Unrealistic to double police, say parties

Winston Peters is sticking to his pledge to double frontline police numbers in five years, even though his figures suggest it could cost $600 million.

Mr Peters says New Zealand First's election promise will put policing needs back on to a First World level.

And he says parties which fail to say how much their promises will cost, or how many police they want, are simply on the "law and order bandwagon" this election.
But his political rivals in Labour and National say his numbers are unrealistic.

Police Minister George Hawkins says a lot more officers are not necessary. "You can have more people if you want to lower standards."

At least four parties - National, NZ First, United Future and Act - have an eye on international policing ratios in setting their manifesto promises this election.

According to Police Association figures, New Zealand is the poor cousin of other English-speaking Commonwealth nations when it comes to police numbers.

The ratio of one officer for 554 people falls well below Australia's ratio of 1:427.

However, even that ratio may be envied in some police districts.

A breakdown of the Counties Manukau police plan, listed on the police website, shows that district, which has one of the country's highest crime rates, has a ratio of 1:675 sworn officers to the "unofficial" population total.

When the district is broken down into areas, the ratios worsen - there is just one sworn police officer for every 1454 people in Counties Manukau East, made up of Howick, Pakuranga, Beachlands and Otara.

The police plan notes the burgeoning youth population and the ever- increasing amount of crime committed by juveniles which "will require future preventative mitigation".

Barriers to recruitment in Auckland include the salary level, cost of housing and stresses of working conditions caused by under-resourcing.

Mr Peters says if society is to be stabilised and secure, extra police and co-operation between the police and other agencies is necessary.

National's police spokesman, Tony Ryall, says his party would work with the Police Commissioner to determine extra numbers.