Yarloop has a friendly new face patrolling its streets

Yarloop has a friendly new face patrolling its streets.

Sgt Wayne Byram is the new officer-in-charge at the Yarloop Police Station.

He began late last year and said he had already fallen in love with the community spirit of Yarloop.

“Yarloop is an interesting town, it has been an extremely difficult time for the community since the fires, but the spirit is still really strong,” Sgt Byram said.

This month, he is hoping to start a community discussion forum where a two-way conversation can be had between officers and residents.

“It’s about opening the lines of communication and having a face that people can go to,” Sgt Byram said.

“Many residents see Yarloop’s two police officers coming and going but may not know what we get up to.

“This forum would give them the opportunity to ask us questions and talk to us about things that are of concern to them.”

The sergeant said nothing was off-limits and he would try his best to assist the community.

“We can talk about anything, things like road traffic safety to online scams that may be going around,” he said.

“I’m fully committed to the position in Yarloop and I want people to know that I am approachable.

“I hope it would openly encourage more reporting of suspicious activity to Crime Stoppers and even more reporting of suspicious activity directly to me.”

The meetings will be held at the Yarloop Community Resource Centre and everyone is welcome to attend.

Yarloop is not the sergeant’s first rodeo.

He has been an officer for two decades and started policing in East London after graduating from university.

“I graduated in law and realised that rather than practising law, I could actually help on the ground,” he said.

“I absolutely love what I do, I am very fortunate.”

He was also the former sergeant in the Mandurah district’s forensics unit and has been the sergeant in both Kwinana and at Perth watch house.

Sgt Byram said it was important to look out for each other and report suspicious activity.