Community & Business
6 September, 2023
New officer vows to protect farms
New Senior Constable Courtney Holmwood says she’ll help protect farmers in Cecil Plains and along the Toowoomba-Cecil Plains Road from property thefts.
It’s been eight months since the town of Cecil Plains has had a police officer.
In that time, offenders have targeted the region from Biddeston to Cecil Plains, leading to concerned locals in the region holding a crime forum in Nangwee.
Now, there’s a new sheriff in town.
Senior Constable Holmwood moved from Rockhampton to Cecil five weeks ago.
The new Officer-In-Charge has previously served in Mount Isa and did her year of placement in her home district of Logan.
Prior to joining the Queensland Police Service, Senior Constable Holmwood had served in the Australian Army.
She said the people of Cecil Plains have been very supportive in introducing themselves to her.
Senior Constable Holmwood said she and her wife, also a police officer, thought the move would be the best move for herself and her career ambitions.
One issue which the Senior Constable Holmwood may have to deal with in her role is overturned trucks carrying livestock, which has happened at the same intersection twice this year.
The incidents have involved cattle and pigs and received media attention.
It’s become common enough for the animals to have emergency accommodation to go to in the event of future crashes.
Road safety will also be a key concern in an area of the world where speeding is common and speed cameras are scarce.
“We’ve had four road accidents in the three weeks I’ve been here,” she said.
Cecil Plains resident Debra Lynch said Senior Constable Holmwood had already made a difference.
“People are feeling more secure,” she said.
