Challenge lures new top cop
Glenn Weir: South Gippsland and Bass Coast’s new regional inspector.
SOUTH Gippsland and Bass Coast have a wide array of attractions, but there are also many dangers.
The area’s new top policeman, Inspector Glenn Weir is well aware of this, and while the challenges can sometimes be confronting, he also finds these part of the appeal.
The diversity of this area, which includes Phillip Island and other coastal tourism spots as well as the desal plant, road policing issues and bushfire risks further south towards Wilsons Promontory, means there is a lot on his plate.
But as a positive leader, the man in control looks at each encounter as a reason to get excited.
“While they’re challenges, they’re also part of the attraction. It’s that diversity. This area is obviously a different location and environment, but the policing needs are the same,” Insp Weir said.
“This job has inherent dangers and there’s that uncertainty about what’s going to happen every day of work. But that’s also one of the attractions to it.
“My background is operational policing, plain clothes operation, drug raids and those sorts of things so it’s all very diverse. But to try and juggle eight balls in the air will be the real skill.”
Having worked in the concrete jungle of Melbourne all his life, this is the first return to the country since Insp. Weir left his Horsham home at just 16.
“I joined cadets when I was 16, which is a scheme we used to have. (Being a policemen is) something for some reason I’ve always wanted to do and I don’t know really why, actually. But it’s something I’ve never regretted.”
That was 30 years ago, and even now the inspector is still impressed with the state of the police force, especially in the Bass Coast and South Gippsland areas.
“I’m still amazed by the enthusiasm and commitment of the young people, and as a leader that keeps you coming to work because you bounce off their energy,” Insp Weir said.
“We’re in negotiations with the police academy to get some more probationary constables here. The injection of youth here will invigorate the work environment.
“That will help us supplement stations that are under the pump like Inverloch, Cowes and San Remo.”
The head honcho has promised to work hard to secure more policemen in the area to provide the best service possible.
He speaks with a relaxed tone, but there is no doubting the seriousness with which he takes his profession.
“We’re building a new police station at Korumburra, and the government has committed to significantly increase resources in the next few years, and I’ll be campaigning to get as many of those resources to this area as I can,” he said.
“We’re in a growth area here. Bass Coast’s population growth prediction is significant and I’d rather get on the front foot and get the resources, rather than wait until we’ve got all these people here and then complain that we’ve got all these issues and not enough police to deal with it.
“It’s about raising the profile of places like this (to would-be officers) that are close to and commutable from Melbourne.”
There are currently 98 police members in the 11 stations throughout South Gippsland and Bass Coast, which makes for a challenging communication system and many kilometres in the car.
But with the work rate and commitment to the area that he has already shown, there is no doubt that the region’s new inspector will fit in just fine.
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