The purpose of the MOU is to formalise the positive partnership that currently exists between the two parties, and to enhance their working relationship for the community’s benefit.

South Metropolitan District Superintendent Scott Higgins attended, along with Murdoch Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OIC) Senior Sergeant Craig Sweeney and Palmyra Police Station OIC Acting Senior Sergeant Andrew Stevens. Mayor Russell Aubrey, Chief Executive Officer Dr Shayne Silcox, Manager Neighbourhood Amenity Brodie Dawkins and City of Melville Community Safety and Security (CSS) Team Leader Mark Allies were also present.

Mayor Russell Aubrey said the City of Melville was one of only a handful of local governments in WA to take this step. “The City is serious about crime prevention and I want Melville to be recognised for its effective crime prevention strategies. It has one of the lowest crime rates in the state and continually works in partnership with the police. The MOU now sets in stone what is already a positive, collaborative working relationship. It is a commitment in good faith for both parties to cooperate with each other in order to achieve our community safety goals in a mutually beneficial manner,” he said.

“The City will continue to act in the best interests of our community by delivering associated security patrols, and community safety and crime prevention initiatives which are seen as important to our local community. The City cares about both the real and the perceived safety of residents. Recently, it undertook community consultation on perceptions of safety and crime prevention to provide valuable information to assist in the ongoing development of the 2008-2012 Community Safety and Crime Prevention Plan. And a joint effort between the City and Murdoch Police resulted in the police charging a 16-year-old from Brentwood with 50 criminal damage charges last month,” he said.

South Metropolitan District Superintendent Scott Higgins said creating and maintaining partnerships between police and local government was a crucial strategy to dealing with crime and social disorder. “The relationship between WA Police and the City of Melville is a very positive one and the MOU is a great way to demonstrate this. It will help both agencies to clearly understand each other's role, as well as identify the ways in which we can help each other, such as through the appropriate and timely exchange of information," he said.