PM meets recruits

Photo: NEIL DUDDY

NAME AND ADDRESS PLEASE: Constable Yvonne Wiig, the 200th officer recruited under the government’s campaign promise for 300 extra police officers in Counties Manukau, breath tests Prime Minister John Key during his visit to the police district last week.

INFORMAL INSTRUCTIONS: Prime Minister John Key shoots the breeze with constables Angelina Cunningham, left, and Christina Mazengarb during his visit.

Relevant offers

Counties Manukau's newest police officers were given the chance for an afternoon chat with the Prime Minister this week.

John Key and Police Minister Judith Collins on Tuesday met graduates of Wing 260, a group of new recruits now starting duty in the Counties Manukau police district.

He also got to meet constable Yvonne Wiig from Hawke’s Bay, the 200th officer recruited under the government’s promise for 300 extra police officers for the district by 2010.

Mr Key says it was great to be given an opportunity to speak with the recruits and to congratulate them for getting through their training.

"It’s refreshing to see them and they’re obviously excited about joining the New Zealand police force," he says.

"In terms of Wing 260, of the 39 recruits 38 have come to Counties Manukau so that shows you the influence the area has in cabinet."

The increased number of officers in the district is already making a positive impact in the area and in the past five months crime statistics have been on the decline, he says.

While the number of officers pounding the pavements was helping to reduce crime, the way they were policing was the other factor, Mr Key says.

"I think in south Auckland the area commander Mike Bush has done a tremendous job being innovative and creative.

"It’s a good example of how we can use our resources better rather than throwing more resources at things."

As well as the extra officers in Counties-Manukau, the government is committed to providing the rest of the country with a further 300 police by the end of 2011, says Mr Key.

- © Fairfax NZ News