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National MP breaks ranks
Rick Barker - Labour List MP
27June 2006
National MP breaks ranks
Labour MP Rick Barker today congratulated National Tukituki MP Craig Foss for supporting the Labour - New Zealand First policy to strengthen community policing in the Hawke's Bay.
"New Zealand Police resources have been bolstered in the Bay with the allocation of six new front line police officers. Three of these will be based in Flaxmere," said local Labour MP Rick Barker.
"The announcement is the first step towards the goal to recruit 1250 more police, 1000 sworn and 250 non-sworn, over the next three years.
"Mr Foss has broken ranks to support the policy which in his own words will mean the 'few rat-bags who do not respect the law will now find it harder to operate,' (Hawkes Bay Today, 24 June 2006).
"It's a brave move from Mr Foss to break ranks with his colleagues who to this point have been very negative about the policy.
"Mr Foss talks a lot about increasing police numbers. Has he forgotten that in its last year in office National planned to cut police staff numbers by 500 and was only prevented from doing so by a change in government?
"The Labour led Government has invested heavily to keep our communities safe. We've put more cops on the beat and there are more on the way.
"We're making the safety of our communities a priority. Who can blame Craig Foss for supporting our vision!" said Rick Barker.
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