Katanning’s top cop Senior Sergeant Brett Pengilly says farewell to town

Katanning Police Station said goodbye to its officer-in-charge last week when Senior Sergeant Brett Pengilly departed for his new posting in Kununurra. Sen. Sgt Pengilly and his wife Nicole have called Katanning home for nearly two years after moving from Kalgoorlie in September 2018. He became a familiar face around town, making a point to walk down Clive Street every day to have a chat with community members. “The Katanning community was just absolutely great from the moment I got there until the moment I left. I’m really going to miss the people,” he said. “I’m going to miss the staff. Hopefully our paths will cross again. “The teamwork, the duty, the integrity and care that the officers displayed constantly during their work...they were always keen to jump in and help out with different strategies that reduce crime and build those relationships. “It was definitely one of the really good communities to live and work with.” Sen. Sgt Pengilly said a critical part of his stint in Katanning had been helping to strengthen the force’s relationship with young people. During his tenure, he helped recruit a part-time youth policing officer and regularly sent his team out to schools. “I started playing basketball with the Clontarf Academy and it got to the stage where we had six officers from the Katanning Police Station in that team, engaging all the kids,” he said. He also pushed to recruit Aboriginal cadets at the station, which led to 18-year-old Aaliyah Harris realising her dream of becoming a police officer earlier this year. He said a highlight of his time in Katanning was helping to raise about $15,000 through the Katanning Police and Rotary Charity Golf Day last year. AFL stars Nic Naitanui and Michael Walters chipped in to play golf with fans in support of Katanning’s St John Ambulance sub-station and the Katanning Regional Emergency Accommodation Centre. Senior Sergeant Carlos Correia, who has more than 35 years experience as a police officer, is set to take the reins in the coming weeks. Sen. Sgt Pengilly said he was confident he would make a great addition. “He is going to come with a new vision,” he said. “I know I am handing over to someone who is very keen to be part of the community,”