HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION | A FAIR GO FOR A L L ? Responses to structural discrimination in the justice system The criminal justice system broadly consists of police, This approach is based on constructive engagement with courts and correctional services. As such, three examples the community. As such, the New Zealand Police recognise of initiatives under the umbrella of the justice system that community relationships are strengthened when police have been included: Neighbourhood Policing in Counties units reflect the cultural, ethnic and linguistic diversity Manukau (Police), Rangatahi and Pasifika Youth Courts of the communities they serve. Counties Manukau, for (Courts) and Mäori Focus Units (Correctional Services). example, aims to have a workforce comprised of six per Case study 1: cent Asian police, to reflect the Asian population in the Neighbourhood Policing in Counties Manukau Neighbourhood Policing is a newly-established programme in New Zealand and the full impacts are not yet known. Those involved, however, report that it has the potential community. In a criminal investigation involving a Sikh family, Indian police staff were able to interact with the community using shared language and cultural connections to assist the investigation. Police interactions with the community are more effective when police can connect around shared cultural values. to shift Police relationships with communities and reduce The Neighbourhood Policing team in Counties Manukau levels of crime. It also has the potential to address issues was launched in September 2010, initially with six units of of structural discrimination within the police force. one sergeant and up to six constables. By the end of 2011 Neighbourhood Policing changes the values and structure there were 12 units in Counties Manukau. There are now that police work is based upon, in order to make policing 33 Neighbourhood Policing teams nationwide. Units within more effective in reducing crime by placing an emphasis on the neighbourhood police teams focus on small, primarily prevention and greater engagement between communities residential neighbourhoods of approximately 4000 people. and Police. In the first phase of the programme the unit visits homes The programme reflects a shift in national police to conduct a household survey. The purpose of the survey strategic planning to an overarching philosophy called is to gather information about community concerns and Community Policing.187 Community Policing incorporates needs and to visibly begin engagement between police and an emphasis on prevention and proactive work that the neighbourhood. Common issues raised by community is reliant on engagement with communities and other members during the survey collection in Counties Manukau government agencies. Counties Manukau reflects this are family violence, drugs, burglary and truancy. The second prevention philosophy with their new motto, “be safe, phase of the programme sets up local community boards feel safe.” Preventative and proactive police-work builds formed with key representatives of the neighbourhood. relationships with neighbourhoods and communities over Together with the community boards, Police participate in time, working collaboratively to solve problems, while community-initiated responses to crime. units simultaneously respond to crime, then follow up with measures to prevent the same problems happening again. One sergeant says of the neighbourhood policing team: The interviewees revealed there was an initial sense of cynicism within the police force about the Neighbourhood Policing programme. Some Police felt that “neighbourhood We’re not expert investigators and we’re not solely policing isn’t real policing.” When, however, some of community cops – we’re a bit of a mongrel group the older, more established and respected sergeants that can be flexible. The advantage with it is its volunteered for the programme, staff soon realised the still relationship-based, so while we’re doing our impact building collaborative, engaged relationships with apprehensions and our hard-nosed stuff, we still have members of the community could have on preventing a good relationship with both our criminals and our members of the public.188 39