Mandurah’s top cop is passing up life on the state’s west coast, for its south.
Mandurah’s officer in charge – senior sergeant Steve Thompson is leaving the city to take up a position in Esperance.
Having served in the role since November 2015, senior sergeant Thompson said it was a big decision to move but one he thoroughly looked forward to.
“Look moving to the country is just a wee indulgence for me,” he said.
“It’s something I’ve always wanted to do and for whatever reason it hasn’t worked out.
“This opportunity came up and I just grabbed it with both hands.”
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Senior sergeant Thompson said the move was bittersweet, as he loved living and working in Mandurah.
From raising his daughter in Mandurah to being a member of the golf club, senior sergeant Thompson said there was a lot to miss about the city.
“It’s really mixed feelings. I’m sorry to leave. I love the town and I am keeping my house here, even though I’m going,” he said.
“The community are fantastic but it’s just time to move on and I’m going to another beautiful place, apparently.
“I’m looking forward to Esperance. This is my first regional position. I hope to be as part of that community as much as I am here and from what people tell me the community is really, really great.”
Prior to his appointment in Mandurah, senior sergeant Thompson was the officer in charge at the Kwinana station.
He said despite his short time in charge at the Mandurah station, his team had seen changes in crime activity.
“In the two years I’ve been here charges are up and crime is down,” he said.
“I’m not saying that’s down to me but hopefully we’ve played our part.
“I know the community have played their part because they listen to the messages we put out and they respond really well.
“We’re certainly going in the right direction, things are positive.
“When I first came here I talked about communication and I would like to hope that it has improved in my time here.
“We have a lot of things that we have to do but a lot of it is trying to get us more visible in the community.
“What I’ve loved about here is the community really are fantastic.
“They do support us in everything we do.
“They do provide us with information, which is fantastic cause they’re the eyes and ears out there.
“It’s not all about arrests and charging people it’s about crime prevention as well a big part of that is trying to be visible and community messages.”
