Tenterfield police: (From left) Annette Jennison, Ian Ramma, Shaun Bird, Mick Eaton, Sergeant Greg Fitzpatrick, Garry Huard, Patrick Cosgrove and Ian O’Rourke outside Tenterfield Police Station.
TENTERFIELD has a new face on the beat with the arrival of Sergeant Greg Fitzpatrick.
Sergeant Fitzpatrick replaces Carter Knyvett at the helm of Tenterfield police and says he places a strong emphasis on “pro-active” policing.
“I will be out walking the beat,” he said.
“I’ve already visited a number of businesses and I’ll be looking to visit some every week.”
Sergeant Fitzpatrick has come from Peak Hill, 70km southwest of Dubbo on the Newell Highway.
“We had a lot of heavy vehicles travelling through town and were known for cheap petrol prices until the service station burnt down two weeks ago,” he said.
Sergeant Fitzpatrick was at Peak Hill for four years, but has also worked across NSW from Sydney to Grafton and Parkes.
He said when he found out he would be moving to Tenterfield, it was the first time he had visited the town.
“I was surprised that the whole town was so friendly,” he said.
Sergeant Fitzpatrick’s arrival coincides with the departure of Tenterfield police officer Shaun Bird, who was farewelled in a send-off at Tenterfield Tavern on Saturday night.
Senior Constable Bird has lived in Tenterfield with his wife Dana and children Callum, Connah and Cassidi for more than five years and is now moving to Ulmarra in the Grafton area.
“It will be very sad to go,” Senior Constable Bird said. “I’ve been impressed with the way the community has embraced me as a police officer and my family.
“We will leave behind a lot of great friends, but we have the opportunity to move back closer to family.”
With the departure of Senior Constable Bird, Tenterfield will have five police with another two set to arrive soon.