Police commissioner Andrew Scipione was in Parkes on Tuesday to thank the police who are keeping our community safe.
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Addressing officers at the Parkes Station the commissioner said the chance to get away and see as many people as possible before he retires from the position "has been great".
Asked why he had chosen Parkes as part of his “farewell tour” the commissioner replied, “Why not Parkes, its a very special part of NSW and really important to us in Sydney in terms of policing”.
"We've been everywhere and here we are at Parkes,” the commissioner said.
“It is an opportunity for me to come and simply say thank you," the commissioner said.
"As I look around there are people I have known for a long time.
"To the men and women who are serving, those who are sworn and those who are un-sworn, it is fantastic to be able to come (to Parkes) and simply pay tribute to you."
The commissioner praised the Parkes officers for their service.
"Without you we wouldn't be in the position we are in as a police force, it's tremendous to be able to get the feedback we do and I get a lot.
"You are held in high regard and that seems to be growing as well.
"For many years we were at the bottom of the pile, we weren't as engaging as some other police forces but here we are in 2017 with 93 per cent of the community saying you have been outstanding.
"I don't own the cops, the community owns the cops, that's why we come to work.
"I encourage you to keep doing what you are doing, you are doing an outstanding job.
"In 12 of the major (crime) categories your results in the past year have been the best they have been for 20 years.
"Please keep doing that, please keep doing that," the commissioner told officers in Parkes.
The Parkes Champion Post also spoke with the commissioner about crime levels in Parkes, particularly in regards to the increasing problems with Ice and domestic violence related crime.
His views will be shared in a future issue of the Champion Post.
A video of the commissioner’s address to office in Parkes can be seen at www.parkeschampionpost.com.au