Speeches

Speech to Police Assn members

George Hawkins

16.03.2004

Good morning .

Thank you for the opportunity to talk to you today.

It’s three years since I became Police Minister and as we head into another election it’s timely to pause and reflect on what’s been achieved during the last three years.

Not exactly a time to stop and smell the roses, but at least have a look at how the land lies now, compared with three years ago.

I have to say it’s a pleasure to be able to speak to you at a time when New Zealand’s overall crime rate is at a 13 year low, and falling;

· when burglaries are at the lowest rate in 20 years, and falling

· when crime resolution rates are at 42 per cent, compared with 38 percent in 1999

· and at a time when new DNA legislation before the House could change the face of policing forever.

Three years ago things looked different.

Back in 1999 the crime rate was 1145 offences per 10,000 population. Now they’re just under 1100.

Burglary rates were nearly 200 per 10,000 population, now they’re at 156 per 10,000 population.

Back in 1999 the acronym everyone connected to the Police was INCIS.

Remember INCIS?

The $100 million IT stuff up – for want of a better description - that meant the police watched funds that should have gone to increasing staff, into building, vehicle and equipment replacement, into frontline staff, swallowed up.

The fallout from INCS had the National Government commissioning a review which recommended reducing police staff by 445 to try and save in the vicinity of $40m.

The National Government in its last term also intended to cut $24m from police baseline funding.

And I have that in a written question and answer from the now leader of the Opposition, Bill English.

You may remember he’s part of the same bunch that only this week said it would increase police numbers by 500 if elected.

Three years ago when I came into this job, the Police had endured what can only be described as a near decade of neglect .

Today it’s a different picture.

Since the Labour Government took over, sworn staff numbers have increased by 174 or 2.5 per cent.

Compared with 1999, there’s 272 more non-sworn staff - an increase of 15.6 per cent.

Attrition rates are a respectable 4.8 per cent.

· There’s a greater spread of ethnicity, ages, background and skills to reflect New Zealand’s increasingly multi-cultural and diverse society.

· There’s a new police recruitment campaign focusing on Maori, Pacific Island and female officers.

· We’ve introduced more than 30 iwi liaison officers.

· We’re now recruiting for the modern cadet scheme.

Three year’s on police are better paid.

Constables these days earn an average of $56,000 total remuneration annually. That’s in a country where the average fulltime wage earner takes home around $38,500 a year.

They even drive better vehicles.

By March 2002 Labour had committed over $40m to replace police vehicles – that equates to over 1000 extra vehicles for police on the beat, or nearly half the fleet.

So what have been the highlights of the past three years from my point of view?

First up: delivering increased funding:

· On top of the $95m provided over the last two years, Police received an extra $34m funding a year in last week’s budget,

· There’s an extra $34.5 million on top of the current baseline for each of the next two years.

· This increases the Police Vote from $847m in 1999-2000 to $960.8m for 2002-03 - an increase of 11.8 per cent.

· In last week’s budget we announced approximately $1m for counter terrorism initiatives, $0.6m for youth initiatives and $2.5m to address issues in Auckland districts.

· There’s now up to 60 non-sworn staff being recruited to the three Auckland Districts. They’ll be part of an Auckland package announced in April that also included ongoing expenditure of $2.5m for additional support for front-line police. Plus there’ll be a second radio channel in the area.

· Police ability to reduce youth offending and violent crime will be boosted by a further $625,000 next year and subsequent outyears.

· The Crime Prevention Unit also got a corresponding injection of funds to develop programmes directed at youth and violence in up to five high crime areas - including South Auckland and Auckland city.

· Labour has introduced a dedicated Highway Patrol. New Zealand’s road toll dropped to 453 in 2001 – the lowest rate since 1964.

· It’s honoured its pledge to better protect the public with a tough new bail regime.

· We’re tackling youth crime with a comprehensive youth offending strategy.

· We’ve also put through a new law increasing the minimum non-parole period from 10 to 17 years for the worst cases of murder.

· Our reaction to the terrible events of September 11 has been to introduce new initiatives to up Police’s counter terrorism capability.

· New positions within the Office of the Commissioner relating to terrorism intelligence and investigation will shortly be advertised.

· We’ve recently announced appointments of two Kiwis to liaison officer positions in London and Washington.

· And there’s additional or permanent staffing at six airports expected to be in place by the end of July.

· Ofcourse there’s more to do.

There’s always more challenges.

In my tenure as Minister I’ve been fortunate to have had the opportunity to travel overseas and view policing in other countries.

I am always heartened on these visits because of how well New Zealand police compares.

I acknowledge the leadership of the Commissioner in playing a major role in this outcome and the efforts of rank and file members of the organisation.

I believe this country’s police is a modern, effective, well disciplined organisation, backed by a Government willing to put the country’s money where the Police need the support.

I thank you all for your professionalism and dedication.

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