Constable Satvir Sen from Otahuhu Police Station tells us about the Counties Manukau West Community Policing Team which is working on reducing over-representation of Kiwi-Indians as victims of crime
IWK: Can you please tell us about the services you offer?
Satvir Sen: The Counties Manukau West Community Policing Team which covers Otahuhu, Mangere and Papatoetoe, is under the purview of Otahuhu Police Station. I am part of the team of constables who work with and look after everybody in the Counties Manukau West area in regards to community order related issues.
Currently one of the projects I am working on is reducing over-representation of Indians in the area as victims. People of Indian descent currently comprise a large portion of the area’s population.
Police interview offenders who have been apprehended and always seek insight into why they offend, who they target and among other thing how they go about it. Offenders have advised Police that they target Indians because they believe that Indians are easy targets.
IWK: Who are your target audience?
SS: We target the Indian audience mainly because offenders have advised Police they believe that
• Indians keep to themselves and don’t call police.
• Indians usually can't recognise the offenders
• Properties belonging to Indians are easily identified and are usually fairly unsecure.
The goal is to make Indians desirable victims of crime. This is being implemented in a number of ways.
Police want to encourage community awareness and want the community to have confidence in calling the Police if they see anything suspicious even if it seems minor.
IWK: Can you give us a few tips on crime prevention?
SS: Police would like to be called by the community when they see or hear any suspicious activity. It is good to be called and not be needed, rather than not being called at all.
People can contact police a number of ways
• In case of emergencies call 111
• To report crime anonymously call the crime stoppers number on 0800 555 111
• People can call police even if they can't speak English as police have operators for speakers of other languages.
• People can report in to the local police stations in person
Police are encouraging all people to report any suspicious activity or any crime immediately. This includes persons or vehicles in or around your property or neighbours property that you don't recognise and believe should not be there.
You can also contact Police via Indian Weekender newspaper with any questions you have. My team and I will attempt to answer any questions people have to build a better relationship between the New Zealand Police and the Indian Community.
IWK: What is your background and how did you join this profession?
SS: I was born in Fiji and moved here when I was 14. I completed high school studies at Manurewa High School and I graduated as a qualified Electronics and Computer Systems Engineer from AUT in 2007. I have been with the Police for approximately 5 years now.