Probationary constables Gordy Cowper and Brett Field welcomed to Dubbo Police Station

The Orana Mid-Western Police District has welcomed two new officers with regional backgrounds to the team. Here’s more.  

Orana Mid-Western Police District commander, Supt Tim Chinn, and new recruits Brett Field (middle) and Gordy Cowper (right). Photo: Tijana Birdjan

Moving to a country town to start their policing careers was never going to be an issue for two officers after their graduation from Goulburn Police Academy.

Probationary constables Gordy Cowper, of Mudgee, and Brett Field, of Wagga Wagga, were welcomed to Dubbo police station on Monday and said they were both looking forward to progressing their careers in the region.

Constable Field, a former residential care and funeral home worker, said he had always wanted a career in policing after he was inspired by a talk when he was at school.

“I actually still vividly remember in kindergarten we had a public safety talk around bus safety, and all the emergency services came and from day dot seeing the police officer, I was like ‘I want to do that’,” Constable Field said.

He said coming from a regional town could also allow him to “understand people a little bit better” in the community.

Dubbo MP Dugald Saunders welcomed the recruits to town. Photo: Tijana Birdjan

“I’m not here to ruin people’s day,” he said.

“I’m here to make sure everyone’s safe and everyone’s looked after, so being in a rural area, I feel like I can do that better because I know how to interact with people from a rural area.”

Coming from a background in mechanics and truck driving, Constable Cowper said he was looking forward to the career change and learning new things.

Orana Mid-Western Police District commander Supt Tim Chinn said he welcomed the new recruits as they not only helped with staffing levels but also added a fresh set of eyes.

“Fresh people on the district always makes the team more motivated as well to teach new people and assist the community,” he said.

The NSW Police had welcomed 110 recruits, including nine in the Western region in the Chifley, Orana Mid-Western, Central West, New England and Oxley districts.

The new recruits will also have to complete 12 months of on-the-job training and study by distance education with Charles Sturt University.