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Byron Shire
March 28, 2024

Meet new local inspector Kehoe

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Inspector Matt Kehoe outside the Brunswick police station. Photo Aslan Shand.

The Byron Police Station has welcomed its new inspector, Matt Kehoe, who joined the Tweed Byron Police District six weeks ago.

While Matt has lived in the Byron Shire since 2005, when he and his family moved here from Sydney, he previously worked with the Lismore Police LAC before spending the last three years in Murwillumbah as the general manager for Industry Regulations at the Firearms Registry. 

Living in the Shire, Detective Inspector Kehoe said he is able to bring a local perspective to the force and is looking to be more involved in the local community and the concerns and issues it is facing. 

‘Some of the key issues facing the Shire are mental health, both for the broader community and the police; homelessness, and road trauma,’ said Detective Inspector Kehoe.

Mental health on frontline

‘Police are called upon daily to manage mental health situations and this often leaves the police on the frontline dealing with the outcomes.’

Inspector Kehoe is actively pursuing training for the local police in relation to mental health. He is aiming to collaborate with local providers of mental health intervention training to support police in coping both with their jobs as well as dealing with mental health issues in the broader community. 

Highlighting that it is currently Homelessness Week, he points out that ‘This is something we see and deal with every day across the Shire’. 

‘Often people who are homeless have complex needs and can also have mental health issues that compound these.’

During Homelessness Week, there are a number of ways that people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness can access services, including through the Mullumbimby and District Neighbourhood Centre and the Byron Community Centre.

Responding to questions about the level of drug-fuelled violence in the community, Detective Inspector Kehoe was clear that if violence or intimidation is taking place that members of the community are encouraged to report it to the police and can do so anonymously.

Come forward

‘It is important to come forward and you can do that anonymously. But if we don’t know about it then we can’t act on it,’ he said. 

If you need to contact the local police you can call Brunswick Heads on 6685 1277, Mullumbimby on 6684 2144 or Byron Bay on 6685 9499. In an emergency call 000. 


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1 COMMENT

  1. Dear Commissioner Kehoe,With consideration and respect I approach You like all Belgian for the indefatigable efforts You undertake to find Theo Hayez.Many younsters from us city of Gent went to Byron Bay,like my own son.We try to be helpful from the other side of the world.In the beginning we tought that Theo got three possible ways to go back to his hotel,the beach,the shirley street or the railway.Like nobody have seen him on his way to his Wake Up hotel we think now that he went to meet the somebody in the Creeky Monkey Club or near this place after 11hr.The great Byron Bay artist John Dahlsen that make his artworks by small pieces of plastic waste is daily looking after this pieces.He know each square cm of the beach and surroundings.He did’n find any sign of Theo.On the small movie near the Creeky monkey club Theo turn after
    the corner of the club to the left.After what we find on google earth,the front and enter of this club is in the Jonson street.Normal he have to come out of the bar and walk to the right direction Train station Hotel.
    Theo watch his Iphone to a message,of some late appointment? were he went to.Some girlfriend?with a jealous
    admirer?.Who is Theo realy.Family put their family members always in a positive spotlight like I do myself.
    What did Theo in Byron Bay,Who were his friends?Were their fugitives on the early busline on juli 1th?
    All Belgian wish that You find back Theo a live.Sincerely Yours-Frank Liefooghe-info google

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