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Cops, farmers bond over coffee at Dubbo Saleyards
By Taylor Jurd, The Daily Liberal
Original article HERE
New South Wales Police and Rural Crime Investigators from three separate zones visited the Dubbo Saleyards on Thursday for Coffee with a Cop.
Representatives from the Southern, Central and the Northern regions spoke with local agents and landholders about the issues facing them, including rural theft and trespassing
State Rural Crime Coordinator Detective Inspector Cameron Whiteside said it was great to be able to exchange information at a relaxed environment with farmers, landholders and agents.
“And it’s a great opportunity for future engagements,” he said.
Det Insp Whiteside said many RCI’s have good relationships with landholders and agents and the Coffee With A Cop event will further enhance that.
“Today we’ve got Rural Crime Investigator’s from Dubbo, Mudgee, Orange and in addition to that licensing officers for firearm related questions and traffic police that will assist with any traffic questions,” he said.
There are 34 Rural Crime Investigators across the state, which will increase to approximately 43 and are being recruited for now, Det Insp Whiteside said.
“In addition to that there will also be three civilian intelligence analysts which enables us to strategically tackle problem areas,” he said.
“That’s why it’s very important that people ring us with information.
”We really need to assist landholders and producers to reduce the impact of rural crime and in essence prevent it.”
Over $165,000 has been awarded to the NSW Farmers Association by the NSW Government, which will go towards the delivery of 26 Security Assessment Workshops during Rural Crime Week 2018.
Det Insp Whiteside said thanks to the funding NSW Police are in the process of developing these rural crime prevention workshops.
“It’s not always going to be in the big cities we want to get to the community and speak to those that want to hear about crime prevention measures,” he said.
“After 30 years in the Police I’ve found it’s much easier to prevent something than to try and solve it.”
PT Lord, Dakin & Associates trainee stock agent Tim Beach was all for having more events such as Coffee with a Cop to help improve farmers welfare.
“Based on what happening we’re seeing the tough conditions and the mental state of some farmers. There’s a lot of depression cases going on and suicide rates are high in western areas.. if we can get that under control I think it’d be a great thing to do, and if it’s more events like this that are gonna help then lets do it,” he said.
