Police urged to improve victim support

Joseph Parker (left) and Beraiah Hales.

A Government review of police has highlighted the need for victims of crime to be treated better, citing the Roast Busters saga as evidence.

The Performance Improvement Framework review found police had predominantly maintained or improved their standards since the previous report in 2012, though question marks remained around their treatment of victims.

"Public concern regarding the 'Roast Busters' investigation has highlighted the need for police to meet public expectations regarding victim focus and treatment," the review said. "There is still more to be done to reinforce victim focus."

The "Roast Busters" are a group of predominantly West Auckland youths who bragged on the group's Facebook page about having sex with girls as young as 13.

Beraiah Hales and Joseph Parker are alleged to have been the ringleaders of the group, with the pair and several others under watch by police since late-2011 when a 13-year-old made a formal complaint about the youths.

To date, no one has been charged in relation to the allegations, due to a lack of evidence, while the police investigation continues.

However, the Performance Improvement Framework review finding has been taken on board by police, police commissioner Peter Marshall said. "Police is currently focusing a great deal of energy on improving the service provided to victims. We are also enhancing the functionality of mobility devices and increasing the use of alternative resolutions," he said.

A police spokesman added yesterday: "Among the work being done to improve our processes around victims are enhancements to police family violence notes made on files, as well as a future project to improve the recording and accessibility of family violence information to staff on their mobility devices."

Performance Improvement Frameworks are joint State Services Commission, Treasury and Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet initiatives to help improve the public sector. The review found police had generally "demonstrated strong performance" since 2012.