How Bankstown Police slashed domestic violence incidents

BANKSTOWN Police Area Command’s innovative Operation Reduce and Prevent Domestic Violence campaign slashed the incidents during the grand final weekend by more than 50 per cent.

Bankstown Local Police Area Commander Superintendent Michael O'Toole. Picture: Lawrence Machado

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BANKSTOWN Police Area Command’s innovative Operation Reduce and Prevent Domestic Violence campaign dramatically reduced the incidents during the grand final weekends by more than 50 per cent, and will now be rolled out across the South West Sydney PACs for Christmas.

Bankstown Police Commander Superintendent Michael O’Toole told the Express that they targeted known offenders and visited homes in the run-up to the September 29 and 30 AFL and rugby league grand finals.

“In 2017, there were 64 DV incidents reported in Bankstown during the grand final weekend,” Supt. O’Toole, 55, said.

Superintendent Michael O'Toole: There are no winners in domestic violence cases. Picture: Lawrence Machado

“This year the number dropped to 33, which is a very satisfying drop.

“Our officers went to the homes of known offenders before the grand finals and spoke to them and this was the first of its kind in Bankstown.”

Because of this huge success, this campaign will be rolled out in the other South West stations including Fairfield and Liverpool, after Assistant Commissioner Peter Thurtell gave it the full backing.

CRIME RATE DROPS

■ Domestic violence during grand final weekend, down from 64 in 2017 to 33 in 2018

■ Theft from motor vehicles dropped from 111/month in 2016 to 58/month

■ Break and enters from 47/month in 2017 to 35/month

■ Search and move on orders, up from 628/month in 2017 to 693/month

Supt. O’Toole, who is passionate about stopping domestic and family violence, said they plan to run this campaign in the lead up to Christmas.

“Christmas is a time when families should have happy get togethers,” he said.

“It should be joyous occasions but sadly for many, it is not (due to DVs).

“There are no winners in domestic violence cases, all are affected but everyone has the right to live in a safe environment.

Superintendent Michael O’Toole: We aim to be proactive. Picture: Angelo Velardo

“It can impact communities for generations to come and we need to give the kids the best possible chances in life.

“All our South West PACs will be given more resources to run these campaigns where we will also run welfare checks on the victims and check bail compliances (among other things).

“We aim to be proactive and check the Child Protection Register while encouraging men to change their behaviour (in domestic violence cases).”

Supt. O’Toole took over as Bankstown chief six months ago, having served as commander previously in Miranda, Leichhardt and Deniliquin, which he said had different challenges to his other jobs because it covered more than 50,000 sq km.

The father of three chucked up his “very predictable office job” to join police force 28 years ago, saying he wanted to help others and loved being in the outdoors.

His older brother Graham is also in the NSW Police, both having grown up in the Murray River town of Barham.

He is pleased that most crime rates are down in Bankstown and attributes this to the proactive methods they use while having regular meetings with community groups.

“Our crime rates have gone down in regards to the targets we have,” Supt. O’Toole said.

“But one of the rising crimes is the theft of number plates from vehicles, though stealing from motor vehicles has dropped from 111 per month in 2017 to 58 per month now.

“In many cases, we are talking to criminals and known offenders and this has also helped to bring down our break and enters.”

The Suspects Target Management Profiling method is also used to keep crime rates down along with more ‘search and move on’ notices when officers detect suspicious activities.

“Having our officers wearing the body worn videos to record searches and interviews is very good to collect evidence and reassure the community,” Supt. O’Toole said.

Supt. O’Toole, who still regularly plays rugby for an over 35s club in Kiama, is learning Arabic and said he enjoys meeting the different communities in Bankstown.

■ White Ribbon Day will be held on Friday, November 23 and also begins the 16 Days of Activism — an international campaign calling for an end to violence against women, concluding with International Human Rights Day on Monday, December 10.

■ For help in dealing with DV, contact 1800 65 64 63 or domesticviolence.nsw.gov.au/home