Leading Senior Constable Corey Wild is Tongala’s new police officer.
Photo by
Ivy Jensen
Tongala has a police officer back on the beat after 18 months without a permanent member.
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Leading Senior Constable Corey Wild has taken up the role at Tongala Police Station, bringing more than two decades of policing experience and a lifetime of local knowledge to the position.
“I grew up here and I know the community,” he said.
Since graduating from the police academy in 2001, Leading Sen Constable Wild has served at Shepparton and Kyabram, relieved at Tongala and Stanhope, and undertaken acting sergeant duties at Kyabram, Rochester, Rushworth and Echuca.
Back in Tongala, one of his first priorities is rebuilding local connections.
“Basically just being here, being open and approachable to any concerns the community has,” he said.
“It’s about building that rapport, gaining trust and letting people know there is someone here.”
While he expects to deal with a range of issues, he said family violence remained one of the biggest challenges facing police.
“I’d hazard a guess and say at least 75 to 80 per cent of our work is family violence,” he said.
“Unfortunately, Tongala is not immune to family violence disputes.”
The town also faces a mix of other policing issues.
“There might be a spate of property damage. There might be a couple of cars that come into town, do a heap of burnouts and take off again,” he said.
“At the moment, we’ve got a bit of an issue with e-bikes.”
You can find Leading Senior Constable Corey Wild at Tongala Police Station.
Photo by
Ivy Jensen
Leading Sen Constable Wild said residents regularly raised concerns with him while he was out and about in town.
Road safety is also a focus, particularly given the area’s industrial traffic and growing population.
“We do have the industries in town, with a lot of prime movers and heavy vehicles coming through,” he said.
“I just want people to be mindful of who’s around and concentrate on what they’re doing.”
With many international workers living in the district, he said education was often more effective than enforcement.
“If I see someone doing the wrong thing, it’s not so much getting the book out. It’s more about education and setting them on the right path,” he said.
The appointment restores a visible police presence in the town, something Leading Sen Constable Wild believes is vital in a rural community.
“In a small community, you’ve sort of got to be the face of VicPol,” he said.
“Just being seen gives people the reassurance that someone’s around.”
Leading Sen Constable Wild encouraged residents to drop in to the station and introduce themselves.
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