A RESHUFFLING of resources in the local cop command has been designed to help Gunnedah's immediate crime problem, but the move does not put any additional boots on the ground in the district, police confirmed.
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A crime investigator position at the town's station has stood vacant long-term but has now been filled, while two of Oxley's rural officers have been moved to be stationed in Gunnedah - one from Tamworth and one from elsewhere in the district.
NSW Police confirmed to the Leader the boost to Gunnedah's blue line was an operational redistribution of resources the district already had, plus the successful recruitment for the existing, but open, position.
The rural crime prevention team covers the entire Oxley command so it won't leave a particular area short-staffed, police said. NSW Police can shuffle resources based on crime trends and needs.
Gunnedah mayor Jamie Chaffey said the moves would help "free up" general duties officers in Gunnedah as the town deals with a surge in property crime.
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"The Gunnedah community has been raising concerns and it's not good enough," Cr Chaffey said.
He told the Leader the reshuffle was a step forward, but he would continue to advocate for additional officers to be allocated to Oxley.
He said extra boots on the beat were needed so Gunnedah's multi-million-dollar new police station could operate around the clock, something the community has been calling for.
A part-time administration officer was also locked in for Gunnedah, while Cr Chaffey said it was pleasing to see an officer had recently taken up a vacant job in Tambar Springs.
The changes were made public after a meeting between Tamworth MP Kevin Anderson, western region commander Assistant Commissioner Brett Greentree and Oxley commander Superintendent Kylie Endemi.
Mr Anderson said he would continue to strongly back the police union in its calls for eight additional trained officers to hit the ground in the Oxley district when an allocation is announced later this year.
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