Police deny frontline officers sent for 'hospitality' training

Police yesterday rejected claims by National Party law and order spokesman Simon Power that police officers were being sent on courses suited better to moteliers or people in the hospitality industry.

A police spokeswoman said the KiwiHost Customer Services Training Course was available to 45 non-sworn [civilian] employees in the Auckland district, 35 of whom attended.

It was held over 2 1/2 days and comprised half a day on "First Impressions", one day on "Advanced Customer Service Skills" and one day on "Professional Telephone Skills".

Auckland City police district management team approved the training initiative in the 2005-2006 district business plan and bought this nationally recognised qualification course after assessing a range of internal and external offerings.

"The district management team feels it has a clear responsibility to upskill staff in key customer service roles, in keeping with the organisation's focus on improved customer service delivery."

The spokeswoman said the staff who attended were telephonists, front counter attendants, crime scene attendants and internal customer service providers.

She said non-sworn staff received less opportunities than sworn staff for training and development opportunities and therefore often requested more assistance.