The New Zealand Police wants to build deep and lasting links with communities says NZ Police Senior Sergeant and Community Services Manager Rod Salt.
But he believes it is a two way process. Just as he would like the police force to look approachable and friendly to the public, the public too must be forthcoming in developing the links, he told Indian Weekender.
“I encourage our men to have the windows of their cars wound down so they don’t look as if they are aloof and approachable. I would like the community constables to be up and about, be seen on the streets, meet retailers and business establishments and mingle with the common people, have conversations,” he said.
“We must work toward the us and them divide.”
But that was not always possible because police personnel often have to cope with a heavy workload. However, he said, “The police should never be too busy for the public.”
The NZ Police has been conducting regular contact programmes with the communities. One of the recent initiatives is a series of workshops for small shop and establishment owners as well as workshops and demonstrations on personal safety. “Though the response has been very good, we are a bit disappointed that despite advance publicity the turnout is not much as we would like it to be. These events are which are indeed useful. We would like to see more people attend them,” he said.
The popularity of these workshops often centres around the recentness of a criminal event. For instance, after a homicide or a serious violent crime, attendance for the workshops usually shows an increase. Mr Salt sought the support of community leaders in spreading the word that the NZ Police is keen to work with the larger community for their safety and wellbeing and regular communication can prove instrumental not only in solving crimes but also preventing them.
“Our top priority now is to build a community-oriented approach,” Mr Salt said. “In fact we are taking a customer service approach to the community.”
The biggest challenge was communicating with diverse community groups, he said. That is where the role of community newspapers and media vehicles could complement the police department’s efforts.
As part of a new community initiative, therefore, Indian Weekender and the New Zealand Police Community Services wing will work together on a series of articles in forthcoming issues on several topics of interest to the communities and building relationships with the custodians of law and order.
“We will provide Indian Weekender with all the necessary information as regards how to communicate, whom to contact, what information to pass on to the police and to strengthen the neighbourhood support initiative,” Mr Salt said.
Starting with the next issue, Indian Weekender will run a series of informative articles that will be of particular interest to the Indian community throughout Auckland and further afield.