Surprisingly, after joining the Mandurah Detectives on various jobs including a drug-bust, street patrol and a criminal damage incident to get an idea of how they work this week, I feel safer.
Why? Because I saw first-hand how efficient and prompt our officers are when responding to crime.
The technology they have access to is impressive and assures me they have the means to prosecute someone, if need be, or to stop crime in its tracks.
Every officer on duty has access to current and past incidents, can find out where each vehicle is and where the priority jobs are in that moment.
I didn’t realise how often our number plates were being scanned by police, without us ever knowing.
Designated police vehicles have automatic number plate scanning recognition, making the task even simpler.
The communication system is sophisticated and officers can call for back up at any time.
Police call each other after a job to piece together the details and work out how to charge the offender or the finer details of the investigation.
The team praised their manager, Detective Senior Sergeant Trevor Troy, saying he was heavily involved in investigations and very hands on.
As an observer, the system worked seamlessly.
On Thursday, January 11, while on a ride-along I witnessed the fairly instantaneous turnaround on an offence where an offender had smashed a woman’s windows.
The man was charged shortly after with criminal damage.
That was due to a neighbour’s help by providing CCTV footage and the police work following the offence.
I am aware not all incidents would be this simple to solve, but this specific incident demonstrated what is capable when the community and the police work together.
The detectives said many investigations are solved by tip-offs and information from the community.
Mandurah residents are probably not aware they are helping to solve crimes from their home!
All of the detectives I met seemed genuinely passionate about their jobs, intelligent and keen to help the community as best they can.
Also, the team praised their manager, Detective Senior Sergeant Trevor Troy, saying he was heavily involved in investigations and very hands on.
All in all, I think we’re lucky to live in a police district with such an efficient, proactive team.
Carla Hildebrandt
Journalist at the Mandurah Mail
Journalist at the Mandurah Mail
