Police Commissioner Howard Broad has today announced the appointment of three new Assistant Commissioners of Police and a District Commander for the Auckland City District.
The appointments are:
Assistant Commissioner Intelligence and Investigations Gavin Jones
Assistant Commissioner Operations Viv Rickard
Assistant Commissioner Auckland Steve Shortland
District Commander Auckland City Supt George Fraser
Mr Broad said the new appointments recognised the need for additional senior management support for key operational parts of the service and reflected the growth in the organisation which had seen staff numbers grow from 9874 three years ago to a projected 11,800 by the end of the current financial year.
"While the previous structure had seen one of the three Auckland District Commanders being an Assistant Commissioner who chaired the Board of Management, today's announcement creates an Assistant Commissioner specifically dedicated to the strategic needs of greater metropolitan Auckland.
"This is not a return to the old days of Police regions. There will be no large headquarters. Instead the AC Auckland will have a small support staff of five people who will help the AC fulfil his purpose of leading and coordinating all policing activities within the Auckland Metro Area. The objective will be to ensure the achievement of goals in strategic alignment with Police nationwide," Mr Broad said.
In Police National Headquarters the AC Crime and Operations role has been superseded by an AC Intelligence and Investigations and an AC Operations.
The AC Intelligence and Investigations will lead and manage the development of criminal investigation, intelligence and violence reduction strategies and policies in order to achieve crime reduction and public safety outcomes.
"Good intelligence is a key contributor to successful investigations. The recent creation of a National Intelligence Centre will take New Zealand Police to a new level of intel led policing and the new AC will help drive the implementation of the NIC, " said Mr Broad.
Also in Police National Headquarters, the AC Operations will lead and manage the development of operational, communication centres and road policing strategies.
"The AC Operations will oversee large parts of the organisation which deliver key frontline services to the public. We're constantly being prompted from all quarters to maintain a high performing emergency response service while also getting on the front foot to prevent crime. The AC Ops will focus on both proactive prevention and effective response services to meet ever growing public demands. "
The Commissioner said he was pleased to see a seasoned performer in the form of Superintendent George Fraser returning from Southern District to take charge of the the Auckland City Central District. Superintendent Fraser had served all of his career in Auckland prior to taking up the Southern District Command in 2005.
"Brett England has done a great job as Acting District Commander in Auckland City District and I thank him for his valuable contribution," said Mr Broad.
The promotion of Viv Rickard, Steve Shortland and George Fraser will bring about consequential vacancies in the Waitemata, Counties Manukau and Southern District Commander positions. Interviews for the roles will be held shortly. Start dates for the new Assistant Commissioners and the appointment of Acting District Commanders will also be announced shortly.
Career Information
Assistant Commissioner Gavin Jones
Graduated from Police College: 1973
Detective Inspector Auckland City Crime Squad 1994- 1996
Area Controller -relieving Superintendent - Central Auckland Business Area 1998 - 1999
Crime Manager Auckland City District 1999 - 2003. OC Operation RSA, William Bell homicide.
Acting District Commander Auckland City 2003 - 2007
Acting Assistant Commissioner Crime and Operations 2007 - 2008
Assistant Commissioner Viv Rickard
Graduated from Police College: 1985
OC Triple homicide Rawene
1988 - 1999 DSS and OC Station OC CIB Tokoroa
1999-2001 Detective Inspector, Crime Services Manager, Northland
2001-2006 District Commander Northland
2006 - 2008 District Commander Waitemata
Of Te Arawa descent on his mother's side and Ngati Porou on his father's
Assistant Commissioner Steve Shortland
Graduated from Police College: 1975
DSS O/C CIB Gisborne 1988. O/C NZ's largest murder trial involving 19 Wairoa Mongrel Mob members accused of two murders and two woundings (by gun shot)
DSS O/C Henderson CIB
Detective Inspector Auckland CIB 1995-98 involved with Op Atlas (serial intruder rapist Malcolm Rewa), Hogan homicide, Jane Furlong (missing person), Police Shooting (Speirs) at Avondale. FBI academy graduate, South Pacific Forum Secretariat - Law Enforcement Liaison officer based in Suva, Cabinet Minister assassination investigation- Apia, Samoa
Western Area Controller Auckland City 1999- 2002
Detective Superintendent Northern 2002-2003 OC Op Table (use of cyanide via post) threats against USA, UK and Israeli Embassies.
District Commander Counties Manukau 2004 - 2008
Of Ngati Hine Iwi
Superintendent George Fraser
Graduated from Police College: 1976
OC Traffic Safety Branch Eastern Area Auckland City at rank of Inspector 1995-1998
Strategic Traffic Manager Auckland City District 1999 - 2002
Security Commander Hong Kong delegation to APEC in Auckland 1999
Area Commander, Western Area, Auckland City District 2003 - 2004 - led high profile Auckland Metro Road Policing Operations (Op Wake Up 2004) (Op Reclaim 2003)
District Commander, Southern District, 2005 - 2008
NZ Police Contingent Commander to Kingdom of Tonga following Nov '06 riots
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