The Barwon South West region has a new face in charge of emergency management, with Victoria Police appointing a new inspector to lead police efforts in emergency situations.
Inspector Brooke Walker started her role this week after previously serving as the local area commander for Wyndham.
She began her policing career in 1994 and has worked predominantly as an operational police officer in rural settings in Western Victoria including Maryborough, Horsham, Swan Hill and Robinvale.
With an extensive background in rural policing, she has been exposed to a wide range of emergency incidents.
She was heavily involved in the police response to two major floods along the Loddon River catchment at Kerang in northern Victoria’s Gannawarra Shire in 2011.
The protracted event saw numerous people evacuated, activation of relief centres and a multi-agency response to the natural disaster.
She has supported her career through education and tertiary studies relevant to training, emergency management, human rights, and employee relations.
In her new role, Inspector Walker is keenly focused on keeping Geelong residents and the wider western region safe, particularly during the busy summer months with the increased risk of bushfires and an influx of visitors to the region.
She takes over from Inspector Dean Howard, who has taken up a role in the Transit and Public Safety Command.
Western Region Emergency Management acting superintendent Nick Finnegan said Inspector Walker was “an outstanding police officer and leader”.
“With almost three decades working as a police officer in rural environments across Western Victoria, she has an in-depth knowledge of the challenges faced by these communities,” he said.
“She has a proven ability to work through complex emergency situations, such as bushfires and floods with skill and sound judgement.
“I am confident Inspector Walker will bring the focus and energy required in this specialised role, to proactively and reactively ensure the safety of western Victorians.”
Ash Bolt
