Police Bear Brunt Of Labour Prison Failure

Tuesday 7 Sep 2004
Dr Muriel Newman
Press Releases -- Crime & Justice

ACT New Zealand Deputy Leader and Police Spokesman Dr Muriel Newman today accused the Labour Government of further undermining the maintenance of law and order in New Zealand by pulling police off the beat to guard prison inmates.

"Labour's failure to plan for the future has resulted in no where for prisoners to go. It means that police officers not only have the responsibility of catching criminals, but now have to babysit them as well," Dr Newman said.

"Analysis of international data shows that New Zealand's police are almost the hardest-working in the world - with police receiving around 54 crimes reported per sworn officer, compared with other countries with only one or two.

"Meanwhile, we are one of the world's most under-policed nations and, as a result, many people are no longer bothering to report crime.

"To make matters worse, our police force is already reduced due to officer deployment in Bougainville and the Solomon Islands, with many experienced police - including CIB officers - now having to spend time filling traffic ticket quotas.

"By pulling even more police off the streets to guard prisoners, and away from their core duty of fighting crime and keeping citizens safe, Labour is compromising the security of law-abiding New Zealanders.

"A core duty of any government is the maintenance of law and order. Criminals deserve to be caught, and communities deserve to be safe. Labour is failing, and no amount of spin will convince the public otherwise," Dr Newman said.

ENDS

For more information visit ACT online at http://www.act.org.nz or contact the ACT Parliamentary Office at act@parliament.govt.nz.

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