New Pilbara top cop to target family violence

Cracking down on family and domestic violence is at the top of the agenda for the new superintendent of the Pilbara district police, who happens to be no stranger to the region.

With 30 years of experience in the police force, Kim Massam is now in charge of the Pilbara district, one of WA’s largest policing jurisdictions that spans from Hedland to Exmouth and into the Western Desert.

Coming from Perth, Supt Massam was most recently keeping illicit drugs off the streets and arresting gang members as the head of the WA Police serious and organised crime division, but he formerly served in Hedland as officer-in-charge of the South Hedland police station from 2008 to 2010 and as a cadet in 1989.

He has also previously worked as superintendent of the Perth central metropolitan district and completed stints in Geraldton, Wyndham and Halls Creek.

Supt Massam said ensuring Pilbara police were “the best first responders” to family and domestic violence incidents would be his top priority in the new role.

“I see family violence as the root of all evil, in that juvenile crime, poor educational standards, child sex abuse all stem from an unsafe, unstable home,” he said.

“So when (police officers) get the opportunity to intervene in a positive manner, we need to take it and make sure that we never miss one opportunity.”

He also said he would continue the ongoing major police operation into child sexual abuse in the West Pilbara and hoped to work with the community as much as possible on the “complex” matter of liquor restrictions.

Supt Massam said he was enthusiastic about being back in charge of frontline policing in the Pilbara.

“I think it’s the absolute pinnacle of my policing career, to be the superintendent of the Pilbara district, because those social challenges that exist, that we can really make a difference to, and my ability to be in touch with the constables on the ground that deliver that service to the community is what I really enjoy,” he said.

Supt Massam arrived two weeks ago and replaces former Superintendent Paul Coombes who is now serving as head of the WA Police internal affairs unit in Perth.

He has so far visited Karratha and Port Hedland and plans to get out to other Pilbara towns in coming months.