President's Column - Assaults on Police
“We have specialist groups at Police headquarters co-ordinating responses to every problem emanating from society. It is time we implemented a high level response to the problem of serious attacks on police - other than hospital visits.”
What are we actually doing about assaults on police?
The Police Minister and other commentators are talking about increasing penalties while editorials and other commentators have a burst of indignation following the latest brutal assault, usually about a day’s worth, and you hear a lot of “who’d be a cop?” from among the concerned but helpless public.
But what are we actually doing? Have any of us noticed changes to work practices? Have any of the recommendations of the Operations managers, who were brought together last year, been resourced or implemented? Or have the administration collectively shrugged their shoulders and essentially determined that it’s all part of the job.
Two very different outcomes from very similar cases highlight the lack of consistency. A Canterbury rural officer confronted by two offenders while alone was charged with assault for punching an offender to subdue him.
The charge was rightly thrown out by the court under the rarely used section 346 of the Crimes Act.
A Waiouru officer was badly beaten in a very similar situation, but presumably would likely have faced similar charges had he attempted pre-emptive action.
These cases highlight the absolute tightrope we walk when deciding how far we can go to establish the necessary control.
With the exception of the District Commander who publicly stated his troops should punch, scratch or bite their way out of trouble if attacked, the only really consistent response has been to say a firearm would not have made any difference.
Criminals are emboldened by a tentative approach. Emboldened criminals are empowered criminals and are not only dangerous to police officers, but also to the good people who have to live in their sphere of intimidation.
We can talk all the ‘community policing-speak’ we like; but if the public don’t think the cops are safe, they won’t feel safe themselves.
We have specialist groups at Police headquarters co-ordinating responses to every problem emanating from society.
It is time we implemented a high level response to the problem of serious attacks on police - other than hospital visits.
