3. RUSSELL FAIRBROTHER (Labour) Link to this
to the Minister of Police
What reports has she received supportive of the Government’s stated aim of increasing front-line police by 1,000 over the next 3 years?
Hon ANNETTE KING (Minister of Police) Link to this
I have seen a number of reports. Two will be of particular interest to members. One consists of enthusiastic comments about the allocation of six new police officers for Hawke’s Bay, which will make life more difficult for the “few rat-bags who do not respect the law”. The second report concerns the organiser of a petition to support the police recruitment campaign. The first report is from Craig Foss; the second, Judith Collins. I would like to thank both those National MPs for supporting the Government’s campaign to put 1,000 more police on the street. I thank those members very much for their kind promotion.
Russell Fairbrother Link to this
What other recent reports has the Minister seen concerning the New Zealand Police?
I have seen a whole series of reports attacking the police in the last few months. The police have been attacked for sending specialist staff on customer service courses so that they can provide better service to the public. The police have been attacked for using security guards to maintain watch outside police cells, thereby releasing front-line police to other duties. They have been accused of failing in their 3-year police recruitment campaign, just 13 days after it started. And the police commissioner has been virtually accused of lying. I think it is totally inappropriate for a leadership hopeful like Simon Power to use the New Zealand Police as a stepping stone for his own ambitions.
Moana MackeyYes, I have. I have seen a report that attacks the police and the good people of Wairoa. Chester Borrows MP said that the four British police who chose to go to Wairoa must have been given “a bloody good brochure”. I am forwarding his comments to the Wairoa Star and also to the local mayor, because I think they would be very interested in what the National Party really thinks about rural towns in New Zealand.
Ron MarkCan the Minister confirm to the House that the confidence and supply agreement between the Labour Government and New Zealand First that provides for the extra 1,000 sworn front-line police staff also includes “a target of achieving ratios comparable with those in Australia by 2010”, which will give a further increase to policing numbers under this Government?
I can confirm that agreement, and I can also acknowledge the member’s party for the work it has put into ensuring we are able to recruit 1,000 extra police over the next three Budgets, unlike the snivelling, whingeing members opposite, with the exception of Judith Collins and Craig Foss, who want it to fail.