New police to hit the beat in Northland

Six new officers will hit the beat in northlnad this montha . they are from left Liam Keys, Bevan Tekaha Hati, Stacee Robson, Philippa Turner, Kenny Rodger and Kristoffer McClure.PHOTO/Supplied

Northland's thin blue line will be bolstered with the graduation of six new officers.

Three will work out of Whangarei, while the three others will head to stations in the Mid and Far North.

The Northlanders - Liam Keys, Bevan Tekaha Hati, Stacee Robson, Philippa Turner, Kenny Rodger and Kristoffer McClure - were part of the 59 constables who graduated with Wing 304 at the New Zealand Police College in Porirua on Thursday.

Constable Kenny Rodgers, who will work in Whangarei, was presented the Commissioner's Award for Leadership in recognition of outstanding potential to lead self and others.

The 46-year-old father-of-two said before heading off to the 15-week training course he expected "to be tested, challenged and fail and to find a way to achieve".

The new constables will be officially welcomed by the District Commissioner Russell le Prou on May 22.

In April the Government announced the Northland police ranks would be boosted with an extra 66 police while three stations in the region would be staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The new officers will be phased in over the next four years with Kaitaia the first to get 24-hour police cover, starting in 2017-18.

Kerikeri or Kaikohe - a final decision has yet to be made - will go 24/7 in 2018-19 and Dargaville in 2019-20.

Police Commissioner Mike Bush made the announcement and said decisions about exactly where Northland's new cops would be based would be left to Northland district commander Russell Le Prou.

Northland had the biggest percentage increase in the country, with 66 extra staff making a 19 per cent jump from the current 347.

However, last week Northland MP Winston Peters said the epidemic of youth crime hitting Northland was the result of not enough police on the ground.

"These young offenders know when police are not out and about," New Zealand First Leader Mr Peters said.

"Sixty-six police over four years as promised by Police Minister Paula Bennett will do little. We've had eight years of growing crime while National put a freeze on police funds.

"Youth know there's little chance of being caught because there are next to no police on duty to catch them. Even if caught, these young crims know they'll get off lightly. More than 80 per cent of youth offenders do not appear in a formal court."

Meanwhile, Northland police continue their determined recruitment drive with another seminar scheduled for May 31 at Hora Hora Rugby Clubrooms.

Whangarei-based Constable Paula Stack and Senior Constable Doug Te Puni have been appointed as the Recruit Enquiry Team for Northland and have been on the hunt for recruits.

At the recruitment seminar officers will give an insight into the career of an officer and they will go through what is required for the application process. It is at Hora Hora rugby clubrooms and runs from 6.30pm to 8.30pm on May 31.

Anyone considering a career in the police can go to www.newcops.co.nz or call 0800 NEW COPS - 0800 639 2677.