Katikati police spend time mingling
Western Bay of Plenty police officers out on the beat in Katikati were a welcome sight last Friday mingling with business owners and members of the public.
The Family Violence team of officers, Constable Karen Millar, Senior Constable Susy Butler and Senior Constable Ian Searle were working as part of an operation to have more of a presence in Katikati.
Owner of Roasted Hot Meals, Matthew Yates told the officers it was good to see their presence in town.
Western Bay area commander Inspector Clifford Paxton said there were three permanent staff at Katikati Police with a recent change of three additional highway patrol officers.
"While we have members in full-time jobs, effectively we have a role working with partnership agencies," he said.
A large number of police staff were being deployed throughout the Western Bay of Plenty - teams from family violence, road policing, supporting the community with visits to victims involved in family violence, doing hotel checks and vehicle checkpoints.
"The officers are also working with justice partners and court bailiffs checking on fines, warrants and arrest warrants, those sorts of activities," he said.
Mr Paxton said the police had received good feedback from the Katikati community to the presence of the officers.
