Otago officer leads Coast restructure

Mel Aitken.
Mel Aitken.
One of Otago's top policewomen has been seconded to the West Coast to lead the troubled area through restructuring of its policing services.

Inspector Mel Aitken, who has previously served as Otago Coastal prevention manager and acting area commander, has been acting as West Coast area manager since January 18.

Last year, three senior West Coast police - including then area commander Inspector John Canning - brought a defamation case against Tasman district commander Superintendent Karyn Malthus.

The defamation claims were dropped but Insp Canning retired in December and one of the other officers involved, Senior Sergeant Allyson Ealam, resigned from the force.

It was revealed in December that a planned restructuring of West Coast policing services would be going ahead despite earlier opposition to those plans.

The proposed restructuring would leave staff levels untouched but there would be changes to deployment, including the disestablishment of the permanent role at Karamea.

A Tasman district police spokeswoman said Insp Aitken would remain on the West Coast for three months and oversee the changes to police services.

"She is a high-performing member of police whom we had confidence could step into this role and lead the West Coast area,'' the spokeswoman said.

"The proposal document was finalised before Mel's appointment. However, she is leading all of the staff and community consultation.''

Community meetings about the proposed changes were held in Westport and Greymouth this week and another meeting would be held in Karamea on Monday.

The meetings were held to ensure the community was fully informed of what the proposed changes entailed, Insp Aitken said.

The spokeswoman said the permanent role of area commander was advertised.

She would not comment on the possibility of Insp Aitken's appointment becoming permanent, saying, only: "The usual applications process will apply for the permanent appointment.''

Insp Aitken said she was enjoying the West Coast for "the scenery, the amazing people and the can-do attitude of the staff working for me''.

Submissions on the proposed changes close on February 19.

timothy.brown@odt.co.nz

Add a Comment

 

Advertisement