FEATURE - Positive policing presence

by Rebecca Mugridge

Senior Sergeant Peter Hocken is the Officer in Charge (OIC) of the Nambour Police Station. The station on the hill, a stoic symbol of police presence. And according to Hocken it is also a station with a lot more going on inside than what many people realise.

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“Nambour has a lot of people working at the station, it’s not just general duties. There is a whole team of people working there,” shares Senior Sergeant Peter Hocken, Officer in Charge (OIC) of the Nambour Police Station.

“There is the Criminal Investigation Branch, the Child Protection Investigation Unit,

Forensic Crash Unit, and I’ve worked really hard for us to have a dedicated Property Crime Task Force working out of the Nambour Station as well. 

“That alone is ten extra detectives that start and finish their shift out of Nambour Station.

And they look at just property crime across the district. 

“And the best part about it is we all get along; we all work as a team.”

Hocken says the new Police Beat at 4 Lowe Street has been a great addition for Nambour. 

“My whole focus is on community safety as the OIC. At the station on the hill, we do engage with the community on a regular basis, but Senior Constable Aaron Caldwell’s sole focus at Police Beat is engagement with the community. 

“For us, the Police Beat benefits the central business district for Nambour and surrounding areas; it provides for not only the businesses, but the community during business hours, providing a safe aspect to the area. 

“Nambour has had some issues surrounding anti-social behaviour in the CBD, in the parks and the train station. The Police Beat gives confidence to the community, to know that it [CBD] is a safe place. 

“People can come there to shop, use the parks and have less fear of anti-social behaviour affecting their day-to-day lives.”

And the Police Beat’s in good hands with Senior Constable Aaron Caldwell, a police officer with a plenty of experience, including the Buderim Police Beat. 

“Aaron has 20 years’ service, and he is really good with the community and the business stakeholders,” says Hocken. 

“The feedback I have already got with him being down there for the last six months has been exceptional, and I know the local member receives positive feedback all the time. 

“He is a really personable guy and those that relieve him too have all got the same focus on Nambour, to be engaged and able to provide that safety to the community.” 

The extension of a police beat in the centre of town is something many locals and police have been very keen to see happen, along with the Nambour business community, the Queensland Police Minister and the local MP. 

Minister for Police and Emergency Services, Dan Purdie, said the Nambour Police Beat has already attended more than 130 calls for service and recorded more than 25 arrests in less than a year.

And Member for Nicklin, Marty Hunt agrees, “The Nambour Police Beat is helping restore safety and confidence in the heart of the community.”

It has been a welcome sight for local Christine Jones OAM, who has long advocated for one for Nambour. “I have lived in Nambour since 1998 and worked here. I love Nambour because generally people do care about each other. It is sad that Nambour gets singled out as a not so good place. 

“Homeless people come here I think because of the environment, and they feel safe, and Nambour has all the services they need. 

“More physical police presence in any town is going to encourage better behaviour, safety and a feeling of belonging. I think that police physically having a presence is such a good thing to engage with the community.  

“I started Adopt a Cop at the Mooloolaba School to encourage children to ask police for help when needed. A PR exercise starting young and teaching respect. 

“Like any job, Police must be special people to do the work they do. Like any job, you have to get satisfaction which comes from loving what you do. 

“Police have a huge responsibility, and I have always found the officers that I have dealt with over the years to be friendly, and people need to trust that they are there for our safety as they have been trained to deal with many situations. 

“I think police make a difference and encourage safety in the town.” 

The Police Beat’s Aaron has become a regular face for many, including with local disability groups, making a positive impact within the community. 

Hocken says there are many brilliant people like Aaron in his team. “I also have a First Nations Sergeant, Sven Dart, who is so well received with First Nations groups in the area. I probably would not have had that inroad without him, to be honest. 

“Sven has managed to bring together all the First Nations advocacy groups across Nambour. And every two months now he chairs a meeting with them at the Nambour Police station, to bring all the stakeholders together. 

“I wouldn’t be able to do that without him; he is one of the only First Nations Sergeants on the Coast and he is just a really positive influence for the community.” 

Hocken admits he feels proud to be the boss of Nambour Police. 

“This town has so much compassion. We obviously have some social issues, including homelessness. I actually just had a meeting with the mayor and the local member about some homeless issues down in the parks, and we have worked tirelessly over the last 12 months to provide some housing support and some sort of alternative housing and support for those people. 

“Even if you walk down to the parks now, we have come so far over the last 12 months and that has been a community effort. Not only police, but it’s been Council, state government, and all these non-government agencies like Dale from the Shak, and the Community Hub, that have really all worked together to make that program successful.

“Everyone has a vested interest in Nambour because it is such a good place. Even when we walk the beat, so many people come up to us and say hello. Policing can be hard, but I have never worked in a place where we get so much support from most of the community.

Hocken was given the Officer in Charge position three years ago. 

“I took it over from Gary Brayley, he probably was one of the greatest OICs you would come across. I still meet regularly with Gary and lean on him for some advice. He has always talked about how resilient the Nambour community is and how compassionate they are.

“We are a very busy station, and I’m really proud of Aaron for the positive impact the new Police Beat is having.” 

It is this great care for the community that places Nambour in safe hands with Hocken and his team.