Police have appointed a national co-ordinator of medical services in a move aimed at enhancing the accuracy and reliability of medical forensic evidence.
Former Palmerston North GP and chairman of the MidCentral District Health Board's hospital advisory committee Jack Drummond will carry out the new job and he will be responsible to the Office of the Police Commissioner.
The job is a half-time one that Dr Drummond, who is based in Tauranga, says will help raise the standards of training and work carried out by police medical officers.
"I believe this is a very exciting new position which will in the end enhance the accuracy and reliability of medical forensic evidence in New Zealand," he said.
The task involves co-ordinating police medical services, including forensic and diagnostic work and treatment so that police in all parts of the country have access to the same standard of care and assistance around the clock.
Dr Drummond is studying for a masters degree in forensic medicine at Monash University in Melbourne.
He wants to develop better training for police doctors from initial schemes, through continuing education, to encouraging post-graduate education off-shore.
The job will also involve building smooth relationships between medical officers, the Crown Law office, police districts and Environmental Science and Research.
- nzpa
Police move to improve forensics
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