New Police Commissioner aims to develop professional officers [1]
Thursday, April 23, 2015 - 22:10
Tonga’s new Police Commissioner Steve Caldwell on taking up a three year term, said he aims to develop young police officers reach their full potential while ensuring a professional police service that is trusted by the public.
The 55-year-old brings to Tonga 37-years experience in the New Zealand Police with overseas postings in the Solomon Islands, East Timor and Bougainville.
He said it is a huge honour to become Tonga's police commissioner and one of his main goals is to develop the young men and women officers to become leaders of the service.
“It is also very important for any police service to have the trust of the community that it serves. If we do not have that trust and respect of the public they do not report crime or suspicious activities, so we must provide a professional service,” he said.
He said police officers like anyone else must be judged by the deeds of their work. “Policing is difficult and at times dangerous business so it is important that we recruit the right people, train them appropriately and enable them to make the right decisions to serve their country to the best of their ability,” he said.
“I have essentially come to lead the Tonga Police but I am also here to help. Tonga already has some outstanding police officers and I will encourage them to do their job to the best.”
He said before making any significant strategic changes he is a firm believer of listening to staff and the people and get an understanding.
Commissioner Caldwell said he came to Tonga because he wanted to share his policing knowledge and like in any other country it deserves a professional police service.
“There is a lot of good police work going on, and sometimes it is not reported. I can assure you that I expect a high standard of behaviour from police officers. I expect a professional service to the public and any breaches of conduct or criminal behaviour will not be tolerated.”
He said policing is also about being visible and would like to see police officers on the beat, walking and talking to shopkeepers and members of the public.
“That is how we build up the trust, we police by consent because we are a part of the community we serve, and so it’s very important that we are approachable and people feel that they can talk to us,” he said.
He takes over from former Police Commissioner Grant O'Fee who retired in December last year.