And he’s a country man at heart.

Inspector Matthew Hemsworth has only been in town six weeks, and with a brand new team he’s taking a fresh approach to tackle crime.

“It’s very hard to catch someone in the act, but we know that a person is likely to continue offending until they’re caught,” he told The Examiner on Monday.

“So my approach is … we know who is committing the crimes most often, and targeting those offenders when they are active.”

Joining Inspector Hemsworth is Constable Steven Bartholomew and Constable Kym Hilly. 

“Both Steven and Kym transferred from busy Commands in Sydney [and] both are passionate and dedicated officers,” he said. 

“Our break and enters are quite low and I think that’s a result of them getting out there and into the faces of our offenders.”

As for Inspector Hemsworth, he started his career in Dubbo in 2002.

In 2004, he moved into criminal investigations before becoming a designated detective in 2006.

“In 2007 I went to Broken Hill for three years and then Shoalhaven in 2010,” he said.

“I worked out of Nowra for about two years before I was promoted to Detective Sergeant at Newcastle,” he said.

“Having that investigative and proactive background I’m very experienced in property, drug and violence crime.”

Inspector Hemsworth said his new position was “very different” from being a Detective Sergeant, but there were similarities. 

“Coming from my country background in Dubbo and Broken Hill, it’s very similar policing,” he said.

And Inspector Hemsworth said he’s excited to be back in the bush.

“My wife and I pined for the country,” he said.

“I had opportunities to take similar jobs in the city but I turned them down.

“When Glen Innes came up I took it with both hands and I’m still pinching myself to tell you the truth.”

Inspector Hemsworth said he hopes to develop strong ties with organisations in the community such as the Safe in Our Town initiative. 

“I want to put a big focus on domestic violence,” he said.

“I know the town is concerned with break and enters, but I’m concerned with DV.”

Inspector Hemsworth said the team were already working with counselling services to combat the issue.

“The victims need that ongoing support especially through the court process and with housing and finances,” he said.

“There’s great programs out there but people don’t know about them or know how to access them.”