A Broad view on crime and crash reduction

On 4 April, Howard Broad stepped up from his Assistant Commissioner role to become the 30th Commissioner of New Zealand Police. Joining him on the Board of Commissioners for the next five years is former Wellington District Commander, now Deputy Commissioner Rob Pope – responsible for Operations – and Lyn Provost, reappointed to the Resource Management portfolio.

Application of the proven crime and crash reduction model, enhanced by intelligence-led policing is where Howard will focus police direction.

“The track we’ve been on in recent years around crime and crash reduction and the evidence-based crime science model is the way to go,” says Howard.

“However, I want to expand the technique right across policing. It’s not just about addressing volume crime.

“The crime and crash model can be applied across a much wider front, including trans-national and organised crime, counter-terrorism, right through to road and community policing.

“Policing isn’t just about turning up and taking complaints. It’s not just about investigating and identifying an offender and it’s not just about prosecuting cases.

“It’s about understanding all of this within our over-arching crime and crash prevention and reduction goals.”

An operational focus ...
“I’d like to shift our thinking into what works best for operational staff,” says Howard.

“I’m fully conscious of the operational pressures we face, but there will never be a cop on every corner. There’s simply more corners now, with more people relying on us. That’s the reality we face and we have to deal with it to the best of our abilities.

“We have good investment in Police and I’m determined to relieve some of the pressure and improve the working life of operational staff.

“For example, I want to reconsider some of the things we do to ensure we fully maximise the potential and value of the extra 1250 staff coming on board."

Addressing the hard questions...
Howard considers visibility to be an important part of his role – getting in front of staff to discuss the issues.

“I’ll be out and about over the next few months to talk about some important future-focussed issues, including the rewrite of the Police Act (1958) and the need to revisit the 2001- 2006 Strategic Plan.”

There’s also the outcome of the Commission of Inquiry into Police conduct to address.

“We’re going to deal with those historic matters,” says Howard. “We’ll own the outcomes, deal with them and move on.”

Howard says a crucial part of his role is to enhance public confidence in Police.
He’s clear, however, that this task is as much the job of every member of Police as it is his.

“At all times, I encourage every member of Police to focus on what they’re doing and how it will impact on complainants, witnesses and members of the public. That’s the ultimate test.

“I’ve been around the country a lot in the past 12-18 months and get a real sense that morale is good.

“I want staff to continue to keep their heads high. We do a unique and special job very well and we can all be proud of that. Let’s not lose sight of it.”

Police in the government and justice sector ...
“We must chart a path for the organisation over the next three years that’s consistent with the opportunities provided to us through Police Minister Annette King and the current government. As an organisation, we’re on the cusp of some fantastic opportunities. We should welcome government interest in police as a good thing.”

Equally important is the need to focus on some of the real challenges confronting the wider justice sector.

“It’s my intention to closely align with some of the emerging policies in the criminal justice and social policy areas.

“For example, there’s a great deal of thinking and work going on in the justice sector around why so many people are ending up in prison. As police, we have a vested interest in this topic and we can help make a difference. We need to consider how we can contribute to more effective interventions that minimise the potential for imprisonment and better respond to those leaving prison.