Bay police at Wellington finals

Bay police cars

The Bay of Plenty police are one of six districts selected as a finalist in the 2016 Problem-Oriented Policing (POP) awards today.

The 19 entrants gave presentations on their work at regional semi-final events.

The Bay of Plenty district presented their Tikanga-based process which addressed Maori children and young people in the justice process.

Oho Ake, launched by police and Tuhoe Hauroa, was aimed to help the children and young people reconnect with their identity, whakapapa and whanau.

The response influenced the Youth Crime Action Plan 2013-2023.

An independent review showed it had impacted re-offending and raised trust and confidence in Police.

The finalists would present to a panel of judges, held at Westpac Stadium, Wellington.

The Minister of Police, the Hon Judith Collins, would also be attending the event for the final presentation and to present the supreme award.