Kapiti police woman wins excellence award

Kapiti Police should be proud that their Response Manager Senior Sergeant Anita Dixon has won the top award for excellence in policing for the ‘Most outstanding female leader or practitioner’

The recognition is by the Australasian Council of Women and Policing.

Nominated by her fellow police colleagues and members of the local district council, Ms Dixon has been instrumental in lifting morale and improving service delivery since 2013. Her ‘no frills’ style of leadership has seen staff in Kapiti move to one of New Zealand Police’s highest performing and most engaged work groups.

Ms Dixon says; “It is very humbling to win this award. I would especially like to thank my area commander Paul Basham for his leadership and my staff for their belief in me which makes it easy to do my job. I’d ike to acknowledge the Kapiti Coast district council and Mayor for their backing and also Sam Hoyle, District Commander in Wellington for his support.”

During a recent civil defence emergency where a weather bomb hit the area hard, police played a central part in the overall Civil Defence response.

The CEO of the Kapiti Coast District Council Pat Dougherty said “Senior Sergeant Dixon took control of the policing side of the operation making sound decisions during a rapidly evolving situation.”

Ms Dixon has been extensively involved in establishing and maintaining resilient partnerships with mental health support services which provide assistance to a large number of women and their families.

‘Iain Barnes, Capital & Coast DHB says “Her presence at Kapiti has only enhanced the relationship with the police and the mental health service and she is widely regarded within the wider mental health services in the Wellington area.”

Ross Church, Mayor of Kapiti Coast District is impressed with her constructive, dealings with issues that have arisen in the community. He says, “She is hugely committed to the community, working with council and social agencies to reduce crime and its impacts.”

Ms Dixon has mentored, supported and guided others in policing, particularly women and her reputation is second to none with regards to her dedication to staff. One of her own staff Constable Brittany Allan speaks very highly of her. “I have always felt like Anita truly believes in me – a feeling I am very appreciative of and grateful for.”

Ms Dixon has approximately 18-years of service having joined the New Zealand Police in October 1997.

She has held the rank of Senior Sergeant since 2007 and worked in mainly front-line patrol and response roles in Wellington City until her move to Kapiti in early 2013.

The Awards are held in conjunction with the 9th Australasian Women in Policing Conference at Lunar Park, Sydney from Monday 31 August to 3 September 2015.

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