Tony Ryall National Police Spokesman
9 May 2001
No change for thin blue line
Today's police recruitment 'announcement' adds up to smoke and mirrors and little change for frontline policing,
National's Police spokesman Tony Ryall said.
"The Minister is just announcing an advertising campaign to get police numbers to where they would have been if the
Government hadn't cut frontline police numbers to save money.
"At best guess, it will be at least another 18 months before these people are on the beat.
"The police need to recruit around 400 officers every year to replace officers retiring or leaving the force.
"Because of this year's cancelled recruitment wings and low police morale, there's currently 241 vacancies in police
stations around the country*.
"No doubt Mr Hawkins' announcement also includes the 120 recruits being sought in this financial year and announced last
month.
"So it all adds up to smoke and mirrors and the status quo," Mr Ryall said.
Ends
*Written question 004216