There should be a law change to protect policemen involved in fatal shootings and the Government can do something about
it by supporting a private members bill in Parliament tomorrow, National's Justice spokesperson Wayne Mapp said today.
"Police officers are trained to use firearms to protect the public. They, and their families, deserve to have their
identity protected when they are involved in a fatal shooting.
"It is a year since the Waitara shooting. The Government has had plenty of time to consider what action should be taken
to protect the identity of a police officer involved in a fatal shooting but they have done nothing.
"National MP Paul Hutchison has drafted a private members bill that would grant name suppression to police officers
involved in a fatal shooting until the appropriate authorities had completed their investigations. The Bill has been in
the ballot for six months but has yet to be drawn. We will be seeking leave in Parliament tomorrow to have Dr
Hutchison's Bill heard.
"Mr Goff and Mr Hawkins can chose to put their vote where their mouth is if they are serious about protecting the
identity of police who are doing their job," Dr Mapp said.
Ends