Sen-Constable Lee McCarthy has become such a popular fixture in the town that the Lions Club recently nominated him for Howlong citizen of the year.

But the policeman hasn’t been rostered on at Howlong since August, when he was seconded to Albury for six weeks’ “training”.

Townsfolk believe a dispute with a senior officer in Albury was behind Sen-Constable McCarthy’s transfer.

But this claim was denied by his superiors.

“The town, as a whole, reckons he is the best thing that’s happened to us for a long time,” Howlong Lions Club director Col Smith said.

“He’s been marvellously proactive in getting involved with the community.”

Detective Insp Brad Blanchard said Sen-Constable McCarthy had been brought across to Albury for “development reasons”, and when other unspecified issues arose he was kept there until he went on leave early last month.

Sen-Constable McCarthy is in England with his wife and will return to work in February.

He was not available for comment yesterday and The Border Mail spoke to Howlong residents without his knowledge.

Insp Blanchard expected Sen-Constable McCarthy to return to his post when he got back from leave.

“There’s nothing before us at the moment which will prevent him returning (to Howlong),” he said.

The community does not begrudge Sen-Constable McCarthy his vacation but hoped he would be back on duty as soon as possible.

“If he’s back here, he’d be welcomed with open arms,” retiree Lois Bathols said.