The Western Region will receive additional police over the next 12 months, significantly increasing the capability of police districts to fight crime.
Twenty-eight additional police have been assigned to the Western Region in the first instalment of new police positions during 2019-20. This is the NSW Government’s single biggest investment in new police positions for the NSW Police Force in 30 years.
Western Region Commander, Mr Geoff McKechnie, said the announcement is a massive win for Western Region and all of the communities which make up this part of the state.
“It’s a really significant number of additional police that are being added to the region,” he said.
“It will greatly increase the capacity of the police districts to meet the ever-increasing demands and will allow Commanders to deploy officers in all proactive roles aimed at preventing and disrupting criminal activity across the region.
“We look forward to filling those new positions. This is an opportunity for country people to consider a career in NSW Police Force and work in regional NSW.”
Areas of Western Region receiving police in the first batch during 2019-20 include:
- Central West Police District: Seven, including one Child Protection Register Coordinator, and one Age Crime Prevention Officer.
- Chifley Police District: Five
- New England Police District: Five
- Orana-Mid Western Police District: Six, including one Child Protection Register Coordinator.
- Oxley Police District: Five
Additionally, six new Rural Crime positions will be created across the state.
Orana Mid-Western Police District Commander, Peter McKenna, said the announcement of six new police to the area will greatly increase capability.
“Regional policing has never been as well resourced as it is today,” he said.
“The Orana Mid-Western Police District will utilise those six police, they will be front line officers.
“Front line officers will be out on the street, making a difference, holding criminals to account and making sure the good people of the community are being looked after.
“We’re out there intervening, disrupting criminals in the act, and it is making a difference.
“We have an ethos now of prevention, disruption and response; that’s how we work in this district and that’s how the Commissioner wants us to work all around NSW.”
Future allocations of positions will be determined based on resource requirement and how best to prevent, disrupt and respond to emerging crime issues.
