"Waikato to benefit from additional Police"

District Commander Bruce Bird has welcomed the 127 officers allocated to Waikato today by Police Commissioner Mike Bush.

The new staff were allocated as part of the 1800 additional Police funded through a $298.8 million increase in Budget 2018 that built on an increase from the previous year.

“There are only positive benefits that will come from the investment of extra Police staff,” says Superintendent Bird.

“Police work tirelessly to keep New Zealand safe.

This investment provides opportunities to develop new tactics working alongside our partners to achieve this.”

“As the District Commander for Waikato it is my responsibility to ensure that all our great communities are safe and ensure that the allocation is balanced across the district.”

“There will be investment of Police staff into both rural communities and Hamilton City.

I have already been holding discussions with mayors around the opportunities that the investment will bring.

There will be increased visibility in communities, with Police operating extended hours on our current model.”

“Police are particularly excited that we can also increase our proactive targeting capability.

This will see the establishment of a new Precision Targeting Team that will focus on priority and prolific offenders to reduce crime such as burglary, robbery and drug supply.”

The allocation also includes the introduction of a Serious and Organised Crime Taskforce in order to combat and prevent gang-related crime such as methamphetamine supply, violence and intimidation, and other serious offending.

All 12 District Commanders will now be working with their leadership teams to determine deployment decision at an area and station level.

These decisions will be communicated once confirmed.

ENDS

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