VISITORS to Bunbury Police Station can expect to see a number of different faces in 2016.
South West Superintendent Peter Hatch and his wife Nicole are both heading to Perth for the next step in their careers.
Superintendent Hatch started as the South West’s top cop in January 2013 after stints as an officer in the metropolitan area and as leader of the WA Police Media division.
In his time in Bunbury he has helped the South West become the lowest regional division in WA for crimes against property per 100,000 people.
The South West is also the second lowest regional division in WA for crimes against the person per 100,000 people, not including domestic violence.
“In the last three years South West police have had some great results and met a number of key performance indicators,” he said.
“From June 2013 to June 2014 the crime rate dropped dramatically and while it has started to creep up again recently, police have the situation under control.
“On the whole, Bunbury has been a beautiful spot to live and work.”
In a fortnight, Superintendent Hatch will start his new role as head of the WA Police’s forensics division, putting him in charge of a staff of more than 500 officers.
Meanwhile, Nicole Hatch, an officer with more than 23 years experience, has been promoted to the rank of Detective Sergeant and will be based out of the Fremantle district control centre.
Superintendent Hatch told the Bunbury Mail Mick Sutherland has been named as his replacement and will travel down from Broome after a stint as the top officer of the Kimberley District.
“Mick has worked in Bunbury before and left the South West about five years ago,” Superintendent Hatch said.
“We have been friends for a long time and have spoken at length about the issues facing the South West and the work he will be doing.”
Joining the husband and wife pair in search of a new adventure is Inspector Geoff Stewart.
Inspector Stewart will depart next month for a 12 month contract as a visiting fellow to the Institute of Police Management in Manly, New South Wales.
The changes come after the retirement of popular police prosecutor Sergeant John Mawson last month.
Mr Mawson donned the blue uniform in June 1975 and spent a number of years as a detective before retiring in 2000.
In 2007, he was lured out of retirement to head a team of instructors at the Police Academy, training international recruits.
Finally he joined the South West Prosecution office in 2012 and has spent the past three years trying to secure convictions.
“Spending my last few years as a prosecutor has been my opportunity to ensure the hard work of the officers on the front line gets recognised and turned into results.
“I pride myself on trying to find resolutions which work for everyone and ensure justice is done.”
The 64-year-old said he and his wife would hitch up their caravan for a long overdue holiday before he resumed his hobby as a war historian.
“I wish my replacement all the best and if they get half the enjoyment and respect I’ve had in this role, they will get on well,” he said.
The final January change at the Bunbury station sees police welcome back Inspector Kim Hutchinson to work as he continues to recover from throat cancer.
