Wagga Local Area Command is no more. Now it is known as the Riverina District, and includes half of what was formerly the Cootamundra LAC. The other half of Cootamundra has been absorbed into the Hume District around Goulburn. The next few months will be the transition stage.

Wagga Superintendent Bob Noble was formally acknowledged as the new Riverina District Commander on Monday afternoon, as details of changes continue to filter out.

“It’s good news for the public. I’m looking forward to getting on with the work,” Superintendent Bob Noble said.

While final numbers have not been announced, the re-engineering will see 50 police officers from the Cootamundra, Gundagai and Tumut combined with Wagga’s 148 sworn police officers and 12 administration positions.

New police numbers include a six-member regional enforcement squad which can be mobilised to areas of need, plus an extra as a result of the boosted with six regional enforcement squad members.

This week, Wagga will get its third unsworn Domestic Violence Officer to help cope with the region’s appalling rate of family violence.

Recruits have also been a focus, with Commissioner Fuller increasing the size of classes going through the NSW Police Force Academy from next year.

Police Commissioner Mick Fuller has undertaken the massive restructure in a bid to modernise fast response systems and divert resources to where they are needed, however the restructure has been targeted by critics during the region’s two by-elections, with some candidates warning of service cuts.

“The new police district model will allow us greater flexibility and more scope for strategic policing, while also ensuring a focus on local policing,” A police spokesperson said.

“Each station will have an officer in charge to allow local police to have responsibility for taskings and day-to-day operational matters with the added support of the district office. 

“Bringing together the Wagga Wagga LAC and parts of the Cootamundra and Albury LACs means increased district resources for major operations and incidents as well as the ability to be more strategic in the way we do things. There will likely be more police on the frontline as we flatten the management structure,” she said.

This week, Opposition police spokesman Guy Zangari reiterated the Labor party’s support for police.

“Police Commissioner Michael Fuller has stated on record that he will do his utmost to ensure the re-engineering of the Police Force will be of benefit to communities across regional areas, Mr Zangari said.

“The NSW Labor Opposition stands firmly behind and supports Commissioner Fuller as he works to enhance policing in rural and regional NSW,” Mr Zangari said.

Mr Zangari said the Opposition can only trust that the Government will give Police Commissioner Mick Fuller the resources he needs to ensure the success of the restructure.  

“Local police do a wonderful job in protecting their communities and as the Shadow Minister for Police, I will always support their needs for adequate resourcing,” Shadow NSW Police Minister Guy Zangari said.

The new Riverina Police District is scheduled to come online in early 2018.