The NZ Government will be investing over $45 million into frontline safety, keeping frontline police officers safe with new members and better programs.
Police Minister Poto Williams announced one of the largest investments in frontline safety today at the Police College.
“Police are frontline workers who go above and beyond to keep our communities safe. I want every single Police officer to get home safely to their family at the end of the day,” Minister Williams said.
“I try to call every officer that gets seriously injured on duty. But these are not calls I want to have to make. Improving frontline safety is something the Commissioner and I are both resolutely committed to – and we will continue to work together on this. We owe this to our officers.”
The $45 million investment will include a $15.496 million funding for a new Tactical Response Model.
“The Government is committed to ensuring Police have the resources they need to keep themselves and our communities safe,” Minister Williams said.
“That’s why we are providing immediate funding to accelerate Police’s new Tactical Response Model that will increase the training and capability of frontline staff.”
Under the new Tactical Response Model, frontline staff will have their current tactical training doubled and tactical Prevention Teams with AOS-level training will be able to undertake warrants and other work involving moderate risk.
Tactical Dog Teams will also be double crewed with AOS-level staff members in order to increase safety for handlers. A new intelligence-led risk-based deployment framework will also be deployed.
“I want to be clear – the new Tactical Response Model is not Armed Response Teams. These officers will wear standard police uniforms, drive standard police vehicles, and will not be armed in their day-to-day duties,” Minister Williams said.
“They will support frontline investigation and prevention teams and will focus on high–risk offenders, firearms, methamphetamine, and organised crime groups.”
Frontline staff and community partners have all been consulted for the development of the new Tactical Response Model. The Commissioner will be releasing further details on the Model.
A month-long engagement period will be initiated in order to listen to staff and communities for any refinements ahead of a planned national roll-out.
Aside from the new Tactical Response Model, the $45 million investment will also see to the expansion of the Frontline Skills Enhancement Course and an additional 78 constabulary staff and 28 intelligence analysts.
“We can never eliminate the risk from policing. But this funding will go a long way to ensuring our officers are prepared and supported in their work,” Minister Williams said.
Source: Beehive.govt.nz Media Release. Content has been edited for style and length.