Extra police make the history books

Calls for additional police resources at Neerim South have been heard.

For the first time in its 130-year history, there are now four police officers stationed at Neerim South.

And, in a double header of history making events, the town has its first woman police officer.

Leading senior constables Jodi Kellow and Stephen Cranston are now on duty, increasing the team from three to four.

Neerim South sergeant Murray Brown said having four police officers to serve the district was going to give the community the service it deserved.

“The community has been screaming out for more police and it’s nice to give them what they expect,” he said.

Sgt Brown said both members began on October 12, immediately allowing Neerim South to provide increased patrols across the area.

He said there had been only two officers stationed at Neerim South for the past few years including himself and senior constable Peter Ely.

“This has been rather frustrating and exhausting at times.

“I am thrilled that the community will have more police in the area and that we’ll be in a better position to provide the service the area deserves,” he said.

Constable Conway was the first police officer at Neerim South in June of 1890.

For the next 79 years it was a one-man police station until a second member was allocated to the station in 1969.

Sgt Brown said constables and senior constables were in charge of the station until the first sergeant was appointed in 1973.

Neerim South had a sergeant and a senior constable policing the area until 1984 when another position was added with senior constable Ian Moss arriving at the station.

Neerim South was served by a sergeant and two senior constables until the additional position was added last month.

Leading senior constables Kellow and Cranston come to Neerim South from Morwell where they were working in prosecutions and general duties respectively.

Sgt Brown said they were both passionate about working with the local community and they would be working hard to meet people in the area.

“I want to improve the communication between the community and police so we can improve our service,” he said.

Sgt Brown encouraged community members to report incidents to police rather than posting on social media.

“The earlier police receive information the greater the chance of a result,” he said.

For the first time in its 130-year history, Neerim South Police Station is staffed by four officers including Sergeant Murray Brown (left), leading senior constable Stephen Cranston (back), the town’s first female police officer leading senior constable Jodi Kellow and senior constable Peter Ely (righ).

An important member of the team at Neerim South Police is Heather Inglese who has been cleaning the station three days a week for the past 24 years. She is pictured with Sgt Murray Brown.