Ryan Fleming – On the Beat
This is the last of the workgroups that I’ll cover based at Te Awamutu. We’ve got a small but mighty Prevention Team made up of three very different – but very complementary – roles: our Youth Aid Officer, School Community Officer and Community Constable. We each have our own patch of responsibility, but together we cover a lot of ground when it comes to keeping our community safe, connected, and informed.
Ryan Fleming
The best part? We’re proactive. That means we don’t just turn up when something’s gone wrong – we’re out there working to stop issues before they even start. By combining our skills and local knowledge, we’re able to take on everything from youth support and school programmes to public event safety and neighbourhood problem-solving.
Our Youth Aid Officer is there for the young people who’ve come to police attention. It’s not about punishment – it’s about helping them find a better path. That might mean working closely with families, schools, and other agencies to get to the heart of what’s going on and giving these young people the tools and encouragement to make better choices.
We have our School Community Officer, who works hand-in-hand with schools to deliver lessons on everything from road safety and online smarts to bullying prevention. It’s all about giving our tamariki the confidence and knowledge to make good decisions, while also making sure they know police are here to help.
As the Community Constable, I’m generally the face you’ll see around the neighbourhood – someone you can talk to, raise concerns with, and work alongside to keep your street safe. They tackle everything from burglary prevention and traffic safety to helping solve local issues before they become bigger problems.
You’ll also spot us working together at big public events like Fieldays, helping to keep thousands of visitors safe while making sure the atmosphere stays friendly and enjoyable. We’re often called on to support other operations too – bringing that local knowledge and those community connections to the table.
Our strength is in our teamwork. Each of us brings something different, and when we put it together, it means a more joined-up approach for Te Awamutu. We’re proud to be part of this community, and we’re here to make sure it stays a safe, welcoming place for everyone – not just today, but well into the future.
