10. CHESTER BORROWS (National—Whanganui) Link to this
to the Minister of Police
Is she satisfied with police policies and practice relating to the safe handling of their firearms?
Hon ANNETTE KING (Minister of Police) Link to this
In general, yes. On occasions incidents occur where police firearms are handled in a manner that does not meet the required standards. But in such cases, I am advised that the police undertake a full investigation in order to prevent similar events from recurring.
Can she confirm that the police still have no idea where two Glock pistols are after they were couriered from Warkworth to Wellington in December and never arrived, and why should the public be comforted by the claim that neither parcel on its own contained enough components to construct a working pistol, when two fully working pistols could be assembled from the two parcels, and both parcels are still missing?
Does she stand by the statement from police that: “In all the years of transporting firearms around the country this is the first time one has gone missing.”; if so, can she also confirm that two police rifles and four pistols were also lost from an unsecured trailer that was being towed by a police vehicle in the Bay of Plenty in 2005?
I can confirm that since 2005 there have been two reported incidents involving the loss of firearms. Firearms were lost from an unsecured trailer in the Bay of Plenty in 2005. All the firearms were subsequently recovered in a short time. The second incident is the one the member outlined in his previous question.
Can she confirm that late last year a live round was fired inside the Palmerston North Police Station during a training session with the new Bushmaster rifles, penetrating an internal wall and flying over the head of an officer sitting in an adjacent office?
No, I cannot confirm that. That may well be the case, and I am happy to get the information for the member. But I do need to tell the member that, as he would be aware as a former police officer, the police undertake considerable firearms training. In fact, they do a total of 24 hours per year.
Hon David CarterAlthough members opposite want to scoff and laugh at the police, I do not. I take the matter seriously.
Hon Dr Nick SmithThey are scoffing and laughing at the police. The police handle firearms every day of the week. They handle them with care, but we have to note that they are human beings and sometimes there are errors. Even the members opposite make mistakes sometimes.
Can she confirm that Graeme Burton was carrying a baton identical to that used by police when he was captured, and can she give a categorical assurance that as far as the police know he did not have a police firearm or other police equipment in his possession at any time following his release from prison in July 2006?
No, I cannot confirm that, but I would direct the member to the Independent Police Conduct Authority report on the Burton case.
Can she confirm that since 2000 there have been at least four instances where unintentional discharges have resulted in injury to police officers, including an officer who was shot in the abdomen by another officer during a role play when live ammunition was inadvertently used, a leg injury caused by a loaded shotgun that accidentally went off when it was left on a bench during a training scenario, and a foot injury that was caused by an officer discharging his pistol while holstering it?
No, I cannot confirm those incidents, other than the ones I have already outlined today. I really do not know where this questioning is going. Is the member trying to show that over the years and the hours and the days that the police handle firearms, they are incompetent? I do not believe that that is the case. I believe that the police handle these weapons—
No, the Minister does not handle the weapons and never has handled the weapons. Mind you, one would be very tempted if one had one, with regard to the member for Nelson! One would be very tempted, indeed. I do not know where the member is going with his questions. The police undertake considerable training in firearms, and they take considerable care with them as they know how lethal those weapons are. In any incident that occurs, inquiries take place so the police can learn from it. I would much prefer to see a culture where they learn, rather than have someone stand up in this House and try to name, blame, and shame them. I think it would be much more helpful to support the police rather that try to make cheap political points.