Under the new model, which will be rolled out on September 1, local policing teams will be set up in the region’s major police stations ” Rockingham, Kwinana and Mandurah ” to deal specifically with issues that do not need immediate assistance in designated suburbs from the outset until the case is closed.
They will be controlled by a centralised administrative hub based in Cockburn.
Mr O’Callaghan moved to allay fears that the decision to do so was economic or drawing police from the area.
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READ NOW‘Police in Rockingham, Mandurah and Kwinana have one of hardest jobs in the WA Police force,’ he said.
‘This new model is not an economic exercise ” police stations aren’t going to close ” and if anything, having a centralised administrative hub is about increasing numbers and implementing a way to better deal with the problems besetting the community and deal with concerns.
‘This district is the second busiest in the State and the major issues here are no different or worse than those experienced throughout the rest of the State.’
Mrs Harvey said the new model had been successfully trialled in the south-east metropolitan area and overall crime reported had dropped more than 8 per cent.
‘The south-east metro district is now the second best performing area (in terms of reported crime) and that’s why we’re keen to roll it out in the south-west metro area and across the State,’ she said.
‘Frontline 2020 is about getting teams of officers out from behind desks and becoming a visible presence on the streets in their areas.’
Mr O’Callaghan concluded with a promise to revisit the area and hold another forum in March next year to discuss the model’s progress.
For a full run down of the key points discussed on Wednesday night, visit the Courier’s Facebook page.