More staff hired to handle 111 calls

Police communication centres have now hired more staff to deal with emergency calls following criticism of the 111 system.

Twenty-eight new phone operators are training on the job, with 14 of them based at the Northern Communications Centre in Auckland.

They represent the latest step to meet the recommendations made in the Independent Review Panel report in May.

Superintendent Steve Fitzgerald, communications centre national manager, said the public could be guaranteed a quick response when they call 111 and the extra number of staff taking calls would make a significant difference.

The review panel's report identified many problems with the police communications centres and made 61 recommendations.

The report was prompted by cases including that of Auckland woman Iraena Asher, who went missing after a 111 call for help was mishandled.

When she called for help from Piha in west Auckland, police sent a taxi rather than a patrol car. The taxi never arrived as it went to the wrong address and Ms Asher has never been found.

- NEWSTALK ZB