NSW Deputy Premier, Nationals Leader and Minister for Police Paul Toole joined Tweed MP Geoff Provest for a visit to the Tweed Heads Police station on Tuesday and confirmed the number of officers in the Tweed/Byron Police District will increase by a further two in the coming year.
The NSW Liberal Nationals Government signed a deal with the Police Association of NSW prior to the last election for record increases in recruitment and that has now resulted in a total of 11 more officers for the Tweed Byron Local Area Command, the Minister said.
Geoff Provest said he wanted to bring the Minister to the $50 million police station built by the Liberal Nationals Government to thank officers for their outstanding service through the pandemic and floods and to listen to their ideas on the future Tweed policing.
“Queensland Labor’s outrageous border closure and the protests presented unique challenges for Superintendent David Roptell and the officers under his command but they acquitted themselves brilliantly,” Mr Provest said.
The Deputy Premier and Mr Provest observed the morning crime briefing before having breakfast with the rank and file.
Mr Toole said the Nationals in Government were delivering the biggest increase in police numbers across the State in more than 30 years.
“We’re boosting every area and aspect of the NSW Police Force – including our general duties police, domestic violence specialist investigators, police prosecutors, counter terrorism police and organised crime squads,” Mr Toole said.
“These extra positions mean more proactive policing, more foot patrols, more visibility of police in high-risk areas, more support for victims, and more time to investigate crime.”