Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More

Gordon Campbell | Parliament TV | Parliament Today | News Video | Crime | Employers | Housing | Immigration | Legal | Local Govt. | Maori | Welfare | Unions | Youth | Search

 

Update on Police Front Counter Safety Review

"Update on Police Front Counter Safety Review"
Attribute to Acting Deputy Commissioner Resource Management, Allan Boreham:

“The Police’s overarching strategy states that our people will be victim-focused, well equipped, and be safe and feel safe.
Therefore, the safety of our staff and volunteers on police premises is a priority for the New Zealand Police.

“Following the review of stations signalled in September last year, Police agreed to a new set of features to enhance safety at police front counters.
These features are designed to deal with the most likely threats at publicly accessible police premises and will replace the current design features.

“In March this year we began a project to develop a Front Counter Safety Model. The new model has now been completed and features security requirements for public entrances and exits, CCTV monitoring, counter design, barriers, alarms, access control measures, and training and enhanced operating procedures.

“The review determined that 121 police sites needed immediate mitigation. To date, 75 of these sites have been visited to conduct preliminary measurements, and 45 concept designs have been completed from these 75 visits.

“Hamilton Central’s front counter area has been under construction since August 15th, and will be developed as a trial site with all components of the Front Counter Safety model. Enhancements to the Matamata station also begin this week.

“Not every station will require all the components of the new model and there will be variation in how we achieve the required design standards depending on each location's operational needs.

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

“Police have been very open that some of our sites have facilities where it is impractical or not justifiable to implement the new design features – for example, in small one/two people stations or in community centre premises which are mostly staffed by volunteers. In those cases, public access to the station will be possible only when an on-duty constabulary staff member is present. Those locations will have signage clearly identifying alternative ways of contacting police.
“Police are working hard to maintain access for the public across our 350-plus locations throughout New Zealand.
This is a significant number of sites. We are doing all we can to make them as accessible as possible while being as safe as possible for our staff, volunteers and members of the public.

“Our operational commanders in districts are always looking to achieve the best possible access to police services for the communities they serve. Every community will always have a mix of locations with varying opening hours, but our police officers are out in the community 24/7.

“Suggestions in the media this week, that this project is a move to justify closing stations is simply wrong. The front counter safety project is to ensure we achieve our aim, of keeping our staff, volunteers and visitors to police sites safe. The Police Association has been consulted and involved in the front counter project and have been supportive of Police moves to ensure the safety of staff.

“At this stage we expect to use a phased approach to upgrading our front counters over the next 12-36 months.”

ENDS

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines



Gordon Campbell: On Dune 2, And Images Of Islam


Depictions of Islam in Western popular culture have rarely been positive, even before 9/11. Five years on from the mosque shootings, this is one of the cultural headwinds that the Muslim community has to battle against. Whatever messages of tolerance and inclusion are offered in daylight, much of our culture tends to be hostile to Islam when we’re sitting in the dark, with popcorn.
Any number of movie examples come to mind, beginning with Rudolf Valentino’s role (over a century ago) as the romantic Arab hero in The Sheik...
More


 
 


Government: One-stop Shop Major Projects On The Fast Track

The Coalition Government’s new one-stop-shop fast track consenting regime for regional and national projects of significance will cut red tape and make it easier for New Zealand to build the infrastructure and major projects needed to get the country moving again... More

ALSO:


Government: GPS 2024: Over $20 Billion To Get Transport Back On Track
Transport Minister Simeon Brown has released the draft Government Policy Statement (GPS) on Land Transport, outlining the Coalition Government’s plan to build and maintain a transport system that enables people to get to where they need to go quickly and safely... More

ALSO:

Government: Humanitarian Support For Gaza & West Bank

Winston Peters has announced NZ is providing a further $5M to respond to the extreme humanitarian need in Gaza and the West Bank. “The impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict on civilians is absolutely appalling," he said... More


Government: New High Court Judge Appointed

Judith Collins has announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister Jason Scott McHerron as a High Court Judge. Justice McHerron graduated from the University of Otago with a BA in English Literature in 1994 and an LLB in 1996... More

 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

InfoPages News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.