After consulting with the Pasifika community in Christchurch, it was clear that there was an overwhelming interest to establish a group of Pasifika Wardens.
The establishment of Pasifika Wardens is a joint project between Canterbury Police, the Health Promotion Agency and the Pasifika communities supported by Community Patrol New Zealand.
Wardens or Community Patrollers are volunteers who work in pairs and act as ‘eyes and ears’ for Police, noting anything that could be suspicious and inform police immediately of incidents requiring urgent attention. Police also work with patrols, notifying them of suspicious activities and trouble spots they would like the patrol to keep an eye on, and events occurring in the area.
National Pacific Strategic Advisor, Inspector Peter Stokes said the response from the community was great and created another opportunity to build on the relationships that already exist between Police, Pasifika organisations and Pasifika peoples in the region.
“It’s fantastic to have the support to establish this crime prevention initiative in Christchurch and work together towards having less Pacific Islanders being involved in crime either as an offender or as a victim in the city.”
Today and tomorrow, eleven Pasifika community members will hold their inaugural meeting and join with other community members to begin training at Nga Hau E Wha National Marae, Aranui hosted by Te Runanga o Nga Maata Waka. Twenty other community members participating in the training are from a range of ethnicities including Filipino, Chinese, Iranian, Irish and Nigerian. The training will be delivered by the Police Maori Warden Trainers.
A request for community members to register their interest to join this initiative was sent out in early July and Senior Constable Andrea Williams, Christchurch Iwi and Pacific Liaison Officer hopes to attract more members.
Ms Williams says we are pleased to be able to have the first group of Pacific peoples to receive training to become Wardens in the community but also want to encourage anyone who is interested to get in touch.
“We’ll be looking to promote the Pacific wardens around Christchurch and sign up more volunteers. This is also an opportunity for those considering a career in policing to work with the community and our police officers.
“As a Pasifika warden you can make a real difference with our Pacific young people, with our families and around our community. Often a simple conversation with a warden can provide the support or clear thinking someone needs to make a better choice.”
To register your interest in becoming a Pasifika Warden, contact Senior Constable Andrea Williams at Christchurch Central Police Station on 03 363 7400.
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Issued by Mere Wilson Tuala-Fata, Senior Media Advisor, PNHQ - mere.wilson@police.govt.nz
