A joint initiative between Porirua City Council and Police was awarded the Prime Minister's award for Public Sector Excellence last night.
The award was accepted from the Prime Minister, on behalf of Police, by Senior Constable Rob Gregory, Porirua Police Community Engagement Team.
Community groups and agencies involved in the project included the Porirua City Council, Police, Porirua Community Guardians, ACC, Housing New Zealand, regional public health and road safety partners, and Porirua Healthy Safer City Trust.
Police Deputy Commissioner Lyn Provost says as a result of the Safer Porirua project there are now good indicators of reduced crime and improved road safety outcomes in the area and improved perceptions of safety in the community.
The project achieved World Health Organisation accreditation for Porirua as an International Safe Community, she says.
As well as the Prime Minister's award Safer Porirua also jointly won the Russell McVeagh award for Excellence in Working together for Better Services.
Mrs Provost says this is the second consecutive year that a partnership involving Police has won the PM's Excellence Award.
"Safer Porirua is typical of the many community partnerships and interactions our staff are involved with throughout New Zealand.
"While last night's award specifically acknowledges the work of Porirua Police, and Wellington District staff, it is also an endorsement of the community partnership approach adopted by Police throughout the country," she says.
Two other Police initiatives, the 2008 Police Act project, and the Family Violence Inter-agency Response System - a partnership between Police, Ministry of Social Development and the National Collective of Independent Women's Refuges - were also finalists for last night's IPANZ awards.
Mrs Provost says for NZ Police to have three projects as finalists in these prestigious awards, and to take out both the Working Together and Prime Minister's awards is recognition of the quality and capability of Police staff.
Media Contact: Jon Neilson (04) 474948