New Wellington District Commander officially welcomed by iwi

New Wellington District Commander officially welcomed by iwi

Wellington’s new District Commander has been formally welcomed by iwi at a powhiri at Pipitea Marae this morning.

Superintendant Mike Rusbatch comes to the Wellington District after around four and a half years as the Northland District Commander.

He completed his Police training in 1982 and held a range of roles in Wellington after graduating, mainly working out of the then Wellington Central Police Station at Waring Taylor Street and later the Taranaki Street enquiry office, before heading north after nine years to South Auckland for a decade.

The last ten years have been in Northland, where Superintendant Rusbatch has held roles such as the Policing Development Manager, Far North Area Commander, District Armed Offenders Squad (AOS) Commander and later as the District Commander.

Superintendant Rusbatch says, “I’ve been humbled by the warm welcome I have received this morning from iwi across the District, coming home to a place I once knew so well.”

Mike Rusbatch will be concentrating his efforts on increasing the District’s existing emphasis on prevention, taking a victim-centric approach to policing.

“Since arriving, I have been very impressed with the number of Police staff who are doing great things each and every day, in many cases going above and beyond the call of duty, which is admirable. I’m looking forward to leading this great team, excited for the opportunities and challenges which lie ahead.”

ENDS

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