7. JOHN BOSCAWEN (ACT) Link to this
to the Minister of Police
Who decides what the operational tolerances are when deciding whether to investigate or prosecute people for smacking children?
Hon JUDITH COLLINS (Minister of Police) Link to this
I am advised that the attending and/or investigating officer decides whether to prosecute people for smacking children. Operational tolerances are outlined in the Police Practice Guide for New Section 59, in relation to the Crimes (Substituted Section 59) Amendment Act 2007, and the Solicitor-General’s Prosecution Guidelines.
What advice would the Minister give to members of the New Zealand Police who are confused by a law that forbids a smack for the purposes of correction and by a Prime Minister who has expressly told the police to ignore that law?
Hon JUDITH COLLINS Link to this
That would be an operational matter, but I have to say that good advice would be to follow the police guidelines that I outlined in my answer to the primary question.
How can we expect the public to take the law seriously when the Prime Minister tells the police to disregard it?
Hon JUDITH COLLINS Link to this
I do not believe that the Prime Minister made any such statement. I believe that the Prime Minister takes this issue extremely seriously, and I think that any reflection on police practice and Child, Youth and Family practice will show that the law has been working.