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Archived Press Releases 2005 12th April 2005

Attempt to silence Sensible Sentencing Trust

(12th April 2005)

A memo ordering police stations to remove all brochures and information relating to the Sensible Sentencing Trust has triggered a blunt reaction from the Justice Watchdog organisation.

"This is just another slap in the face for Victims Rights and freedom of speech in this country", said Garth McVicar, national spokesman for the Sensible Sentencing Trust.

"In the four years of our existence we have been incredibly successful in bringing Victims Rights to the forefront of the law and order debate; and highlighting the weaknesses of the Criminal Justice system, and we have also enjoyed fantastic support from the police nationwide."

Police spokesman John Nielson confirmed that the order had gone to all police stations to remove any Sensible Sentencing Trust literature; he said this was based on the political nature of the Trust.

Mr McVicar said that was "absolute rubbish" and he had a sneaking suspicion that the recent exposure of problems within police management is the real reason behind the order to remove the brochures. We make no secret of the fact we support our police force, we want more police and less crime. Since when has that been political?

"I would have thought the central issue should be "safety of the community". Surely the public would be better served by the police hierarchy dealing with the staff shortage and internal problems such as low morale and the 111 problems than attacking us."

Accusing the Sensible Sentencing Trust of being political is simply an attempt to divert the attention from the deep seated problems surrounding law and order in New Zealand, said Mr McVicar.

Regards,

Garth McVicar
National Spokesperson,
Sensible Sentencing Trust.