Police Act up for review
by Angela Norton
Legislature governing how New Zealand police do their work is to be reviewed following almost five decades of use.
While the basic principles of policing are still the same, the Police Act (1958) review is a necessary step, as aspects of modern society have changed drastically over the past 50 years.
Senior Sergeant John Walker recently addressed the Blockhouse Bay Community Board with a presentation on Policing Directions in New Zealand for the 21st Century.
He says the current proposed ideas will strengthen police effectiveness in the communities.
Key themes for the review include further engagement of police in the communities, reinforcing the fundamental basis of policing, and reinforcing ethical behaviour.
The Act review will also address problems such as the ill-defined role of police in emergency management, which is an issue of public safety.
“If a gas line blows up on the street, we don’t actually have any statutory authority to go in and evacuate people out of the houses. If they say they don’t want to go, we can’t make them,” says Senior Sergeant Walker.
Board chair Lorraine Wilson says the board supports the Police Act review: “It’s not just the police’s problems we’re facing, it’s the community’s problems.”
The government now wants public feedback on what modern policing should be like, and is asking for opinions here before 31 July 2007.
For more information, visit: www.policeact.govt.nz