17 Jul 2014

New senior Maori police officers

6:38 am on 17 July 2014

Police leadership is getting a shake-up, with plans to appoint a dozen new Maori inspectors.

The senior officers will work alongside district commanders to ensure they meet targets to cut prosecution rates for Maori.

Superintendent Wally Haumaha said police were serious about their Turning of the Tide strategy and the 12 new inspectors will be at the heart of regional decision-making.

They would be responsible for bringing information to the district commander's board table and would ensure there was enough staffing and resources to deal with Maori involved with problems such as family violence and drugs and alcohol, he said.

General Manager of Maori, Pacific and Ethnic services Wally Haumaha said the appointment of the senior officers had been signed off by the Police Commissioner.