Hon Tony Ryall National Party Law and Order Spokesman

23 November 2004

Hawkins looks on as 111 system crumbles

A 14-hour wait in response to a 111 call is further evidence that the emergency system is crumbling around the Government, says National’s Law and Order spokesman, Tony Ryall. He is commenting on a report that a 111 call concerning a multiple assault in Otaki did not receive a response for 14-hours. “

There have been a slew of complaints since the Iraena Asher and Bentley 111 call fiascos. Each of these has raised more doubt about the resourcing of police call centres. “The Police Commissioner has shown just how ridiculous the situation has become by suggesting 111 callers scream to increase their chances of a timely response. “If lives weren’t at risk, it would be laughable.

“This latest incident in Otaki suggests we cannot wait for the Commissioner’s review of the 111 system.” Mr Ryall says an increase in resources at call centres is required urgently. “How many tragedies is the Minister prepared to overlook before he takes action? “National is concerned that the scope of the inquiry is too limited. Many of the problems with the 111 service relate to police response times, but the Commissioner has made it clear that his inquiry will be limited to practices within call centres,” says Mr Ryall.

ENDS

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Gordon Campbell: On the Sony cyber attack

Given the layers of meta-irony involved, the saga of the Sony cyber attack seemed at the outset more like a snarky European art film than a popcorn entry at the multiplex.

Yet now with (a) President Barack Obama weighing in on the side of artistic freedom and calling for the US to make a ‘proportionate response’quickly followed by (b) North Korea’s entire Internet service going down, and with both these events being followed by (c) Sony deciding to backtrack and release The Interview film that had made it a target for the dastardly North Koreans in the first place, then ay caramba…the whole world will now be watching how this affair pans out. More>>