Police tractor has real pulling power
Police may not intend to catch any criminals with their new tractor but it will be used to send a strong message to the rural community. Emma James reports.
Waikato Police are hoping a new Police-branded tractor will send a message to the rural community that they do matter.
At the tractor launch in Te Awamutu last week, national manager of prevention Superintendent Tuscha Penny said they hoped the tractor would act as a touch point that opened conversations within rural communities.
‘‘At times surveys would tell us that they don’t report crimes.
‘‘The tractor is a bit of fun and humour but it’s about getting that message out there; we need them to know that they matter.’’
She said the initiative was sparked by Inspector Paul Carpenter who had spent 10 years in the rural environment and wanted to take the message throughout New Zealand, not just limit it to the Waikato.
The tractor is on loan to the police by CB Norwood Distributors for six months.
Product specialist of Norwood, Greg Moore, said it was a fantastic initiative.
‘‘It’s given us the opportunity to give something back to the rural community,’’ he said.
‘‘We like to support the police so we wanted to jump on board.’’
Later this year the tractor will appear at the National Fieldays at Mystery Creek. It will also travel the country to appear at the Northland, Central Districts and South Island agricultural fieldays.
Inspector Carpenter said the tractor was transported to Te Awamutu ahead of the launch and Norwood staff had told them there was a constant flow of people pulling over to take photos and ask questions.
‘‘And that’s exactly what the concept is all about, promoting the discussions; things like rural road deaths, drug activity on farms, personal safety, stock thefts, illegal hunting and existing partnerships such as the one we have with Crimestoppers and Federated Farmers with the Shut the Gate campaign.’’
He said rural areas presented unique challenges for police such as longer travelling distances, lack of cellphone coverage and radio networks and smaller numbers of staff.
‘‘Tactics that may work in large urban centres may not work that well in a rural setting, but the key thing is that police need to know about the incidents, and rural residents need to feel comfortable reporting issues to us.’’