The Kāpiti Digital Centre (KDC) has celebrated five years of supporting Our Business and giving the public more options in how they contact Police.
The milestone was marked in a very special way, with a sunrise karakia at Whakarongotai Marae, Waikanae, and a birthday gathering at the centre itself.
The centre opened in November 2018 to take non-emergency calls away from the 111 system and give members of the public new ways to contact Police, using the 105 phone number and online reporting.
“Local iwi Te Atiawa ki Whakarongotai gifted the service centre a karakia called Huakina Huakina to celebrate our five years in existence," says Inspector Dave Burmeister, Deployment Manager Service.
"It was a very special sunrise at the marae and a great way to start a birthday celebration."
During the week of the celebration, held on 28 November, the centre received 29,000 phone and email contacts and nearly 4000 online submissions. Non-emergency contacts are also managed at Piki Ki Te Ao.
Some of the original crew who are still serving. From left: Craig Griffiths, Susan Reedy, Sally Osborn, Magenta Carter, Samantha Tait, and Faye Tahere. Other originals, not pictured, are Faliu Aitogi, Lucy Thomson, Rachel Callinan, Christopher Ines, Rhea Labagala, Cheryl Hocking, Jeff Hall and Sarah Andrews.
Deputy Commissioner Jevon McSkimming was at the centre to share the celebrations and thank staff for their service.
“To have trust and confidence of everyone we've got to deliver a police service to people in a way that works for them," he said.
"What we have here is a very important part of our role where we provide a non-emergency number and supporting workgroups for our frontline staff and the public alike – we want to keep making things easier for people to report crime.
“Kāpiti was one of many locations considered for a centre to field 105 non-emergency calls and house other Police digital services. A lot of people would commute every day to Wellington for employment, so it made sense for a site to be situated in a fast-growing place like Kāpiti and offer employment to local people.
“All of you provide a better service to the public. Highly skilled people like yourselves, who are delivering services like this, are the future of policing along with competent and capable people on the streets.”
The centre at Paraparaumu on the Kāpiti Coast was opened by then Police Minister Stuart Nash and then Commissioner Mike Bush.
It was gifted the name Te Whare Torotoro Waea Pirihimana – which captures the essence of its role as a place of nationwide communication - by Te Atiawa ki Whakarongotai. The centre was built with a 24/7 work focus and can house more than 200 staff.
“It was really good to acknowledge these five years," says Dave. "I’m thankful I work with an engaged team of people who are passionate about what they do and do well."
Deputy Commissioner Jevon McSkimming and Inspector Dave Burmeister.