Success ‘up to police’

Press, 31 August 1989, Page 5

Success ‘up to police’

By 1

BARRY CLARKE

The Christchurch police have been told their attitude to community-based policing to be phased in during the next three years will play a big part in its success or failure. Officers were given the message by the Commissioner of Police, Mr John Jamieson, yesterday. He is speaking to police throughout the country after the announcement of staffing cuts earlier this week. Mr Jamieson is confident New Zealand’s growing crime rate can be pegged back, but says it is ultimately dependent on officers liaising with the community. Cuts would slow the introduction of community policing, but restraints

could be overcome. Detectives working from suburban bases would be called on to speak to community groups about crime prevention, as well as investigating offences. “We know with more places to report offences there will be an initial increase in (reported) crime, but in the medium to long-term the crime rate will be held or reduced,” he said. Crime increased 4.9 per cent in New Zealand for the year ending June 30, with violent crime and sexual offences figuring prominently. Christchurch city’s crime rate jumped slightly less at 3.2 per cent, but robberies and sexual violation offences followed the national trend.