1. RON MARK (NZ First) Link to this
to the Minister of Police
Do the police hire private security firms for the purpose of monitoring potentially suicidal inmates being held in police cells; if so, under what circumstances are they used for this purpose?
Hon ANNETTE KING (Minister of Police) Link to this
I am advised that in some instances, yes. The decision as to who will undertake guard duties in police cells—for example, whether they are sworn officers, temporary sworn officers, or security guards—is a decision for district commanders.
Does she have confidence in the vetting processes performed by the police before they hire staff from private security firms to work within police stations; if so, why?
It is my expectation that the police will always follow good and thorough procedures, and I know that that is also what the police expect.
Simon PowerCan the Minister confirm that temporary constables have also been used to guard those taken into custody with mental health problems; if so, have those decoy cops received the same specific training that police recruits and probationary constables do in managing people with mental illness?
Yes, I can confirm that temporary sworn officers are acting as jailers and guards in police cells, as they have for many years. However, I cannot confirm that they have the same level of training. I am happy to check that for the member. However, I will also check to see what sort of training they have had in the past and whether there has been any change in that training.
Sue BradfordWill the Minister be talking to her colleague the Minister of Health about the urgent need to increase the capacity of adequately staffed mental health acute units, so that the frequency and length of stay of people with acute mental illness in police cells is reduced as soon as possible?
I can tell that member that not only has discussion taken place between the Minister of Corrections and the Minister of Health but also action has been taken in terms of increasing the number of forensic beds in mental health institutions, to help take the pressure off police cells. As the member may remember, a strategy was set out a number of years ago, and it has been systematically implemented.
Is the Minister aware of a recent incident in which a male employee of a private security firm, who was hired to watch over a female inmate regarded as being at a high risk of attempting suicide while in a police cell, was revealed by subsequent checks to be a gang member with a long criminal record, including serious offences against women; if so, does she consider it appropriate to have such an employee, firstly, working within the inner sanctum of a large police station and, secondly, watching over a female inmate?
No, I certainly do not think it is appropriate. I thank the member for drawing that matter to my attention. I will seek more information on it.
Is the Minister aware that after that incident, the very next security guard to take over the suicide watch shift within the inner sanctum of the large police station in question was also subsequently checked by the police and found to have a history of serious offending against children; does she consider it appropriate to have that employee, firstly, working within the inner sanctum of a large police station and, secondly, watching over a female inmate?