New Bankstown police chief warns youth against buying weapons online
Domestic violence and prohibited weapons on the internet are among the major targets of new Bankstown police commander Murray Reynolds.
The Express
Don't miss out on the headlines from The Express. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Detective Superintendent Murray Reynolds is back at Bankstown Police Area Command, but this time as the new commander.
Det Supt Reynolds served at Bankstown police in the 1980s and was among those officers who investigated the infamous Milperra Massacre bikie gang shootout in 1984.
He also served on the Middle Eastern Organised Crime Squad in 2006.
The Bankstown police chief main aims include tackling domestic violence and people buying weapons online.
“It is evident that youth are able to access prohibited weapons over the internet and they may not know that this is illegal,” Det Supt Reynolds said.
“Just because they are available on the internet, does not mean they are legal and if they are caught with these prohibited weapons, we will find them and charge them.
“Last week we arrested a young person over prohibited weapons.
“There is a lot of domestic violence here and our response to this is to focus on arresting and charging the perpetrators to ensure victims are safe. We are proactive.”
Det Supt Reynolds said the Milperra massacre, where seven people were killed in the clash between the Comanchero and Bandidos gangs at the Viking Tavern on September 2, 1984, was one of the biggest crimes in NSW.
He said the shootout — where a 14-year-old girl was an innocent victim — was something he remembered very well and does not want to happen again.
“Seven people died that day. It was a very significant crime in the history of the state,” Det Supt Reynolds said.
“That’s why we always target emerging conflicts in the groups through police at Bankstown and specialist police.”
He said, however, gang violence was not a big problem in Bankstown at present.
The highly experienced police officer took over in Bankstown last week from Superintendent Michael O’Toole.
He was previously the operations manager of the North West Metropolitan Region and before that the police chief at Broken Hill.
“I am pleased to be back, Bankstown today is certainly better than in 2006 and one of the reasons is because of community ownership with people standing up for what is right,” said Det Supt Reynolds, who oversees 230 officers.
“Bankstown is served by a dedicated and professional police force, many of whom have been here for many years.
“Our aim is to work with the community to make it safer.
“There is no doubt that if people want to commit crime in Bankstown, they can expect intervention from us.
“We focus on prevention, disrupting and responding to crime and I will provide the support to promote that response.
With the rugby league and AFL grand finals around the corner, Det Supt Reynolds reminded fans that while it is a great time, they need to take personal responsibility “as intoxication can fog their decision making”.
“Traditionally during grand finals, people celebrate by consuming alcohol,” he said.