Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More
Top Scoops

Book Reviews | Gordon Campbell | Scoop News | Wellington Scoop | Community Scoop | Search

 

Police In Danger Of Budget Blowout

Police say they are in danger of a budget blowout, with their finances having to support both the failed INCIS project and the Wanganui computer.

Acting Police Commissioner Rob Robertson told a Parliamentary Law And Order Committee that police finances were severely under stress with money still being spent maintaining Incis and the Wanganui computer.

Police have since had to pay $18 million for work done by IBM on INCIS after the company and the government settled out of court last year. The money had been previously withheld while the dispute was in court.

Police also budget millions of dollars a year to maintain the ailing Wanganui computer system which the INCIS computer was meant to replace.

In his report to the committee Robertson said the police’s reputation had suffered because of INCIS and the controversy which lead to Commissioner Peter Doone’s early retirement.

These setbacks should not obscure what was generally a successful year for police fighting crime and re-structuring,to bring more police into front line duties he said.

Police Minister George Hawkins has previously said a Labour Government would find the most cost-effective way of adding 'bells and whistles' to INCIS to give the police the crime-fighting tool they need. He is continuing budget discussions with police.

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Top Scoops Headlines

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.