Southern Region Commander, Assistant Commissioner Joe Cassar APM, has announced the appointment of a new commander to the Murray River Police District.
Superintendent Paul Smith took command of Murray River PD on Monday (20 January 2020).
Superintendent Smith joined the NSW Police Force in 1987 and was initially stationed in Albury performing general duties.
His career in general duties flowed downstream on the Murray to Mulwala and then Dareton, before he made a move into criminal investigations in Hay and Deniliquin.
In 2004 Superintendent Smith was promoted to Inspector at Broken Hill, before taking on the Crime Manager role at Barrier Local Area Command.
Superintendent Smith transferred to Griffith Local Area Command in 2009, where he conducted Crime Manager duties along the Murrumbidgee for six years.
During this time, the Command was involved in numerous organised crime investigations, including the disruption of the drug trade with the seizure of several large commercial cannabis crops, some hidden among the vineyards.
In 2005 Superintendent Smith was appointed as Commander of the Barrier Local Area Command, which later merged to become what is now known as Barrier Police District.
It was in Barrier that Superintendent Smith was exposed to cross-border policing across three states; Queensland, South Australia and Victoria.
"During my time there I found cross-border policing arrangements critical to our capability, developing close working relations with our neighbouring interstate commands," Superintendent Smith said.
"By working with the vision of 'no borders', we made some major achievements in emergency management, road safety, interstate drug trafficking and general community safety."
Superintendent Smith is no stranger to the Murray River Police District, having started his policing career in Albury 32 years ago.
"I have friends and family across the district and in some respects consider this move as returning home," Superintendent Smith said.
"I look forward to police, community and government working together for safer communities across the Murray River PD."
