Weapons drama unfolds outside university

Auckland students watched as police arrested three men travelling in a car reported to be carrying weapons, including firearms, in the inner city today.
Dozens of students gathered outside the AUT Tower on the corner of Rutland and Wakefield streets as the drama unfolded about 1.30pm.
Police later said the car, a silver and black Toyota Altezza, [...]

Cops need better protection, says Police Association

A higher level of protection for police is needed after nearly half of all frontline officers were threatened with a weapon last year, says the Police Association.
Association president Greg O’Connor is demanding all officers are equipped with taser guns which the police have been gradually introducing since August last year.
“The roll out of [...]

Cannabis campaigner arrested five times in two and a half weeks

A candidate in the upcoming Mt Albert by-election has been arrested five times in the last two and half weeks and says he is being “victimised” by police for his views on cannabis.

Dakta Green is standing for the The Aotearoa Legalise Cannabis Party in the by-election on June 13.

The Mt Albert [...]

Police call central city ’safe’

Increased presence by central police and security firms is decreasing the amount of alcohol-related violence in the city.
Auckland City and  the police are trying to work with nightclub owners to promote healthier drinking.
Inspector Andrew Coster, area commander for Auckland city central police, believes large numbers of visitors and alcohol abuse account for the majority [...]

Bottom line: Asians want to feel protected

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The police, the law, the murders, the dairy owners and us Asians.
I’ve been living in New Zealand for the past eight months. Having read the papers about recent crimes, I have wondered if Asians have been targeted because of their ethnicity? And whether calls by recent immigrants for tougher laws are based on personal experiences [...]

Editorial: Rebels with a Righteous Cause

Why do I support the actions of the Dominion Post in printing secretly recorded conversations in the so-called Tuhoe “terror” arrests? It’s a long story.
When Alexander Graham Bell sought to raise money for his invention of the telephone he was prosecuted for fraud.
“Who would want to speak to someone over a wire?” they mocked. But [...]

Critics: Cameras on tasers no use

Taser guns retro-fitted with video cameras will soon be in the hands of frontline police – but questions are being asked about how useful the taser camera footage will be.
Social justice activist Simon Oosterman said of the camera-equipped tasers: “It is a PR tactic to deal with public concern. You can still harm someone, [...]

Police act as ‘24-hour social agency’

Police resources are being stretched as officers often have to act as psychologists for mental health patients who can’t cope, according to an Auckland police officer.
Senior Sergeant Graeme Porter from Glen Innes police station says police are the last 24-hour social agency, unlike other agencies that operate within limited hours.
But University of Auckland psychology lecturer Dr [...]

Protest over Tuhoe terror raids as hearings begin

Demonstrations are being planned around the world urging police to ‘Drop the Charges’ against the 20 people arrested during last year’s Tuhoe terror raids.
In Auckland, Wellington, and Melbourne, supporters will take to the streets, while in Vancouver, Canada, there will be a special film screening of Tuhoe: A History of Resistance.
The protests are in response [...]