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Astrong turnout of around 40 Community Patrol volunteers in Ōmokoroa greeted the Tauranga Community Constable for a Police radio training session last month.

It gave attendees an insight into how Police use the radio and what is expected of patrollers.

Constable Timo Gardiner gave an informal but very informative talk with reference notes and also brought four working Police radios for patrollers to have hands-on practice.

Ōmokoroa’s new Community Patrol vehicle is equipped with a radio to enable patrollers to be in two-way contact with Police as required instantly.

Patrol trainer Peter Goad says the primary message attendees came away with is that they should regard the radio as a tool to be used more frequently.

Experienced volunteer Julia Wharton became the new leader of the Patrol at the Ōmokoroa Community Policing Group Charitable Trust AGM last month.

In his annual report, Chairperson Pat Harrison thanked many volunteers, sponsors, and partners for their support of the Trust’s four arms - Community Patrol, Neighbourhood Support, Graffiti Busters and the Police Information Centre at the library.

“My understanding is that more Police will be attached to the Katikati Police Station in the near future and that one of these officers will become a permanent Community Constable for our area, instead of being based in Tauranga. We look forward to the new appointment,” he says.

A notable highlight of the financial year was purchasing the new MG ZS patrol vehicle from Farmer Autovillage at the Mount.