It takes an entire community to tackle crime, Ballarat’s new top cop says.
Veteran detective Jenny Wilson started her role as superintendent last week – the first female to fill the position.
Based at Ballarat west, she will oversee officers across the Moorabool service area, which takes in more than 120 rural towns stretching from Beaufort to Bacchus Marsh.
Ms Wilson, who has served 28 years with Victoria Police, was chosen for the role in January following a competitive selection process.
She cut her teeth in Melbourne’s blue collar suburbs and developed an interest in investigating sexual assaults after she headed up a sexual offences and child abuse investigation team in Footscray. Ms Wilson said she was taking a holistic approach to tackling crime.
“Our environment has become so complex and it’s just not us alone – we need to work with our partner agencies,” she said.
“When I talk about the drivers of crime, I’m talking about family violence, our at-risk youth, our vulnerable people – all these are issues we need to tackle.
“I’m conscious that I represent a much broader community than just Ballarat.
“My intention in the next few months is to get out and about in those areas. While it might be the headquarters in Ballarat west, I will certainly be going out and working in those towns.”
Ballarat’s former superintendent, Andrew Allen stepped down last May to care for his terminally ill wife. He will continue working in the western region in a non-operational position.
with The Courier
