Research shows trust and confidence in BOP Police remains steady

Trust and confidence in the Bay of Plenty Police has remained steady in the past year, according to the latest annual research by Gravitas Research & Strategy Ltd.

The research, which been conducted annually since 2008, indicates that nationally, public confidence in Police has increased from 75 percent in 2009/10 to 77 percent in 2010/11. Public confidence in Police has increased every year from 69 percent in 2008/9 to 77 percent in 2010/11.

In the Bay of Plenty District, trust and confidence has remained steady at 75 per cent in 2011. More than 800 people in the District were interviewed for the survey.

The District level research also indicates there has been a significant improvement in people's service expectations being met or exceeded in 2011. This is an important factor contributing to people's overall satisfaction in Bay of Plenty – an area which is also showing an improving trend. People who felt they were treated fairly by Police in 2011 is up to 92 per cent, an increase from 88 per cent in the previous year.

The District Commander of the Bay of Plenty Police District, Superintendent Glenn Dunbier, says the research is an important indicator for Police working in local communities, and it is encouraging to see some improvements, particularly in the area of those people who felt they were treated fairly.

Superintendent Dunbier says Police staff in the Bay of Plenty District have been working on a range of initiatives to improve their service to and engagement with their community, and the results are a positive reflection on their efforts.

He says examples include physical improvements to public areas at Police Stations and phone systems, as well as the introduction of Service Delivery Standards.

Superintendent Dunbier believes another contributor is a much wider internal understanding of the importance of improving customer service in Police.

"This has never been more clear than during the first half of our Rugby World Cup operation. Our objective was to police this event in a way that was fair, but friendly and engaging, and the feedback we have received from visitors and locals alike has been overwhelming.

"While RWC has brought this to the fore, this style of policing has become business as usual for us now and this research is a reflection of the way that this is being positively received."

ENDS

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