Councillor Jason Hamling noted NSW Police’s intention to train 1500 extra officers in the next four years, announced on Tuesday.

“My understanding, last night [Monday] for a population of 45,000 people, Orange had one car crew on, I don’t know about anyone else but that alarms me – as chair of the crime committee, I find that very understaffed,” he said.

“I know that Cowra has a bit of a push and there were some police numbers allocated.

“If our police numbers are low, we should be jumping up and down – there’s probably staff off on annual leave, but one car crew for 45,000 people isn’t good enough.”

Member for Orange Phil Donato welcomed the announcement, made by Police Minister Troy Grant and Commissioner Mick Fuller.

All commands will receive an additional officer to monitor offenders on the child protection register and a specialist elder abuse prevention officer.

“Following the extraordinary number of questions I’ve directed to the police minister, media interviews I’ve participated in alongside overworked and under resourced police officers, speeches and notices of motion I’ve delivered to Parliament, the premier has responded by announcing an additional 1500 police,” Mr Donato said.

He said he had asked to meet with Commissioner Fuller as soon as possible to discuss staffing at the Orange Police Station, which was 12 officers short of meeting the state police-to-population average, a Regional Enforcement Squad and basing drug detection dogs here from the Central West Police District to focus on illicit drugs.

The Police Association of NSW has been lobbying for an extra 2500 over four years following consultation with police across the state.

PANSW western region organiser Rod Sheraton said 1500 was “also a good win”.

The council will ask police for information on their current strength.

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