Acting Police Commissioner Steve Long has reiterated that Police will not tolerate racially motivated hate crime and are continuing with active investigations into incidents earlier this year in Wellington.
Mr Long and Race Relations Commissioner, Joris de Bres, met this afternoon to receive a briefing on the investigations of crimes involving the Muslim and Jewish communities from the Wellington District Commander, Superintendent Rob Pope.
Mr de Bres said that he had received a very full briefing on the Wellington investigations and that he was confident that Police were making every effort to track down the perpetrators.
"It would be counter-productive for me to signal exactly where the Police are at with their investigations but I am satisfied that there is no lack of effort or resourcing on the part of Police to do everything that is possible."
On the issue of relationships with the Muslim community, Mr de Bres said he reinforced the need for close and regular liaison with the community and their representatives.
Acting Commissioner Long said he took on board Mr de Bres’ message which underscored the Police’s need for a strategic approach of how Police might best serve the diverse ethnic communities that now make up New Zealand society.
"Police are nearing completion of an Ethnic Strategy which has been widely consulted. The strategy will be considered by the Board of Police Commissioners shortly and should be approved and published by Christmas."
With regard to the Wellington situation, Superintendent Rob Pope said he would be pleased to work closely with the Office of the Race Relations Commissioner and the Human Rights Commission in fostering dialogue with the Muslim community over crime issues.
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