The newcomers are joining the existing team of highway patrol operatives already working within the Hunter Valley Police District.

Northern Region traffic tactician Chief Inspector Amanda Calder said the officers were dedicated to working with the Hunter community to reduce serious crashes and deaths in this area.

“We are three weeks into 2019 and 18 people have lost their lives in crashes on NSW roads,” she explained.

“Sixteen of those have occurred in regional NSW with eight of them in Northern Region.

“Drivers travelling through the Hunter should not become complacent about road safety.”

In 2018, 16 per cent of the road deaths in the Northern Region occurred in the Muswellbrook and Hunter Valley areas.

Chief Inspector Calder said the placement of the officers at Muswellbrook was an important step for road policing in the region.

“From Muswellbrook, the highway patrol officers cover an area that takes in not only the main roads but also local roads within the townships,” she added.

“Extending the back roads coverage, within the Hunter Valley Police District, dovetails with additional personnel being placed at other locations within Northern and Western regions.”

Hunter Valley Police District Commander Superintendent Chad Gillies said he welcomed the additional positions to be stationed at Muswellbrook.

“Local police have a great working relationship with Traffic and Highway Patrol Command and this will strengthen our local focus on road safety in the Upper Hunter," he said.

“These additional officers provide the local community with the reassurance that the NSW Police are committed to reducing toad Trauma across Regional NSW.

“Local people die on local regional roads. 

“Slow down, take care and you can be reassured that these officers and all police in the Hunter Valley will continue to work hard to reduce road trauma in your community.”