RON MARK MP

Media Release

3 July 2006

Mark Welcomes Support on Traffic Enforcement Separation

New Zealand first law and order spokesperson Ron Mark has welcomed the support of Police Association President Greg O’Connor for the separation of traffic enforcement from Police.

Mr O’Connor was reported today as stating that the reputation of the Police could be enhanced if traffic officers were distinguishable with different uniforms.

Mr Mark is sponsoring a Member’s Bill which would de-merge the Police and the traffic arms of enforcement.

In addition to this New Zealand First has secured an undertaking by the Government to evaluate the costs and benefits of de-merging traffic enforcement from the Police as part of its Confidence and Supply agreement.

“If it looks like there are quotas for traffic ticketing and it is reported as though there are quotas for traffic ticketing, then public perception will conclude that such a quota system is in place,” said Mr Mark.

“Public confidence in the Police has steadily eroded since the National Party merged traffic enforcement with Police in 1992. This sad state is exacerbated by stories of revenue gathering and must be urgently reversed. The separation of traffic duties from Police would go a long way to achieving this.

“Let’s allow the Police to concentrate on policing to the exclusion of all else, and remove the albatross of traffic enforcement from around their collective necks,” concluded Mr Mark.

ENDS

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