06 April 2005

Police Minister Has Detectives Issuing Tickets

New Zealand First law and order spokesperson Ron Mark says police cannot resolve the growing number of unallocated criminal cases because detectives are still being diverted from investigative duties to traffic policing.

Mr Mark has rejected claims from the Police Minister and Police Commissioner that frontline staff are not being pulled off their normal investigative duties to increase traffic duties when they fall below their ticket revenue quota.

“A detective has confirmed to me in writing that staff are actually being redirected to man traffic checkpoints when they should be working on criminal cases.

“Traffic policing has now taken priority as a core function for investigators, and the backlog of unallocated crime files is the result,” said Mr Mark.

“When disillusioned and fed-up police staff are actually coming forward to express concern it is clear the problem is acute and that the Government is denying them the staff they need to combat crime.

“No amount of statistical manipulation or investigations into botch-ups will hide the fact that police are crying out for extra resources.

“Without an increase in police numbers and a return to serious crime fighting we risk both losing valuable police officers and endangering public safety.

“Police are being let down by a Minister and Commissioner who are clearly out of touch with the reality of frontline police duties,” concluded Mr Mark.

ENDS

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