Listen Now: 
June 21, 2022
Community policing best option for Auckland says mayoral aspirant
Waatea Team
Posted On June 21, 2022
Download AudioAuckland mayoral candidate Efeso Collins see more Māori and Pacifica community constables on the streets.
He says crime was the topic of a well-attended public meeting in Otara last night.
Police got more money in the budget to increase front line staff, and he’s encouraging them to direct much of that resource into community policing as a way to reach communities that have been marginalised.
“There’s been historic distrust over many years of the institution of the police and our communities because we know we’ve been treated poorly and unfairly by this institution so we’ve got to look for ways to construct really positive relationships and I think it’s the community constables, many of them are Māori and Pacific people, who are going to be that bridge in the first place so I think there are real opportunities here and it’s about making sure we are bringing everyone to the table,” Mr Collins says.
He also wants to see investment in doing up town centres such as Papatoetoe and Henderson to account for changing working conditions and lifestyles.
RELATED NEWS
