The new Dalby Police Station was officially opened today following a $19 million upgrade, with the facility featuring a memorial for slain police officers, Constable Matthew Arnold and Constable Rachel McCrow, who were murdered in the line of duty on December 12, 2022.
Constable Arnold and Constable McCrow completed their first year of policing at Dalby Station and remained close friends with many officers and staff from the area.
The memorial was jointly funded by Queensland Police Service Southern Region and Qld Police Union of Employees (QPUE).
“Honouring Rachel and Matt with this dedicated memorial is critical for our community as we keep our commitment to their families and colleagues to never ever forget their service and sacrifice,” said Queensland Police Minister, Mark Ryan (pictured at the 2022 funeral for the two officers).
“Constable Arnold and Constable McCrow’s deaths profoundly impacted the entire community, and their loss is still felt around the state. This memorial commemorates their memory and I thank all those in making it happen,” said Police Commissioner Steve Gollschewski.
The station upgrade accommodates 60 operational staff, including officers for the Western Downs Patrol Group (WDPG), Criminal Investigation Branch (CIB), Child Protection & Investigation Unit (CPIU), Highway Patrol, state-of-the-art Scenes of Crime section (SOC) with investigative laboratory, training capacity, major incident room and upgraded watchhouse facilities.
Queensland Police Union President, Ian Leavers welcomed the upgrade and the memorial to the officers.
“The rebuild of Dalby station has been a project I’ve driven since I worked in the Region and identified the previous station had outlived its usefulness and become a hazard to the police working there,” he said.
“I thank the Police Minister for working with me to deliver this multi-million dollar rebuild.
“The new design is fit for purpose due to input from frontline police who understand the efficiencies that come from workflow when dealing with people in custody and victims of crime who need police assistance.
“The watchhouse will also assist in providing a greater level of surveillance for people in our care and the staff amenities have been upgraded to a modern standard.
“A plaque honouring the lives of Constable Matthew Arnold and Constable Rachel McCrow will remind every person visiting Dalby Station of the sacrifice given by my two colleagues and prompt people to acknowledge what police are prepared to give to protect the community where they live and work.”
