Police consumed by political management

National's Law and Order spokesman, Simon Power, says Labour's stewardship of the police force has seen it become consumed by political management, at the expense of fighting crime.

A police report, entitled 'Investigations: Management Plan' shows that responses to ministerial correspondence and parliamentary questions are given higher priority than homicides, serious drug offences and child abuse.

Mr Power says the report confirms that the police now prioritize in a very clinical way that is more about political management than addressing crime.

"Its no wonder the police had so much trouble under George Hawkins – they spent all their time bogged down doing his work for him.

"Parliamentary questions and ministerial correspondence are every day occurrences, fortunately homicides are not."

The report also shows that one in five Auckland police investigation files are unassigned.

"It is widely acknowledged that offenders who get away with minor criminal offences commit worse and worse offences until they are brought to justice," says Mr Power.

"National believes that criminals should not be allowed to get on this conveyor belt but should be stopped from the offset. This will never happen with police priorities the way they are.

"I hope that the new Police Minister will allow the police to get their priorities in order so that more crimes are solved and people can feel safe in their homes and communities."

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