Media release
For immediate Release
*National Cops It*
24 June 2008
Today Young Labour challenged National on its most recent announcement about police numbers in New Zealand.
National's justice spokesperson Simon Power said his party would increase the ratio of police to New Zealanders to
1:500. Currently we have a 1:504 ratio which means National's policy is to increase the size of the police force by 0.8%
increase, or 65 new officers.
"National should stop trying to fool people that they are tough on crime, 65 new police officers is a pathetic goal for
New Zealand," says Young Labour President Eric Goddard.
Since the 2005 the Government has delivered on its promise to put 1000 new cops on the beatCR. Those are the kind of
results New Zealanders have come to expect under Labour and they won't be impressed with National's hollow promise.
"This is typical of National's current lack of policy, they've managed to make a ridiculous 65 cop promise sound like a
real policy," says Mr Goddard. " The public deserves better from a major political party with just five months to go
until the general election. Just what is National trying to hide?"
ENDS