With the arrival of the first 80 Skoda Superb vehicles in the country this month, Police is set to test a range of innovations during the fit-outs of the new patrol cars.

This month marks the beginning of formal pay-round negotiations for the Police employee and constabulary collectives. We know from the outset that the long-term uncertainties of Covid-19 on our economy will make for a challenging process ahead.

Police is planning to review the amount of corporate uniform subsidy given to Police employees, which is encouraging news for Carole Foster, an administration officer with the Commercial Vehicle Safety Team in Te Awamutu.

This column is written by a frontline police member. It does not represent the views or policies of the Police Association

Over the past five years, Police has increased the number of physical education officers it employs, boosting the team from 10 to 15, plus two supervisors.

Coincidences and notable “firsts” were hallmarks of the career of former traffic officer Russell Coddington who died this year aged 93.