Victoria Police will cut six weeks from its academy training program in a sweeping overhaul aimed at boosting frontline numbers.

From July 14, the existing 31-week course will be replaced by a condensed 25-week version — a move Victoria Police says will allow “more rapid deployment of new police to support the hardworking frontline.”

It marks the biggest change to the state’s police training in more than 15 years and is expected to enable the recruitment of an extra 75 officers annually.

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“That is the equivalent of one large suburban police station,” Acting Deputy Commissioner Tim Hansen said on Friday.

Graduates of the new course will still need to complete a 116-week Diploma of Policing, which remains unchanged.

The 31-week program currently in place was introduced in 2011, replacing a 23-week course that was criticised for lacking practical training. The new training model has been two years in development, with a focus on narrowing the gap between the academy and real-world policing.

According to Victoria Police, the program “eliminates unnecessary repetition” and modernises delivery methods, including digitising parts of the course so recruits can access material at home in their free time.

Netizens were quick to criticise the program’s shortened duration, with suggestions on social media that the slashed program time could have been better used to expand training in areas such as mental health response.

But Hansen defended the changes, saying: “A lot of material has been added to the program over the years, and it’s imperative we remove unnecessary duplication and focus on those areas that matter most to the community.”

He added, “The total time it takes police recruits to complete their entire training remains unchanged, ensuring recruits have a comprehensive understanding of ethics, human rights and legal requirements.”

While there will be less focus on ceremonial training like marching, the new course will devote more time to operational safety and Tasers, which will be issued to graduates. New modules will also focus on how officers respond to youth crime.

“All human rights training has been retained,” Victoria Police said. “The new program continues to meet registered training organisation standards and all legal requirements.”

“The new program will be more practical and interactive, with a greater emphasis on receiving mentoring from experienced officers, while supporting victims, patrolling the community, responding to incidents and keeping the roads safe,” the force added.

Field placements will also become more hands-on, with recruits working on the frontline under supervision, rather than simply observing in watch houses.

“The new program is recognition that while classroom learning is crucial for basic knowledge, the greatest form of learning occurs under supervision on the job,” Hansen said.