By DANIELLE GALVIN
CARDINIA’S top cop is returning to his roots.
Graham Higginbotham is the new Acting Inspector at Pakenham Police Station but he won’t need to learn too much about the area he has called home for more than 30 years.
He said he has applied for the position at the Princes Highway Station following Chris Major’s departure.
“In October last year I sat promotional exams and I was one of the few to pass it,” he said.
“Since then I have been eligible to apply for inspector positions, I have applied for 11 and one is Cardinia.
“I am following on from Chris Major who has moved to Baw Baw – they are some big shoes to fill.
“I will be here until the position is filled and, hopefully, I’m the one to fill it.”
Act Insp Higginbotham moved to Pakenham in 1982 when he was 12 years old.
“I actually went to Pakenham Secondary College and finished my Year 12 in 1988, then six months later I started at the police academy,” he said.
“I’ve worked in the city, Springvale and Moe although my initial training was at the Berwick Police Station and after that I went into the city.
“I have done country policing, prosecutions, witness protection and worked in the force response unit.”
In a growing community, providing front line police services is a challenge for the local police chief as well as family violence issues, youth crime and engaging with the community.
“I have worked in Pakenham extensively for more than 10 years and I’ve been here a long time so it’s good to be back,” he said.
“I have been pretty heavily involved in lots of community areas, I’ve managed the Safer Communities Cardinia which has seen the reinvigoration of the Neighbourhood Watch.
“But it’s not just about Victoria Police doing it on our own, we want to know what the problems are, what the people need and we need the community to tell us that.”
Act Insp Higginbotham said the issue of family violence involved the wider community and the police. He said historically it has been under-reported.
“It’s about how we respond to it – but we need to work together,” he said.
High on the agenda for local police is the long-awaited development of the police station in Emerald which will have 24 hour policing capacity.
“I would have to make sure the plans are in place so that we can hit the ground running when it’s open,” he said.
“We are fully aware that Pakenham is growing at a fast rate and we need to ensure we can keep up with demand.”
In relation to youth crime, Act Insp Higginbotham said there were a number of factors to take in account.
He said putting in a movie theatre or skate park wouldn’t be enough to placate bored or disengaged youth.
“We are making sure we have the contacts to try and divert the youth who are disengaged, ” he said.
“Part of that is helping them back on track and not just letting them go without any follow-up after they have been brought in.”
And while he doesn’t have any “pie in the sky” ideals for lowering crime in Cardinia, Act Insp Higginbotham believes there is more scope for the community to engage their local police.
“What we need to do locally is ensure that we have the information coming in,” he said.
“It’s no good unless we have the information and we need it to come from the community.
“Cardinia is a safe place but we can’t be complacent.”
