Police want intelligence-savvy community

A multi-agency organised crime assessment released to the public today by OFCANZ was put together by the Police National Intelligence Centre (NIC) which became operational last year.

Deputy Commissioner NZ Police Rob Pope says the NIC plays a key role in increasing Police’s knowledge and understanding of organised crime.

“The NIC works closely with all our partner agencies and has improved links with the police districts. This has provided a much more effective intelligence service to support all of policing.

“It is significant that today a comprehensive multi-agency picture of Organised Crime can be placed in the public arena.”

Mr Pope says the Police want to help create an intelligence-savvy community that is hostile to organised crime and willing to become part of the intelligence cycle.

“The community is the eyes and ears for Police. We want people to report information to us. This assessment is a way of helping people to recognise organised crime in all its guises.

The Organised and Financial Crime Agency (OFCANZ) works closely with the NIC. Together they are two key planks in the fight against Organised Crime in New Zealand.

Operationally NZ Police is engaged in an organisation-wide stream of work to combat illicit drugs, disrupt organised crime groups (including gangs) and seize and dismantle their asset base and profits.

"We are using all of the tools at our disposal for this work, including new legislation which has strengthened our ability to go after the assets and profits of organised criminals.

All police staff whether they be general duties/frontline, community police, youth aid, Criminal Investigation Bureau, traffic or specialist squads are contributing to this work.

Police take the lead in the work to combat organised crime, but crucial to our response is the willingness of our partners in government and business and the community to work with us.

"I welcome the release of this assessment and encourage people to read it and to help us by reporting any suspicious behaviour either by reporting to Police or calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

For the full Organised Crime Assessment go to http://www.ofcanz.govt.nz/publications/organised-crime-new-zealand-2010

ENDS

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