3 April 2007

Truly Independent Complaints Authority and Apology Needed

A sustained effort is needed to restore credibility and confidence in the police as a result of the uncovering of an historic culture of abuse and violence in certain sections of the police force, the Green Party says.

The Greens are calling for urgent action to be taken to ensure any newly established Independent Police Complaints Authority will be truly independent and able to proactively initiate investigations.

"The impression has been created that police are reluctant to take action against other members of the force. The new Police Complaints Authority must be made independent in practice, not just in name, so police are no longer in the position of investigating complaints of their own members," Green Party Women's Affairs Spokesperson Sue Kedgley says.

The Green Party has long called for a genuinely independent Police Complaints Authority, to be developed alongside an independent Prison Inspectorate. Combining these two bodies would give both groups real investigative power, streamline resources and be more efficient than the current model.

"Most New Zealanders never see this face of the police but for some, and in particular those least able to stick up for themselves, police abuse of power is a reality," Green Party Justice spokesperson Nandor Tanczos says.

"The only way to ensure that it really is history is to ensure a robust system to investigate complaints and to proactively sniff out corruption and abuse," Nandor says.

Ms Kedgley is also calling for an apology from the police for historic wrongdoings.

"It is essential that senior police officers make it clear they deplore the culture of violence and abuse that permeated certain sections of the police force, and apologise for the harm this caused to the women involved.

"People's trust and confidence in the force has been badly shaken. This will have long term repercussions for the force unless decisive steps are taken to restore people's confidence. Until they apologise, many will perceive that the culture within the police force hasn't really changed," Ms Kedgley says.

"Further changes are needed to protect rape victims in courts and to make it easier for people to lay complaints against the police." Ms Kedgley says.

ENDS

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