Female cop in leading role
Eastern District chief steps up to job as Assistant Commissioner of road policing
Ahigh-ranking female police officer has been promoted to a national leadership role as Assistant Commissioner. Sandra Venables, who was the Eastern District commander, was one of three people named in executive roles yesterday.
Superintendent John Tims, the district commander for Counties Manukau, and Superintendent Wally Haumaha, the deputy chief for Maori, were the other two officers promoted to the executive branch of police.
Inspector Tania Kura has been named as Venables’ replacement for the Eastern District, which accounts for the East Cape to southern Hawke’s Bay. Kura had been area commander for Hawke’s Bay for the past five years.
The Herald understands Venables’ new role will be as Assistant Commissioner of road policing, a portfolio currently being covered by Assistant Commissioner Mike Rusbatch.
Venables, who joined the police in 1994, was the first woman to be the Eastern District commander.
She began her career in Hamilton before working in Kaitaia, where she was promoted to sergeant and worked as the Northern District family violence co-ordinator.
She also held the rank of inspector while in charge of Eastern Bay of Plenty, and senior sergeant in charge of Waikato’s Thames-Coromandel area.
In 2014, Venables attended the 2014 Gallipoli commemorations in Turkey as a liaison officer.
The Herald has approached Venables for comment, but understands she is on leave until taking up her new role later this month.
During her tenure as Eastern District commander, Venables was heavily criticised by Labour police spokesman and Napier MP Stuart Nash.
Nash said he lost confidence in Venables to police his electorate and claimed there had been a “hollowing out of policing” under her watch.
Last September Nash agreed to stop his public criticism of Venables and highlight any perceived issues with the Minister of Police.
“I am delighted to welcome both Sandy and John into their new roles within our executive team,” Commissioner Mike Bush wrote in an announcement of the new roles.
“They bring with them a wealth and diversity of experience gained over their combined 55 years in policing.
“My congratulations also go to Wally on his well-deserved promotion and his continued efforts in leading MPES [Maori, Pacific and Ethnic Services team] and the organisation in building trust and confidence in New Zealand’s diverse communities.”
New Zealand has never had a woman as Commissioner of Police.
In 2001 Lyn Provost was made Deputy Commissioner, the first woman to hold a commissioner rank.
Assistant Commissioner is the rank next in line.
As of last year women made up 32.19 per cent of all New Zealand Police staff and 19.8 per cent of constabulary staff.