Problem solving with the community

Sergeant Tim Lockwood from Auckland City East leads one of the new problem solving teams operating in Auckland. Each group is made up from policing positions allocated from the Government New Initiative Funding (GNI).

Early indications are that despite a few teething troubles the initiative is a success. The approach builds on the traditional community policing model, and adapts it to suit metropolitan Auckland. It's part of the refreshed national approach to community policing.

From Left: Constable Marie Francis, Sergeant Tim Lockwood, Constables Fa'apaia Autagavaia and Heath Triggs pictured with Panmure Town Centre Manager Chris Sutton - credit East and Bays Courier

Sergeant Lockwood explains. "This initiative involves listening to and engaging with local residents and business owners to assess their concerns. We then prioritise them.

"Information gleaned from the community is screened against, and supplemented with, police tactical and crime intelligence, as well as information gathered from other agencies."

Together the team and the Area Commander then decide on an appropriate response. The Area Commander, Chief Inspector John Palmer, takes responsibility for setting priorities and allocating resources to manage the problem.

Wherever possible, partner agencies and community representatives are involved and encouraged to help identify and solve problems.

The team describes its work as getting out there, increasing police visibility, building relationships by visiting and interacting with business owners and the public, and reassuring the public.

"The focus is on identifying underlying problems and concerns with the community and working to address those problems and concerns".

The team has conducted two short-term but successful operations. Operation Handle targeted offenders responsible for graffiti in Orakei and Mission Bay. It resulted in 14 apprehensions for anti-social behaviour over four days (with a further six apprehensions in the same month), a general reduction in graffiti and no graffiti on a target wall.

Operation Hooky was a two-phased truancy operation. The first step was to proactively visit schools, and target enforcement of truancy legislation; the second step was a follow up by Youth Aid with parents and care givers. The operation involved Ministry of Education truancy officers, principals of five local schools, CYFS, community constables, and officers from the Youth Aid and Youth Action teams. The operation has resulted in many children being returned to school and a significant reduction in truancy in the area. Schools are now monitoring truancy more closely.

Panmure has also benefited from positive intervention by the team. Residents and business owners were suffering from a 'spike' in offences, most relating to intimidation, alcohol and theft. Groups were hanging around outside shops making workers feel unsafe first thing in the morning and in the evening. Their daytime drinking made the elderly feel vulnerable and unsafe, and there was a series of blatant thefts from liquor shops.

Crime prevention support was provided to residents and business owners. Police carried out overt patrols in the daytime and targeted known protagonists. Overt and covert patrols on late shift helped reduce thefts and instances of disorder. Patrols were coordinated with community constables to provide an ongoing visible presence.

The result was a reduction in 'volume crime', positive feedback from the public and local business owners, and greatly improved communication channels.