With fewer than 100 days to go before the first ball is bowled in the ICC Cricket World Cup, the team in charge of policing the tournament has vowed it will be memorable for all the right reasons.
Superintendent Sandra Manderson, whose team at PNHQ is also leading policing of the 2015 Fifa Under-20 World Cup in New Zealand, says the operations will be high-profile, with the safety and security of everyone involved the number one priority.
“We don’t want to be getting in people’s faces – but we won’t take any chances with the safety and security of players, officials and spectators in either tournament,” she says.
Identified risks include the possibility of match-fixing by criminals and the potential for pitch invasions putting players and officials in danger.
“We’re working with police throughout our districts and partner agencies around the country and overseas to ensure New Zealanders and our visitors can enjoy these sporting spectacles without worrying about anything apart from their team’s chances,” says Sandra.
The ICC Cricket World Cup is being jointly hosted by Australia and New Zealand in February and March, with the opening game in Christchurch on Saturday 14 February. The Fifa Under-20 World Cup follows in May and June.
The two tournaments truly encompass the whole country, with games being played in every New Zealand Police district except Counties Manukau, where the presence of Auckland International Airport means police will face a unique set of challenges.
Sandra’s team is working with Police groups including the National Intelligence Centre, Protection Services, Alcohol Harm Prevention, Finance, IT, Specialist Operations Groups, Crime Services, Road Policing, Legal, Media, Prosecutions, Communication Centres and Vetting.
External partner agencies include the ICC, Fifa, Sport New Zealand, the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, Customs, Immigration, Defence, Ambulance, Fire, MFAT and tourism and transport agencies.