Key Takeaways
- The New Zealand Police Commissioner, Richard Chambers, and his deputies will be participating in frontline duties over the New Year period across the country.
- Commissioner Chambers will be on the beat in Nelson on New Year’s Eve and policing at the Rhythm and Vines event in Gisborne.
- The police are introducing a new Frontline Service Model, which will deploy 600 Level 2 Responders for at least 40 hours each over the next 12 months, contributing over 25,000 hours of additional support to frontline colleagues.
- The initiative aims to free up frontline staff to work on major investigations and handle the busy summer period.
Introduction to the Police Initiative
The New Zealand Police Commissioner, Richard Chambers, and his deputies will be taking part in frontline duties over the New Year period across the country. This move is part of a broader initiative to support frontline staff and provide additional resources to help them manage the busy summer period. Commissioner Chambers will be on the beat in Nelson on New Year’s Eve, as well as policing at the Rhythm and Vines event in Gisborne. This decision is also motivated by a desire to support officers who worked with Lyn Fleming, a Nelson police officer who was killed a year ago.
The Frontline Service Model
The police are introducing a new Frontline Service Model, which aims to provide additional support to frontline colleagues. As part of this model, over the next 12 months, about 600 Level 2 Responders will be deployed for a total of at least 40 hours each. This will contribute more than 25,000 hours of additional support to frontline staff. The model applies to sworn staff who work in predominantly office-based roles, and it is expected to make a significant difference in the police’s ability to manage their workload. Commissioner Chambers has required all senior sworn staff to get out and help support the frontline, and many have already stepped up to participate in reassurance patrols, road policing operations, and area canvassing following major crimes.
Supporting Frontline Staff
The initiative is designed to free up frontline staff to work on major investigations and handle the busy summer period. By providing additional support, the police hope to reduce the workload of frontline staff and allow them to focus on high-priority tasks. Commissioner Chambers has emphasized the importance of supporting frontline staff, particularly during the summer period when the police face increased demands. The participation of senior staff in frontline duties is also seen as a way to boost morale and demonstrate the police’s commitment to supporting their colleagues. Deputy Commissioner Mike Pannett will take part in frontline duties in Tamaki Makaurau, and Acting Deputy Commissioner Tusha Penny will be in Wellington, highlighting the police’s commitment to providing support across the country.
Tribute to Senior Sergeant Lyn Fleming
The police’s decision to participate in frontline duties over the New Year period is also a tribute to Senior Sergeant Lyn Fleming, who was killed a year ago. Commissioner Chambers will be joined by Eastern District Commander Jeanette Park, who is expected to take up a new assistant commissioner role, in Nelson on New Year’s Eve. The police have previously paid tribute to Senior Sergeant Fleming, with officers laying a wreath for her ahead of her funeral. The police’s participation in frontline duties is a way to honor her memory and demonstrate their commitment to supporting their colleagues.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the New Zealand Police Commissioner and his deputies are taking part in frontline duties over the New Year period as part of a broader initiative to support frontline staff and provide additional resources to help them manage the busy summer period. The introduction of the new Frontline Service Model is a significant development, and it is expected to make a positive impact on the police’s ability to manage their workload. By providing additional support to frontline staff, the police hope to reduce their workload and allow them to focus on high-priority tasks. The participation of senior staff in frontline duties is a demonstration of the police’s commitment to supporting their colleagues and honoring the memory of Senior Sergeant Lyn Fleming.
