Learning from NZ policing practice

Detective Bolor-Erdene Erdene-Orchir from Mongolia on the beat.

I went to Westpac one of the New Zealand’s premier stadiums with Mark Butter who is Senior Sergeant, officer in charge of Johnsonville Police on Tuesday 12^th October to study how the New Zealand police work to provide security for international match such as a soccer All Whites versus Paraguay. The way the police work to provide security is very simple, over 50 police staffs participated and they were actually reserved, in other words they keep public order in case something bad happens in the stadium during the match.

In addition, security of the stadium has been provided with cameras. Over 60 surveillance cameras are installed and control 89,500 seats (it’s possible to know who is who when we watch the cameras), 48,000 sq m bowl site area, 43 turnstiles, escalators and goods lifts.

Next day I went to Wellington Central Police station at 9am and worked with Jim Campbell who is Senior Constable of the Crime Scene unit. We had an event chronology and we went to some residents’ addresses which had been broken into. We went to Porirua and Khandallah suburbs.

They questioned the victims, took some picture of the area, tried to reveal finger prints from surface of desks, bottles, windows, notebooks and others by using duster and powder substances. In both of the homes, clothes and belongings were rumpled in the master bed rooms. This is because New Zealanders usually keep their jewellery and money in the master bed room.

The police officer made out complaint acknowledgement forms for the victims because their belongings have been covered by insurance companies. The companies will reimburse them for what was taken in the burglaries. To apprehend the burglars and get the money back from them and give to the victims is quite difficult for the New Zealand and Mongolian police. Actually, work that police do around the world is very similar except slight differences which depend on the legal system, country’s location, people’s attitude to crimes and traditional features etc.

At the afternoon we had lunch together at the Police station dining room. Then I met with Bridget who is Detective Sergeant and in charge of a clean lab in the Wellington region. She’s been working in this position for two years. She did her presentation which was really informative and useful for both my project and back in my job in Mongolia for me. It lasted over two  hours in her office. Mark introduced me everywhere and to everyone in the police station. He also gave me swipe card which means I was allowed to enter the police station whenever I want and use its gym for police staffs any times which is good.