The Titikaveka Community Police volunteers have been gifted tables and chairs from Cook Islands Police to boost the resources in their meeting house as they work to maintain safety and nurture a sense of security in the village.

The collaboration between the Police and the volunteers highlights the importance of teamwork in promoting public safety and security awareness.

Member of Parliament (MP) for Titikaveka, and volunteer Sonny Williams was grateful to Police Senior Sergeant Nga Pouao for the donation.

“Our regular patrols and presence is ongoing. The plan for us is to wear our high viz vests when driving through the village, check out the beaches and public areas to show our presence,” said Williams.

He said there have been occasions when motorbikes turn up to a particular area but take off when they see the community police volunteers.

The recent vandalism attack on the Enua Manea Hall has prompted the twelve Titikaveka volunteers to beef up their patrols.

Over the Christmas New Year busy period, the volunteers split into two groups for road block checks at Akapuao and in Vaimaanga.

Williams expressed that their presence on the road deterred reckless drivers, as well as criminal activity, helping to keep their village safe.

Volunteer, Junior Ioaba says he enjoys helping the community and did not mind putting in the time to help the community to be a safer place for everyone.

Senior Sergeant Nga Pouao, said donating the equipment is a small token to all three community police offices – Akapuao Meeting House in Titikaveka, Te Aroa Nui Hall in Puaikura, and the Takitumu Office in Muri, Ngatangiia.

“We appreciate all these volunteers and the work they do for our community. But, this is not enough, it’s not good. We need to pay them but there is no funding,” said Senior Sergeant Pouao.

In parliament in December, 2024, Prime Minister Mark Brown, who is also the Minister for Police, said he would ensure the re-establishment of community police to tackle the rising crime rate in Rarotonga.

For Takitumu, MP Tukaka Ama is in charge of the volunteer team, and in Vaka Puaikura MP Robert Heather is the lead.

The Vaka Puaikura community police was established in 2008 and unfortunately ceased operation in 2016.

The community police initiative involves Cook Islands Police collaborating with members of Parliament, local businesses, and volunteers.