Albury missing out in a recent allocation of new police has been described as "extremely disappointing" by MP Justin Clancy, who is pushing for the region to benefit next.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
In July, the NSW government announced the first 450 police, of 1500 to be added by 2022, were being assigned to stations over the next 12 months.
In speaking to police resourcing at a meeting on crime in Table Top last week, Mr Clancy said "we didn't benefit from any of those additional numbers this year".
"We had a meeting with the Assistant Commissioner in Sydney and made it known to him that's extremely disappointing ... and he's assured us we should benefit," he said.
Mr Clancy told The Border Mail the Assistant Commissioner could not say at the time of their meeting when Albury might receive new police.
"He wasn't able to make a commitment at that point in time, but it's something he was happy to relay to the Police Commissioner," he said.
"The government has committed to 1500 new police across the state, and I believe that will be rolled out over three tranches.
"The Police Commissioner makes decisions as to where they're allocated, in consultation with the (NSW) Police Association.
"We relayed the importance of making sure Albury is very much part of those considerations."
Acting Inspector Gary Lewis told the meeting on Thursday the "general rule of thumb" for a police-to-resident ratio was about one officer to 1000 people.
"We're running at about 52 general duties staff here in Albury in four teams ... that gives 24-hour coverage," he said.
That number did not include detective and other units, he said.
IN OTHER NEWS:
Mr Clancy added the team at Albury, which is within the Murray River Police District, worked hard "with the limited resources".
Police Association of NSW president Tony King said the government's first 450 new police was a "step in the right direction".
"We expect this to continue with each new graduation of police officers ... including the 269 officers who passed out from Goulburn on Friday, August 23," he said.
"We look forward to the day when the full complement of 1500 additional police are recruited."
Among the districts receiving the first additional police were Hunter Valley, Newcastle and Riverina, which covers Wagga.