TWELVE police officers, mostly with rural and agricultural experience, have been identified to staff the recently announced Livestock Theft and Rural Crimes specialist policing unit.
To be known as agricultural liaison officers, they will become the local “go-to” people when concerns about livestock thefts and on-farm crimes are raised.
Leading the western arm of the group is Geelong-based Superintendent Rick Nugent.
He has been appointed the divisional head for operational support which aims to improve the service the specialist unit is charged with delivering.
Superintendent Nugent said a series of recent workshops and meetings with community stakeholders such as farmers’ groups, the DPI, stock agents and livestock carriers had been designed to better engage the rural community.
He said obtaining the confidence of the rural community that concerns over rural crimes and livestock theft would be taken seriously was one of the first steps for the new unit.
Knowing the full extent of the problems and increasingly the intelligence and skill levels of the group was another key component with setting up the division, he said.
Police joining the group have a number of ranks ranging from constables to senior sergeants.
