THE Wimmera’s new police inspector Rebecca Olsen hopes to foster a strong relationship across the region.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Mrs Olsen, born in Melbourne, has worked across the state during her 27 years in the force.
She started in her new role as the Western Region Division Four inspector based in Horsham this month.
Mrs Olsen has worked Melbourne, Hamilton and also did a stint in Horsham as part of the sex offender team in Horsham and Ararat.
She moved to Horsham this time around from Mildura where she was the Division Six training officer.
Mrs Olsen said after working in both a metro and region setting she enjoyed the aspects of working in a rural setting.
“Community engagement is an attraction for me,” she said.
She said she was looking forward to working with members from all stations in the division.
“The area is broader than Horsham,” she said.
“I understand the challenges in remote communities with working and living in isolation.
“You’re not just a cop, you’re a community contact.
“These relationships need to be not just in times of crisis but the good times as well so when there is a crisis the relationships are already there.”
Mrs Olsen said she wanted to target a number of issues within the region.
She said emergency management, family violence, road police and ice were issues to target in the Wimmera.
Mrs Olsen has brought not just herself, but a young family with her to the region.
She has three children under the age of 15.
“My family have loved returning to the Wimmera,” she said.
“It’s a real homecoming.”
Her husband Scott Olsen is a sergeant at Halls Gap Police Station.
Mrs Olsen said she was excited to reach out to the representatives in the Wimmera community in the coming weeks.
