At least four existing NSW regional Local Area Comman (LAC) commands are expected to be merged into two new, bigger LACs.

The Orana LAC, based in Dubbo, currently covers nine areas including Wellington, Narromine and Gilgandra police stations. The Mudgee LAC includes Gulgong, Rylstone, and Kandos.

There are fears in Mudgee a merger would see a reduction in operational hours at the Mudgee Police Station. Gulgong, Rylstone and Kandos police stations are not 24/7 operations.

The majority of smaller police stations in the Orana LAC are not 24/7. 

Orana LAC’s Acting Superintendent Scott Tanner recently told Fairfax Media that when Wellington “is not attended, we always have at least two officers rostered as on-call and can attend scenes as they’re needed”. 

Fairfax Media asked Deputy Commissioner Regional Field Operations Gary Worboys to clarify the amalgamation and a possible cut to hours at Mudgee.

A NSW Police spokesperson explained “nothing has been finalised”.

“We are looking at where consolidations and realignment across the organisation can create greater efficiencies. Some areas will see a re-distribution and streamlining of ranks which will see less management positions and more police on the frontline.” 

“We are creating a fluid police force that will consistently change,” the spokesperson said.

Police Minister and Dubbo MP Troy Grant issued a statement explaining the intention of re-engineering is to ensure the police force is best placed to protect the community into the future.

He rejected claims police numbers will be cut, “it is in no way about cutting officer numbers. I’ve made it very clear there will be no reduction in frontline policing”. 

“Re-engineering” the police began with the May appointment of Deputy Commissioner Gary Worboys.

Deputy Commissioner Mr Worboys, now based in Dubbo, said then “new enforcement squads will be deployed to police regional areas” and they will “work out of hubs”.

“The enforcement squads are really around prevention and disruption which then will hopefully decrease the workload for the uniformed police and the other police.

“I think that is the important thing that if you keep putting resources into crime then you never win the battle and the regional enforcement squads are key. They're central to preventing and disrupting crime,” he said.

Concerned Mudgee residents contacted Fairfax Media claiming key roles at their police station, including the commander and administrations officer, will be relocated to Dubbo in the restructure.

Mr Grant said: “It is entirely false to suggest that police services will be diminished in any way as a result of the re-engineering.”

“This process is in its infancy, and communities across the State, including in the Dubbo electorate, and local police, will be consulted on any potential changes.”

Establishment of a Police Re-engineering Taskforce comes as the latest crime statistics show a reduction in the majority of recorded criminal incidents in the Mudgee LAC region.

Orange MP Phil Donato said a shake-up of police in the Central West would lead to job cuts and decreased police support for the community.

Mr Donato called on Mr Grant to ensure the proposed “re-engineering” of police areas would not lead to less front line, senior and unsworn officers.

“Already on the cards is the amalgamation, and I call it an amalgamation, not a re-engineering, of the Mudgee Local Area Command and the Orana Local Area Command and Cootamundra and Wagga and also potentially the Canobolas and Lachlan local area commands,” he said.

“If we are losing inspectors and superintendents from local area commands and they are being amalgamated, whether it be a super command, or a new title, you are going to be losing decades of experience those officers provide to front line police.

“You are going to lose jobs in regional communities.”