Ten years ago, the Taupo Community Patrol group became the blue-print for a national movement of volunteers.
Now with more than 100 community patrols throughout the country and more than 5,000 community patrollers the movement has become a national resource helping Police keep communities safe.
On Friday the Community Patrols of NZ returns to Taupo, where it all began, to celebrate its 10th anniversary.
Inspector Morris Cheer National Manager Community Support for Police said the anniversary seminar also coincides with Volunteer Awareness Week.
"These patrols give up hours of their own time to be the eyes and ears of the community," Inspector Cheer said.
"They report suspicious behaviour, keep an eye on neighbourhoods, and provide valuable intelligence to Police who cannot be everywhere at once."
"Community Patrols are invaluable to Police in many communities around the country and the work is now evolving into a specialist skill."
"This weekend is an opportunity for them to receive additional training and bring themselves up-to-date with best practice in community patrolling."
"It is also an opportunity of Police to acknowledge the tremendous support of over 5000 volunteers throughout NZ," Inspector Cheer said.
The national training seminar is held annually over three days.
All community patrollers are volunteers and range in age from 18 to 88. The average age is 52.
Each community patrol has a police liaison officer who assists the patrol with training and information to help guide their patrolling.
Alasdair Finnie, Director of the Office for the Community and Voluntary Sector, is amongst guests and will speak at Saturday night's dinner before Chairman Robert Fowler presents awards to patrollers.
Those being recognised include patrollers who have assisted police officers and members of the public being attacked, administered first aid until an ambulance arrived, identified serious offenders and located stolen vehicles for police.
Napier Community Patrol will be acknowledged for significantly reducing the number of thefts from vehicles in their community.
Speakers at the training seminar will include Taupo MP Louise Upston, Taupo Mayor Rick Cooper, Assistant Commissioner of Police Jon White, and Superintendent Grant O'Fee who is heading up planning for policing the Rugby World Cup.
Aside from meeting fellow patrollers from around the country, a highlight of the seminar will be a practical demonstration resulting in offenders appearing in a mock court in front of a real judge.
The seminar will be held at the Bayview Wairakei Hotel in Taupo.
Media are welcome to attend any part of the seminar on Friday from 12.30pm.
NZ Police
Jane Archibald
027 568 0267