Extra police for Counties Manukau
Police in South Auckland will get the second highest number of new officers in the country.
As part of the Government’s $503 million ‘Safer Communities’ package, sworn police staff numbers will increase by 880 over four years.
The Counties Manukau police district will receive 91 new constables over that period, just under Waikato’s 101.
The district’s four policing areas spread from Mangere in the west to Howick in the east and further south to Pukekohe.
Police Commissioner Mike Bush made the announcement on April 12.
‘‘We have carefully considered where the additional 880 staff should go and where they will make the most difference,’’ he says.
‘‘Our allocation model has taken into account changing crime patterns, increased demand and population growth.’’
Bush says the first phase will see 220 constabulary staff recruited.
The first recruits, Wing 308, will start training on July 10. Eighty recruits will graduate by October this year before being posted to their district.
Just where the new officers for Counties Manukau will go is still to be decided.
Auckland’s other police districts - Auckland City and Waitemata - will have 72 and 73 officers.