Detective Senior Sergeant Jim Lacey has been appointed head of Major and Organised Crime Squad (MOCS) Rural southern Queensland, replacing former head Trevor Stephens who has retired.
Mr Lacey, who was appointed at the end of August, comes to the position with 22 years of police service.
He joined the Queensland Police Service in 1997 and completed his pre-training and his first year in uniform, before being appointed to the previously existing Stock Squad at Mareeba.
He is no stranger to southern Queensland, as he has previously served time in both MOCS Rural based in Toowoomba and Forest Hill, before transferring to Rockhampton as northern area coordinator and then returning.
In his new role he supervises MOCS Rural squads situated in Toowoomba, Forest Hill, Kingaroy, Roma and Charleville.
Mr Lacey said that while stock theft is an on-going target by thieves, it becomes a bigger issue when the seasons are good and cattle prices are as well.
"That is when we see a real spike in stock theft," he said.
"A serious issue for us is the theft of firearms and there are about 640 thefts of these each year," he said.
"It is a well known fact that most properties have registered firearms, and firearm security is really important at all times."
Mr Lacey also urges that country people who are going away, do not post on their activities on social media networks.
"It is amazing how potential thieves can pick up on this information, so don't post it, and make sure if you are going away have a caretaker, or someone to check on your property."
He said that through testing the used water in country towns there is evidence of a serious rise in the use of drugs.
"The use of Crystal Methamphetamine or Ice as it is commonly referred to, is of a particular concern as kids get hooked very quickly.
"There is definitely a lot more drug related work plus the unlawful entry of properties by animal activists in the southern regions."
A keen campdrafting competitor Mr Lacey recently took over as the president of the Toowoomba branch of the Australian Stock Society.