Wellington’s newest police recruit is looking to put his best foot forward as he joins a team whose commander reports is “making more arrests than ever”.
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Trent Smith is one of four new probationary constables to arrive in the Orana Mid-Western Police District.
As the rookies hit the beat earlier this month they were welcomed by Orana Mid-Western commander Peter McKenna who said they had a challenging but exciting career ahead of them.
“They have a really important role to undertake,” he said.
“That is to be out there protecting the people of the Orana Mid-Western Police District.
“To be answering those calls for service, to be dealing with that criminal element that needs to be dealt with in the appropriate fashion.”
The new recruits don the blue and navy uniform within a district model for policing in country NSW, rolled out late last year.
On Monday Superintendent McKenna reported the district had “never enjoyed such good staffing numbers”.
“The commissioner has made sure we have the appropriate resources in the area,” he said.
“And that has been reflected in what we’ve been doing in relation to crime. Our proactivity is really at the highest it’s ever been. We are making more arrests than ever. The calls for service are being answered quicker. So we’re really in a healthy shape when it comes to staffing numbers at the moment.”
Probationary Constable Smith, who previously pursued a trade in carpentry, said he was eager to get to work alongside Wellington police officers.
“I wasn’t getting much satisfaction [from my last job] and wanted to do something for people to help out,” he said.
“I’m looking to be there for [the community] when they need us, being able to learn on my job as well as from the Wellington police officers and being a part of that family, and I’m hoping to put my best foot forward for them and be there for them when they need.”
The four rookies could work anywhere across the 58,000km district but to start with probationary constable Smith will be the new face at the Wellington station.
