PM attends Association's 75th Annual Conference - New Zealand ...

PoliceNewsThe Voice of PolicePolice Minister Collins tells conference:“This Government is right behind you”By Steve Plowman, Editor, Police NewsMinister of Police Judith Collins opened the75th Annual Conference by saying that whileshe did not always see eye to eye with thePolice Association’s stance, she did share acommon wish with the organisation in termsof wanting Police to be “safe, well-equipped,well-trained and well supported.”Later, she lent her support to the PoliceAssociation’s call to have Norwegian-stylelockboxes in the front of patrol cars to giveofficers easier access to a firearm should it berequired.Ms Collins said Commissioner of PoliceHoward Broad had been working on proposalsthat will ensure officers have better access tofirearms and he will be reporting back to herby the end of the year.Routine armingWhile Ms Collins was “not convinced we areat that point where we should routinely armofficers, I do agree that our officers needfaster and easier access to firearms.”Having said that, she said she did not wantto see officers wearing guns in schools, inmalls or where they have a lot of communitycontact.“One of the things that makes our police thebest is the style of policing we have here inNew Zealand. Our men and women in blueare not seen as enforcers, but as people whoare there to help and protect other people.As New Zealand has grown, our police havestayed close to the communities and thepeople they serve. I certainly think that thefact that our officers are not routinely armedis a major part of the excellent relationshipbetween the Police and public,” the Ministertold conference.Staff engagementMs Collins said she wanted staff to be“engaged and feel they have a rewardingfuture with the New Zealand Police” andfor staff to have the “trust, respect andconfidence of the public.”Police could count on the backing of theGovernment. The Government realised thatthe Police represent “our frontline defenceagainst crime.”Ms Collins said that criminal behaviour is likea tax on the entire economy.“A society with low crime is generally moreproductive, happier, more cohesive andhealthier than one that has high levels ofcrime,” she told conference delegates.Law and order was one of the “mainpriorities” for the Government and in thatregard she said it had, over the last twoyears, “taken some big steps to lower theamount of crime in this country”.“One of the things that makes ourpolice the best is the style of policingwe have here in New Zealand. Ourmen and women in blue are not seenas enforcers, but as people whoare there to help and protect otherpeople. As New Zealand has grown,our Police have stayed close to thecommunities and the people theyserve. I certainly think that the factthat our officers are not routinelyarmed is a major part of the excellentrelationship between the Police andpublic.”- Minister of Police Judith Collins gives herview on the arming debateShe said new laws to toughen sentences,parole and bail for violent offenders, coupledwith the ‘three strikes’ law will keep the worstrepeat violent offenders behind bars – “wherethey can’t harm the public – for longer”.Staff increasesThe Police Minister said a further 300 officerswill be on duty around the country by theend of next year – bolstering the extra 300already making a difference to Counties-Manukau.Other initiatives to help the Police in the fightagainst crime included new tools, including720 new Tasers and a new power to DNAtest offenders arrested for a wider range ofoffences.Ms Collins drew parallels between organisedcrime and an increased risk of corruptionand how new powers for Police such asthe increased ability to intercept gangcommunications, dismantle gang fortificationsand seize property from criminals was helpingPolice “make life a misery for New Zealand’sunderbelly”.“One thing is for sure - being a major drugsupplier is not as easy and not as profitableas it once was thanks to the outstanding workof New Zealand Police,” Ms Collins said.Ms Collins said she was “encouraged” byrecent downward crime trends.Enormous effort“I would like you to know that thisGovernment is aware of the enormous effortby Police that has gone into this result,” shesaid in offering her congratulations to all NewZealand Police staff.Ms Collins said that when she talks tocommunity groups she tells them that NewZealand Police are the best in the world.“If they look doubtful about that, I ask themwhich Police service they would rather have.No-one has ever suggested a better one tome,” she said.The Minister said the “terrible shooting of LenSnee, Bruce Miller and Grant Diver in Napier”was difficult for every member of NZ Police.“Yet the response during the event, and after,showed the sort of cool-headed commitmentto duty and public safety that we have cometo expect,” she said.Humbled“The outpouring of support for SeniorConstable Snee’s colleagues and family fromwithin Police was truly humbling,” she added.The recent Canterbury earthquake wasfurther evidence of police officers at theirbest. “Staff whose houses were damagedin the earthquake turned up to work, andothers rang in offering to cancel leave to help.Police were inundated with offers of help fromstaff around the country,” Ms Collins tolddelegates.Ms Collins, who had just returned fromBamyan in Afghanistan when she attendedthe conference, said she had spoken toAfghan Government and Police officials whilethere and they were unanimous in theirpraise for the outstanding work done by the310December 2010