Less time on the phone and more time on the beat

Narrabri Police are hoping to spend less time on the phone and more time fighting crime in the community, thanks to a new phone system.

If you’ve called the Narrabri or Wee Waa Police Station recently, you would be aware that the phone response system has changed.

Police stations in the Narrabri region are now part of the IVR, interactive voice response, system that was recently rolled out across NSW.

“The system has been successful in Queensland,” said Narrabri Police Inspector Robert Dunn.

“The whole rationale is to free up police resources and have police out in the community, out on the beat, rather than sitting behind the desk and answering enquiries that could be better dealt with in a more efficient manner,” said Insp. Dunn.

Insp. Dunn said people who phone the Police Station’s landline number will now be given a set of options, before being transferred through to the appropriate member of the NSW Police force depending on whether they have a general enquiry, information to help police solve a crime or if they need to speak directly with an officer from the Oxley Police District.

However, Insp. Robert Dunn is urging people to still dial 000 when there is an emergency and the IVR system also tells people to do the same.

“Nothing has changed with regards to emergency situations,” said Insp. Dunn.

“Triple-0 is still the best way to get a response for emergency situations.”

Insp. Dunn said that previously people would be put through to Tamworth Police Station if Narrabri was unmanned.

He said that calls would now be dealt with ‘more efficiently’ and people were more likely to be put through to the relevant person.

“For the month of August there were over 6000 calls received within the district of which nearly 25 per cent were directly referred to the police assistance line or Crime Stoppers.

“There is a time and place when it’s imperative, and Narrabri Police should be taking the phone calls and that should still occur,” said Insp. Dunn.

“All calls will still be answered by a member of the NSW Police,” he added.