Gunnedah Duty Inspector Paul Johnson said he hoped the Oxley Local Area Command would have a “strong chance” of securing a dog squad unit which would enhance the ability of local police and be an important crime fighting tool.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Inspector Johnson met yesterday with Member for Tamworth Kevin Anderson, who will follow up the issue with NSW Police Minister Stuart Ayres when Parliament sits this week.
Mr Anderson said he was continuing the push, after handing over a petition with 5000 signatures to NSW Parliament in February.
“Parliament is sitting this week and this will be a good opportunity to meet with Police Minister Stuart Ayres and find out exactly where this process is up to,” Mr Anderson said.
“We know that on occasions, the police dog unit is tasked to our region and has excellent results, so a permanent unit based in Tamworth would greatly assist in helping our police drive down crime and keep our community safe.”
Inspector Johnson said he would be “hopeful” with the support of the community, that such a resource could be located within the Oxley Local Area Command, which would cover Gunnedah.
“From a policing perspective, I would hope we would have a strong chance,” he said.
“A dog unit certainly enhances the ability of police in the area, whether it be for general purpose or drug use.
“When used within our resources, it’s certainly another chink to our armour and another crime fighting tool.
“A drug dog would by all means enhance investigations into drug supply and usage, while a general purpose dog would allow us to target property-related crime and public order management,” Inspector Johnson said.
Mr Anderson and Inspector Johnson yesterday met with Tamworth business owners Barry and Kerry Bourne, whose store on Goonoo Goonoo Road was held up.
“There has been a growing and building momentum in the community in the last 12 months,” Insp ector Johnson said.
Mr Anderson has pledged to continue pushing the issue, having already met with Western Region Commander Assistant Commissioner Geoff McKechnie, who oversees the Oxley, New England and Barwon Area Commands, to outline the case.
Representations have also been made to the Commissioner and Police Minister.
“Barry and Karen Bourne owners of the Highway superette in Tamworth along with their daughter Renee, began the push for a dog unit after their store on Goonoo Goonoo road and their North Tamworth store were held up. Sadly that’s an example of the environment that we now live in,” Mr Anderson said.
“I also want to thank the community for their continued effort in assisting police to get the job done. Police need our support, and I encourage the community to report any crime or suspicious behaviour,” Mr Anderson said.
