Police open new combined evidence centre in Wellington

December 15, 2017
Police

Having the best crime scene research and analytics under one roof is the aim of the new Evidence-Based Policing Centre in Wellington.

The centre, on Lambton Quay, will bring the Institute of Environmental Science and Research, University of Waikato and police staff under one roof to collaborate on projects that will improve frontline policing.

People will always be police's greatest asset, police commissioner Mike Bush says, but having science and research aiding them will be a huge help.

"We want to make sure that when they're making decisions, they're basing them on the most up-to-date information, the latest research and the best crime science," he said.

"The establishment of this centre gives us the opportunity to partner with others to provide the best evidence, analytics, and practice design to assist with that."

University of Waikato vice-chancellor Neil Quigley says the university is pleased to use its specialist knowledge to make a difference towards preventing crime.

"Through its Institute for Security and Crime Science, the university is providing national leadership in the analysis of data relating to criminal behaviour and the use of modern analytical techniques to detect, predict and prevent crime," Prof Quigley said.

Police Minister Stuart Nash said the centre had "very real potential" to be world-leading in the field of evidence-based policing.

"I am a firm believer in the need for agencies and sectors to work together to solve problems," he said.

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