New strategy gets police out on street

Porirua police staff could be ‘‘released’’ from front counter and data entry positions as a new strategy is rolled out nationwide.

Contrary to previous media reports however, Kapiti Mana’s area commander John Price says jobs are not on the line. Instead, they are looking to use ‘‘existing resources to create efficiencies’’.

It has been proposed that 24/7 call centres in Lower Hutt and Wellington be established, handling non-urgent calls to police, in a move to free up more officers to be on the street. Changes would improve consistency and quality, Mr Price says.

Under the new system, the public would report burglaries and car break-ins over the phone, rather than visit a station.

Forms would be sent out and finger-printing organised by the call centre.

It has led to concerns that staff could be relocated and smaller stations would get run down.

But Mr Price says the new ‘‘Prevention First Strategy’’ enables crimes to be processed more quickly.

‘‘The implementation of [the file management centre] is a positive, proactive implementation that contributes to the district requirement to re-invest frontline staff to prevent crime and crashes.

‘‘The change will also provide significant opportunities for development and career progression that was previously unavailable.’’