May 12, 2022
Smart talk with criminals making safer communities
Plans are being put in place to roll out a new police tactical response model nationally after a successful South Auckland pilot.
The model involves more frontline training and improved frontline access to specialist capabilities, risk-based deployment and advanced technology.
Police Minister Poto Williams told Radio Waatea talkback host Shane Te Pou the word from Counties Manukau District Commander Jill Rogers is since the pilot began in November there hasn’t been a single incident of police needing to be armed for a significant event such as a gang run.
“The environment they operate in is far safer. The discussions they hare having with significant members of organised crime for example, and the pieces of work they are putting in place means they are feeling safer and the communities are safer and I think that’s smart thinking, being clever with your resource is the way we have to go,” she says.
The programme is also on trial in Northland and Waikato.