Saturday 2 Feb 2002

ACT Police Spokesman and Deputy Leader Ken Shirley said today that he was pleased an inquiry has been launched into allegations of police corruption in Greymouth following his letter to Police Minister George Hawkins.

"I regret however that Mr Hawkins hasn't personally stepped up to the mark and launched a Ministerial Inquiry.

"The Minister is running for cover and ducking his responsibilities. As an elected representative and Police Minister, this is a core issue in which he needs to reassure the New Zealand public.

"This is not an independent inquiry. The police are commissioning Queens Counsel Stuart Grieve to `assist' the police commissioner. Mr Grieve should act independently, with the police assisting him as required.

"It is vitally important that these matters are investigated, and that the dysfunctional aspects of Greymouth police are addressed.

"Police resources are too scarce and too valuable for the Minister to sit on his hands and allow two sworn officers to be stood down on full pay for such a long period. There are huge issues of public confidence here, which Mr Hawkins has chosen to ignore.

ENDS

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