New police boss to mix and mingle first

The first priority for the Aoraki policing district’s new area commander is to meet the community.

Inspector Vicki Walker will start in the role on November 21 with the position having been vacant since Inspector Dave Gaskin retired at the end of August.

Walker told The Timaru Herald her first priority when she starts in the role is to first ‘‘get out and about in the area’’.

‘‘I’ll be bringing in experience from the metro area and smaller provincial stations and there’s always opportunities to look at how we can serve our communities so everyone can be safe and feel safe,’’ Walker said.

‘‘The most important thing is to get out and talk to people in the community and from there we will generate fresh ideas.’’

Walker previously worked as a constable in Waimate at the turn of the millennium, a sergeant in Timaru in the mid-2000s, as well as roles in Ashburton, Wellington, Auckland, Canterbury and Tasman.

‘‘The cool thing about the area commander role is you work across all aspects of policing activities and the cooler things about being in Aoraki and Tasman is that you’re part of the community as well.

‘‘And I really enjoy that aspect because you’re part of what’s going on rather than not being an integral part of that community,’’ Walker said.

‘‘We’ve had some really awesome people who have kept on with the mahi in the area commander role [before Walker was appointed] and I’m definitely looking forward to getting into the area.’’

When asked what made her apply for the role, Walker said the Aoraki region is where she grew up and a place where she held two roles previously.

‘‘The cool thing is I know a lot of the physical area and some people, and the thing with anything is that change is constant.

‘‘It helps give me familiarity and also some opportunity to look at what has changed and what we’re doing really well and a way to go forward.’’

Walker said she does not want to make any immediate changes when she starts in the role as she did not want to ‘‘pre-judge anything’’.

‘‘The most important thing to do is get out and talk to the community, talk to policing teams and find out what’s going on. I certainly would never pre-judge anything.’’

Walker’s message to the Aoraki community is ‘‘if you see me about come and say hello’’.

‘‘I’m really future focused, and I know the solutions will come from the [policing] team and the community.’’