If a detox and rehabilitation facility will reduce crime and improve the lives of drug users then a push to build one in Dubbo could be embraced by the state government, Police Minister David Elliot said on Thursday.
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"I'm open to any idea," he said during his first official visit to the city as Minister.
Mr Elliot said any decision on whether to give a detox and rehab facility the green light would be made in consultation with local political representatives, police and health officials.
The government's special inquiry into the drug ice [expected to conclude in October] will need to run its course before a final decision is made, he said.
"We have to continue to remind everybody illicit drugs are illegal," Mr Elliot said.
"You will get caught."
When asked for his views on recent alleged assaults against police in the western region, Mr Elliot said he was talking to the NSW Police Association about ways officers in the line of duty could be supported.
"Police are not punching bags, there are serious criminal convictions for those that assault our police or any emergency services officers," he said.
There are no immediate plans to introduce tougher punishments for people who assault police, Mr Elliot confirmed.
"I want to make sure the magistrates are using the punishments that are available at the moment before I start really looking at increasing penalties," he said.
"I'm a very open minded person and if those [penalties] need to be amended we would do that."
Mr Elliot was joined by Assistant NSW Police Commissioner Geoff McKechnie, state Member for Dubbo Dugald Saunders and Dubbo Region mayor Ben Shields at the Dubbo Regional Livestock Markets where they welcomed confirmation six new rural crime investigators would soon start work.
"We are going to put trained investigators, trained detectives in places they've never been before," Assistant Commissioner McKechnie said.
"Statistically we are seeing a steadying in the number of cattle that are being stolen, but we're seeing increases around goats, smaller animals and those things that these people who find themselves on peoples properties are stealing," he said.
Fuel, chainsaws and quad bikes are also proving popular with thieves, Assistant Commissioner McKechnie said.
Illegal hunting and trespassing are also areas of concern for police and rural crime investigators will look to conduct even more checks on stock trucks moving throughout NSW, he said.
"Crime across NSW generally is on the decline," Mr Elliot said.
