Fond farewell for Margaret River police boss

Margaret River is preparing to farewell one of its most respected and admired individuals, as she readies herself and her family for a move back to ‘the big smoke’.

After nearly 20 years of policing, Sergeant Simone Taplin, Officer in Charge at Margaret River Police Station, says she found the perfect community in which to live and work, and saying goodbye to her friends and colleagues will be a “bittersweet” moment.

First stationed in Margaret River in June 2021, Simone said it became quickly apparent that she had found a place to call home.

“It’s the people – the community here is like no other,” she told the Mail.

“I’ve worked in the Kimberley, the Goldfields, the Pilbara – there is nothing like the Margaret River and South West community, the way they come together to help each other out and support each other is like nothing else I’ve seen.”

Known for her quick wit, friendly demeanour and unwavering dedication to the job, Simone took no time to develop the strong connections within the local community, sitting on the board of the Margaret River Independent School, playing Masters football and joining the AMRzons charity football team, all while keeping a watchful eye on the safety and wellbeing of locals and developing a strong team of police officers who are as passionate as she is.

The team of officers at Margaret River station is a close one, with plenty of mateship and friendly ribbing amongst the group and their supporting staff, evident as the group gathered to celebrate the Margaret River Show on Saturday, one of Simone’s final community outreach opportunities.

And it doesn’t take long for the ‘Margs effect’ to take a hold – even with the new arrivals.

“Most of the team have been here for a year or more now, and some are really keen to stay for their full tenure, they’ve fallen in love with the gig,” she said.

“They all become part of the community really quickly, it happens to all of them… We always have a laugh and say when you start recycling and bringing in your coffee in a jar, you’ve gone full Margs.

“They start out saying ‘what’s this little red bin about… I can’t make that work… then pretty soon it’s ‘I never fill up my red bin!’,” she laughed.

In 2023, Simone collected a WA Police Excellence Award for individual operational performance, a testament to her skill and dedication, as well as the respect she has garnered from her colleagues across all ranks.

“What isn’t there to love [about the job]?”

“Adventure, teamwork, camaraderie, community… making a difference in people’s lives. It’s the best job ever,” Simone said.

And while there have been some tough moments, with critical incidents and emergencies that have put her and the team to the test, she said it is our local community, which time and time again makes it all worthwhile.

“The Boranup fires really stands out as a moment that showed how good this place is.

“I’d been here for about 5 or 6 months, and during the fires we had locals turning up with cookies, cartons, just looking out for us and showing us they cared.”

Living and working in a “dream community”… why the move?

The WA Police Force operates a tenure policy, with officers moving within regions and branches to support organisational requirements and availability. A new OIC will be appointed in coming weeks, something Simone says will benefit the region.

“Tenure policing is great for the community,” Simone said. “It helps us to not get complacent, it brings in new people with new ideas, freshness, motivation… people come in ready to impart their knowledge and support the community in new ways.

Simone will take a position within the Internal Affairs Unit in Perth, as part of the Sexual Misconduct Team.

“I’m really looking forward to having an impact there,” she said, as she prepares to move into a new home with her young family.

“We would have loved to have stayed in the South West, it’s a beautiful place to live and work.

“But we’re looking forward to spending time with family.

“It’s time to go home.”