Three retired law enforcement officers have returned to duty as community police officers, undergoing training to help reduce crime and maintain peace in our communities.

Training began on Monday this week, with the officers preparing to serve in their respective districts after they graduate in an effort to help prevent crime and harm, and to ensure safe homes, safe roads and safe communities.

The new police community officers in training are Moutara Cummings, covering Titikaveka, Taruia Ringiao, covering Ngatangiia, and Teariki Purua, former prison superintendent, covering Arorangi.

“These are experienced people,” said senior sergeant Ngatamariki Pouao, who is overseeing the initiative.

“Right now we are struggling with manpower, so we’re trying to bring back former officers to support us. The aim is to reduce crime in all villages.”

As part of their preparation, the three officers are receiving refresher training in core police functions, including standard operating procedures, powers of entry and arrest, and community engagement.

“They’re being trained not just in policing skills, but also in building strong connections with the communities they will serve,” Pouao said.

“This is what we’re focusing on over the next two weeks before they officially begin.”

Once deployed, the officers will be based in: Ngatangiia – Ngatangiia Muri Office, Titikaveka – Akapuao Meeting House and Arorangi – former Vaka Community Policing office next to the Puaikura Volunteer Fire Station.

Pouao noted that these community-based postings are part of a larger initiative aimed at revitalising local policing, and that plans are already underway to expand the programme to Matavera, Avatiu and Nikao.

“So far, the response has been very positive,” Pouao added. “We’re also encouraging our community officers to engage with local volunteers in each vaka. These connections are essential to helping us reduce crime.”

One of the returning officers, Teariki Purua, shared his motivation for rejoining the force.

Having resigned in order to access his New Zealand superannuation, the former prison superintendent said the opportunity to serve his community once more was too important to pass up.

“I’m passionate about community policing because we’ve done it before, and it worked,” Purua said.  “We helped reduce crime in the village, and there was a lot of public interest and support.”

“One of our goals was also to inspire more people - especially the youth - to consider policing as a career. I’m looking forward to helping out again in my community.”

The community policing initiative is part of the police force’s renewed focus on grassroots engagement and preventative policing, with support from the national headquarters and leadership.

“It’s good to see things moving. We’re building something that will benefit our communities now and, in the future,” Pouao said.