Northampton police OIC Sgt Jules Leighton: Zero-tolerance approach to drug trafficking and dangerous driving

New Northampton police officer-in-charge Sgt Jules Leighton plans to improve safety on and off roads, with a focus on reducing dangerous driving and drug trafficking, and connecting better with youth and services. Taking on the new role in October, Sgt Leighton has been with the WA Police Force for 20 years, and after spending 10 of those years in Geraldton, she was ready for a change. Sgt Leighton often looks back at her time in the academy when she was inspired to work in remote parts of WA after learning of the 10-day patrols through Aboriginal communities in the Goldfields. She said it was her dream job, but years later, the patrols were replaced with postings, and she was permanently stationed at Warburton Aboriginal Community from 2012-2014. “Working on Ngaanyatjarra land, it was so good, the best thing I’ve done personally and for my career,” Sgt Leighton said. “I really like the community aspect of it. “Living in the community you have pride about, you know where you live and the people that you interact with.” While she continued to develop her skills and knowledge in Geraldton, Sgt Leighton said she felt she was missing that small community aspect of policing, and when the gig at Northampton came up, she thought: “perfect”. “I’m starting to feel like I’m getting that community feel again, building genuine relationships in the community rather than just surface-level,” she said. “It’s more than just being a police officer, you know. I’m part of the community. I live here, I work here. It’s both.” Sgt Leighton works with a close-knit team, including First Class Const. Zoe Loo and Sen. Const. Chris Chang, who are both new to their roles, too. She plans to target those who move drugs through the town, and stop the scourge of illicit drugs in the community. “We know that substance abuse contributes to youth crime, to domestic violence, to any kind of violence,” Sgt Leighton said. “One of my goals is to make sure I have some actions or operations running to target people bringing drugs through our town.” As well as drug trafficking, Sgt Leighton will deploy operations to target drug or alcohol-affected drivers, as well as those who speed or make dangerous choices behind the wheel. “I’d like to reduce the road trauma,” she said. “We have highway tourists, we’ve got trucks, we’ve got big things coming through and it’s dangerous, so I want to deter people by enforcing the law in regards to drink-driving, drug-driving, speeding, wearing your seatbelts, not talking on the mobile phone, keeping your eyes on the road, concentrating. “We will be doing RBTs, we will be pulling people over, we will be doing highway patrols, and we don’t make any apologies for it. We’re there to keep people safe.” Northampton’s top cop will also be focusing on those too young to be behind the wheel, ensuring police are engaging with youth in the community more frequently and hosting regular events in town. Police will also be working with services to support families affected by domestic violence. On Thursday, October 31, Northampton police held a Halloween-themed Blue Light Disco, with more than 100 people in attendance. Sgt Leighton said it was the first disco held in years, receiving plenty of praise from the community. “It was absolutely jam-packed, and we got such good positive feedback from people,” she said. While she plans to focus on negative driver behaviour, drug use and crime, Sgt Leighton is also focused on becoming a point of contact for anyone in the community — whether they are in need or are just interested in a yarn. “I like helping people, I like talking to people — policing is just home for me,” she said. “I walk down the street and it can take me 40 minutes to get my lunch because I get talking to people, and people want to come and have a chat. “I think Northampton is going to see a positive policing presence with Zoe, Chris and I, and I look forward to the next few years.”