CLINTON Goff is the new sergeant in Leongatha, and whilst word spreads fast, Seargeant Goff is looking for a fresh start for the town.
“I grew up here, I went to Leongatha High School, and I’ve since raised my family here. For more than 35 years I’ve called it home,” the Sergeant smiled.
“I’ve loved working in Highway Patrol, but it was time for a change.”
Hanging up his leathers, there’s no denying it will not only be a change in pace but change in duties.
“I’ve traded one helmet for another,” he laughs holding up a new bicycle helmet and bike patrol shirt. A far cry from the black leathers he has donned for over 12 months on the BMW motorcycle.
And whilst the bloke in blue may present an intimidating sight, his friendly smile makes him an approachable figure, as he heads out and about in the community with some new faces.
“There are eight members as part of the Leongatha team now – more than half the crew are fresh into the role.
“With new faces joining the region, including some who also grew up down here, 2024 is a time to start fresh and to go again.”
And Clint’s old-school policing style may just be what the community is crying out for.
“I’m very focused on community orientated policing – popping into businesses, visiting and being a part of the schools, operating foot patrols up the main street so people can approach and talk to us, getting to know the community and having the face-to-face rapport that is so important in regional communities.
“Especially with primary schools, I find getting involved with the young kids – actively participating and connecting establishes a familiarity that encourages them to talk openly and freely. Then when you’re out and about, and they’re out and about, late at night and they shouldn’t be, they’re less likely to cause trouble.”
Appointed to Wonthaggi Police Station straight out of the Academy in 2013 was a rare feat, but it lasted only two years before Clint transferred to Baw Baw Highway Patrol in 2015 – his eye was always set to Highway.
“I was a funeral director prior to this at Handley’s in Leongatha.
“I got to meet a lot of the guys at serious injury and fatal collisions, and at the time, I wanted to be on the other side. I wanted to help stop it from happening instead of showing up after it happened.
“I’ve thoroughly enjoyed being a part of Highway for the past eight years, and since 2017 as part of the Bass Coast team – I’ve loved it, but it’s definitely time for a change.”
Having experience in Acting Sergeant roles across Baw Baw, Latrobe Valley and Bass Coast, the opportunity at Leongatha was too good to pass up.
“We will have full numbers at Leongatha and that means we are intending to have the watchhouse open more regularly, however, I do want to remind the community that even if it’s not open it doesn’t mean we’re not around. Proactive policing is about being out-and-about, preventing crimes (rather than sitting in an office), walking on foot and having a visible presence.”
And whilst Clint will always be passionate about advocating for better, safer roads and pushing behind the scenes for roads to be repaired and fixed, he is definitely looking forwards to getting stuck into his new role at Leongatha.
“I’m excited for the opportunity – I cannot wait!”
