After training police students in the art of weapons and tactics Sgt Wilkins felt it was time to get

back on the streets and made

the move from the Goulburn Police Academy to Dubbo 18 months ago.

Sgt Wilkins then decided on Narromine, preferring the small town policing style he had come to enjoy after a stint at Kangaroo Valley in the State’s south.

“I have always worked in smaller towns... I enjoy that sort of role the more community-orientated policing,” he said.

“Everyday is different.

“One thing I have learned from living in the smaller areas... your communications skills pick up because you don’t rely on three other cars turning up.

“Working in a more isolated spot you learn to talk to people but that is also through your own experiences.”

Policing has never been a nine to five job but unwinding in a small community where everybody knows your name and occupation can be daunting.

However Sgt Wilkins said the benefit was “people feel more comfortable giving you information and things like that so it does work in your favour.”

So far he has found the town friendly and said he has no plans to move anytime soon.

“I will be here for a while now, the tenancy is three years but I can imagine staying here longer than that,” he said.

“It’s great, people seem friendly enough.”

He is also confident in his team whose relative youthfulness he said gives them a sense of keenness.

“They are all keen to get the job done.”

“They all know what they are doing otherwise they wouldn’t be here.”

Also arriving recently was Constable Andrew Wotton who is stationed in Trangie but works both towns.

Constable Wotton has been in the force three years and was first posted in Dubbo.

“I wanted a chance to work in a smaller town and do a bit more rural crime as well,” he said.

“It is a good team out here.”