Higher-visibility plan for Broome police

The region’s new top cop will order high visibility foot patrols in the Broome CBD as part of his plan to forge closer relationships with the community and address anti-social behaviour.

Kimberley District Superintendent Allan Adams, 48, said he would also direct his 200 officers to look at how they perform their roles and ask themselves how they can become better at their job.

Superintendent Adams replaced Mick Sutherland in Broome last week.JAN 25

In an interview with the Broome Advertiser he said he was well aware of many of the town’s problems associated with alcohol, anti-social behaviour and domestic violence.

He said he would keep a close eye on results from the cashless welfare card and take away alcohol liquor identification scheme currently being trialled in Wyndham and Kununurra.

“The theory behind both initiatives would appear to be quite advantageous in managing the consumption and supply of alcohol,” he said.

“My position is, this is a trial.

“If the results speak for themselves I think there is definitely a conversation to be had around how that could work here in Broome.”

He emphasised the need for dialogue before this could happen.

“I would much rather get people on board and say ‘you know what, that makes sense’, let’s do it together’,” he said.

“It does become problematic when cops are out the front of bottle shops giving orders.

“When you have got people under duress into these initiatives, they are going to be difficult to manage going forward.”

He said a main priority was to maximise officer productivity by encouraging a more pro-active approach.

“Undoubtedly, there effectiveness is out on the track,” he said.

“We have already had a conversation about introducing foot patrols within the CBD. We want to be more seen and get to know the local people.”

“If we just see this as an extra response capability I think we are missing a big opportunity. If you know your local retailers and the public better, they are more likely to say ‘we have a real problem every Wednesday at 3pm with people coming through drunk and causing problems in the street’, as opposed to waiting for the problems to occur.

“We could be there at a quarter to three and potentially stop that problem occurring.”

A police officer with 30 years experience, Supt Adams was previously the North West Metropolitan Police District Superintendent for 14 months and in internal affairs investigations two years prior.

He acknowledged the importance of building relationships with the indigenous communities, especially those “with a history of police conflict”.

“Quite often the only time they see the coppers turn up is when someone’s getting thrown in the back of a van,” he said.

“When you are met with that wall of silence it becomes difficult. I think there is value in becoming more engaged with the community particularly the element that has generally been in conflict with the police.”