Police in Kaitaia have won high praise from their bosses for creating a collaborative approach to using CCTV for monitoring crime and deploying staff.
Te Hiku o Te Ika Neighbourhood Police Team has scooped a Problem-Orientated Police (POP) award for basing a trust and community-owned security organisation in Kaitaia Police station.
In addition, and in partnership with the Ministry of Social Development, the innovative approach has created nine local jobs for people who were considered long-term unemployed.
The willingness for the Police and the Far North Safer Community Council to work together meant the Council could develop the social enterprise organisation Total Security Management.
It monitors the CCTV camera system and deploys patrols to any identified risk areas.
“There has been a 60 percent reduction in commercial burglaries. 40 fewer businesses have been broken into in the first six months since the initiative started in August 2015,” says Senior Sergeant Geoff Ryan, the officer in charge of Kaitaia Police station.
The success story of crime reduction and putting local people into work has been a fantastic journey, says Mr Ryan.
“Those people have upskilled, they’re contributing and developing a sense of pride in keeping their community safe,” he says.
Deputy Chief Executive Strategy for NZ Police, Mark Evans, said the POP awards were a great opportunity to celebrate the work of our staff and all involved should be very proud of the work they had done to reduce harm and victimisation in their communities.
The Problem Orientated Policing awards were held in Wellington on May 5th.
ENDS
Issued by Public Affairs - PNHQ