NSW Police have today announced a new policing model for regional NSW which involves re-engineering some of our local area commands, including the Hunter and Port Stephens.
34 local area commands (LAC's) will now be replaced by 26 police districts across the state and each will operate under an "Officer in Charge" model.
According to Deputy Commissioner Regional Field Operations Gary Worboys, this will be a great improvement to regional policing.
"This model allows for a more dynamic and flexible approach to investigations, proactive operations and focusing on important community issue like domestic and family violence and mid-level drug supply."
Under the change-up, the Hunter Valley LAC will combine with the southern sectors of the Central Hunter while Port Stephens is set to combine with northern sectors of the Central Hunter.
Cessnock Mayor, Bob Pynsent says he's not happy for his electorate to be part of this change.
"I'm not comfortable with the Cessnock Local Government area being part of the Hunter Valley Command mainly because if it's based in Muswellbrook, Cessnock has the greatest population of all the other towns and it should be based in Cessnock."
He says he doesn't think this change will be of any benefit to his community and says it's all about money.
"I think it's a cost-saving measure. At no point in the consultation that I've been apart of have there been any increase in numbers put to me. Policing out of Muswellbrook and not specifically in Cessnock is not something that this community wants. "
