More Police for Eastern district
July 23, 2009
The number of fulltime police staff in Eastern district had increased by 30 between June 2008 and June 2009, new figures reveal.
The figures, released by Police Minister Judith Collins, show that on 30 June 2009 there were 490 fulltime police staff in Eastern district compared to 460 fulltime staff on 30 June 2008.
The Government has committed to increase the number of police in Counties-Manukau by 300 frontline officers by the end of 2010, and a further 300 for the rest of the country by the end of 2011.
“This will lead to a police service that is better able to respond to crime and whose visible presence deters crime,” Ms Collins says.
Napier MP Chris Tremain and Tukituki MP Craig Foss welcome the extra police in the Eastern district.
“This government is committed to ensuring New Zealanders feel safe in their homes, on the streets and in their neighbourhoods,” Mr Tremain said.
“The extra police will enable police to better target the offenders most likely to commit crimes, and targeting the places where crime most often occurs.”
The snapshot of the police staff in the district also reveals there are also more women serving Eastern district than at the same time last year, although there has been a decline in Maori staff over that period.
“In a short space of time, the Government has made significant progress on our commitment to ensuring New Zealand Police have the manpower, the tools and the legislative support to fight crime and criminals,” Mr Foss said
