Developing a new style of community policing unique to Tonga is in the pipeline, following the completion of a Tonga Police nation-wide community consultation and survey on March 17.

The objective of the Community Consultation and Survey was to gather information on what Tongans perceived as crime threats and how Tonga Police can improve its services.

All information will be used to finalise a Tonga Police Four Year Business Plan to shape a Tongan style of community policing thus provide a baseline for measuring any improvements in policing in the future, a stated a Tonga Police media release on March 17.

A Tonga Police planning team on January 6 held over 40 meetings and met over 650 people in all island groups before concluding in Niuafo'ou on March 13.

The team consisted of APC Motu'apuaka, Dr 'Ana Koloto and Dr Seu'ula Fua from USP, Superintendent Glyn Lewis from the Australian Federal Police and Catherine Cotter from New Zealand Police.

At the same time, a Community Perceptions Survey undertaken by the Tonga Campus of the University of the South Pacific collected information from 10 percent of the community. It concluded in 'Eua on March 17.

"The consultation is complete and it is now up to the police to meet the reasonable expectations of the people of Tonga", said the Minister of Police Hon Siaosi 'Aho.

Feedback from community consultations were received from members of the Royal Family, nobles, church leaders, community representatives, district and town officers, women's groups, youth leaders, civil society and business groups.

Police Commander Chris Kelley said the consultation process will assist the Tonga Police to develop a style of policing unique to Tonga and will help Australia, New Zealand and other partners support their aspirations for policing that is long lasting.