The Minister of Police took along more than chocolate biscuits to Hikurangi Police station during her whistle-stop tour to Northland.
Judith Collins also okayed a volunteer staff scheme to help out the two-officer Hikurangi Station, and she even headed a brainstorming effort to see how a half-door and counter could be fitted into the minuscule station.
Ms Collins visited Kerikeri, Kawakawa, Paihia, Hikurangi, Kamo and Whangarei Police Stations yesterday to meet police staff and "listen to them".
"Lots of little stations all over the country generally get forgotten," Ms Collins said, "but police officers always have a view of how they can do a better a job and work with their communities. There's no police officer who thinks their view isn't worth something but often they feel no one is listening."
Hikurangi's longtime Constable Russell Rawiri was delighted to be heard, and was impressed that in his 25 years on the watch, a Minister of Police finally came to visit. Not only did she call in, but Ms Collins proved she was listening.
Mr Rawiri said the station door often had to be locked and the phones left because the two constables were out on the job, yet the growing focus on policing was on prevention and accessibility.
"See," the minister quipped, "not only did we talk about this, we've already sorted it out."
Ms Collins and Northland police commander Superintendent Mike Rusbatch, who accompanied her along with associate Fisheries Minister and Whangarei MP Phil Heatley, said there were different demands on the smaller satellite stations than larger urban ones.
Minister of Police visits Hikurangi Station
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.