Sergeant Nat Wynen takes charges as Cranbrook’s new officer-in-charge after nearly 20 years in WA Police Force

Experienced former detective Sergeant Nat Wynen has taken the reins as Cranbrook’s new officer-in-charge. Sgt Wynen began her posting as Cranbrook’s top cop on August 12, replacing outgoing officer-in-charge Sgt Laurie Seton. A WA Police officer of 18 years, Sgt Wynen has been working as a detective since 2009 and spent a large period of that time in the child abuse squad. She had a two-year stint in uniform at the Kensington Police Station in Perth and was last working in the sex offenders management squad before her first regional posting. Sgt Wynen said becoming the officer-in-charge at a regional police station was something she had always wanted to do. “It has been something that has been on my agenda,” she said. “My kids were young when I first started out so I just had to wait for the appropriate time and this is the perfect time for me. “I’m glad I had to wait, I’ve got vast experience from my career that I can bring with me now.” Sgt Wynen said she had been made to feel very welcome since arriving in the town. “This is a great town ... there are lots of opportunities here to work with the community and the schools,” she said. “We have an arrangement with the school to spend some time with them. “One area I want to focus on is setting the kids up to be safety conscientious before they get to high school, especially with online bullying and social media.” With Cranbrook part of a busy travelling route in the Great Southern, Sgt Wynen said traffic policing would also be a key part of her role. “We’ll be maintaining a heavy traffic focus,” she said. “Cranbrook is on the border of where fatigue sets in with people travelling Perth to Albany. “I also worry that there is unreported crime in farming so I hope that building a rapport with people, that will then come to our attention. “The focus for me at the moment is on police presence and having us out in the community.” Great Southern District Superintendent Kim Travers said the appointment of Sgt Wynen was terrific news for the region. “Nat is a very capable officer and the fact she has come forward and picked up an OIC position in the Great Southern is fantastic,” Supt Travers said. “She is an experienced and dedicated police officer, and is an absolute asset to the Great Southern. “It is a unique challenge in a smaller station but she is very committed to the community. “When we attract good officers to the region, it shows me we are doing something right.”