Police Commissioner must clarify position

National Party Leader Don Brash says Police Commissioner Rob Robinson must make it clear whether or not he has asked for more resources.

“Police Minister George Hawkins has said the Commissioner has got the resources he needs.

“Either the Commissioner has not asked – in which case he should – or he has got them and is using them badly, which is his responsibility.

“Either way, the Commissioner needs to make it clear,” says Dr Brash.

“He owes it to the country to explain what advice he has given the Minister.”

Dr Brash told a National Party regional conference in Palmerston North there was ample evidence now that the police do not have the resources they need.

“How else can Mr Hawkins explain the more than 2,000 unallocated cases throughout the country as of two weeks ago - some of which were for serious crimes, including rape?

“National will increase police numbers and will amend Labour’s heavy-handed traffic policing demands in their contract with police.

“Revenue gathering should get a lower priority than serious violence and emergencies,” Dr Brash says.

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