Mid-North Coast Policing District receives 10 new police positions

The Mid-North Coast Police District has been allocated 10 new police positions for the region for 2019-20.

An aged crime prevention officer and child protection register officer will also be dedicated to the region, while Nambucca Valley and South West Rocks will be receiving a sergeant each.

Mid-North Coast Police District Commander Superintendent Paul Fehon said the new positions would bring the overall number of officers to 175, not including auxiliary and traffic staff.

"Port Macquarie receiving a sergeant and five constables recognises the increases in population and the housing growth we are seeing across Port Macquarie," said Supt Fehon.

"The six new officers for Port Macquarie is quite substantial because it will enable us to operate with a second car at peak times.

"It can help lighten the workload on our officers who are facing increasing demands through policing services, preparation of court briefs and increasing responses to domestic violence.

"We've been fortunate to get 10 additional positions allocated to us across the Mid-North Coast."

The aged crime prevention officer will be focusing on elderly abuse, homelessness and disability, according to Supt Fehon.

While a child protection register officer will focus on compliance and inspections of people on the child protection register.

Further resources are expected to be allocated to accompany upgrades at the minimum to medium security prison in West Kempsey as it's upgraded to accommodate 440 additional male inmates.

"We do have further challenges ahead with the expansion of the Mid-North Coast Correctional Centre, which is going to double in size by the end of the year," said Supt Fehon.

"We will also anticipate that on August 23 the next class will be exiting from the police college. Out of that group five new probationary constables will be coming to the Mid-North Coast.

"They will be evenly spread across all three locations in Kempsey, Port Macquarie and Nambucca Valley."

The new positions are among 450 additional police to be assigned to NSW stations over the next 12 months, and part of 1500 additional police over the next four years.

NSW Police Force Commissioner Mick Fuller said new positions will be created in the areas most in need.

"We will see more officers in police area commands and police districts as well as in specialist commands, such as our Strategic Intelligence, Rural Crime and Cyber Crime Squads," said Commissioner Fuller.

"By 2023 we will have a child protection register coordinator and aged crime prevention officer at each police area command and police district across the state."

While you're with us, you can now receive updates straight to your inbox from the Port Macquarie News. To make sure you're up to date with all the news, SIGN UP HERE.