Police call for public discussion on future of policing

Police Commissioner Howard Broad is calling for widespread public and community input on the government's discussion document Policing Directions in New Zealand for the 21st Century.

Released this week as part of the review of the Police Act 1958, the discussion document contains proposals to equip Police with a new Act. A Bill is scheduled to be introduced to Parliament before the end of the year.

Commissioner Broad encourages the public and Police staff to come to grips with the content which will help shape legislation to guide New Zealand policing for the future.

"While some parts of the 1958 Police Act remain useful today, new legislation needs to recognise that modern-day policing has changed a great deal.

"Compared to 50 years ago, today’s society is more open. Family and community relationships have evolved and technological advances and globalisation have brought high-speed communications, more outward-looking citizens, and new forms of crime which threaten people’s security.

"Because policing touches peoples' lives in many different ways, all Kiwis have a stake in how policing is organised and delivered," he says.

"Police has a unique place in society, and within our constitution. This underlines the importance of as many people as possible, from all walks of life, providing their views on what sort of policing they want and expect."

The discussion document is available on http://www.policeact.govt.nz

The website also outlines how you can provide input, including via an online form.

Hardcopies of the discussion document are being distributed to public libraries and police stations and will be available for reference at these locations in the week commencing 4 June 2007.

Summary versions of the discussion document are also available from the Police Act website in a range of languages.

Responses to the discussion document must be provided by 31 July this year.