UPPER Hunter MP Michael Johnsen is determined to fight a possible disbandment of the Hunter Valley Local Area Command.
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Talk surfaced this week that the command’s officers, currently based in Muswellbrook, could be added onto the neighbouring Oxley and Central Hunter groups.
This would force Scone to operate out of Tamworth, with Muswellbrook and Singleton to be aligned with either Cessnock or Maitland.
“There is a restructuring going on – and the whole reason for the reshuffle is to get more coppers in the bush,” Mr Johnsen said.
“My only issue there is, looking at the LAC (Local Area Command) structure, the Hunter Valley LAC needs to be continued to be based in the Upper Hunter.
“Decisions need to be made here in the Upper Hunter.
Mr Johnsen said the overall process, which could take a couple of months, would include consultation with local mayors and Upper Hunter visits from the state’s senior police.
Now, he is encouraging the community to share its opinion on the matter by completing a poll launched on his website.
He’s hoping people will share their thoughts on the issue, so he has something to support his position when visited by senior police.
Mr Johnsen said the geographical constraints had a practical impact on the police’s ability to service the community.
He believes if Muswellbrook and the Upper Hunter’s police were based in larger places like Maitland, the focus would naturally shift from the law enforcement needs of his electorate.
“We need a senior officer, who is experienced, based in Muswellbrook,” he said.
“We want the focus in the Upper Hunter to be in the Upper Hunter.”
Mr Johnsen said the restructure would eventually bring more officers on the ground in the Upper Hunter.
“We’ll end up with more police, I’m confident of that,” he said.
“The reality is, we’ve got a big enough population to justify having local decisions made by local senior coppers, in the Hunter Valley Local Area Command.”
A NSW Police spokesperson confirmed a review of the force's structure, with the establishment of the Re-engineering Taskforce, was underway.
“The Taskforce is focused on implementing the right structure for the NSW Police Force and identifying the biggest challenges for policing in the future, ensuring we can address them,” she said.
“We are looking at where consolidations and realignment across the organisation can create greater efficiencies.
“Some areas will see a redistribution and streamlining of ranks, which will see less management positions and more police on the frontline.
“The Taskforce understands the very different needs of rural, regional and metropolitan NSW and is empowering local decision making.
“This is a positive and progressive step forward for policing and the community in NSW.
“We are creating a fluid police force that will consistently change to meet the needs of the community in the prevention, reduction and disruption of crime into the future.
“The Taskforce will continue consulting with officers throughout the process via the Police Association and Public Service Association.”