You can save lives while you’re sitting down too.
The current recruitment campaign for comms centre staff features a video which bears a passing resemblance to a certain well-known Police recruitment epic.
Instead of a stream of officers running across the screen, the brief video - embedded below - features North Comms staffer Ale Turner whizzing along in her calltakers’ chair, extolling the opportunity to use problem-solving skills to make a difference.
The video, made in collaboration with Police’s brand and advertising agency Ogilvy, prompted a large number of interested people to view the job adverts.
Roles are still available at the new Digital and Communication centre on the Kapiti Coast, with further positions due to be advertised shortly.
Ale, who started with Police in October, says she was ecstatic when she got the part, her biggest dramatic role since playing the third goat in a school production of The Billy Goats Gruff.
“One of the main reasons I enjoy this job is for the beautiful team members, who work really hard every day to provide amazing service - no matter how big or small the problem is,” she says. “It makes me want to work harder.
“We have a unique camaraderie here at Comms and I feel thankful to be a part of it - and better yet showcase it to others who may also love it as much as me.”
Superintendent Steve Kehoe, acting National Manager Comms centres, says the advertised roles attracted a high number of quality applicants – which is vital for trust and confidence as comms staff have more one-to-one interactions with the community than anyone else in the organisation.
“Our people are what make Comms such an exciting place to work,” he says. “We have a dynamic and diverse workforce who are absolutely committed to delivering an excellent service to our community.”
The Digital and Communication Centre in Paraparaumu is due to become operational on 29 October. An information evening for would-be applicants is being held in Paraparaumu on Sunday (30 September).
The 24/7 centre will be part of a national network of digital, telephony and online communications including the existing Crime Reporting Line (CRL) and new options - such as online crime reporting and single non-emergency number (SNEN) - being delivered by the Modernising Our Service Delivery workstream.
Workstream lead Assistant Commissioner Jevon McSkimming says he is looking forward to the Kapiti centre going live.
“It will provide a different way of working to provide excellent customer service at the point at which most people interact with Police,” he says.
Click here to see the video on Police's YouTube channel.