Sandra Venables says her Eastern District policing staff have experienced improved resolutions to burglary and family violence. She talks to Mark Story about her team's "busy" 2016.
How would you sum up the year for Eastern police in terms of the frequency of crime and how it was addressed by police?
It's been a busy year. While total crime has increased, the staff are all committed to making a difference and our resolutions in relation to burglary, family harm and violence are improving.
We are extremely lucky in this district to have strong community support and partnerships and the communities should rightly feel proud of the staff who work in Eastern - each and every one of them come into work each day to make a difference to the communities they serve.
What's the trend that you as District Commander find the most concerning in the Eastern district?
In Eastern District we have some of the highest rates of serious violence and abuse being committed within families, predominantly on woman and children. We know that our reported rates don't show the true picture of what is happening as these crimes are under reported through many reasons, including fear or people thinking it's not their business to get involved. My plea is that if you know something or even suspect that someone is being abused, please do the right thing and report it to us or talk to someone, so that help can be provided. As a community we must step up and do something every time we suspect that someone is being abused - it may save a life!
If you are the person being abused please reach out to someone, as you deserve to be safe and we are committed to helping you in anyway we can.
What's been a personal highlight this year?
Just recently we opened the new Hawke's Bay-Napier Police station. The first official ceremony was the blessing at 4.30am by local Iwi. It was such a privilege to stand alongside Ngati Kahungunu and police staff whilst a spiritual protection was gifted to the new station and the people who enter it.
What's the biggest local myth about Eastern police?
Not a myth, just misinformation that needs to be corrected.
As the District Commander for Eastern, I am privileged to work and live in such a beautiful part of NZ and in my role I get to travel throughout both Tairawhiti and Hawke's Bay.
Contrary to what has previously been claimed I do actually live in the Hawke's Bay area and have done for nearly three years.