NZ Police

A trio who set out on a mussel hunt at Muriwai Beach yesterday had a lucky escape after they were caught out by the incoming tide 🛟 At about 5.20pm yesterday Police were contacted after a man and two women had walked around the rocks to the left of Muriwai Beach to collect mussels and got trapped. Senior Sergeant Garry Larsen, of the Auckland Maritime Unit, says the group had carried out the walk at low tide and thought they had time to collect and return, but were then caught in a small cave by the incoming tide. “The male made it back to the beach and raised the alarm. “The Police Eagle helicopter quickly gained observations on the two females and directed the surf lifeguards to their location where they were able to assist the duo out along the rocks and back to safety. “Thankfully they were unharmed, but it’s a timely reminder about how these situations can change in an instant,” Senior Sergeant Larsen says. “The location, plus changing tides, and lack of light can change everything very quickly. “It’s now Spring and the water is getting warmer and the evenings are getting lighter. “What may seem like a safe area can become a dangerous and risky location faster than you might realise so we encourage everyone choosing to be in and around the water to have a safety plan in mind.” Glenn Gowthorpe, Search and Rescue Coordinator at the Muriwai Volunteer Lifeguard Service, says it was a great response which almost certainly saved the lives of two people. “The tide was halfway in, with just 45 minutes of daylight remaining – and the spot they were standing would have been pounded by the 2.5m swell within about an hour’s time, with no means of escape. “Due to the location, time available and swell, we elected to climb around the rocks and wade through the surf instead of utilising a Rescue Water Craft (jetski). “Our Search and Rescue squad did a fantastic job and got the job done and managed to retrieve the two girls safe and sound, just as the sun was setting.”

It was a humbling moment for Superintendent Dion Bennett, cloaked in the Central District Police korowai, as the karanga rang out at the pōwhiri welcoming him into his new role as Central District Commander. The pōwhiri was hosted by local iwi Ngāti Ruanui and included kaumātua, hau kāinga and rangatahi who all contributed to the success of the day. Dion’s family, including his wife and their three children, proudly supported him along with Central District staff and many others. Read the full story here: https://lnkd.in/gfN3CYj3

Happy Father's Day! 💙👨

Learn more about NZ-Europol Agreement here - https://lnkd.in/gZQSUfS6

Whanganui Dog Section has gone from operating in a converted garage to having an innovative new base, officially opened on Friday 🐕🦺🐾 After a blessing by Kaumātua Gary Davis and Kaumātua Gavin Brooks, the ribbon was cut by Police Minister Mark Mitchell, Commissioner Andrew Coster and OC Whanganui Dog Section Sergeant Sue Burridge as staff and invited guests watched on. Read the full story here: https://lnkd.in/dmpqs4DW

Police have dealt the Head Hunters gang a significant blow after successfully obtaining profit forfeiture orders to the tune of almost $15 million in assets and property, including their notorious Mt Wellington gang pad. The landmark decision issued from the Auckland High Court today comes off the back of one of the most complex investigations undertaken by New Zealand Police, spanning nearly a decade. Police Commissioner Andrew Coster says the forfeiture orders come to a total value of $14.8 million against the President of the Head Hunters, Wayne Doyle, under the Criminal Proceeds (Recovery) Act. “I am delighted with today’s decision which is substantial and deals a blow to the operations of the Head Hunter’s largest chapter, based in east Auckland. "This sends a very clear message to all gangs and organised crime groups profiting from the misery they create in our communities – Police will come for you,” Commissioner Coster says. Under Operation Coin, Police restrained several major assets including the East Chapter Headquarters of the Head Hunters Motorcycle Gang, based at 232 Marua Road in Mt Wellington in 2017. The High Court’s decision also orders the forfeiture around $275,000 in cash located at the Marua Road pad during a search warrant in 2017. This also includes several other Auckland properties including addresses in Freeman’s Bay, New Lynn and Mt Wellington. Funds held in two bank accounts and a vehicle will also be forfeited to the Crown. “This proceeding was one of the most lengthy and complex ever undertaken by the Asset Recovery Unit,” Commissioner Coster says. “This is part of a sustained focus across Police on targeting and disrupting the operations of organised criminal groups through means available to us through criminal or civil proceedings.” Operation Coin involved a detailed investigation into Mr Doyle’s involvement in organised crime. “This decision confirms what Police have long known in that Mr Doyle sits at the pinnacle of the Head Hunters, and holds an extremely influential position,” Commissioner Coster says. “Mr Doyle set up the East Chapter of the Head Hunters so as to promote, and profit from, the criminal offending of its members who pay a portion of their ill-gotten gains directly to him.” Commissioner Coster says the High Court’s decision finds the Head Hunters Motorcycle Gang are an organised criminal group with many of its members engaging in drug dealing, along with violent property offending for profit. Today’s decision sees nearly seven years of work and cooperation between the Asset Recovery Unit and the Auckland Crown Solicitor come to fruition. “I want to acknowledge the staff involved for their perseverance and dedication,” Commissioner Coster says. “I would also acknowledge counsel for the Commissioner at the office of the Auckland Crown Solicitor for their efforts during a complex period of litigation.”

A puppy's power of positivity has been unleashed on Dunedin city’s bus hub recently 🐶🐾 Murphy is a 14-week-old beagle puppy who belongs to a staff member based in Dunedin Central station and is being trained to become a trauma/specialist support dog. He is not a police dog. Instead, his training focuses on supporting frontline first responders, victims, and witnesses who suffer the effects of trauma and more complex PTSI/PTSD after exposure to traumatic events. Read Murphy's story here: https://lnkd.in/gryanVxW

Happy International Dog Day to all our furry friends out there 🐶🐾🦴🐕 What better way to celebrate than by congratulating our newest dog teams who graduated from the New Zealand Police Dog Training Centre earlier this month alongside our friends at New Zealand Customs. Read more here - https://lnkd.in/gkCEwx5j

Protecting our cars and communities since ages ago 🐾 #fridayfloof

Somewhere over the rainbow is a seatbelt just waiting to be clicked 🌈✨