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New Zealand’s police chief has joined the country’s prime minister and security services in apologizing to those affected by the Christchurch terror attacks, saying: “We could have done more.”
The words come from the release of an 800-page Royal Commission report, which looked at whether the atrocity of March 15 last year could have been prevented.
Forty-four recommendations were made in the report and, while the commission said the attack could not have been prevented, it detailed the failures of the New Zealand police and Security Intelligence Service (NZSIS), pointing to the need for change. important.
Police Commissioner Andrew Coster apologized to those affected by the shootings, saying: “We could have done more. We apologize without reservation.
“The only information that could or should have alerted the police and other agencies to the attack was the email sent by the terrorist to parliament just eight minutes before the attack.”
Brenton Tarrant is serving life in prison without parole for attacks
Brenton Tarrant is serving a life sentence without parole, the harshest sentence imposed in New Zealand’s judicial history, for the murder of 51 people and the attempted murder of 40 others at two mosques in the city.
The report said that Tarrant, an Australian, had dedicated his life to planning the attack shortly after his arrival in New Zealand in August 2017.
He said he had displayed racist behavior from a young age, radicalizing himself with far-right views on those he considered a threat. But he was also described as someone who avoided social situations, had no close friends, and behaved in a way that did not raise suspicion.
Tarrant received a firearms license within three months of his arrival in New Zealand, but the report says the licensing process did not meet standards, with the semi-automatic weapons regulation described as lax, open to exploitation and played by him.
He had appointed two referees, a “friend” with whom he played online games, despite having been in his company for only 21 days in a decade of gaming; and the friend’s father, who had only seen him for seven days for four years.
Following the attacks and the resulting legislation, firearms collection points were set up throughout the country.
The report said the NZSIS had an inappropriate focus on the threat of Islamic extremist terrorism, but that was not the reason Tarrant went unnoticed.
“There was no way they would have detected it except by chance,” he said.
Rebecca Kitteridge, general director of the NZSIS, apologized to Muslim organizations that felt attacked and monitored by the security agency.
“That was not and is not the case, NZSIS should have done better in explaining our role to the community and listening to their concerns. I know a number of people have been bothered by this and I apologize.”
Those who produced the report received 1,168 submissions, and many survivors said they still do not feel safe in prayer and in their daily lives.
The government said it accepted the report’s findings and accepted the 44 recommendations in principle, appointing a minister to coordinate the government’s response and implement the changes.
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern encouraged New Zealanders to show unity after the attacks.
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said: “The commission made no findings that these issues would have stopped the attack. But they were both flaws nonetheless, and I apologize for that.”
Ms Ardern said: “Going forward, we must ensure a proper focus of resources on the range of threats facing New Zealand and enhance our security and intelligence, and social cohesion work.
“An apology would be hollow without action.”
Other changes announced by the government include the establishment of a Ministry of Ethnic Communities, a program for front-line police to handle hate crimes, the amendment of the Suppression of Terrorism Act to strengthen anti-terrorism legislation and the creation of a Police-led early intervention program for those showing early signs of radicalization.
Tarrant attacked two mosques in the South Island city of Christchurch
The report also revealed that Tarrant accidentally fired his gun on July 13, 2018, leaving a bullet hole in the ceiling of his apartment. He injured his right eye and thigh, requiring treatment at the Dunedin Hospital emergency department. Tarrant told them that a round of ammunition exploded while cleaning the barrel of a rifle.
Metal shards were removed from his eye and sent for X-rays of his leg, but no one, including hospital staff or the owner, reported the incident to police. The commission recommended that health officials be required to report firearm injuries to the police.
Other findings include the establishment of a new national intelligence security agency and six recommendations to review and improve New Zealand’s firearms licensing system.
The report also warned New Zealanders against complacency, saying the country “will never be immune to violent extremism and terrorism.”
“Even with the best systems in the world, a would-be determined terrorist could carry out an attack. But the government can do a lot, starting with greater transparency and openness with New Zealanders.
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