The Government's promise of 67 new police officers over four years for the Central Districts kicks off with 14 new officers in the first year, including three for Ruapehu and one for Rangitikei.
Central District Commander, Superintendent Sue Schwalger, said new staff will be introduced from July as part of the Government's four-year $388 million Safer Communities investment in police, announced by the Prime Minister in February.
Ms Schwalger said as well as extra staff rural responses bases will become 24/7 starting with Taumarunui, Waipukurau/Dannevirke in 2018/19, Stratford in 2019/20 and Marton in 2020/21.
The 14 staff allocated in the first year are:
+ 5 in Tararua which includes Dannevirke, Woodville and Pahiatua
+ 1 in Rangitikei
+ 3 in Ruapehu which includes Taihape, Raetihi and Taumarunui
+ 3 in Waitara
+ 2 in Manawatu
Extra officers will be welcome in Ruapehu where theft from cars is more frequent in the Ruapehu district than neighbouring rural areas with just over 100 thefts from cars in Ruapehu in the two-and-a-half years to December last year.
The first recruits will start police college next month and will graduate in October.