26 January 2001

DUNNE CALLS FOR INDEPENDENT INQUIRY INTO WELLINGTON POLICING NEEDS

Ohariu Belmont MP and United Future leader, Hon Peter Dunne, wants an independent inquiry into Wellington policing needs, in the light of reports that a further 50 positions in the region are to go because of funding problems.

“This is a perennial issue – regardless of which Government is in power and who the Minister or Commissioner is, but I am not blaming the Police for what has happened.”

“At the same time, it is worth noting that overall Police funding is up this year, yet Wellington is still facing Police cutbacks.”

“It suggests to me there must be a more deep-seated problem in terms of allocating Police resources to Wellington, and I do not think it acceptable that the Wellington public and the Police themselves should have to endure endless reductions and cutbacks in service,” he says.

Mr Dunne says a full, independent inquiry into Wellington’s policing needs and how to meet them in the long term might be the best way of getting to the heart of the problem which has dogged the capital region for over a decade.

“One thing is clear, we cannot go on the way we are.”

“It is bad for Police morale and for public confidence.”

“A public inquiry, involving the Police and the community, could help restore sagging confidence and morale, as well as putting in place the mechanism to stop this situation being repeated next year and the year after.”

“Police cutbacks in Wellington seem to be becoming one of life’s few certainties,” he says.

Mr Dunne says he will be writing to Wellington Mayor Mark Blumsky and Hutt City Mayor John Terris to enlist their support.

Ends

MEDIA STATEMENT
HON PETER DUNNE MP
LEADER UNITED FUTURE NEW ZEALAND

Parliament Buildings, Wellington 1.
Tel (04) 471 9410 or (025) 469 808. Fax (04) 499 7266.
e-mail: peter.dunne@parliament.govt.nz. Internet Address: http://www.united.org.nz

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