 In 1923 , the Victoria Police went on strike , and Monash and McCay established a Special Constabulary Force to carry out police duties . After the Chief Commissioner , Alexander Nicholson , resigned for ill @-@ health in 1925 , Chauvel recommended Blamey for the post . He became Chief Commissioner on 1 September 1925 for a five @-@ year term , with a salary of £ 1 @,@ 500 per annum ( A $ 100 @,@ 227 in 2008 dollars ) . Blamey set about addressing the grievances that had caused the strike , which he felt " were just , even if they went the wrong way about them " . Blamey improved pay and conditions , and implemented the recommendations of the Royal Commission into the strike . He attempted to introduce faster promotion based on merit , but this was unpopular with the Police Association , and was abandoned by his successors . As in the Army , he showed a willingness to adopt new ideas . He introduced police dogs , and increased the number of police cars equipped with two @-@ way radios from one in 1925 to five in 1930 . He also boosted the numbers of policewomen on the force . 
