“It’s a priority that we develop both an awareness and a culture of safety at sea,” Sgt Minnock said.
He replaces long-serving former Senior Sergeant Greg Trew, who retired in July.
Dublin-born Sgt Minnock was a carpenter for three years before he joined the Republic of Ireland Navy, in which he served for eight years before emigrating to Australia.
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READ NOWHe said he joined WA Police 20 years ago because it was an ambition and for the adventure.
After graduating at the former Maylands police academy, Sgt Minnock served as a general duties officer, including five years in Fremantle and as Yalgoo and Mount Magnet station sergeants, in addition to several years in Dampier where he dived recreationally.
His post for the past two years was at WA Police’s ethical standards division that polices other officers.
The police at his new North Fremantle station are primarily a marine search and rescue unit, with a small investigation section that looks at crimes such as boat theft, collisions at sea and stealing from vessels at Swan River yacht clubs.
“I wanted to join Water Police for the challenge, for something different as it’s a specialist section, and it does take me some way back to my navy days when I had my coxswain’s and steering tickets, and will now be updating them,” Sgt Minnock said.