Nymagee last week welcomed two new faces with police officer Constable David Bates and his wife Joanne taking up residence.
Constable Bates has just transferred from his last post at Broken Hill and although he’s city born and bred, has spent most of his adult life living and working in country areas.
While he may have only been a police officer for just over three years, Constable Bates does however have plenty of relevant experience to bring to his rural policing role.
“I worked as a real estate stock and station agent for 12 years and I also worked as a Jackaroo in the Orange/Millthorpe area.
“I’ve worked with horses, sheep and cattle which is handy for out here,” Constable Bates said.
He’s also an avid 4WD enthusiast, and likes camping and shooting.
Constable Bates believes it was his rural background that helped him to earn the position at Nymagee.
“It seems rural crime is the biggest problem for the area. I plan to get around and visit as many owners of properties as possible and listen to what their problems are,” he said.
Constable Bates said he will work with his sergeant to formulate a plan to target crime.
Cobar Police Sergeant John Bennett said Constable Bates’ focus would be on rural crime and Operation High Ground and he will also be working in closely with Cobar police staff.
“Constable Bates will do some shifts in Cobar as well to get familiar with our sector and we will be sending an officer down there every now and then to work with Constable Bates,” Sergeant Bennett said.
He said having someone “on the ground” at Nymagee will be a great help in combatting rural crime.
Constable Bates said the rural location and lock-up keeper position at Nymagee had appealed to him.
He said he and his wife and their two dogs will very much enjoy the peace and quiet of living in Nymagee.
