February 26, 2015
Police Maori responsiveness manager has hotline to top
Counties Manukau police and mana whenua have welcomed a Maori responsiveness manager who will be respopnsible for improving relationships with communities in the region.
Nga Wati Chaplow is one of 12 such managers around the country as the police try to put a new face on.
He says programmes such as Turning the Tide, which aims at reducing Maori offending and victimisation, and an increased focus on preventing crime has created a need for policve to deakl with a much larger cross section of the Maori.
There are also internal issues, as police look at the way their officers deal with people on the street.
"A lot of what we are doing now is not only training but building recruitment. Those numbers in terms of Maori, Pacific and ethnic are coming into the organisation. That's good – in terms of communication, what better than understanding your own community, and trust and confidence is built from that," Inspector Chaplow says.
He says the fact Maori responsiveness managers report directly to their district commanders should mean police hierarchy will get a better view of Maori concerns.
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