Auckland Mayor extolled the significant role played by the members of the Asian Safety Patrol (ASP) and said that they had become a vital part of the ‘Prevention First’ strategy of the New Zealand Police.
Speaking at a function held at the Town Hall in Auckland City on December 20, he said that the members of the Group have had opportunities of working either alone or alongside commissioned police officers at a number of major sporting and entertainment events such as the Rugby World Cup, concert tours of celebrity artistes, and Diwali and Lantern Festivals.
“It is commendable that they have also been involved in operations launched to prevent burglaries, thefts of and from cars and binge drinking in Auckland’s Central Business District,” he said.
Awards of Excellence
Mr Brown later presented ‘Awards of Excellence’ to ten Asian safety patrollers for their outstanding performance.
Inspector Rakesh Naidoo, who is the Strategic Ethnic Advisor at the Police Headquarters in Wellington, said that the patrollers play a critical role in addressing crime and victimisation in Auckland City.
“We are keen to recruit a broad base of young New Zealanders, in particular women, Asian, Maori, African and Indian people to the job. It is all about ensuring that New Zealand Police remains responsive to our communities, which are increasingly diverse,” he said.
He presented National Certificates in Security to the all the member of the ASP.
Jenny Wang, Chief Executive of Chinese New Settlers Trust based in Panmure and a member of the Asian Advisory Board of the Auckland City District Police, presented Acknowledgement Certificates to eight patrollers for their role at the ‘Moon Cake Festival,’ held on September 22, 2012, attracting more than 20,000 people.
Shadowing Police
Jessica Phuang, who organised and coordinated the event, said that all persons joining ASP must undergo patrol training. Patrolling is an ideal opportunity for people who aspire to become police officers since ASP prepares them mentally and physically to face the challenging police training programme,” she said.
Established on August 29, 2009 as an Auckland City initiative, ASP aims to assist applicants of Asian origin keen on joining the New Zealand Police.
Members of the Group, drawn from various ethnic communities, are also involved in weekend duties on Saturdays and Sundays with the Police. Their ability to speak up to 20 different languages is considered a major asset in communication.
Police Recruits Min Son and Allan Opinion from Wing 274 who graduated from the Royal New Zealand Police College (RNZPC) last month, were volunteers at the ASP for two years, gaining invaluable experience in crime prevention and safety.
Terry Lin is one of 60 ASPs who spend their Friday and Saturday nights shadowing police in downtown Auckland and at cultural events.
More ASPs needed
“We gain valuable experience talking to the public, getting our confidence up before we get into Police College. I am keen to join the New Zealand Police,” he said.
While there are many patrol groups operating in various parts of the country, ASP is stated to be one of its kind.
“Similar groups should be established throughout the country. New Zealand is becoming increasingly diverse with people from different places of birth, speaking different languages from various Asian countries. The presence of Asian patrollers in all part of the country will be useful in reducing crime,” many readers said.
