The Victoria Police is the primary law enforcement agency of Victoria, Australia, formed in 1853. The early settlers of Melbourne provided their own police force; by 1840, there were 12 constables in Melbourne. In 1853, all of Victoria's police entities merged into the Victoria Police, becoming the first united police force in Australia and the only one with a chief commissioner. During the late 19th century, the Victoria Police was accused of persecuting the Irish and Chinese immigrants, and, from 1878 to 1880, the Victoria Police hunted down the Kelly Gang, which fought for justice for the oppressed selectors (rural farmers, among them many Irishmen); three Victoria Police constables were killed in an October 1878 shootout with Ned Kelly and his gang at Stringybark Creek. In 1923, members of the Victoria Police went on strike due to the implementation of a new supervisory system; by the 21st century, over 90% of Victoria Police constables were unionized. By December 2019, the Victoria Police had 15,651 personnel.
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