MEDIA RELEASE
Date: 14 July 2008
Release Date: Immediate Release

Subject: icount says ‘More Police Please’

The icount Party is calling for an immediate increase in police numbers of 1000 sworn officers.

81% of icount members voted for the increase. The icount Party recognises that it is not just the number of police that will make a difference, but the support and systems they will have access to. The icount Party will work with the Police Association to ensure the number and culture of the Police is back on track.

Icount Party President Paul O’Connor doesn’t want to see police numbers artificially portrayed: “In the past governments have pulled stunts like joining the traffic in with the police to make up numbers or they have just not met promised targets. New Zealanders end up losing out."

“It is clear with recent murders and street protests that a large number of New Zealanders do not feel safe on a daily basis. Although nobody wants a police state, but the criminals seem to have the upper hand on the streets with the police coming a distant second."

One icount member’s recent blog captured icount’s view on policing: “The police force needs a thorough revamp if it is to meet the force of the criminal world."

It is estimated that the fiscal impact of the policy is estimated to be in the order of $150-200 million per year for the extra 1,000 officers and associated non-sworn staff. However, it would result in improvements in quality of life as well as lowering the incidence of crime (thus having a positive fiscal impact). This policy comes on top of two others that the icount Party has released over the past two weeks on the crack down on Class A drugs and gangs in New Zealand.

The icount Party is based on members having their say on issues, voting and then taking those votes directly to Parliament. The icount Party site can be viewed at www.icount.co.nz.

ENDS

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