New crime agency head appointed

Detective Superintendent Malcolm Burgess has been provisionally appointed director of the police agency dealing with organised and financial crime.

Police Commissioner Howard Broad praised Mr Burgess as "a top flight investigator and an experienced manager".

He had been a member of police for 33 years and has extensive experience in leading serious and complex crime investigations.

Mr Burgess said he was excited by the challenge of leading the fight against organised crime in New Zealand.

"The multi-disciplinary task-force approach that Ofcanz (Organised & Financial Crime Agency of New Zealand) is operating has huge potential to knock over those criminals causing the most harm to our communities."

Ofcanz was established on 1 July 2008, and is a hosted agency within New Zealand Police.

The agency's mandate is to disrupt and dismantle organised crime.

Mr Burgess will take up his role immediately.

Last month Ofcanz made a series of gang-related arrests in Northland as part of its first taskforce.

The raids targeted members of the Tribesman Motorcycle Gang members and their associates.

Those arrested face about 160 counts in relation to selling, supplying and conspiracy to supply and manufacture methamphetamine.

- NZPA