Police Are Not Above The Law

David Garrett MP, ACT New Zealand
Wednesday, October 7 2009

ACT New Zealand Law & Order Spokesman David Garrett today accused the police of failing to enforce their own guidelines and placing themselves above the law.

"Police guidelines state that, when asked, police officers are legally required to either display or supply their badge number – yet this clearly is not occurring," Mr Garrett said.

"Last month, while attending a call-out in Khandallah, police used force against a teenager they mistook for a gatecrasher at an out-of-control party. During the incident, the teenager suffered broken vertebrae in his neck after being struck with a baton. When he asked for the officer's badge number, he was told to 'eff off' – in direct contradiction of long-standing and established police guidelines.

"This is totally unacceptable. Police are charged with upholding and enforcing the law and, as such, must be seen to adhere to it themselves. Recent events - such as those involving drunk driving - have dealt some blows to the public's trust in police and incidents like this will only detract from their credibility.

“We cannot have a police force whose members refuse to identify themselves – albeit by number. This is one of the characteristics of a police state.

"If New Zealanders are to have any confidence in the police's ability – and willingness – to keep them safe from criminals, they must not be seen to be acting like the very offenders they are supposed to be apprehending," Mr Garrett said.

ENDS

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