By TONY WALL
Frontline Auckland police officers guarding the Prime Minister's home overnight instead of patrolling the streets is a waste of already stretched resources, say some staff.
One of three incident cars designated for night-time emergency response in the western part of the city has been diverted to Helen Clark's Mt
Eden villa at least seven times this month.
The Herald was alerted to the situation by a disgruntled policeman who has had to sit in a car outside the villa all night.
A senior detective said there was a staffing crisis in Auckland and police could ill-afford to have precious resources diverted into bodyguard work.
But Police Commissioner Rob Robinson said he had been assured that night-time coverage in Auckland City was adequate.
The extra protection for the Prime Minister follows two security scares in the past month.
A Sunday newspaper printed a map pinpointing the location of her home, and a group calling itself the Maori Republican Army wrote a threatening letter warning Helen Clark to prepare for civil war and "to meet your fate."
The Herald understands that since then, when the PM is in Auckland, general duties police officers have been seconded to take over from the understaffed Diplomatic Protection Squad at 11 pm until morning.
They are issued with guns, wear plainclothes, and use an unmarked car.
