Melissa Smith is the Manager of Prevention Development in the Community Partnerships and Prevention Team, New Zealand Police. Melissa has been in Police for over 8 years (as a non- sworn member), and prior to that spent over 10 years undertaking research, evaluation, and development and planning of crime prevention strategies across the justice sector (crime science, courts, policing, and corrections) in both New Zealand and the UK.

Melissa’s current role involves the development, implementation and assessment of national harm reduction and prevention strategies. This includes embedding Police’s Problem Solving approach (SARA) within New Zealand Police, implementation of specific national initiatives to address volumes crimes and providing tailored advice on a diverse range of initiatives – including such topics as retail crime, youth crime, to mental health.