Victoria Police makes no apology for not explaining why a helicopter was flying over Bendigo on Friday and Saturday nights, saying people would have been killed if they didn't conduct the operation.
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Senior Sergeant Ian Brooks said the police airwing and dog squad assisted Highway Patrol and other units to target those who were intentionally engaging in high risk driving.
He said intentional high risk driving was a growing problem in Bendigo, and elsewhere.
The operation sent two messages.
"We can see you and we will use every tool we've got to apprehend you," Senior Sergeant Brooks said.
"You can run, but you cannot hide, not from a helicopter or a dog. We will find you. And all of those people will be prosecuted to the extent of the law.
"The second message, to the public, to Bendigo, and the huge majority of the law abiding community in Bendigo is that we take complaints about these people's driving... quite seriously."
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Senior Sergeant Brooks said he understood there was some comment made about the noise of the helicopter into the early hours of the morning.
He said while it was never their intention sometimes police operations did interfere with people's day to day lives.
The helicopter was forced to fly lower than planned because of the weather conditions on Friday and Saturday nights.
Senior Sergeant Brooks said he made no apologies for the noise.
"Bendigo is facing a huge issue in relation to these people," he said.
"In order to stop them before someone gets killed we will take whatever steps necessary and we will do it again."
Senior Sergeant Brooks said police in Bendigo would be conducting similar operations to get the message out that dangerous driving behaviour would not be tolerated.
Experience has shown Highway Patrol that if they pull up behind traffic offenders with lights and siren on, they would just go faster, he said.
Bendigo police adapted the operation's model from those used in metropolitan areas, allowing them to track offenders.
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"[Intentional high risk driving is] a growing problem everywhere. There's a very small percentage of the population who believe they are above the law and are invincible," he said.
"The message from this operation is you can't. And we will do it again, it will become a part of our operational tool box.
"It will not be tolerated by the police, it will not be tolerated by the law, and I'm absolutely certain the community doesn't like it either."
A 29-year-old man from Geelong was remanded in custody charged with family violence offences and traffic offences. He will face court in Bendigo on Monday. A 28-year-old man from Pascoe Vale was charged with driving while drug affected and possession of illicit drugs, he has been remanded into custody and is due to appear in court on Monday. A 34-year-old north Bendigo man was charged with a series of traffic offences, he has been charged on summons to appear in court at a later date.
Thirty-two people were apprehended during the operation, including drink drivers, drug affected drivers and those wanted on warrants.
Six cars were impounded in total.
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