REGION ENFORCEMENT SQUAD TO TARGET CRIME ACROSS THE CENTRAL WEST

Tuesday, 28 August 2018​

Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke MP today announced a new specialist police team for the Central West that will proactively target mid-level crime and bolster community safety. 

Ms Cooke said the safety and security of the community is a top priority of this Government, and the Chifley Region Enforcement Squad (RES) will work hard to prevent drug and gun crime across western NSW including the Cootamundra electorate.

“With the capability to identify, prevent and disrupt mid-level crime, the specially-trained squad will focus more on proactive policing rather than reactive policing,” Ms Cooke said.

“This is also about reducing the workload of our frontline police so they can focus on crime in our local community.  

“I know residents and businesses in Cowra, Gooloogong and Woodstock will welcome the additional police in our region and continue to assist local police by reporting any suspicious activity.” 

Consisting of one sergeant and three constables, the Chifley RES will conduct investigations into drug supply, firearms offences, property crime, and any criminal syndicates in the area.

Based in Bathurst, the Chifley RES will have the flexibility to support surrounding Police Districts across the Central West and the capacity to work throughout major hubs and smaller towns across western NSW.

Minister for Police Troy Grant said the NSW Liberals & Nationals Government is absolutely committed to giving regional officers all the support they need to stop crime in its tracks.

“The message here is simple: more resources for regional cops, fewer victims, and less pressure on the frontline.”

Deputy Commissioner Gary Worboys said our city neighbours have always benefitted from specialist police but crime can happen anywhere and resources are now being allocated to regional NSW where they are needed. 

“Western region police districts have always been relentless in the pursuit of illegal activity; however, combining with specialist units like RES serves as a warning for criminal networks putting community safety at risk – we are targeting you.”

The roll-out of Region Enforcement Squads across regional and rural NSW is a key element of the re-engineering process of the NSW Police Force.