Quakers Hill LAC delighted with new facilities in new station

QUAKERS HILL LAC’s longest serving officers Chief Inspectors David Legats and Brett Guyatt are delighted their input and ideas have helped build a smashing new police station at Riverstone.

From left: Deputy commissioner David Hudson, Chief Detective Inspector Brett Guyatt, Chief Inspector David Lagats and Quakers Hill LAC Superintendent David Jones.

• Pets finds homes at shelter's open day
• Secret to this couple's 70 years of married life

QUAKERS HILL LAC’s longest serving officers Chief Inspectors David Lagats and Brett Guyatt are delighted their input and ideas have helped build a smashing new police station at Riverstone.

The $19.8 million station replaces the old and cramped offices at Quakers Hill providing not only smart new offices but also much more space and better equipment to hold the local officers well into the future.

Chief Insp Legats is the longest servicing Quakers Hill officer, having been there for more than 13 years, while Chief Insp Guyatt has been at the station for more than 10 years.

The plaque being unveiled: Chief Detective Inspector Brett Guyatt, Deputy Commissioner David Hudson, Supt David Jones, Troy Grant, Kevin Conolly and Chief Insp David Lagats

Both were pleasantly surprised when Deputy Premier and Police Minister Troy Grant — a former police officer himself — invited them to help him officially open the new Riverstone station on Wednesday, August 3, in front of the local force and VIPs.

The opening was also attended by NSW Deputy Police commissioners David Hudson and Catherine Burn, Greenway federal Labor MP Michelle Rowland, Riverstone State MP Kevin Conolly, Blacktown Mayor Stephen Bali and other community leaders.

The police band at the opening ceremony.

“I have worked with crappy stations but we have always got on with our jobs as tenacity is the corner stone of our police force,” Mr Grant said.

“However, now in Riverstone this is not the issue anymore and I thank my parliamentary colleagues, Michelle Rowland of Greenway and Kevin Conolly of Riverstone for their help (in getting the new police station).

“I also like to break with tradition and invite the most senior police officers in Quakers Hill LAC to join us.”

Quakers Hill LAC Superintendent David Jones, Police Minister Troy Grant and Riverstone MP Kevin Conolly at the opening. Picture: David Swift

Chief Insp Legats, a 32-year police veteran, said: “He caught us by surprise but we are honoured to be recognised.

“Plans for this new station has been under way since 2007 and Brett and I have been able to provide input and are now privileged to see it come to fruition.”

For Chief Insp Guyatt, who started his police career at Castle Hill station, Mr Grant’s invitation, “was a great gesture for us.”

Quakers Hill LAC commander Superintendent David Jones, speaking after the prayers and welcome to country, traced the history of the police stations in the area, with the first being established in 1892.

He said the population served by the local station has since exploded from less than 1,000 to more than 110,000.

Deputy commissioner Hudson spoke about his days based at Mt Druitt station and said they always had close connections with Quakers Hill LAC.

“Working in western Sydney is very difficult and very challenging,” he said.

He also had raised a smile when he said that there were concerns about the new station being built on a flood-prone area: “We will see after today’s rains.”

The new Riverstone Police Station.

The welcome to country was performed by Aboriginal elder Aunty Elaine Gordon who spoke eloquently about the challenges facing her people and how they need to work together with the police.

“This is the first time I have been invited to a police station as my area is usually health,” Aunty Elaine said, to laughs from the crowd.

“Aboriginal people haven’t had good relations with police but I like that to change so that we can work with law enforcement officials.”

Prayers were led by police chaplain Rev David Riethmuller who prayed for the officers and staff serving the new station.

Deputy Commissioner David Hudson.

Mr Conolly said he was proud to see the NSW Government’s nearly $20 million investment in the new station finalised.

“Our police work tirelessly to protect our local community and they deserve a first class facility to match their dedication,” Mr Conolly said.

“The official opening of our new station marks the start of a new beginning for policing in our region.

“This state-of-the-art station will ensure our police have the resources they need for generations to come.”