After months of negotiation, Cowra Police have welcomed three out of four new probationary constables to help combat staffing issues.
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Probationary constables Logan Harris, David Hutchinson and Bec McCorkindale were officially welcomed to the community by Member for Cootamundra, Steph Cooke and Cowra Mayor, Councillor Bill West on Thursday morning.
Ms Cooke said it was great to see the constables in Cowra after months of campaigning.
“It’s been a few months work to get these guys here, on the ground in what is a really, really lovely community,” she said.
“To welcome three new constables to start their career right here in Cowra, it’s a good day and it’s been through the close work of the Police Association, through my office and through the police force, led by Superintendent McDonald and together, we’ve been able to get a really, really good result for the people here in Cowra.”
The appointment of the constables comes after the Cowra branch of the Police Association of NSW made the call to NSW Police for additional police in Cowra.
After negotiations and a number of offers, NSW Police, in writing, guaranteed four new probationary constables who would stay in Cowra.
Branch representative, Senior Constable Andrew Buchtmann, at the time said it was a shame an outcome to negotiations took so long, but the branch was satisfied with the outcome.
“It was tough but at the end of the day the additional police here in Cowra will allow us to police more proactively, to run operations, have a minimum of three staff rostered on and will allow us to leave the station open more during the day, having an officer there to take inquires,” he said.
Constable Hutchinson, originally from Lithgow, joined Cowra’s ranks earlier this year while Mr Harris and Ms McCorkindale have come from Quirindi and Boorowa respectively.
Chifley Local Area Command (LAC) Superintendent Paul McDonald said the three constables have settled into both Cowra and the LAC really well.
“It means a lot for the community down here, we’ve got David, Bec and Logan who have fitted great to the police district within Chifley,” he said.
“They are fitting in with the community, they are doing some great work, learning and learning really quick.”
Cr West said the community said it was tremendous work done by the Police Association and Ms Cooke’s office to ensure an increasing in staff.
“To have three probationary constables welcomed into our community, is certainly great news for our community,” he said.
The fourth constable will be arriving in Cowra in December.
