Today's Budget will do little to address understaffing and low morale in the New Zealand Police Force, National's Police spokesman Tony Ryall said.

"In the Minister's own words all it does is 'maintain existing operations'.

"The $165.5 million over four years allocated to policing barely keeps pace with inflation. What New Zealander's want is more police on the beat - this Budget doesn't deliver.

"The Budget has no money for any extra police, just like last year. If the Government has put so much extra money into police, then why are there fewer police officers?

"This Government's police policy is to call 'none none none'.

"Two things reduce crime: the fear of being caught, and the fear of going to jail. This Budget does nothing to make crooks think there's a greater chance of being caught.

"Violent crime is the highest it has ever been in New Zealand and this budget shows that the Government has no plans to do anything about it.

"The only thing this money will do is allow police to 'maintain existing operations' and clear some of the backlog of DNA testing created by the Government's cutbacks. I suppose now the police can at least start using their cellphones again and stop sharing wet-weather gear!" Mr Ryall said.

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