Council calls for better incentives to attract and retain police officers in Narrabri Shire

NARRABRI Shire Council will call on the NSW government to address police staffing shortages, housing challenges and recruitment incentives.

Mayor Darrell Tiemens is set to write to the NSW Minister for Police and Counter-terrorism Yasmin Catley and the Member for Barwon Roy Butler, seeking urgent action on police vacancies, police housing and regional policing incentives for Narrabri Shire.

The move comes after councillors voted in favour of a mayoral minute presented by Cr Tiemens at June’s ordinary council meeting.

The mayoral minute noted community concerns regarding crime, antisocial behaviour and public safety within Narrabri Shire and requested that the council continue to work with NSW Police, local organisations and the community on crime prevention measures within the limits of its role and responsibilities.

The council also acknowledged and thanked local NSW Police officers for their service and commitment to the community.

“I bring this Mayoral Minute forward because community safety is very important across our shire,” said Cr Tiemens.

“While policing is a NSW government responsibility, council must remain vigilant in ensuring that regional communities like ours do not miss out when crime prevention and policing resources are allocated.

“Locals are entitled to feel safe in their homes, in their businesses and in their streets.

“Council has an important role to play in community safety.

“We can support crime prevention initiatives, maintain public spaces, improve lighting, advocate for services and work closely with NSW Police and community organisations.

“However, there is a clear limit to what local government can do without strong and properly resourced policing on the ground.

“Our police are highly valued by this community. They do difficult work, often under pressure, and they deserve our respect and support.”

Cr Tiemens emphasised the mayoral minute was not a criticism of local police officers but “a call for the NSW government to give them the staffing, housing and support they need to do their job effectively across our shire”.

He said housing was a central part of attracting and keeping police in local communities.

“If we want police officers to come to Narrabri Shire, settle here, bring their families here and remain here, then suitable and affordable housing has to be part of the solution.

“Police cannot be expected to take up regional postings if housing is not available or if the cost and availability of housing becomes a barrier to recruitment.”

At the 17 June meeting, Cr Tiemens said he had spoken to residents and local police about the matter.

“We are going through a little bit of a crime spike….we heard of an arrest yesterday… there are about three or four troublemakers that have been…raising some kind of havoc,” said Cr Tiemens.

“Largely compared to most other regional parts of NSW, we don’t suffer from the same kind of levels of crime that we get in other areas.”

The importance of reporting crime and suspicious behaviour to police through the appropriate channels was highlighted in the meeting, such as Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, which accepts anonymous information, the Police Assistance Line on 131 444 for non–urgent matters, or Triple Zero (000) in an emergency.

“I just encourage people to use the police the way they’re meant to be used,” said Cr Tiemens.

Following the mayoral minute, the council has urged the NSW government to provide greater support to attract and retain police officers in Narrabri Shire and surrounding regional communities, raising concerns about police vacancies in the region and how gaps in police resourcing can place additional pressure on local officers and the wider community.

The council wants the NSW government to consider improved regional policing incentives, including pay incentives, housing incentives, relocation support and promotion incentives. It is also requesting urgent attention to police housing in Narrabri Shire as a practical measure to assist recruitment and retention.

“I am concerned that there are a number of police vacancies in this shire and it is really difficult to fill them,” said Cr Tiemens at the June meeting.

“I’m asking for the NSW government to put in greater support to attract people to areas like Narrabri, Wee Waa, Boggabri and other parts of this region.

“It’s difficult to attract and retain police officers, even though we all know how much we love living out here.

“There is a shortage of police housing as well in this shire, and I’m calling on the NSW government to start spending some of the taxes we pay in this shire.”