9. CHESTER BORROWS (National—Whanganui) Link to this
to the Minister of Police
Is she satisfied with the performance of police management; if so, why?
Hon STEVE MAHAREY (Minister of Education) Link to this
In general, yes, because, if I can borrow words from the member, they are, in the main, a bunch of “good roosters”.
Can she confirm that after an initial trial of stab-proof vests that lasted several months, there was an 18-month delay in their distribution because they were the wrong colour, the wrong fabric, the wrong design, and the wrong size; and why has it only now been discovered that the vests cannot be worn with existing uniform shirts, tunics, and duty jackets?
Hon STEVE MAHAREY Link to this
Police management acknowledged yesterday at the select committee hearing that there had been a number of problems with this project. It is now on track. The vests will be rolled out by the end of December 2007.
Gordon CopelandHave the police management asked the Minister for additional resources in view of their extra workload, as from today, in policing the new criminalisation of a parent who smacks his or her child even for the purpose of loving correction; or does she expect the police to cope by diverting time and resources from their fight against real crime in New Zealand?
Hon STEVE MAHAREY Link to this
No, the police have not asked for extra resources to police the guidelines around the disciplining of children, because they will not need them.
Can the Minister confirm that the police have called for tenders for 35,000 breathable, moisture-wicking shirts, with their expected distribution in March 2008, although police management confirmed to the select committee yesterday that they have no idea how much these shirts will cost, what they will look like, or who will make them?
Hon STEVE MAHAREY Link to this
As I said before, all of these issues were aired yesterday in the select committee. The police confirmed that there had been problems, they confirmed that everything is on track, and they confirmed that everything will be delivered by December this year.
Why has there been no report from the $10,111 concept investigation by Macpac into the design of a new duty jacket, 6 months after the investigation is over; when can we expect to see a report, and how many more millions of dollars will the new duty jackets cost, or does the Minister have no idea of that, either?
Hon STEVE MAHAREY Link to this
The question is, of course, one that is a little hypothetical because the police are still working their way through to final delivery of those vests in December this year. I urge the member to put down those precise questions about costs, and I am sure the Minister of Police will reply to them at the appropriate time.
Does the Minister agree that this is hardly a parallel roll-out of a new uniform that the police have been planning for some time, as the select committee was told yesterday; and when will we see a compatible uniform and stab-proof vest configuration fully implemented, or has the Minister no idea of that, either?
Hon STEVE MAHAREY Link to this
At the risk of repeating myself, I would remind the member that I have now said three times that everything is on track for delivery in December 2007.
Peter BrownOn a more positive note, has the Minister had any reports on the performance of police management in respect of recruiting the extra 1,000 front-line police and 250 support staff agreed under the confidence and supply agreement with New Zealand First?
Hon STEVE MAHAREY Link to this
I just happen to have that information. Yes, the New Zealand Police are 53 ahead of the target for the end of the first year of the recruitment of the additional 1,250 staff members. The current attrition rate for sworn members of 3.7 percent is the lowest in more than 10 years. That rate compares favourably with State sector turnover of 21.5 percent, and I think it reflects the very, very good partnership between New Zealand First and the Labour-led Government.
Can the Minister confirm, now that we are getting some idea of the scale and ongoing nature of the stab-proof vest debacle, that she has no idea of the final cost; and how can this mess happen, when the safety of police officers on the front line should be the primary concern of the police and the Government?
Hon STEVE MAHAREY Link to this
Let me take a stab at an answer and say that I think one has to go through the tender round before one knows all of those answers. As I said to the member, if he puts down his questions, I am sure that at the appropriate time the Minister of Police will reply.
Madam SPEAKER