Geraldton’s top cop passes on the baton for “new challenge” in Perth posting

From billion-dollar drug busts to civil unrest, natural disasters and everything in between — Sen. Sgt Jason Scragg has seen it all during his two-year tenure as the officer in charge of Geraldton Police Station.

But Geraldton is set to lose one of its highest-profile officers when the self-described “stickler for professionalism” leaves his post next week for a new opportunity in Perth.

The 34-year veteran of the WA Police force says it’s been a rollercoaster working in Geraldton over a few years and has “had it all thrown at him”.

“During some of the stressful times you wish you weren’t doing this job,” he said.

“But I’d do it all again without a doubt. It’s been very rewarding.”

Most memorable for Sen. Sgt Scragg was heading the Geraldton Police Station during instances of civil unrest, an experience he said was “surreal”.

“Everyone at the station was so driven and focused on getting the situation under control,” he said.

He says he’s proud of the work his team has been able to achieve over the past few years, including an almost 40 per cent drop in the burglary rate.

“I hate to be a stats man,” he said before revealing there had been a drop of 319 yearly burglaries over the past two years.

“Each financial year we’ve been able to drop that rate and keep it low,” he said. “Offences against the person, burglaries and stealing are down year on year.”

He said weapons and drugs offences had risen, but attributed it to officers working hard to find more out on the streets.

“The people that serve the Geraldton community are unbelievable,” he said.

“They get up and do their jobs through thick and thin.”

He said he would miss the community the most and was “lucky” to work with an engaged community that assisted police with their duties. Sen. Sgt Scragg is moving to Perth on Tuesday, where he will immediately begin working in a district engagement and support manager’s role at the Mirrabooka Police Station.

“Something completely different to the role I’ve been doing in Geraldton, and I’m looking forward to the challenge,” he said.

He said he knew he was handing over the responsibility of the office to a “very capable officer” in Sen. Sgt Chris Martin.

“Chris and I have known each other for a long time. He was the officer in charge at Mullewa while I’ve been here in Geraldton, and we collaborated a lot during this time.

“I’m sure there’s a few unfinished things that I’ll hand over. He’s got some great ideas he’ll implement in the community, and I’m sure you’ll see the results of these in the coming months and years.”