The Bay of Plenty community can have a glimpse into the world of modern policing this weekend at events being held in Rotorua and Tauranga as part of the first ever New Zealand Police National Open Day.
Staff from across all 12 Police Districts as well as the Royal NZ Police College are taking part in "Come and Discover NZ Police" giving people the opportunity to gain an understanding of what a modern Police service looks like.
In Rotorua the public have the chance of a tour through the new Rotorua Police Station and District Police Headquarters officially opened by Police Minister Anne Tolley on Friday. The tour includes the cell block and the new high tech District Command Centre.
There will be a variety of static displays including Armed Offenders Squad, Dogs, Search and Rescue and mobile police technology as well as staff on hand to give advice and information to anyone considering a career in policing. All ages are welcome with plenty of interest for children and adults alike. The Rotorua event runs from 11am to 2pm on Saturday, 14 June.
A second event at Tauranga Police Station on Monmouth Street is along similar lines but runs from 10am to 1pm on Saturday and culminates with a demonstration by the Armed Offenders Squad and police dogs at 12.45pm at the neighbouring Monmouth Redoubt. There will be no tour of the station but visitors will be able to tour the cell block.
"We know there are many in the community keen to take a look at our brand new police station in Rotorua,” says District Commander for Bay of Plenty, Superintendent Glenn Dunbier. “Tauranga’s building is also relatively new, so the national event is a timely opportunity to show how police stations are not the fortresses of old, they are now community buildings where a whole host of people from different walks of life gather to discuss, debate and create ways to keep our everyone safe.
"We are also very aware that the first contact with the police for most people is during times of stress or trauma. This event provides a chance to meet some of our staff in an informal, stress-free environment and see some of the modern tools and techniques that we now use and the work we are doing to prevent crime and to reduce offending and victimisation.”
People can also engage with NZ Police online, learn about the range of work Police is involved in and find information about Open Day events taking place around the country via www.police.govt.nz/openday
The public are asked to bear in mind that both police stations will remain operational on the day and elements of the open day may be subject to change in the event of an emergency or significant incident.
Media enquiries should be referred to Communications Manager Kim Perks on 027 234 8256.