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Archived Press Releases 2002 June 14th

URGENT CHANGE OF LEGISLATION CALLED FOR

(14th June 2002)

Sensible Sentencing Trust believes there is adequate current legislation to protect the public from rogue police, but there is no such legislation to protect our Police from rogue members of the public, said National Spokesperson, Garth McVicar.

The private prosecution of constable A is proceeding for no other reason other than one party will not accept the findings of an independent inquiry. While we obviously feel for the family who have lost their son, for the sake of our Nation we must encourage individual accountability and responsibility. The law should be there for the majority of the citizens of this country, said Mr. McVicar.

We urge the Government to urgently introduce legislation to give our Police Protection from fear of prosecution when having to shoot someone in the line of Duty. As New Zealand's violent crime rate hits record levels the Public need to feel confident that the police have adequate resources and powers to deal with the violent, volatile situations confronting them on a daily basis today.

If New Zealanders want to be safe on our streets and in our homes we need to support our police more than ever right now, said Mr. McVicar.

Regards,

Garth McVicar
National Spokesperson,
Sensible Sentencing Trust.