Senior Sergeant Darren Parker is moving on from his role as long-time Police Coordinator with Goolwa Neighbourhood Watch (NHW). Darren is transferring to the State’s south-east where he will take on the role of Officer-in-Charge of Naracoorte Police Station.

“As soon as I came to Goolwa, I started attending Neighbourhood Watch meetings,” Darren said. “The group was well established, but my aim was to try and build on the connection between the group and the community and embrace what Neighbourhood Watch is about.”

Senior Sergeant Parker joined SAPOL at just 18 years of age and worked at several police stations across South Australia before moving to Goolwa in 2014.

“Crime in the area has reduced considerably in the time I’ve been at Goolwa and Neighbourhood Watch has helped contribute to that,” Darren said. “There's a whole range of things that police use to try and solve problems, and Neighbourhood Watch is a key piece of that puzzle which has worked well in this community.”

Goolwa NHW Area Coordinator Pat Salter said the group had benefited from Darren’s commitment and thoughtfulness.

“He has had a massive impact on the group,” she said. “He’s a 24-hour policeman who is always thinking about how he can help the community.

“When my husband, Malcolm, was having spinal surgery, Darren visited him at the hospital and brought a big bunch of flowers. That was very special. We’re really going to miss him here at Goolwa.”

Pat said Darren played a key role in the Goolwa group’s recent bike helmet initiative.

The project sees Goolwa police officers identify children who aren’t wearing bike helmets and speak with them about the importance of wearing a helmet for their safety on the road. If it is determined that a child doesn’t have a helmet or is unable to purchase one, the police officer will give them a voucher they can redeem for a helmet at a local bike shop.

"It’s a wonderful way for the police to build relationships with local children and teenagers and teach them about road rules in a positive way,” Pat said.

Darren was farewelled at a recent afternoon at the Goolwa Regatta Yacht Club where Goolwa NHW volunteer Morag Barker presented Darren with a framed caricature.