Bay of Plenty police win prestigious national award

Police Commissioner Mike Bush says the Supreme Award demonstrated "partnership, respect and trust". Photo / File

Bay of Plenty police's initiative partnering with iwi to support communities affected by alleged large-scale methamphetamine dealing has won a prestigious national award.

Bay of Plenty Police District won the Supreme 'Whai Te Iti Kahurangi' Award at the 2018 New Zealand Police Evidence-based Problem-Oriented Policing Awards

The awards help to highlight prevention initiatives in which police staff have identified an issue, formed partnerships with other agencies or individuals, then put into place measures based on evidence of what works.

The Bay of Plenty police's winning entry 'Kua hīkina te kohu – Raising the Fog' – was a programme of engagement with iwi in Kawerau prior to Operation Notus.

Operation Notus was a six-month large-scale operation involving investigating alleged Mongrel Mob drug dealing in the township after the community raised concerns.

Officers from the National Organised Crime Group and Bay of Plenty District partnered with Tūhoe and Tūwharetoa iwi before the termination of Operation Notus in Kawerau to ensure affected communities would be supported.

This included assisting families displaced during the operation and providing referrals to treatment providers for people with addiction problems.

The programme which also won the award for Excellence in Achieving Collective Impact, was one of six prevention initiatives from 15 entries nationwide which made the final.

Commissioner Mike Bush said the Supreme Award winner demonstrated partnership, respect and trust.

"We want police to be trusted and respected, for people to have confidence in us, but we must trust others to get that trust," he said.

Bush said the award entries underlined the pride he felt in being a member of New Zealand Police.

"All of the entries were examples of the absolute passion and emotion that Police and their community partners bring to their jobs."

Bay of Plenty District Commander Superintendent Andy McGregor said: "I'm incredibly proud to see the hard work and dedication of Bay of Plenty Police staff and our partners recognised today.

National Manager Organised Crime Detective Superintendent Greg Williams said: "Criminal activity in the town was attacking the very fabric of the community.

"The National Organised Crime Group worked hard with the Bay of Plenty Police District and local iwi to ensure we could support the community, both before and after the operation.

Iwi representatives had strongly endorsed the work police had done in partnership with the community," he said.

The other three award category winners were: Excellence in Reducing Harm from Crime – Canterbury District; • Excellence in Reducing Repeat Victimisation – Waitematā District; and Excellence in Generation and Application of Evidence – Counties Manukau District.