Collins backs pistols in all police cars

File photo / The Aucklander

Police Minister Judith Collins says she supports the idea of lock boxes for pistols in all police vehicles.

Speaking at the Police Association conference in Wellington today, Ms Collins said the July shooting of two officers in Christchurch had highlighted the risk to police from armed offenders.

Police Commissioner Howard Broad is working on a report into police access to firearms, including the possibility of having guns in lock-boxes in every frontline police vehicle.

The proposal has been described by the Police Association as a "minimum step" to counter violence against police officers; nine police officers have been shot in the past two years, two fatally.

Ms Collins said she would support any recommendation to put lock boxes for pistols in all police vehicles.

"I'm not convinced we are at that point where we should routinely arm officers, but I do agree that our officers need faster and easier access to firearms."

However Ms Collins said she did not support the idea of officers wearing guns at schools, in malls, or in places where they had a lot of contact with the community.

Mr Broad is due to report his findings by the end of the year.

Drug trade

Ms Collins also told the conference new police powers to intercept gang communications, dismantle gang fortifications and seize property from criminals had affected the drug trade in New Zealand

"They've closed down clan labs, seized proceeds of crime and intercepted record amounts of methamphetamine," she said.

"As at the end of August, $29.7 million worth of assets had been restrained under the Criminal Proceeds (Recovery) Act. An estimated $30.6 million worth of assets are being investigated as a result of methamphetamine offending. Police are holding a further $7.8 million worth of assets that were seized under other legislation.

"There was a 15 per cent increase in methamphetamine related offences this year compared to the two previous years and a 17 per cent increase in apprehensions across the same period.

She said the number of clan labs closed down was also up.

"The amount of methamphetamine seized in 2010 to 30 July represents a 140 per cent increase compared to the same period in 2009.

"One thing is for sure - being a major drug supplier is not as easy and not as profitable it once was thanks to the outstanding work of New Zealand police."

- NEWSTALK ZB and NZ HERALD STAFF