Media Release
For Immediate Release
1 April 2011
More Police, Less Crime

Big drops in recorded crime in 2010 are a direct result of investment in police resources in recent years, Police Association President Greg O’Connor said today.

“It is no coincidence that these falls follow the massive boost in Police resources of more than 1000 officers since 2006. Neither is it any coincidence that the biggest falls have been in Auckland, where Counties-Manukau has had an additional 300 police added since 2009,” Mr O’Connor said.

“For the first time in many years, police are now able to act proactively across a range of areas including organised crime and methamphetamine, instead of being constantly short-staffed and able to do little more than rush from one emergency call to the next.

“These crime statistics are proof the investment in Police delivers a huge public safety benefit, and are also proof that Police resources are being used effectively and efficiently. The result is a huge credit to all Police officers and staff,” Mr O’Connor said.

However, Mr O’Connor warned that the gains of recent years could very quickly be lost if public sector budget cuts target Police.

“The gains we see in these crime stats are extremely fragile. We have to be very careful that we don’t undo the good work by turning Police’s attention inwards in search of budget cuts, as happened to enormously destructive effect during the late 1990s,” Mr O’Connor said.

ENDS

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