Regional NSW including Dubbo is getting its own deputy police commissioner for reasons including the “scourge of ice” and higher rates of domestic violence.
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The NSW Police Force’s three deputy commissioners are being bumped to five.
For the first time the state will have a deputy commissioner for regional NSW field operations and a deputy commissioner for investigations and counter terrorism.
On Thursday Deputy Premier and Minister for Justice and Police Troy Grant and NSW Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione announced the expansion of the executive and an immediate start to recruitment.
“Regional communities have their own challenges that are different from the city—the tyranny of distance, the scourge of ice that is tearing towns apart, higher domestic violence rates and rural crime such as stock theft,” Mr Grant said.
“The regions and Sydney will both benefit from a tailored focus rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.
“I’d like to thank the police commissioner and the NSW Police Association for their contributions and support of this important step.
“We took into account international best practice and extensive modelling of the needs of our communities.’’
Commissioner Scipione said it had been more than 20 years “since the last significant changes were made to our structure”.
“It’s timely to move forward with these reforms,” he said.
“Our success is built on our commitment to adapt and respond to the changing needs of the community and to tackle new and emerging crimes.
“As an organisation we need to be flexible, agile and responsive to the changing world that we police.
“We will continue to engage closely with the government and the NSW Police Association on the implementation of the changes.”
NSW Police Association vice president Pat Gooley welcomed the announcement that he said followed strong representations from the association to deliver an improved policing model for the community.
“Re-engineering the force is aimed at delivering police on the ground where they’re needed and when they’re needed, which means our communities will reap the safety benefits,” Mr Gooley said.
“We look forward to working with the government and the force as the new structures are developed and implemented.’’
The deputy commissioners report directly to the commissioner.
