Simon Power
National Party Law & Order Spokesman

11 May 2006

Untrained civilians in police uniform a dangerous move

Having part-time, untrained, unqualified civilians on the streets in police uniform doing police work is extremely dangerous and misleading, says National’s Law & Order spokesman, Simon Power.

He is commenting on a report that police are putting civilians in uniform and paying them to perform low-level duties.

“It is dangerous to have people who could be mistaken for sworn and fully trained officers dealing with members of the public.

“If you are dressed like a police officer then the public expects you to have the same powers and training as one.

“The Minister of Police needs to assure the public that everyone who wears a police uniform has the ability and the knowledge to advise and protect them.

“How are members of the public going to be able to tell a real officer from a part-time one?

“I wonder if the Minister is aware just how serious this issue is. She should be allaying these very obvious concerns immediately.

“And what happens at night when these unsworn part-timers take their police uniforms home? How can we be sure they are not misusing them in some way?”

ENDS

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