KEY POINTS:
Four new top police officers, who officially took charge in Auckland yesterday, say they share a common vision for the job.
The three police district superintendents - George Fraser for Auckland City, Mike Bush for Counties Manukau and Bill Searle for Waitemata - are aiming to develop better community relationships and a more co-ordinated approach to policing.
Their boss, Auckland's new Assistant Commissioner Steve Shortland, spoke of the same goals during a powhiri attended by police and community partners at Manurewa Marae yesterday.
Mr Shortland, who was also officially farewelled after five years as head of Counties Manukau, told the Herald he wanted to see the three police districts working together and sharing resources to achieve their common goal of protecting the region.
Mr Shortland said part of his role would include overseeing a strengthening of relationships in the three police districts and between police and the community.
Auckland police would also be monitoring the Royal Commission of Inquiry on Auckland Governance, which is considering a revamp of the region's councils "to see how the police can contribute to the growth and safety of a regional Auckland".
Superintendent Searle, who begins work as Waitemata's top cop next month, said he saw police engaging with the city's community as key.
"If we can get the police to engage together with the community, then that would be great for me."
Superintendent Fraser aimed to "identify and provide for a common purpose with our communities".
And the new head of the country's busiest police district, Counties Manukau police boss Superintendent Mike Bush, said he had a "big challenge" ahead, but noted a major goal:
"To put Counties Manukau [police district] on the map so it can be recognised for the things that it deserves to be recognised for - and that's capable and motivated staff."
The community-minded goals reflect direction from the top, with Commissioner Howard Broad placing emphasis on community policing.
Assistant Commissioner Rob Pope told the Herald that changing the region's four top cops at once meant police were able to put together a "well-balanced team" to tackle Auckland's policing issues.
Those issues included law and order, alcohol and youths, he said.
Police management were confident the team could make progress on those issues. "What this team will bring is a background of operational and management experience, understanding of each other and also an understanding of the Auckland policing environment - and that's really important in terms of ensuring that our police districts in Auckland are working together as effectively as they can."
Mr Shortland's appointment ends more than four years of temporary management after Clint Rickards stepped down while he faced charges over the Louise Nicholas sex allegations. Mr Rickards was acquitted.
