Community patrollers help resolve armed incident

Two members of a Wellington Community Patrol team provided valuable assistance to Police in a recent early morning incident which saw armed officers quickly swoop to the scene.

In mid-June two members of the Wellington North Community Patrol found themselves in the thick of what could have been a very serious event.

The patrollers, one with just four months service and the other on her first patrol, were parked in the Woolworths Johnsonville car park.

As they were contemplating wrapping up their shift after four uneventful hours, a dark-coloured vehicle entered the car park, stopping a short distance from them. Another vehicle soon arrived and pulled up next to the first, and a conversation between the occupants ensued.

While the patrol was covertly observing this, three occupants got out of the first vehicle, one holding what appeared to be a handgun.

Immediately on the phone to Police, the patrollers calmly and clearly identified themselves, reported their location and the events unfolding before them – precisely as they had been trained to do. And, listening on the scanner, the patrollers heard the Communications Centre quickly despatch units to their location.

As the offender with the handgun moved around the car park, making out as though he was firing at vehicles and people - including a female Warehouse staff member - the patrollers described the scene to Comms, and gave the description, movements and location of the offender.

All this valuable information provided Police with an accurate, moment-by-moment account of the scene, allowing them to swiftly move into position and apprehend the offender.

Attention then focused on the other vehicle in the car park.

The patrollers identified themselves to Police, pointed out the vehicle, then watched as a number of armed Police descended on it and apprehended those inside.

Only six minutes elapsed from the time the first call was made to Comms to the time the offender and the vehicles' occupants were detained.

While the handgun the offender was carrying and ‘firing’ at people and vehicles turned out to be a harmless replica Colt pistol, this wasn't clear to those present at the scene.

“When someone points one of these things at you, especially when it’s dark, telling the difference is near impossible,” says Johnsonville Senior Sergeant Martin Parker.

"The calmness and professionalism shown by Police and the patrollers in this very stressful and potentially serious situation was exceptional."

"This is an outstanding example of how Community Patrols, working with Police, make a significant contribution to safety in their communities, and to the reduction of crime," says Senior Constable David Ross, Karori Police base.

"The primary functions of Community Patrols are to observe and make notes, and be extra eyes and ears for Police. The actions of the patrollers on this occasion exemplify those functions.

"The excellent patrolling skills displayed by these members led to the arrest of the offender and a court appearance on firearms-related charges."

Established in October 2007, the Wellington North Community Patrol is one of the newest groups to join more than 100 active Community Patrols operating throughout New Zealand.

In just eight months, this Patrol has had great results in the Wellington suburbs of Johnsonville and Newlands.