Auckland Council and NZ Police have signed a memorandum of understanding, cementing and enhancing the two organisations’ commitment to continue working together, now and for years to come, to keep Tāmaki Makaurau safe.
Chief executive of Auckland Council, Phil Wilson says he’s extremely pleased the council and police have formalised their working relationship through the memorandum.
“Auckland Council and NZ Police have had a healthy and effective working relationship for many years, which ultimately benefits Aucklanders,” said Mr Wilson.
“The memorandum of understanding cements the relationship and is a touchstone from which the council and police can continue to carry out the important mahi of keeping Aucklanders and visitors safe.
“The council owns and maintains a significant number of public spaces and public facilities in Auckland such as our streets, community halls, swimming pools and the regional and local parks network.
“Council teams work with police every day to keep these facilities and the community safe, and look after Auckland’s most vulnerable people. I’m especially proud of our efforts in the area of community safety – including our city centre.”
Mr Wilson said that in recent years, Auckland has seen a raft of community safety issues such as ram raids, aggravated robberies and retail crime come to the fore with the public.
“These are complex issues that impact the whole region which no one organisation can effectively deal with alone,” he said.
“The newly enhanced council-police relationship will strengthen coordination between the two organisations and together, with Aucklanders’ help, we can continue to address concerns around safety around the region.”
The memorandum stipulates its purpose is to “promote a collaborative working relationship between the parties based on good-will and co-operation.”
It’s goes on to read: “It intends to support the parties to work together on areas of common interest to achieve agreed outcomes.”
Acting Deputy Commissioner, Northern Region Jill Rogers says NZ Police look forward to continuing the good work they do in partnership with Auckland Council.
“We have seen a decrease in the offending we experienced a couple of years ago. There has been a concerted and coordinated approach undertaken by Police and Council to address these concerns. Much has been made public about increased visibility and focussing on disorder and theft related crime. This partnership continues under a formal accord in the form of this MOU,” she said.
The Council and Police have agreed to review the memorandum of understanding within the next five years.
