Police concerned about giving DNA samples

All police officers may be asked to provide DNA samples in a move which has the Police Association worried.

The association said a suggestion DNA samples should be taken from recruits could be extended to all serving police officers.

The recruit suggestion came after a recruit's fingerprints linked him with a serious assault in Christchurch three years ago. The recruit was charged with assault.

Neither the recruit nor the wider proposal had been approved, said the Police Association.

Taking DNA samples would eliminate police from crime scenes and ensure no convicted criminals got into the police.

The law allows DNA samples to be taken only from convicted criminals and criminal suspects.

Police Association president Greg O'Connor said they did not want to protect anyone from using DNA as a crime-fighting tool but they wanted to be sure police officers had the same protection as private citizens. Making DNA samples compulsory from police would jeopardise that.

Mr O'Connor said the association had yet to decide on a firm policy on DNA.

"We are just keen to ensure our people have the same protection and the same rights as every other member of the public.

"If it becomes compulsory for any group other than criminals or criminal suspects, that's a right police officers are giving up that everyone else has."

He said there were many professions where it was important people with criminal pasts were kept out.

If police were to be ordered to supply DNA the same could be applied to judges, lawyers and members of Parliament.

He said the association had yet to decide if it would accept compulsory DNA provided guidelines were in place.

"No decision has been made. We are still negotiating," he said.

"It is just a proposal."

- NZPA