Four new police officers to be stationed in Dubbo and Gilgandra

The Orana Mid-Western Police District has welcomed four new frontline officers into the area to assist with staffing shortages. Here’s the latest.

Aspiring to join the police force since he was five years old, Taylor Windle is one of four new frontline police to join the Orana Mid-Western Police District.

Arriving from the Scone region, Constable Windle said becoming a police officer had been a “lifelong dream” of his since his first encounter with police when he was just five years old.

“We had police officers come to our house when I was young and they were so helpful and professional, so I’ve always aspired to be that kind of person to someone else,” he said.

Constable Windle said he was looking forward to starting his career in Dubbo and to learning as much as he can.

He will be based in Dubbo with two other recruits while Airlie Edmed, from Dubbo, will be based in Gilgandra.

Orana Mid-Western Police District new recruits and Orana Mid-Western Police District Commander and Superintendent Tim Chinn. Photo: Tijana Birdjan

She said she was looking forward to helping her local district while also being able to serve a smaller community.

Orana-Mid Western commander, Superintendent Chinn, said the new frontline officers would be focused on training this week to understand the domestics of the community while building their presence.

Orana Mid-Western District Superintendent Tim Chinn and Detective Chief Inspector Paul Stephens. Photo: Tijana Birdjan

“Dubbo is a good place to start off and Gilgandra for that matter – there is a good variety of work for them, so they aren’t dealing with one particular issue of crime or one particular community concern,” he said.

“Dubbo has a good variety of work to learn from and it provides baseline skills that young police need to help progress in their career.

“Our staffing levels are reasonable in Dubbo like everywhere in the country.

“Recruitment is a challenge, but having another four police in the district will significantly boost numbers and keep a good response for the community’s concerns and calls for assistance.”