Former top policeman's new role with local council

Former Rotorua police area commander retired Inspector Bruce Horne. Photo/file

Rotorua's former long-time police boss Bruce Horne has a new role with the Rotorua Lakes Council.

Mr Horne, who retired from the New Zealand Police at the end of last year after being area commander in Rotorua for 13 years, is working at the council on a 12-month contract.

He is tasked with establishing community civil defence hubs and reviewing the council's crime prevention initiatives.

Council civil defence primary controller and infrastructure group manager Stavros Michael said in a statement both were areas where Mr Horne had obvious expertise.

"Civil defence centres have historically been based in places like schools but as their primary responsibility is the care of students, the modern approach is establishing centres in the likes of churches, rest homes and at marae," Mr Michael said.

"We are working with groups and organisations to create these community hubs, the key parts of the work being to establish relationships and provide training."

The other part of Mr Horne's role would be reviewing the council's work around crime prevention and identifying where this could be enhanced, Mr Michael said.

Mr Horne said he was enjoying his new role.

"In some respects the work is similar to what I was doing in the police but for a different agency and in a slightly different way."

Mr Horne said he wanted to stay in Rotorua so it was great this opportunity came up. He said working with some of the same people he had built relationships with over the years was "a real bonus".

"It's satisfying to be part of work that will be really meaningful and will make a difference for people."

Mr Horne's retirement came not long after he made headlines for being involved in a driving incident.

Police management confirmed he was issued an infringement offence notice and Mr Horne later pleaded guilty to a charge of impeding another driver.

Mr Horne has told the Rotorua Daily Post the issue had no impact on his decision to retire from the police after 35 years.