More Boots Not Amalgamations

A decision is yet to be made whether the Upper Hunter Local Area Police Command will be amalgamated with the Central Hunter Local Area Command explained Troy Grant, Minister for Police during budget estimates last week.

The Minister confirmed during questioning that consultation is underway to assess resourcing with local police commands, local Councils and the community.

John Preston, spokesperson for the Shooters, Fishers and Farmers party said the Upper Hunter needs more police not amalgamations.

“Consulting about amalgamations and centralising services is just about cutting costs, it is not about putting more boots on the ground and the Upper Hunter needs more police it is that simple,” said Mr Preston.

“The Upper Hunter Local Area Command needs more police, they were promised 10 more officers and so far have only received three,” he said.

“Not only is the Upper Hunter under-resourced compared to city areas where a police officer in the Upper Hunter has more jobs per shift, but there is also the tyranny of distance so they also need more police to address that gap,” he said.

“The Upper Hunter area has one of the highest rates of assault and going to domestic disputes and fights is one of the most dangerous things police can do,” he said.

“Police in the Upper Hunter should have a workload on par with their city counterparts not more and the community deserves more police to improve response times,” John Preston said.