Confidence in police up

Public confidence in the police has increased in the past 12 months, according to a recent survey.

An independent Citizens' Satisfaction Survey canvassed the views of 8471 people, over a third of whom had experienced recent contact with police.

The first survey was undertaken last year.

This year's results showed 72 per cent of respondents had "full" or "quite a lot" of confidence in police compared with 69 per cent in 2008.

It also showed 79 per cent of people who had contact with police were satisfied or very satisfied with the quality of service they received, down just one per cent on last year.

Assistant Commissioner Grant Nicholls said that while police were always working to improve service delivery, he was pleased with the latest results.

"Good relationships between police staff and the public help to solve, resolve and prevent crime.

"People who have confidence in our staff are more likely to come forward with information, and this is critical to successful policing."

Respondents were asked to rate their experience of recent police contact, staff competency, whether their individual circumstances were taken into account, whether they were treated fairly, and whether the service represented value for tax dollars spent.

Police response over the counter, at stations, at the roadside, and through communications centres were all analysed.

- NZPA