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Improving Partnership PerformanceNational Training Seminar 2010 A report on the workshop run by Sgt James McGrogan, Sgt Sue Douglas , Chris Lawton , Robert Fowler Prepared by Sgt James McGrogan
These notes were completed following the Improving Partnership Performance Workshop held at the Community Patrols Conference at Wairakei. TRAININGRide-alongs were mentioned as a very useful tool in some areas. This involved either Community Patrols having a ride-along in the patrol vehicle or police members patrolling with the Community Patrols and critiquing what they did. There was discussion about the training that Community Patrols have undertaken and it is not known if Police actually know what level of training they do and what they are able to assist with. Better knowledge of the training that Community Patrols under-go would be beneficial. Further to that, it is also beneficial for Police Liaison Officers to under-go the C4 training. Another suggestion is for the Community Patrols to be known a lot more in the station by using photographs so that the Police and Community Patrols know each other a lot better. There was discussion about the Memorandum of Understanding between Community Patrols and police and whether Area Commanders are aware of this MOU and what it entails. Suggestion that Area Commanders should make themselves aware of the MOU so that they are better able to fully support the Community Patrols. FEEDBACKThere was overwhelming consensus that there is often not much feedback provided by the Police to Community Patrols. The feeling from all groups was that feedback is vital and necessary and would be welcomed. In particular several participants mentioned that they would like to know the outcome of the jobs that they have attended, such as whether any offenders were arrested and prosecuted. It is recommended that feedback, both positive and negative should be looked at, at all areas. Some areas reported receiving letters of appreciation from the Police after they had done particularly good work or helped with an apprehension. Some areas use a catch sheet which would form part of their daily return, where by they would write down details of any particular incidents they have attended, where they think that they have helped catch somebody. It was also suggested that Community Patrols could attend line-ups with Police sections so that they can get an idea of what is happening in that area and where they should best patrol. TASKSAn open discussion from all sessions about what the Community Patrols and various centres are used for. Some of the suggestions included;
It was apparent from this discussion that often Community Patrols are under utilised and are just left to their own devices to do their own patrolling. The majority of participants however, agreed that they would like to be much more involved and be available to be called upon by either a Comms Centre or by a Supervisor to assist with jobs during their shift. Most Community Patrols would log on to their local Comms Centre and would have a call sign that they could be called on. There is a variation amongst groups as to whether they still use a Police radio or available on a cell phone. There was also one group that had a emergency type team that was available to be called out at short notice to assist with jobs such as area enquiries or searching for missing people. RADIOSThere was limited discussion amongst the groups about police radios. There appears to be two groups whereby the patrollers in major centres who have changed to digital radios, are no longer able to use the police radio. As a result, most have switched to the use of cell phones. There was some frustration amongst some groups, that they feel they are not part of the team anymore and that because they don't have radio, they cannot follow what's going on with the Police and cannot be directed immediately by a Comms Centre. Other groups however, found that the use of a cellphone was still ok and as long as they logged on with a Comms Centre and were included by Comms Centre or by the supervisor and phoned up if there were any jobs. Groups from Christchurch reported that they have developed their own radio system to operate alongside the Police digital system. This is used by the patrollers with a base set at Christchurch Police Station so that they can be contacted when there are jobs. POLICE LIAISON OFFICERThere was recommendations about PLO's, that most of them are very good at what they do and provide a vital link between the Police and Community Patrollers. It was suggested that PLO's should have greater recognition for what they do and should be rewarded when required. |
