A programme for delivering specific briefings to expand on issues raised in this document and on further topics that the Minister may indicate is suggested. It is recommended those briefings be scheduled at your convenience over the next month or two. Any special topic briefings can be prepared and delivered on request.
The 1987 Ministerial Committee of the Inquiry into Violence led by Justice Roper described family violence as "the cradle for the perpetuation of violence and crime in the community". It is estimated that up to 80 percent of all violence is family-based.
Police are currently preparing the next information and communications technology strategic plan and the Minister's input will be sought. The police information technology position has been considerably strengthened over the past four years, as more modern infrastructure and new applications have been put in place.
Government is committed to combat terrorism and to strengthen post-conflict capacity in a number of parts of the world. Whereas the defence force has traditionally been the primary focus for deployment in these roles, attention has increasingly turned to using civilian police, recognising the need for a stable law and order environment for the achievement of other civil infrastructure development, including aid delivery.
Crime patterns are changing and police is facing increasing requests for international engagement on issues affecting national security, trans-national crime and regional security. For example, New Zealand is moving towards sustained importations of "ice" methamphetamine driven by organised criminals, dominated by ethnic Chinese.
Community policing takes time and long-term commitment, and once engaged there is a reasonable expectation from the community of police action on the concerns raised. This is an area where we assess we have lost ground in some metropolitan areas over the past decade, as we have focused on targeted crime reduction.
People call for police when they have a problem and they need our help. Each day we receive nearly 1,500 calls made on the 111 system and over 2,500 non-emergency calls. Providing a professional officer with the appropriate people skills, training and tools to each event is our most important daily task. The timeliness and quality of police response is an area where a challenge has been laid for us.
Police are the cornerstone of Government's community safety relationship. Police interact with the public more widely, more frequently, and often more personally than any other justice agency or law enforcement body. The reality is that, police will only be as successful in reducing crime and providing community reassurance as the staff and tools available for problem-solving, investigating and bringing offenders to justice. The complex policing environment that we face requires a body of sworn officers and civilians who have the necessary skills and attributes to meet the challenge.
