Volunteer work acknowledged by Police

By way of thanks to the more than 120 volunteers who assisted police the venue environs and transport services during the four ICC Cricket World Cup matches in Auckland, Auckland City District Police have invited them all to an awards ceremony and dinner at the Auckland Town Hall on Saturday May 2.

Volunteers from Community Patrols of NZ, Auckland Safety Patrol, along with Pacific and Maori Wardens, offered to be the link between the public and Police and provided much needed support during the tournament.

These well-established groups regularly operate throughout the Auckland region, working alongside Police most weekends and during other special events.

Inspector Joe Tipene, who coordinated the volunteer schedules, said the time and effort provided was invaluable.

“The work undertaken by the volunteers to help make people feel and be safe while they travelled to and from games contributed greatly to the success of the CWC in Auckland,” he said.

The Te Matapihi Tirohanga Project is a group of Maori Wardens who work in the Auckland CBD on Friday and Saturday nights and during special events.

During the Cricket World Cup they and other volunteers worked two shifts on game days - day shift between 10am and 5pm and late shift between 5pm and midnight.

They patrolled the trains, fan zones and trails, Britomart and the Eden Park surrounding environment.

Their primary role was to provide a crime prevention presence, as well as to assist and support anyone in need until Police, if required, could attend.

Senior members of Auckland City Police along with Maori, Pacific and Ethnic staff will be present at the May 2 ceremony at the Auckland Town Hall as a mark of respect and gratitude to the volunteers who contributed so much to the success of CWC in Auckland.

ends

© Scoop Media