General News
22 February, 2026
Elmhurst has a new officer in charge
AFTER two years without a permanent police officer, Elmhurst’s one-man police station is once again staffed, with Leading Senior Constable Brad Bond taking up the role over the past month.
LSC Bond caught up with the Advocate this week saying he’s looking forward to being a part of the local community.
“I’ll be here all the time, depending on what’s needed. It’s pretty flexible.”
In 2023, Victoria had 98 single-officer police stations, with about eight located within the western region.
For the past two years, Elmhurst has been covered by officers from Ararat, now with the station manned, resources are now freed up to better cover the district.
“It offers them another unit if I can go and assist with them if something is going on. It helps them out a lot.”
Prior to stepping into the Elmhurst position, LSC Bond worked in Highway Patrol based in Ararat and is familiar with the broader district, having also worked out of Stawell.
His career has included time with the Critical Incident Response Team in Melbourne as well as at St Kilda Police Station.
“It’s been good. It’s a job that you never know what you’re going to get. It’s always different.”
LSC Bond said transitioning to a single-officer station has been a new experience.
“It’s definitely different, getting to know all the local people around the community, and you’re just on your own,” he said.
“Everyone has been welcoming. A bit of a learning curve, but it’s good experience.”
He said having a local officer stationed in Elmhurst also provides residents with easier access to police services.
“It gives them a focal point, they can come and ask what’s going on,” he said.
“A lot of people don’t drive into Ararat so they don’t have much to do with police, so it gives them that option to come and speak to me.”
LSC Bond said he was pleased to see the station operational, providing the community with an essential service and added sense of safety once again.
“It’s good to get it back running again,” he said.
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