DESTINY NEW ZEALAND PARTY
PRESS STATEMENT FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
18 FEBRUARY 2005
DESTINY NZ GIVES POLICE POLICY PRIORITY
"When it comes to genuine political support for policing, only someone who has 'been there' will take crime in our
country seriously," says ex NZ Police Sergeant and leader of Destiny NZ, Richard Lewis.
Destiny NZ law and order policies give priority to (1) boosting police numbers by 1,300 to achieve parity with
Australian police/public ratios, (2) focus staffing and resources onto the frontlines and (3) developing a comprehensive
national strategy to combat organised crime, gang and drug offending.
"Unlike the current Police Minister who is completely ignorant to the realities of frontline policing, I know what it is
like to do the hard yards without staff and resources week in and week out. It is time to give genuine relief and
support to those men and women we mandate to fight crime." says Lewis.
Lewis noted that New Zealand currently has a ratio of one officer per 522 people, the worst ratio in seven Western
nations.
ENDS