THE FAMILY PARTY

www.familyparty.org.nz

Political leadership collapse in South Auckland

9 July 08| The Family Party is calling on Government to explain why core policing should be offloaded on local councils.

Leader Richard Lewis says reports that Manukau City Council is considering paying private patrols to do police work is a clear vote of no confidence in the Government and its ability to keep South Auckland communities safe.

"On Saturday 15,000 locals took to the streets in Botany Downs in a vote of no confidence in the Government's ability to keep communities safe. The MCC is effectively doing the same by turning to its own devices to create their own police force," says Mr Lewis.

A former South Auckland police sergeant, Mr Lewis says Labour's Manukau, Mangere and Manurewa MP's have failed to recognise and respond to policing demands in the area and have nothing to show for nearly a decade of representation.

"This situation reflects very poorly on Labour's South Auckland MP's, who after nearly a decade of political representation have failed to keep abreast of frontline policing demands; abusing the goodwill of hard working police officers who are desperately trying to plug the gaping hole. The situation demands change, starting at the top," says Mr Lewis.

Mr Lewis points to a recent police survey which showed police felt they were over-worked, under resourced, and didn't have a great deal of trust in the organisation to treat them fairly. http://www.policeassn.org.nz/communications/press_release.htm

Richard Lewis is standing for the Manukau Electorate in the coming Election.

ENDS

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