Editorial: Checks should be free

Police checks for people who will be in charge of children are an important vehicle for prevention.

It is a sad state of affairs when it becomes necessary for anyone who works with children to have background checks done on them.

The Vulnerable Children's Act, which came into force on July 1, requires all new workers in state-funded jobs who may be alone with children, or have primary responsibility for them, to be vetted by police.

It seems crazy that a parent can't volunteer to help out by coaching a school sports team without having a police check carried out but unfortunately that's the state of the world we now live in.

I did initially wonder if it had gone too far but, given further thought, I don't think it has.

We can't be too careful with our children. Most parents and volunteers will come back with a clean record but it's worth it for the odd person who could be a threat to the kids.

You see a lot working in journalism and I never cease to be surprised by the number of high-profile, seemingly trustworthy people who pop up in court facing charges which are often related to the abuse of children.

Linked to that is the Cost Recovery Bill which is going through Parliament. It looks set to allow police to charge for background checks.

That, I believe, is a mistake.

It is a hugely important role that the police play.

It would cost schools and non-profit organisations thousands to pay for all the police checks they need.

It's a cost many of them will struggle to afford and keeping them free is one way the Government can support the groups which do such valuable work in the community.

On top of that, police checks fit right into the New Zealand Police "prevention first" operating strategy.

The aim is to be doing everything possible to prevent crime rather than just respond to it - it seems to me police checks do just that. The police should see it as an opportunity to keep the country's children safe and prevent them becoming victims of those who are supposed to be looking out for them.