Sergeant Alby Van Den Berg the new officer-in-charge at Denmark police station

Denmark police have a new officer at the helm, with Sergeant Alby van den Berg making the move from the southern Wheatbelt to the south coast. Sgt van den Berg has joined Denmark police station as the officer-in-charge after two years at Narrogin police station. “It’s been a very friendly and welcoming community so far,” he said. “I’m looking forward to being part of the community and making the place more enjoyable for everyone.” He has spent six years in the Great Southern Police District, including a posting as officer-in-charge in Dumbleyung. Before that, he was the officer-in-charge at Exmouth police station. “My experience is almost entirely general duties in the Pilbara and Great Southern,” Sgt van den Berg said. “I’ve pretty much been in the bush since 2007.” Sgt van den Berg said he brought experience with emergency management from Exmouth, where he had to contend with flooding and cyclones during the wet season. With the devastating February bushfire still fresh in people’s memories, he wanted to strengthen relationships with emergency agencies. He said he was eager to get stuck into the new role, with the busy Christmas period just around the corner. “Crime-wise, the focus is on domestic violence, illicit drugs and driving offences — particularly drink and drug-driving,” he said. “The guys down here have been doing a fantastic job. “I just want to keep that focus.”