Officers at the Mandurah Police Station have welcomed a new face at their helm.
Detective Senior Sergeant Darren Hart jumped at the opportunity to take on the officer in charge position at the local station.
Having previously served in the Regional Investigation Unit, based in Northbridge, Detective Senior Sergeant Hart said he believed it was time to face a new challenge in the southern office.
“I just felt it was time to do something different. A bit of personal development and a personal challenge,” he said.
Detective Senior Sergeant Hart is no stranger to Mandurah, having served locally at various stages throughout his 25-year policing career.
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He has spent that time equally as a detective and an officer.
“Most of my uniform time has been at Mandurah Police Station. I knew what I was coming back to,” he said.
From time spent in the Gang Crime Squad and with the Mandurah Detectives to the Fraud Squad - Detective Senior Sergeant Hart said he would use his knowledge from across his diverse policing career to lead the local team.
He has stepped into the role of Mandurah's top cop during an interesting time for local officers, as the WA Police restructure takes shape.
“The theory behind the changes is to give some responsibility, ownership, and accountability back to the officer in charge of the police station. This leaves responsibility fairly and squarely at my door,” he said.
Despite added load, Detective Senior Sergeant Hart said he looked forward to the changes that would take effect in a matter of weeks.
He congratulated the local team for their efforts in the city and said he hoped he could continue the great work of his predecessors.
Prior to Detective Senior Sergeant Hart arrival, Senior Sergeant Dean Snashall held the role for a short time before moving to the State Control Centre.
Outside of policing, Detective Senior Sergeant Hart said he spent most of his time watching his two children, aged 16 and 13, playing sport.
Detective Senior Sergeant Hart said he also enjoyed surfing, which suited his lifestyle in the coastal suburb of Singleton, just north of Mandurah.
“I do a bit of surfing occasionally – not very well,” he said.
