Police protection orders work well, minister says
Police have issued more than 4000 domestic violence protection orders since July last year and the new law is a success, Police Minister Judith Collins says.
Police have issued more than 4000 domestic violence protection orders since July last year and the new law is a success, Police Minister Judith Collins says.
She told Parliament's law and order select committee today only 6.5 percent of the 4102 orders issued between July 1 last year and March 31 this year had been breached.
"This really does give police the tool to stop a situation getting out of hand, taking away the person who is becoming violent and before someone gets hurt," she said.
"And they don't necessarily end up losing their job, they get a nice quiet night in the cells."
The committee hearing covered a wide range of police issues and Ms Collins brought Commissioner Peter Marshall and senior officers with her.
A team of constables demonstrated their latest equipment, including pistols, rifles, tasers, pepper spray and ballistic and stab-proof armour.
Also on show was a new hand-held device which scans driver licences, delivers immediate information on the holder and issues tickets.
Ms Collins said 25,000 fewer crimes were recorded in 2010 compared with the previous year and public confidence in the police was at its highest level since records began.
Mr Marshall said the new law giving authorities the power to seize assets gained through crime was "really hurting" criminals.
He said that since December 2009, 275 cases had been referred to the Asset Recovery Unit and 87 percent involved drug dealing.
"The total value of assets that have been investigated since the Act came into place is $85.6 million," he said.
"We have 447 specific assets that have been identified, with residential properties worth $30.9m and an estimated $37.7m of assets are currently subject to restraining orders by the courts.”
NZPA
Thu, 16 Jun 2011
Thu, 16 Jun 2011
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Police protection orders work well, minister says
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