Media Release
February 26, 2009

Council and police join forces

Working together to reduce crime and improve community safety is the focus of a renewed agreement between Waitakere City Council and the New Zealand Police.

The signing of the updated Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) last night sets out ways the two parties will work together on a range of community safety and wellbeing issues including crime reduction, road safety and emergency management.

The new agreement, signed by Mayor Bob Harvey, the council’s acting chief executive officer John Dragicevich, Waitemata Police District Commander Superintendent Bill Searle and Acting Waitakere Police Area Commander Inspector Scott Webb, replaces a previous MOU established in 2004.

Mayor Harvey says the new agreement takes the council’s already strong relationship with the police to the next level.

“If we are serious about making Waitakere a safe place to live it has to be collaborative effort and we are very fortunate to have a police force with the same vision and determination.”

Waitematä Police District Commander Superintendent Bill Searle says signing this Memorandum of Understanding with the Waitakere City Council demonstrates the excellent relationship that exists with its partners in local government.

“We are keen to work even more closely with the Waitakere City Council in our commitment to reduce crime and crash, and solve community problems.”

“The MOU document firmly establishes a platform and framework for the council and Waitakere Police to operate collaboratively and it will have positive outcomes for our Waitakere community,” Superintendent Searle said.

Every six months Waitakere City’s mayor, deputy mayor and chief executive officer will meet with the district commander to look at joint strategies to reduce crime and address community safety and wellbeing issues.

The police’s Waitakere area commander and the council’s community wellbeing director will meet every three months to provide updates on crime and community wellbeing activities occurring in the city and to implement actions arising from the six-monthly meeting.

Since the signing of the first MOU, several initiatives have been implemented that target issues affecting the lives of everyday people.

One of these is the Mayoral Taskforce On Family Violence, which the mayor co-chairs with Maori Party co-leader Dr Pita Sharples.

The taskforce has shone the light on family violence through a series of initiatives, including a high-profile billboards featuring famous “westies”. The taskforce has taken a local approach to the national It’s Not OK! campaign.

Other joint initiatives, co-ordinated by the council’s Safe Waitakere team, include: Crime Prevention Reference Group, City Safety Action Group, Community Action on Youth and Drugs , Graffiti Vandalism Action Group, Vehicle Crime Action Group and Town Centre Action Group.

ENDS

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