NEW ZEALAND
A new digital services and communications centre is expected to transform the way New Zealand Police connect with the public and work to make communities safe.
Minister for Police, Stuart Nash opened the Police Digital Services Centre at Paraparaumu on the Kapiti Coast north of Wellington, which will eventually house more than 200 staff.
Mr Nash said the Centre was much more than just a major new Police building.
He said the specialist services made possible by the new facility signalled a transformation in the way Police connect with the public.
“Along with the unprecedented investment in frontline police numbers in this year’s Budget, we provided additional funding to modernise tools and resources,” Mr Nash said.
“We are offering new channels through which the public can connect with the police.”
He said for the first time, people could go online to make a report via the Police website.
“Until now this was only possible through a phone call or visit to a local station, or a Police visit to their property,” Mr Nash said.
“The online crime reports cover all the questions a Police Officer would ask and will be managed by a dedicated digital team at the Kapiti Centre.”
He said Police would monitor feedback on the online trial and make improvements if needed.
Mr Nash said the new system would initially focus on lost property and property damage such as vandalism, which accounted for over 78,000 reports to the Police each year.
“Online reporting will not only make it easier to report a crime or other issues, it could also reduce inappropriate use of channels such as the emergency 111 number,” the Minister said.
Wellington, 28 November 2018
