In shape for world cup challenge

The recent one-day international cricket series has provided the perfect run-in for the team spearheading policing of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015.

With the tournament opening in Christchurch this week, the team is settled in the special operations room attached to the National Command and Coordination Centre at Police National Headquarters.

They have access to resources including the deployment application RIOD, CCTV feeds from venues and a geospatial application which allows virtual access to venues and surrounding areas.

Later in the year the room will become the nerve centre of policing for the Fifa Under-20 World Cup, hosted around New Zealand from 30 May to 20 June.

January’s seven-match ODI series allowed the Operation World Cups team to test systems in the context of matches at most of New Zealand’s world cup venues.

“We’re really fortunate to have had so much cricket in recent months,” says operation commander Superintendent Sandra Manderson.

“It gave us the opportunity to ensure we’re up to speed, to look at our systems and how we operate during cricket matches.”

Considerations include staff welfare, with officers on their feet much longer than for a rugby match, and policing of fan zones.

There has been extensive liaison with agencies, from councils and sports bodies to Immigration and Customs. The shared hosting with Australia means a high level of trans-Tasman liaison.

Sandra says policing will be coordinated nationally, but delivered locally. “We have very experienced commanders working in the districts and I have every confidence in their ability to deliver this tournament.”

The opening event is at North Hagley Park on 12 February, with the first game at Hagley Oval on 14 February.

From Ten One, the monthly Police magazine. Click here for the February edition.