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Needs to reassure public on officers who break law
Chester Borrows MP
National Party Police Spokesman
30 July 2008
King needs to reassure public over officers who break law
Police Minister Annette King should reassure the public that police officers who break the law are dealt with openly and transparently, says National’s Police spokesman, Chester Borrows
He is commenting after a police officer was given a $150 traffic ticket for an unsafe lane change after performing a U-turn on a highway and writing off a following car, injuring the driver to the extent that he required two days off work and months of physiotherapy.
“That is a very dangerous manoeuvre, but all the officer got was an infringement notice for an incorrect lane change.
“Either driver could have been killed.
“How can it be appropriate for an offence to attract only a traffic ticket when a member of the public committing the same offence would almost certainly have been charged with careless use of a motor vehicle or careless use causing injury, resulting in a fine, disqualification, or even imprisonment?
“It seems to me this officer got off more lightly than a member of the public would have, and Annette King needs to explain.
“She should also explain why the owner of the car has not been compensated by police six months later.
“The public needs to know that police who break the law are dealt with in the same way members of the public are dealt with.”
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