it would be inappropriate to comment any further.”

Victoria Police declined to provide information on what steps were taken to ensure the two towns had appropriate police service.

But residents say there is no officer working out of Elmore station.

Those who spoke to the Bendigo Advertiser said the presence of a police officer in recent months had benefited the town.

Elmore resident Brian Whiteman said the officer, who had only been stationed in Elmore for a short time, was active in catching people speeding on the highway through the town.

Mr Whiteman said he had also “brought a lot of criminals to justice and tidied up things”.

With the town sitting on a highway, beside a river, and with three licensed venues, Mr Whiteman said it was “unrealistic” to not have a police officer.

He said the town’s older population was more vulnerable and needed a police officer to call upon.

Another resident, Carl Koch, said residents wanted answers. 

“We’d love to know why,” Mr Koch said.

The closest stations to Elmore and Goornong are Bendigo, Axedale and Rochester, but only Bendigo operates 24 hours.

A third of the state’s 332 police stations are staffed by just one person.

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