Richard Prosser MP
Spokesperson for Police

18 May 2012

Frontline Policing To Suffer Under Latest Cuts

New Zealand First says Government cuts to Police support staff will impact on frontline officers who are already under enough pressure to make our streets safe.

Police spokesperson Richard Prosser says the loss of 125 non-sworn support jobs will see frontline Police focused on administrative duties instead of patrolling the streets and responding to call outs.

“They will be tied up doing endless paperwork instead of being out catching criminals who cause havoc around the country.

“Despite Police Headquarters protestations, things like investigating burglaries and other property crimes will by necessity take longer.

“Police will have to prioritise call outs. It will end up in even bigger delays for those affected by crime.”

Mr Prosser says the Government should not be snipping around the edges of the Police force in some misguided belief that it will save money.

“Lumbering Police with more administrative duties will lead to a rise in crime rates which will cost the country dearly.

“Policing is an area Government should be putting more resourcing into, not less,” says Mr Prosser.

ENDS

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