A new police squad to be based in Dubbo will hold the perpetrators of domestic violence accountable for their actions.
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A Domestic Violence High Risk Offender team will focus on stopping perpetrators of domestic and family violence, made up of an experienced sergeant, civilian analyst and three constables.
The level of domestic violence in Dubbo is three times the NSW average.
NSW Police Commissioner Michael Fuller said for too long the perpetrator of domestic and family violence had been looked at differently from other criminals, but it was time that thinking was reshaped.
“Our primary focus needs to be on the victims and the silent victims which are the family members. I really feel as though perpetrator accountability is essential because it starts the conversation that we don’t accept domestic and family violence,” he said.
“We don’t accept people stealing our cars, we don’t accept people breaking into our houses so we shouldn’t accept people abusing our family members, it’s just not on.”
Commissioner Fuller said the job of police was to prevent the next victim from being assaulted.
Meanwhile, the Regional Enforcement Squad, comprised of a sergeant and three constables will tackle mid-level crime, focusing on drug suppliers.
Both teams will be based in Dubbo but are flexible and will be trained to work on targets across towns and regional borders.
Commissioner Fuller said the regional enforcement squad had been proven successful in the metropolitan regions. The squad has now been rolled out to Dubbo and Wagga Wagga.
“If you know who the local drug dealer is, if you know whop is breaking into homes or ruining your town then you need to reach out and give us information because the regional enforcement squad will have the resources and the time to track these people, to follow them and to put them before the court for the serious offences they’re committing,” he said.
The semi-covert team will focus on finding those creating the “biggest problem” in Dubbo and get them before the courts “as quick as possible”, he said.
“It’s my job to make sure police have the resources and the ability to target the head of the snake not just targeting people who are users of drugs, which is not ever going to solve the problem.”
The Region Enforcement Squad will start by the end of the year.