Top cop: Inspector Chris Gawne settles in at Geelong Police Station.
ERIN PEARSON
GEELONG’S new top cop has promised a fierce crackdown on “youth issues” and alcohol-fuelled violence in the city.
Chris Gawne took over as Geelong Police Inspector this week after transferring from a high-ranking role in Melbourne.
Insp Gawne vowed “immediate action” with new taskforces to combat crimes plaguing the city.
“We need a bit of a cultural change with alcohol,” he said.
“These are issues that aren’t necessarily just affecting Geelong, they are issues that confront large urban areas across broader society, but they must be addressed.”
The 33-year Victoria Police veteran began his career in Melbourne’s Collingwood before moving into an investigative role with the ethical standards department.
Insp Gawne spent the previous two years working in the office of Victoria’s Deputy Police Commissioner.
He said his targets in Geelong would also include theft from motor cars and burglaries, which increased 40.3 and 7.7 per cent respectively in the 12 months to January.
“We’ve got to make sure we deliver a safe community,” Insp Gawne said.
“I’m aware it’s a pretty big and dynamic community with a fair degree of diversity across different demographics. There are a lot of good people down here, though, and think I’ve come to a place that’s very healthy.”
Geelong Police Station said former area commander Inspector Gary Thompson would move into an “operation support role”.
