Northland District Headquarters

Tuesday January 7, 2014

Whangärei/Kaipara Area Commander Inspector Tracy Phillips will be taking up a new position in the professional standards area of Police.

Ms Phillips will be leaving her Area Commander role next week to take up a one-year secondment as Upper North Regional Professional Standards Manager.
In this role she will be responsible for professional standards in police from Taupo to Northland.

"This means I will still get to visit Northland, which is a place that I have really enjoyed working in."

Ms Phillips says the role is new and will be an opportunity to do something that will benefit New Zealand Police as an organisation from Taupo up.
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"A large part of the role will be making sure that both sides of the story are heard and that if our people make a genuine mistake that they learn from it."

Ms Phillips says it is about admitting mistakes, learning from them, so Police can constantly improve on its service to the public. This in turn will increase trust and confidence.

Ms Phillips arrived in Whangärei in July 2012 as the Acting Whangärei/Kaipara Area Commander and loved the place so much she applied to do the job permanently.

"I have loved the people here, the great weather and the partnerships I have formed with other agencies and community organisations."

Working on the Family Violence DVD that told the story of Patricia McGrath's death at the hands of her partner, working on joint alcohol strategies with the Northland District Health Board and working with the Whangärei District Council in making the district a safe place have been among the many highlights of Ms Phillips time in Whangärei/Kaipara.

"We've also established an Area Prevention Team in Whangärei that focuses on preventing crime before it happens through engaging with our victims and communities."

Ms Phillips says trust and confidence in Police is increasing in Whangärei/Kaipara with more people willing to report crime.
Improving co-ordination of agencies who deal with family violence has been another highlight.

Ms Phillips says the work in dealing with family violence has improved, but it is an ongoing issue for the community and more needs to be done to stop it from happening.

Ms Phillips says she has had a great team of senior sergeants supporting her role as Area Commander.
"I have also had the opportunity to work with iwi and I'd like to thank, in particular, Dick Shepherd and Te Pania Kingi for their support."

Ms Phillips began her career in the Police 23 years ago and spent most of her time in the Central and Wellington Districts before heading north.

ENDS

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