11 September 2005

National Follows Destiny NZ's Lead on Policing

Former South Auckland Police Sergeant and Destiny New Zealand Leader, Richard Lewis, says National's new policy to recover experienced police officers is a 'cut and paste' Destiny New Zealand Law & Order policy.

"Well over two years ago we identified the need to recover experienced officers to restore much needed experience and expertise to the frontlines as well as CIB investigation," says Mr Lewis.

To that end, Destiny New Zealand seeks to:

1. Increase police frontline staff by 1,300 with an immediate injection of 550 new staff, (A component of which to be former experienced officers) to achieve parity with other western nation police to population ratios

2.
Ensure Police have sufficient budget resource with flexibility to allocate that resource according to frontline demands

3. Pursue measures to recover experienced police officers in roles of serious crime investigation, response, training and mentoring

The party also aims to establish a national strategy to confront organised crime and the drug trade epidemic head on.

"I know a lot of former members have left out of sheer frustration with a government ignorant to the realities of policing and who might return under a police-friendly administration," he added.

ENDS

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