Detective Senior Constable Charles Ryall is saying goodbye to Cobram Police Station after five years. But the next chapter in Charles’ career has just begun.
Photo by
Owen Sinclair
Katamatite’s single-member police station will soon be a-whir with life.
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With the close of one chapter and the start of another, Cobram Crime Investigation Unit Detective Senior Constable Charles Ryall will soon be Katamatite’s first live-in police officer in about 12 months.
“I’m excited. I am up for the challenge. I know there’ll be different challenges to what I’m used to, and I’d like to really thank the community for their support,” Charles said.
Charles was born in Hay, NSW, and worked for several years in St Kilda as a detective before taking up his posting at the Cobram Police Station, where he has served for the past five years.
His passion for policing in rural communities stems from his childhood.
“I went to a really small school, and we looked up to our local police, because of the role they play in the community,” he said.
“The sense of community in those rural places is really strong, and they really appreciate the presence of police. And I feel that I’ve gathered a lot of experience over the 12 years now.”
Last year, Charles had the chance to connect with the Katamatite community while stationed there during a five-month temporary secondment.
The experience left such an impression on Charles that he wasted no time in applying for the role, if only to serve the town again.
“I’m very grateful for that, and would like to thank them for that as well,” he said.
“It was very refreshing after over a decade of policing to go back to a rural community and work with the community directly.”
Not since last year has the Katamatite Police Station housed an officer.
Photo by
Owen Sinclair
As part of his move, Charles will be stepping back from his work as a detective.
Looking back, he was involved in closing so many cases that he couldn’t narrow down the one of which he was most proud.
“I think the most satisfying work we’ve done here is in our efforts to tackling drug issues. And they’ve included major operations, as well as domestic violence matters, which are both really prevalent,” he said.
“Drugs are at the centre of a lot of crime, so you do see the results when we’re successful in our prosecution of those offences.”
Charles will be replacing Leading Senior Constable Phil Armstrong, who served as the interim officer in charge at Katamatite following the retirement of Leading Senior Constable Chris Westrope last year.
While he’s excited to take up his new posting, which begins on Monday, July 28, Charles will miss working alongside his colleagues, especially Detective Sergeant Marcus Boyd.
“The opportunity to go work in a single member station is very unique. So I’m really looking forward to that, and broadening my experience and diversity as well,” Charles said.
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