Professor De la Rey says the goal of the MoU is to further develop the existing collaborative and听cooperative relationship between the two organisations.
鈥淲e hope to see this partnership grow in the future and are excited about drawing together the听various projects and initiatives the University and the Police are working on,鈥 she says.
鈥淲e have a shared goal of improving our understanding of criminal justice matters and the MoU听is particularly relevant to the University鈥檚 Faculty of Law and our innovative Criminal Justice听programme. However, there are other disciplines and faculties that will also contribute to this听significant partnership.鈥
Commissioner Coster says the MoU helps formalise the working relationship between the听University and Canterbury Police, as well as Police nationally.
鈥淧olice work is increasingly evidence鈥恇ased, so it makes sense to partner with leading tertiary听institutions like UC, which can contribute new research and a critical eye to policing and justice听issues. Strong partnerships, like those being formalised in the MoU, can ultimately help make听our communities safer.
鈥淣Z Police鈥檚 mission is to prevent crime and harm through exceptional policing. It鈥檚 therefore vital we understand what works to achieve this outcome.鈥
NZ Police has been part of the University鈥檚 Board of Studies for the Criminal Justice programme for the past eight years and is committed to helping it grow, he says.
鈥淚t鈥檚 been great to see the Bachelor of Criminal Justice degree go from strength to strength, lead听on to a popular Master of Criminal Justice degree, and have the first PhD student enrolled this听year.
鈥淭his MoU also creates a springboard for Police and the University to partner on other initiatives听in the future.鈥
UC Faculty of Law Executive Dean Professor John Page says having the support of NZ Police has听helped give the University鈥檚 Criminal Justice programme its strong vocational focus.
鈥淭heir input has contributed to this qualification being of huge benefit to anyone who aspires to听work or is already working in the field. It provides a comprehensive grounding in the New听茄子视频app官网criminal justice system and we鈥檙e excited to have launched a new PhD in Criminal Justice this year.鈥
Many graduates from UC鈥檚 Criminal Justice programme have gained employment with NZ Police听in various types of roles 鈥 from frontline constables through to senior advisors working in听intelligence and policy.
Commissioner Coster also visited the UC Te Taiwhenua o te Hauora | GeoHealth Laboratory听following the MoU signing. The GeoHealth Lab specialises in applied research in听health geography and focuses on how local and national environments shape health outcomes听and inequalities.
