The 25-year veteran previously worked in police intelligence at Melbourne before moving to the south-west three years ago.

His new role sees him take over the Warrnambool police service area as area commander, covering the Warrnambool, Moyne and Corangamite municipalities.

One of his main responsibilities will be liquor licensing as the region's licensing inspector.

Mr Marshall said Warrnambool's two late night venues were key components in community safety and both were very responsible.

"The venues are well managed and they attract a lot of young people on Friday and Saturday nights," he said.

"Our biggest issue currently is pre-loading (alcohol consumption) at home and clubs and pubs before patrons get to the central business district."

The inspector said he had worked late shifts to see those venues in action.

"There's appropriate vetting processes in place so no one intoxicated gains entry," Mr Marshall said.

"The venues' vetting processes were tight, lines were orderly, licences checked and people were being knocked back if they had too much to drink.

"It was quite well done. There's always going to be the odd idiot who uses drugs and alcohol and we need to work with the venues to help identify and remove those people from licensed premises."

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Mr Marshall said there were strict rules in place covering venues and staff about the responsible service of alcohol.

He said venues faced heavy sanctions for serving intoxicated patrons, allowing drunks to remain on licensed premises and serving underage people.

"Licensed venues are very tuned in to identifying the early signs," he said.

"We as police need to have that close working relationship with the venues.

"The good sports program has worked well and we've also been working with Deakin University in relation to violence prevention and alcohol-fuelled violence."

Mr Marshall said it was OK to drink alcohol but not irresponsibly or to excess.

He said there was still a banned patrons list in the district's licensed venues and it currently included 17 people.

"It's not just about nightclubs but all licensed venues working as a collective," he said.

"We have contact with all licensees in Warrnambool, Moyne and Corangamite to communicate any new legislation and about my non-negotiables - I wont tolerate serving of intoxicated patrons, drunks remaining on licensed premises and underage people being on premises."

The inspector said licensed venues were on board and willing to listen about their roles and responsibilities.

He said drugs in licensed venues remained an issue and initiatives such as the use of drug dogs and flying visits from the state liquor licensing unit could be expected again in the future.

The inspector said the 3am closing time for the nightclubs remained a key focus with people milling around at closing time.

"We want those people to move on as quickly as possible, to get everyone home safe," Mr Marshall said.

"We have a highly visible police presence at that time and maintain a tough stance on intoxicated persons and anti-social behaviour," he said.

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