Lightning Ridge Police Station

In the early years of Lightning Ridge, there was no local law enforcement. Before 1916, the Angledool Police Station was responsible for overseeing the Wallangulla opal fields, dispatching constables to handle offences and issue miners’ rights and dog registrations. By 1910, official discussions began around establishing a local station, and by 1914, police matters were being conducted out of a room in a private residence on Morilla Street.

In 1915, Tom Urwin constructed a large Federation-style house, which was Leased to the police from 1916 to 1944. This building became Lightning Ridge’s first dedicated police station. A rear annex served as the lock-up. After its closure, the building reverted to residential use and remains a private home. During the wartime closure (1944–1961), police again operated from Angledool, visiting periodically.

A second station was constructed in 1960 and opened officially in 1961. This building, now serving as the Courthouse, was staffed initially by a single officer and later expanded as the town grew. By 1975, three constables were stationed in Lightning Ridge.

In 1983, a fourth and current police station was built to serve the growing population. Occupied in 1984 and officially opened in 1985, it was modern in scale and scope, with staff numbers increasing steadily over the years.

Article: Edited by Russell Gawthorpe. LRHS research compiled by Len Cram and Barbara Moritz. Sources: The Lightning Ridge Book, Stuart Lloyd, 1967, p. 109; Lightning Ridge - The Home of the Black Opal: Unique to the World, Gan Bruce, 1983, pp. 155, 163; Lightning Flash Newspaper, 13 March 1975, 20 March 1980, 12 April 1984, 18 July 1985, 13 July 1985, 28 January 1988; Walgett Spectator, 25 March 1910, 6 May 1910; A Journey With Colour: A History of Lightning Ridge Opal 1873-2003, Len Cram, 2003, p. 297.