Any opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily that of the New Zealand Police
Serious Crash Unit Analyst Senior Constable Ken Patterson and the Police are giving their time to run group workshops to Te Pae Oranga participants providing information on how to drive safer and tips and tricks. Here Ken talks about his role and what inspires him.
When I was six or seven I was involved in a car crash. It was at an intersection with traffic lights. I remember the car coming towards us and the bang. I remember the injured people and the Ambulance turning up with one flashing red light.
My family and I were uninjured, but it peaked a curiosity in me. How did that crash happen? What was the science and the physics behind it?
My curiosity continued throughout my younger years and I found myself being drawn to cars and, ironically, crashed cars, as I worked in the panel trade fixing crashed cars. I took part in demolition derbys and I attended the speedway often, and have owned and maintained a number of cars.
I have lost people I knew through crashes and I thought if I can do something, even small, to save a life, then that’s what I want to do, so in 1996 I joined the Police and in 2003, I joined the newly formed specialist Serious Crash Unit .
In the 21 years since I joined the crash unit I have attended more than 1271 crashes, mostly with either serious life-altering injury or death. We cover the entire Southern region stretching from the Waitaki River to Twizel and Oamaru. It’s not uncommon for me to receive a phone call at 3am with instruction to head off to a crash somewhere that can be up to five hours’ drive away.
There are four crash Analysts in the Southern Region and a Sergeant. We’re a specialist group who attend crashes to analyse the scene and produce a Crash Report. We do our investigation, calling on other specialists such as photographers and vehicle inspectors, write our report, ensure it is peer reviewed, then send it off to Police Supervisors , a Judge, or a Coroner.
What I’ve noticed is that absolutely everything tells a story. We’re not necessarily dealing solely with the human side of the crash, rather we’re looking at the scene, vehicles and the science, trying to provide an answer as to what’s actually happened.
I love the science of the job and the people I get to meet. For me, it’s all about believing in people, but sometimes the job does take its toll. All of the crashes stay with you in some way. The odd night I will wake up and think about a case, usually it’s those involving children or at times grief stricken Whanau and friends. Respectful work is always done knowing the people involved are always someone's daughter or son.
I found out about Te Pae Oranga through my wife, Sergeant Justine Bishop. She would often talk about it, and what a fantastic initiative it is.
Te Pae Oranga gives people the chance to stay out of court and gives them the opportunity to make good on what has happened if they can. I think the face-to-face and potential for people to be heard is massive. It’s a wonderful opportunity for people to get back on the straight and narrow.
It’s like investing in the present to save the future. When you have hardened people turn up to TPO and engage , then you see them thinking, that’s potentially a win for all.
Time given to run group workshops is to provide information on how to drive safer and I try to personalize the sessions to the participants who have been given this outcome through the panel.
I see this as time invested – if that hour or two out of my day gets just one person to make better decisions on the road, then to me it’s all worth it, as its about reducing crashes and road trauma.
Within the sessions, we talk about consequences, ripple effects, and I ask them to explain why they’re at TPO, and why they think the crash happened. If I have photos I think can help, that they can relate to, I’ll show them.
I remember in one session we talked about a participant having lost control on a bend, so we discussed that the speed limit is there for a reason – what the science is behind it and how the road is designed.
The feedback from TPO participants has been really good.
I still believe in people, that’s why I do what I do. We’ve all been there and we’ve probably all done something on the road we look back on and think wow! That could have been really bad. With age (and years of experience in this role) comes a little bit of wisdom, and I am only too happy to pass that on.
Te Pae Oranga (Iwi Community Panel) are an alternative resolution process for offenders focusing on education, prevention and accountability. The service is provided by Ngā Kete Mātauranga Pounamu Charitable Trust in partnership with police, local iwi and the wider community.
Police can refer a participant to Te Pae Oranga if they are aged 18 years or over and the participant accepts the Police summary of facts.
Participants appear in front of a panel of three volunteer community members, often on a Marae, where a hearing takes place with a purpose of discovering the underlying reasons for offending and determine outcomes to address these. Eligible participants avoid court and conviction upon successful completion of the process.
WHO ARE THE PANEL MEMBERS?
Panel members are made up of prominent community members with a desire to create change, and who have an ability to treat all participants with respect and dignity.
WHAT ARE THE OUTCOMES?
Ngā Kete is a social services hub with the ability to refer internally and externally.
Outcomes are tailored to each participant and should address their reasons for offending. Education and prevention focused (strengths-based).
Outcomes can include reparation, apology letters, voluntary work, and educational courses i.e. defensive driving, driver licensing etc.
