Officer has the passion to serve

Leadership, a focus on crime pressure points and a passion to help people are what Australind Police Station's new officer-in-charge hopes to bring to the job.

Sen. Sgt Mark Smith started in the role on Monday after more than two years at the South West District Office and said "so far, so good".

After 35 years in the force, Sen. Sgt Smith said he had a good "blend" of road and general policing.

"I'm hoping to bring leadership - tactical direction to the younger officers here is really important," he said.

The 53-year-old made the move to Australind after stints as OIC at the Crime Intelligence Unit and traffic coordinator in Bunbury.

Before that, he spent three years as OIC at Carnarvon, which included two weeks stranded during the 2010 floods that ravaged the Gascoyne town.

Sen. Sgt Smith has wasted no time in his latest tenure, having organised a week of meetings with community groups and local government organisations.

"Those partnerships are vital to prove we have a hard-working office and to communicate what people can do to help us," he said.

Having joined the police force at 17 years of age, Sen. Sgt Smith's passion for law enforcement is undeniable.

"I joined straight away after receiving a letter to join the cadets as I had a burning desire to serve the community and help people," he said.