Police is trialling new audio-visual technology at Waipukurau Police Station.

The video phone allows people in Waipukurau to talk to Police staff in Hastings.

We want everyone in New Zealand to be able to contact us anytime, anywhere so we’re trialling new technologies as part of wider work to improve our service delivery.

Senior Sergeant Bryan Smith says new technologies can improve the service we can provide, especially in small communities like Waipukurau.

“This is new technology for us and because we haven’t used it before, we decided to trial the video phone in a station with staff available on-site to assist if needed.

Ultimately, we’d like to use this sort of technology to extend the hours in small stations so the public can talk to Police using the video phone outside of the station opening hours”

Senior Sergeant Bryan Smith stressed this technology is being considered as a way to provide the public with new and improved ways to access and receive policing services, not to replace the current face-to-face interactions.

“This is all about creating more options for the public so they can choose how, where and when they contact us.

We know that across the country people still want to engage face-to-face with local police in their community, and Police will always do this”

The information and feedback we get from the trial in Waipukurau will be used to inform how we use video phones in the future – in Waipukurau and other locations.

The feedback we’ve received from members of the community who have used the video phone is valuable but we want to know what the community thinks, whether or not you have used the video phone.

Mel, O/C Station, Karen, Station Support Officer and Bruce, the Hastings face of the video phone will be doing a community walk to introduce themselves and get your feedback.

We will distribute a short paper survey which will also be available at the station if you want to express your opinion.

The video phone is intended to be used in non-emergency situations, such as reporting lost property, seeking advice or applying for a firearms licence.

In an emergency people should always call 111 or if they are at the Waipukurau station they can use the video phone and the operator in Hastings can assist.

As well as trialling these new technologies, Police is also introducing a single non-emergency number and improved online reporting.

ENDS

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