WITH only two days left in the hot seat, inspector Jason Hewett is reminding his team of the words spoken by Steve Shortland, the recently retired assistant police commissioner.
“He always used to say ‘successful policing is fun – let’s get out there and have some fun’, and the year I have spent here has proven that to me time and time again,” he told the Times.
Mr Hewett has been Counties Manukau East’s area commander for the past year, filling a role temporarily left vacant by inspector Jim Searle’s overseas deployment.
Mr Searle is now back from his service in East Timor, where he was the New Zealand Police contingent commander working for the United Nations.
He returns to his old role at Howick police station next week.
Looking back over his time in the job, Mr Hewett points to the many highlights he has experienced.
“It has been a challenge, but it’s one I’ve thoroughly enjoyed,” he says. “It has been an incredible experience – and one that I have absolutely loved.”
The role of area commander is one he will miss, and one he hopes to return to in the future – given the opportunity.
His next move is a return to his previous role as Counties Manukau’s policing development manager, where he will act as strategic adviser to the district supervisor, superintendant Mike Bush.
Mr Hewett carried out the role for four years before filling Mr Searle’s shoes, and he says there’s a huge difference between the two jobs.
“The policing development role is focused on a particular part of business, whereas being an area commander the spectrum is much broader,” he says. “We are delegated a huge amount of responsibility from the district commander.
“The area commander is responsible for a range of performance indicators, such as keeping crime down, solving as much crime as we can, and managing budgets, staff and human resources.
“The area commander is ultimately responsible for the performance of this area.”
Counties Manukau East includes Otara, Pakuranga, Flat Bush, Botany, Beachlands, Maraetai and Howick – an area “growing at a geometric rate population-wise”.
One of the things of which he is most proud is the calibre of staff he’s worked with.
“The community deserves a first-class police service and I’m confident the community in Counties Manukau East has some of the most professional officers I have worked with.
“Successful policing is fun. It’s what I get out of bed in the morning for, and I love it.”
