Tauranga hosts volunteers' tea party

Tauranga police played host to more than 60 volunteers from across the Western Bay of Plenty as part of a volunteer awareness week held in June.

Constable Rachael Walker, Beverly Rudd and David Hall. David was presented with a certificate of appreciation for his work as a volunteer and coordinator at the Tauranga Police Information Centre.

In the Western Bay area, volunteers work at Police Information Centres in Omokoroa, Tauranga and Bayfair, Mount Maunganui. Six Night Owl groups patrol during days and nights, providing an extra set of eyes and ears; and at the Durham Street Police Service Centre, volunteers staff the front counter and assist with public enquiries.

"The idea for the tea party sprang from a meeting local Community Constables had with Beverley Rudd from Western Bay Volunteers", says Constable Rachel Walker: Community Constable Mount Maunganui. "It was our way of saying thanks to the many volunteers who help us - their service is invaluable to us. We are always looking for helpers - this event not only gave volunteers a great opportunity to network with each other but also to take a look at the opportunities that exist in the police environment."