Western Bay of Plenty's new traffic policing boss Mark Pakes keen to hit the road running

Senior Sergeant Mark Pakes has been appointed the new Western Bay of Plenty head of road policing, replacing former traffic boss Ian Campion. Photo/John Borren

In Mark Pakes' 25-plus years with the New Zealand Police he has tried his hand at most roles, but becoming top boss of Western Bay of Plenty's road policing unit will be a whole new experience.

The 45-year-old Senior Sergeant will replace former head of roading policing Senior Sergeant Ian Campion who, after 13 years, announced his departure from the role in November last year.

Sergeant Wayne Hunter has been heading the unit since and handed the role over to Pakes yesterday.

"I know I have huge shoes to fill after Ian Campion's departure, who was a bit of a policing legend, but I am looking forward to the opportunities ahead," Pakes said.

In his time Pakes has served in the Tauranga's CIB unit, overseen both Pāpāmoa and Tauranga South stations and most recently operated as a response manager in the Tauranga station.

"It's always good to have new challenges and this gives me the whole Western Bay of Plenty focus which is something different."

Pakes has a pleasant, straight-up, no-nonsense approach and treats his news role with the same attitude.

"It's no secret that Western Bay of Plenty has considerable challenges with its roading casualties."

Pakes said there was a lot of work being done in the background by various agencies to make local roads safer, but his focus, for now, was on more immediate matters.

"Things like distraction, speed, drink-driving, impaired driving, things like that."

The Western Bay's rapid population growth offered real opportunities to work with others "and look at ways we can do things differently".

"For me, it's all about 'yes, we are growing', 'yes, there are things we can look at,' but at the moment we need to focus on the day to day things that everybody, not just the police, can focus on.

"Enforcement alone is not going to work."

Community involvement was pivotal, Pakes said.

"We can't do it alone."

Despite this, Pakes was still prepared to hold troublesome drivers to task.

"We want to work together with the community to find long-term solutions but I certainly wouldn't make any apologies for pulling over a drink-driver."

And he plans to.

"Absolutely. I'd be very disappointed if I'm not out there quite often," he said.

"I can't wait to dust off my high-vis jacket and get out there."

Western Bay police area commander Inspector Clifford Paxton said Pakes offered notable strengths, including his experience in working with other agencies and already having the respect from police staff.

"Road policing is a top priority in the Western Bay of Plenty. We know that there are significant challenges in regards to loss of life and injury," Paxton said.

"We are certainly looking for a focus and strategic approach which I believe Mark will bring to the role."