Chairman of the local police association, Barry McMahon, has welcomed news of four new probationary constables for Tamworth but believes the new recruits still won't provide a "proactive arm".
CHAIRMAN of the local police association, Barry McMahon, has welcomed news of four new probationary constables for Tamworth but believes the new recruits still won't provide a "proactive arm".
In the wake of Tuesday night's announcement that four probationary constables would join the local beat in September, Mr McMahon said he believed the force would be better equipped if the four placements would be filled by more experienced officers.
He said while the association wouldn't knock the new police back, it would still be difficult for local officers to be more proactive.
Mr McMahon said first response and Target Action Group duties were likely to be put on the back burner in favour of training the new probationary constables.
"They're not giving us fresh and knowledgeable police we're not getting experienced officers," he said.
Tuesday's announcement of more officers for Tamworth followed discussion in state Parliament's question time.
Premier Barry O'Farrell and Police Minister Mike Gallacher spoke about fixing crime problems across the state.
Tamworth MP Kevin Anderson said the time dedicated in question time to the issue of policing numbers for Tamworth recognised the city's ongoing need for more police.
Mr McMahon said the association believes Tamworth was still 22 officers short of being at "full-strength".
Mr McMahon said the allocation of four officers to Tamworth was not that out of the ordinary following a graduation from the academy.
The association has been campaigning to bring more experienced officers to the station for the past five years.
