Keep NZ Police On Shore Says Mark

New Zealand First law and order spokesperson Ron Mark says the Government’s decision to deploy police to Bamyan in Afghanistan, despite being advised against it, raises serious questions about how it chooses to manage police resources.

Mr Mark’s comments follow the release of Cabinet papers which advised against sending officers to Bamyan because of other priorities for New Zealand Police.

“Domestic responsibilities and limited resources were two of the issues highlighted in the Cabinet papers considering police deployment to Bamyan. These are very clearly issues of great importance, given the current problems police are facing.

“Despite a shortage of frontline police and calls to give regional security in the Pacific region higher priority, the Government made the decision to ignore recommendations not to send officers to Bamyan.

“It seems the Government has engaged in a public relations exercise aimed at getting us back onside with the US when they should be concentrating on fixing the overwhelming problems police are facing here,” said Mr Mark.

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