Superintendent Greg Moore leads the police in some of the most remote parts of Far West NSW, including Bourke which was once described as being more dangerous than any country in the world.
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In 2013, the town on the Darling River topped the state in six out of eight major crime categories and Superintendent Moore was part of a groundbreaking community-led response.
For his 32 years of service, the Central North Police District Commander was awarded an Australian Police Medal as part of the Queen's Birthday 2019 honours.
"I look upon this as a symbol of the support for the work the police, community and others have been right behind in terms of improving outcomes," he said.
After Bourke's crime problems were put in the national spotlight, Superintendent Moore said most people in the community recognised a need to change the way crime was addressed.
Anecdotally, the feedback is that there is a much greater sense of cohesion and safety.
- Superintendent Greg Moore.
"In towns like Bourke, we've seen a greater preparedness to be part of the problem-solving process," he said.
"Since 2013 police have been working with communities around Bourke and Walgett to really address the feeders of crime and disadvantage.
"Things like homelessness, mental health, drug and alcohol abuse, unemployment and many other contributors.
"We're really heavily focused on preventing crimes occurring and ensuring safer communities."
Superintendent Moore was the driving force behind the Maragnuka Hub in Bourke. It links Bourke's Aboriginal community and police, courts and government services.
He was also instrumental in the introduction of the Justice Reinvestment Project, which has given Aboriginal community members more control over dealing with crime and other social problems.
According to a KPMG report, the Justice Reinvestment Project resulted in a 31 per cent increase in year 12 student retention rates, a 38 per cent reduction in charges across the top five juvenile offence categories, a 14 per cent reduction in bail breaches and a 42 per cent reduction in days spent in custody over a 12 month-period in 2017.
"One 14-year-old lad had experienced a very challenging upbringing but with the support of the hub he was able to turn his life around," Superintendent Moore said.
"Anecdotally, the feedback is that there is a much greater sense of cohesion and safety.
"Twenty-two language groups have representation."
Aboriginal groups were co-designing innovative social programs as part of the project, Superintendent Moore said.
"We initiate actions to address short-term risk, however there is also a broader framework that addresses strategic challenges like truancy and unemployment."
Financial support from charitable organisations like the Dusseldorp Forum and Vincent Fairfax Family Foundation helped establish the hub, Superintendent Moore said.
He said support from his wife Maggie and their two children, John and Niall, was instrumental in allowing him to do his job.
Superintendent Greg Moore — a short biography
Superintendent Greg Moore joined the NSW Police Force in 1987 and started working as a constable at Ashfield Police Station.
He performed general duties in Sydney's inner west until 1991 when he started his career in criminal investigation at Petersham.
In 1998, he transferred to Internal Affairs, where he was promoted to the rank of sergeant in 2002 in the role of senior investigator.
In 2003, Superintendent Moore transferred to Bourke Police Station.
During the next few years, he served at Darling River Local Area Command and Richmond Local Area Command, where he was promoted to the rank of Superintendent in 2013.
Later that year he was appointed as the Commander of Darling River Local Area Command where he remains as the now Central North Police District Commander.
During his service, Superintendent Moore has implemented various pilot programs and development strategies which have helped reduce crime and build positive relationships between the Indigenous community and local police.