07 April 2005

Police Amendment Bill Will Double Police Numbers

New Zealand First law and order spokesperson Ron Mark is introducing a Private Members Bill that will double police numbers to ensure there is at least one police officer to every 400 people throughout the country.

Mr Mark’s Police Amendment Bill is aimed at ensuring that the number of sworn officers is increased annually in order to meet demand.

“There is nothing in the current Police Act 1958 that specifies how many sworn police officers should be employed to ensure the safety and security of our citizens and their property.

“While this was satisfactory in 1958, the increase in crime and drop in police numbers has meant legislative provisions to ensure police numbers are kept at adequate levels is an absolute must,” said Mr Mark.

“The Police Amendment Bill will amend section 5 of the Police Act to ensure that the Commissioner, in deciding the optimum number of sworn police, shall use as a benchmark the ratio of one sworn police officer to every 400 people throughout the country.

“This would make New Zealand’s police officer ratio to population very similar to Australia, the United States, England and Wales.

“The Police Amendment Bill will ensure that New Zealand will have the frontline police numbers, powers and resources to create safer communities.

“Contrary to the Government’s argument that there is not enough money to increase police resources, safer communities will end up costing us less,” concluded Mr Mark.

ENDS

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