Like father, like grandson, third generation joins NSW police in footsteps of gangs squad boss Det Sup Arthur Katsiogiannis

DETECTIVE Superintendent Arthur Katsogiannis, couldn't have looked prouder as his son followed in his footsteps and was sworn into the police force on Friday.

The head of the NSW gangs squad, Detective Superintendent Arthur Katsogiannis, couldn't have looked prouder as his son followed in his footsteps and was sworn into the police force on Friday.

Law &Order extends its congratulations to Daniel Katsogiannis, along with all 160 of his peers who were attested at the police force academy in Goulburn.

Daniel's swearing in marks the third generation of the family to serve in the police.

"I think it's in the Katsogiannis blood," Det Supt Katsogiannis says. "My father was a policeman in Greece before he migrated out here. It's a really proud moment for both Daniel and myself."

His niece, Constable Zoe Katsogiannis, is also in the force, stationed at Redfern.

Daniel will join the City Central command, though his father says it's too early to say whether he'll eventually end up working on busting criminal gangs, too.

"I don't think he's made up his mind yet," he says. "He's just interested in establishing himself and general duties. Certainly, criminal investigations is one area that he's interested in. It's always been an ambition of his to become a policeman. He's very inspired and very enthusiastic."

The most important piece of advice he's imparted on his son is to always value his integrity and reputation, he says.

All the students of Class 319 will start work at their new stations tomorrow, where they will complete 12 months of on-the-job training and distance education through Charles Sturt University before they officially graduate with an associate degree in policing practice.

The other new recruits include a female officer who will be the third woman in her family to join the force, a 47-year-old former TAFE teacher whose wife also joined earlier this year, an ex-nuclear medicine student and a Brit who worked in bomb disposal in Iraq for the British Army.

Commissioner Andrew Scipione says new recruits could expect the camaraderie and guidance of their new "policing family".

Regan Stirk posted this picture of himself enjoying beers in New Zealand on his Facebook page, despite claiming he couldn't attend court because he had returned to the UK for a relative's funeral. Picture: Facebook.

CAUGHT NOT IN COURT

BRITISH rugby player Regan Stirk, who plays for Armidale club UNE Barbarians, was caught fibbing about being unable to attend his NSW court.

Stirk, 20, due to face Armidale Local Court on August 12 charged with assault - but on the day he posted a Facebook photo of himself holding a jug of beer ... in New Zealand.

``Life's hard in New Zealand ... $10 jugs $1 slices of clay oven cooked pizzas. Happy days!''

POWDER PUFF CRIMINAL

2UE police reporter Michelle Taverniti experienced life on the other side of the law recently - as a victim of crime.

The radio journalist was covering a news story outside Parramatta police station on Thursday when her handbag, containing her make-up and purse, was stolen.

Thankfully, some quick-thinking officers at the cop shop jumped the counter and arrested the woman within minutes.

A GIRL'S CRIME AGAINST FASHION

IF you're heading to court, any defence lawyer will tell you it's a good idea to wear your best set of threads.

But one woman took the advice to a whole other level when she appeared in Parramatta Local Court facing drugs charges recently dressed in a brand-new Benetton tracksuit - security tags still attached.

Sharp-eyed observers picked up the sartorial faux pas, but when quizzed outside the courtroom after being granted bail, the defendant kept her lips as zipped as her trackies.

One journalist asked her: "Isn't that a little bit of a gronk thing to do?"

Given Benetton tracksuit tops retail from about $22 online, times must be really tough out in the west.

ACCUSED IN DENTAL DRILL

Talk about fighting charges tooth and nail.

The deputy mayor of Hurstville Council, dentist Andrew Istephan, has pleaded not guilty to 12 counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm after allegedly filing down the teeth of nursing home residents without their consent.

The 34-year-old Bexley dentist has been accused of carrying out the unauthorised dental work at homes in Haberfield and Leichhardt, in Sydney's inner west, in 2011.

At the opening of the trial at the Downing Centre District Court, Crown Prosecutor Gary Corr said that Dr Istephan had been contracted by Elderlink, an organisation that provides health services to nursing homes, outsources procedures then takes fees from money provided under government schemes.

He was first charged in December 2011 after Strike Force Statham was formed by Leichhardt detectives to investigate concerns expressed by the nursing homes.

Dr Istephan will only have to stand down from council if he is convicted of the charges.

GUARD ACCUSED OF ATM CASH THEFT

A CASH-in-transit guard has been charged with stealing more than $200,000 from ATMs he'd been tasked with refilling.

The 44-year-old was arrested by police at a Lalor Park home, in Sydney's west, with officers seizing more than $150,000 cash and other items from the house.

The guard is alleged to have stolen the money while he was refilling the machines as part of his job between March and June.

He was charged with six counts of stealing property as a clerk or servant and granted conditional bail to appear at Blacktown Local Court on September 12.

The arrest was made by detectives from Strike Force Glanmorgan, assisted by officers from Blacktown, the Police Rescue Squad and the Australian Federal Police.