Meet the cops in Kawakawa at an afternoon session

Kawakawa’s police are inviting the public to a ‘meet and greet’ at the station tomorrow, starting at 4pm, and Acting Sergeant Mark Barratt is hoping for a good response.

The event

is billed as a chance for Kawakawa and Moerewa residents to meet their local cops, but it is also aimed at showing that the station is back up to full strength after some years of low staffing.

Mr Barratt said he hoped the event would “build confidence in the community,” following the advent of 24/7 policing in the Mid North (shared between Kaikohe, Kerikeri and Kawakawa).

Staff currently based in Kawakawa included a senior sergeant, acting sergeant, youth officer, six constables and community constable. A permanent sergeant was to be appointed.

“It’s the first time in a long time we’ve had a full team here, and we want people to have an opportunity to come along and meet the police who are working out of the station,” he added.

The Kawakawa Fire Brigade, St John, and the town’s newly established community patrol would be there, and Mr Barratt hoped for a police dog as well.

Other attractions would include a free sausage sizzle and giveaways for kids.

The station’s front counter would start opening again during business hours when officers were in the station.