The Dunedin-Clutha police area commander for 12 years, Inspector Dave Campbell has announced he will be taking up a new position to allow "a new face with new ideas" into the area commander's seat.
His move comes as the Dunedin police service is restructured to fit a more proactive policing approach, which has already seen three new proactive policing teams introduced.
He said he was involved in setting up a new police structure in Dunedin in the late 1990s, taking on the newly created position of area commander, and it was a good time, in the light of the new restructuring, to move to a new position.
Insp Campbell (58) will become policing development manager for the Southern police district.
The Dunedin-based position would involve strategic planning and looking for new ways for police to reduce offending, victimisation and the fear of crime.
He said his area commander role was a "satisfying, although at times challenging, 12 years.
This change will be good for me, good for the police and good for the community".
He was looking forward to a change from the 50-plus hours a week the area commander position demanded, but would miss the interaction with his 260 staff in the area, and the community, he said.
Insp Campbell has served with the police since 1974 and in Dunedin since 1983.
Many changes in policing had occurred during his tenure as area commander, the most significant being the growth of intelligence-led policing, he said. Last year's change to daily tasking, which ensured early attention to problem areas, had led to a significant drop in recorded crime.
However, one thing had not changed.
"Dunedin area's biggest problem continues to be alcohol-related offending."
While Dunedin was a relatively safe city, alcohol was the prime cause of North Dunedin disorder, inner-city violence and much domestic violence, Insp Campbell said.
Insp Campbell will take up his new position when the appointee starts. A selection process has begun.
