INSPECTOR Phil Malligan this week signed off from the New England Police District after filling the role of District Inspector in Moree for the past three-and-a-half years.

He’s seen it all in that time – and responded accordingly.

Floods, border closures and COVID-19 lockdowns are just some of the challenges Insp Malligan has faced since arriving in Moree in January, 2021.

During his tenure, Insp Malligan has engaged with the community extensively and met challenges head-on.

He will soon commence duties at the New South Wales Police Infrastructure and Asset Command, located at Sydney’s Olympic Park.

For Insp Malligan, the past week has been one of mixed emotions.

“I’ve met some amazing people in this town, and the entire shire, and this has been particularly rewarding,” he smiled.

Engaging with Moree, Boggabilla and Mungindi communities – and all villages in between – has been a chief focus for the popular police officer.

“Getting to know your community, especially the farmers in a rural community, is essential in my role as local Inspector of Police, and I’ve found the local community has embraced all staff attached to Moree. That in itself, has been particularly rewarding,” he said.

Insp Malligan’s victories across the north-west have been many, and hard-fought.

District Police Inspector Phil Malligan has today signed on for his last day at Moree Police Station.

The cross-border relationship he nurtured and strengthened with Queensland Police in the communities of Mungindi and Goondiwindi has been applauded on both sides of the border.

“Having good relationships with our cross-border counterparts within QPOL, is essential in responding to crime-related issues, as well as floods and the border closures during COVID,” Insp Malligan said.

Tackling youth crime in Moree is no easy task, but a roll-out of programs and initiatives in recent years has seen a marked improvement in the relationship between local youth and police officers.

“Engaging with the youth of the town has been a focus, especially building trust and relationships with the local police,” Insp Malligan said.

“Crime reduction initiatives are at the top of the list for all police across New South Wales, none more so than here in Moree.”

In January last year, Insp Malligan created an engagement initiative through the use of an outdoor cinema, known as the GUUMALI Youth Project.

“Since that time, there has been more than 30 events held, engaging with more than 3500 youth,” Insp Malligan said.

“These events have been held right across the New England Police District, where movies and live NRL football games have been televised on the big, inflatable movie screen.”

The success of GUUMALI Youth Project locally has seen it rolled out across other New South Wales Police Commands.

“The younger police officers engage with local youth by playing touch football and this builds respect and relationships with the local police,” Insp Malligan said.

Touch footy is regularly played at GUUMALI events, which are held at venues such as Jellicoe Park, and through the support by local business AFF, footballs have been purchased to use.

Away from work, Insp Malligan was heavily involved with the Local National Servicemen’s committee, where a reunion was held in Moree in August, 2022.

“Meeting Australian legend Normie Rowe at the event was incredible, and seeing him entertain the crowd at the reunion was certainly memorable,” he smiled.

The Moree Bulls Rugby Union Club is where Insp Malligan spent most of his rare time away from the office during the past four rugby seasons.

Watching first-grade take out the 2023 grand-final over the Pirates was certainly a highpoint during his involvement with the Weebolla Bulls.

“The people and friendships I made at Moree rugby are truly treasured,” he said.

“Getting involved in sport is a great way for police who transfer to a town to get to know the local community in which they police.

“I’m extremely proud of the local police who are involved in sport in Moree, and this includes soccer, rugby league, rugby union, cricket and golf,” he said.

“I have also had staff get involved with the Moree on a Plate committee, and it’s really touching to know our local police are getting involved with the community outside the station.”

Insp Malligan said after being in a frontline policing role for the past 36 years, his new role at NSW Police Infrastructure and Asset Command will see him work corporately and engage with members of State and Local Government to achieve better facilities and infrastructure for policemen and women.

Since starting with NSW Police in 1988, he has worked at stations across the state, including Young, Wagga Wagga, Port Macquarie and Moree.

“Moving into this new role will bring different challenges and engagements and will test me in a different way to what I’ve dealt with in the past – but I’ve never shied away from new challenges,” he smiled.

“My time in Moree has been incredibly memorable, and I want to thank the community for all their support, not only to me, but all the police working and living in this beautiful, vibrant farming community,” he said.