24/7 police station, additional officers coming to Murwillumbah, Tweed following resident safety concerns

A North Coast police station will increase its operating hours and manpower after a string of incidents in recent years, including one where a man – since found not guilty – was accused of trying to drown a cop.

Lismore MP Janelle Saffin and NSW Premier Chris Minns standing outside Murwillumbah Police Station on June 20, 2024. Picture: Supplied.

A North Coast police station will increase its operating hours and manpower after a string of incidents in recent years, including one where a man – since found not guilty – was accused of trying to drown a cop.

Murwillumbah residents have pushed for 24/7 policing and increased officer numbers since 2022, when at the height of their campaigning, Ronald Charles Canning was accused of trying to drown Tweed police officer Sergeant Mark Maxwell in a drain.

In May, a trial found Mr Canning not guilty of trying to drown Mr Maxwell.

Judge Jonathan Priestley said he was too drunk to form intent to murder and Sgt Maxwell’s evidence in court differed somewhat from statements and he could not estimate the time his head was underwater.

Judge Priestley also said the possibility was “open” Mr Canning was trying to resist and escape arrest, and going back to prison, rather than intending to deprive the officer of oxygen.

The closest 24-hour operating station is in Tweed Heads and it can take 30 minutes for officers to get to Murwillumbah.

Ronald Charles Canning was found not guilty of trying to drown Tweed police officer Mark Maxwell. Picture: Facebook

Lismore MP Janelle Saffin made an election commitment of having a 24-hour police station operating in Murwillumbah.

Ms Saffin said the plan to introduce 24/7 policing to the town began in November last year when the town was given an additional three authorised police positions including a sergeant and two constables.

“Recruitment has been completed for two of these positions, with one position continuing to be advertised. Over the next three years, staffing capacity will increase to the full complement of officers,” she said.

“Locals have been asking me for an update on the roll out of this commitment and I’m pleased to report that everything is on track.

“The challenge for the police has been the low numbers of officers due to the lack of robust recruitment strategies in the past.”

The government is trying to boost police officers in regional areas. Picture: Tom Parrish

In a bid to increase police recruitment and enhance community safety, the government has introduced a set of measures.

NSW has more than 1,500 police officer vacancies but since the state government announced last year they would pat recruits to study at Goulburn Police Academy, more than 1,400 applications have been received.

There are also two new programs aimed at attracting more regional recruits and experienced officers to the NSW Police Force.

Firstly there’s the Regional Recruitment Scheme: The ‘You Should Be a Cop in Your Hometown’ program will ensure people from regional NSW serve in, or near their hometown after they graduate from the Academy.

Secondly – there’s an Experienced Officer Recruitment Scheme: A Professional Mobility Program (PMP) will incentivise officers from other Australian states and territories and New Zealand to join the NSW Police Force while keeping their equivalent rank.

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