March 29, 2020
Police look at pandemic approach
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Deputy Police Commissioner Wally Haumaha is welcoming the support of iwi services as police face up to the challenges of the COVID-19 lockdown.
He isn’t troubled by tribal groups roadside checkpoints to keep outsiders from their rohe, as long as they do it in a disciplined and sensitive manner.
But he is concerned with maintaining public safety and security in what is a stressful time for whānau.
"I'm conscious that inside households tensions will be high. Some people will be involved in domestic violence. How do we manage that and how do we get the message that is ever there was a time to exercise compassion, care, aroha within those households and understanding the stress, we should be reaching out to our iwi services who are going to be out and about in those districts to provide that support," he says.
Wally Haumaha says police and iwi liaison officers have been asked to consider the style and tone of their policing so they show aroha to people, especially to the homeless, gang members and other marginalised people.
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