From the Newsroom

(L-R) Constable Cooper Rogers, Superintendent Steve Clarke, Chris Gulaptis, Inspector Jo Reid, Deputy Premier and Minister for Police Paul Toole and Constable Rahul Maharaj at Grafton Police Station last week. Image: contributed

New police officers welcomed to the region

The number of officers in the Coffs/Clarence Police District will increase in the coming year.

NSW Deputy Premier, Leader of the Nationals, Minister for Regional NSW and Minister for Police Paul Toole joined Member for Clarence Chris Gulaptis at Grafton Police station on August 3 for the official announcement.

Mr Gulaptis helped negotiate a deal with the Police Association of NSW prior to the last election for record increases in recruitment that has resulted in 24 additional officers for the Coffs/Clarence Police District.

“That deal was signed with Police Association of NSW President Tony King, a former Grafton detective, who has just returned to duty in the region, having completed a successful term representing officers of one of the largest police forces in the English-speaking world,” Mr Gulaptis said.

“Our cops are tops, and I wanted to bring the Minister to Grafton to thank officers for their outstanding service through the pandemic and floods, and to listen to their ideas on the future policing of our region.”

 The Deputy Premier and Mr Gulaptis met officers in Grafton last week including the Commander of the Coffs/Clarence Local Area Command Superintendent Steve Clarke, popular long-term Grafton Inspector Jo Reid, and Constables Cooper Rogers and Rahul Maharaj who are two of the station’s newest recruits.

Mr Toole said the Nationals in Government were delivering the biggest increase in police numbers across NSW in more than 30 years.

“We’re boosting every area and aspect of the NSW Police Force, including our general duties police, domestic violence specialist investigators, police prosecutors, counter terrorism police and organised crime squads,” he said.

 “These extra positions mean more proactive policing, more foot patrols, more visibility of police in high-risk areas, more support for victims, and more time to investigate crime.”