Vodafone New Zealand’s CEO Russell Stanners was on the frontline in Wellington this week as the new Evidence Based Policing Centre was opened by Police Minister Stuart Nash.

New Zealand Police, the University of Waikato, and the Institute of Environmental Science and Research (ESR) are joint partners in the Centre, alongside Vodafone New Zealand, as Police’s strategic partner.

Staff from Police, the University of Waikato, and ESR will use the Centre to collaborate on research projects, with the aim to prevent more crime and help more Kiwis by coming up with better policing methods.

Police Commissioner Mike Bush says the Centre marks an opportunity for Police to make operational decisions based on the best possible research, data, and knowledge of “what works”.

“Our people are and will always be our greatest asset. But 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. The establishment of the Evidence Based Policing Centre gives us the opportunity to partner with others to provide the best evidence, analytics, and practise design to assist with that.”

Russell says the establishment of the Centre is another step in the relationship between Vodafone and Police.

“Vodafone has a proud history of supporting the New Zealand Police to adopt new technologies that help prevent crime and protect our communities. We are pleased to be able to support the Police further by providing an office space in Vodafone House, which will be home to their new evidence based policing centre.”

University of Waikato Vice-Chancellor, Professor Neil Quigley, says the university is pleased to use its specialist knowledge to make a difference towards preventing crime and victimisation.

“Through its Institute for Security and Crime Science the University of Waikato 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. Our new partnership will allow us to support New Zealand Police with a wide range of research provided by academic experts in computer science, data analysis, strategic studies and psychology, while at the same time ensuring that our research is making a real and practical difference to frontline policing and helping to create safer communities.”

ESR Chief Executive, Keith McLea, says ESR is looking forward to contributing to Police’s work to help keep New Zealanders safe.

“Evidence based policing ensures Police strategies, operations and tactics are based on the best possible evidence. ESR scientists will use their expertise and skills to manipulate and study demographics to provide a deeper understanding of crime.”