90 Extra Police Officers Sent to Northland Amid Surge in Violent Crime

Northland is facing a significant increase in violent crime, prompting the police force to bring in 90 extra officers from across New Zealand. The surge has led to a strain on resources and has forced the police to divert staff from other investigations to focus on the rising number of homicides and serious crimes.

Superintendent Matt Srhoj, the Northland district commander, revealed that the police have been struggling to keep up with the volume of cases, especially with the recent wave of homicides. He emphasized that the situation has become so dire that they have had to call on help from other regions, with officers coming on temporary five-week rotations.

“Homicides take up huge amounts of resources for a significant number of weeks and it creates difficulty to deal with some of the other matters that also require attention from us,” Srhoj explained. He noted that the recent homicides, particularly in Kaikohe, have been happening in quick succession, which is “very unusual” and has led to some investigative staff being pulled from other duties.

The pressure on resources has been most intense in the mid and Far North towns, such as Kaitāia, Kaikohe, Kerikeri, Moerewa, and Kawakawa. Over the past three months, officers from Southland, Canterbury, Wellington, Auckland, and the Tasman district have been brought in to bolster frontline, investigative, and road policing numbers in Northland. More rotations may be necessary in the coming months.

Superintendent Srhoj expressed gratitude for the assistance from the volunteers and acknowledged that the cost of flying staff to Northland and accommodating them is not sustainable in the long term. “It’s certainly not a model that we want to be using all the time. It’s obviously quite expensive,” he said.

Ngāpuhi Iwi leader Mane Tahere voiced concerns about the lack of police resources in Northland, stating that the situation is “dire” and that whānau are losing confidence in the police’s ability to respond to and investigate reported crime. He highlighted the need for more community-based solutions and increased investment in services like Māori wardens and drug and alcohol rehabilitation.

Wayne Creswell, a youth support worker in Kaikohe, also emphasized the need for more community-level support. He noted that political leaders often fail to understand the challenges faced by some communities in Northland and that funding for these areas is uncertain. Despite the challenges, he expressed relief at the increased police presence and noted a noticeable increase in patrol activity.

Northland police are also struggling with attracting new staff to the region. Srhoj stated that the recruitment strategy is an ongoing battle, and they are working to bring in young, motivated individuals and those with life experience who are looking for a meaningful career. Three newly graduated constables are set to start work in the Far North soon, and Srhoj urged other locals to consider joining the force.

The influx of officers from other regions has provided temporary relief, allowing the police to address the volume of crime more effectively. However, the long-term solution will require sustained investment and a more stable recruitment strategy to ensure that Northland has the resources it needs to combat the rising tide of violent crime.