1. RON MARK (NZ First) Link to this
to the Minister of Police
How many stabbing and slashing assaults have been committed on police officers in each year since 1999?
Hon ANNETTE KING (Minister of Police) Link to this
The number of assaults on police where a stabbing or cutting weapon was used is as follows: 2000, five; 2001, seven; 2002, 17; 2003, 48; 2004, five; and 2005, six.
Why, after the Commissioner of Police said that he would resign if front-line officers were not equipped with stab-resistant body armour in the last financial year, are front-line officers still waiting for their personal stab-proof vests to be issued?
I am advised that the police would have dearly loved to roll out the stab-resistant vests to all front-line officers by now, but unfortunately there have been delays in manufacturing with regard to the UV protection quality in the fabric. The Deputy Commissioner of Police, Rob Pope, is meeting with the manufacturers to ensure there are no more delays.
Simon PowerCan the Minister confirm that, according to internal budget documents, stab-resistant vests for new police officers will not be available until the 2007-08 financial year; if so, what input did New Zealand First and Ron Mark have in negotiating a budget package for new front-line cops that sees them go without this protection for at least a year?
I can assure the member that New Zealand First had no input into a decision to roll out stab-proof vests for police officers, just as the Minister did not.
Has the Minister seen reports that suggest that, aside from the explanation she has been given from head office today, the delay in the issue of the vests has been caused also by cosmetic changes to the design requested by New Zealand Police head office—changes that should have been made right at the outset when the contract was let, and that front-line officers argue are totally unnecessary and not worth the risks they pose through the delay?
I have been advised that there has been no change in the colour of the vests—which I believe was an issue that had been raised by the association. There has been a decision after the trial that there will be no reflector on the vests, either. My understanding is that the delay is to do with the fabric.
Has the Minister seen these photographs I have, which show the level of damage that can be inflicted by a knife-wielding assailant on a police officer who was not wearing a stab-resistant vest, despite the officer in these photographs being highly trained in hand-to-hand combat; and can the Minister tell the House when will we see issued the stab-resistant vests that were promised to front-line officers?
I thank the member for taking an interest in this issue, rather than just grandstanding, and say to the member that I am unable to give him an exact date of when the stab-resistant vests will be available. I hope they are available as soon as possible. The delay, I understand, was unavoidable. We need them as soon as possible—I do not like to see those kinds of photographs of our officers, who put themselves in harm’s way every day of the week on behalf of New Zealanders.
I seek leave to table a photograph depicting back wounds suffered by an American police officer who was attacked by a knife-wielding assailant.
Madam SPEAKERI raise a point of order, Madam Speaker. In light of the objections raised earlier by the leader of the National Party about interjections during the asking of questions, the blatant disregarding of the Standing Orders just then—
I seek the leave of the House to table a photograph of a chest wound suffered by a police officer, which was caused by a knife-wielding assailant.
I seek the leave of the House to table another photo showing a wound to the side of a police officer, which was caused by a knife-wielding assailant. All of those injuries were inflicted on an officer who was not wearing a stab-resistant vest.
Gerry Brownlee
Hon Dr Nick Smith Link to this
I raise a point of order, Madam Speaker. I ask the member, to make it efficient, simply to advise the House whether these are New Zealand police officers or whether these photographs are from overseas.
All these photos are from the United States. The injuries were suffered by an American police officer who was attacked with a knife.
Hon Trevor Mallard Link to this
I raise a point of order, Madam Speaker. I think we have got ourselves into a bit of a pickle here. You asked whether there was objection to at least one of the photos, and there was none. Members cannot retrospectively withdraw leave.
Hone HarawiraGiven that the Tasers are to be deployed in areas of high Māori population, what role have police iwi liaison officers had in developing the Taser trial and hosting consultation meetings in the target communities; if they were not involved, why not?
I understand that police liaison officers were involved in the policy development. I do not believe that the liaison officers were, at a local iwi level, involved with local Māori.
I raise a point of order, Madam Speaker. I would like some clarification as to whether Dr Nick Smith would object to me tabling later on a photograph of a New Zealand police officer who was stabbed with a screwdriver.