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Those looking for more cops came to the right police store.
NZ First has unveiled plans to introduce new “cowardly punch” laws, American-style murder grades and 1,000 new police officers.
Winston Peters’ smorgasbord of crime announcements, with an Auckland police station as a backdrop, came out of nowhere on Wednesday.
Peters said his party would increase the number of police officers by another 1,000 officers over the next three years. This is in addition to the more than 2,200 new officers trained this period, he said.
Ricky Wilson / Stuff
Winston Peters announces the policy in front of a police station in Auckland.
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Earlier, the Labor-led government agreed with NZ First to “strive” to increase the force by 1,800 officers in addition to departing officers.
It was unclear whether the 2200 reached the net gain of 1800, although it did exceed the 1800 new officers target, without taking attrition into account, also set for the period.
Peters said the party would introduce a mandatory minimum prison sentence of six months for anyone who seriously assaulted the police or any other first responder.
There was “tons of evidence” that first responders were attacked every day.
PINK WOODS / THINGS
Police Association President Chris Cahill says the police are unlikely to have trouble finding enough suitable new officers.
The reality was that attacks on these front-line protectors, nurses, particularly women, needed to stop, he said.
The new cowardly punching law would introduce “severe penalties”, with a mandatory minimum of six months in prison for giving a cowardly punching and wounding.
It would also implement a mandatory minimum of eight years in prison for throwing a cowardly punch that causes death.
Under changes to the law on the degree of homicide, the highest degree of murder would carry a minimum sentence of life imprisonment “without the possibility of parole.”
Other countries used the murder grade system like Scotland, and not just the United States, he said.
Peters said the plan would spur a search for projects like those that help released prisoners obtain their driver’s licenses.
“For many prisoners, the driver’s license is a material asset that will help them get a job. And with more workshop-based courses in prison facilities, we can give them the skills they need to build a productive, crime-free life. “
The announcement comes after National unveiled its own plans to get tough on crime.
The party said it would create a new gang unit within the police and create new crimes that would only apply to gang members if they were elected.
He also promises to crack down on “serious” juvenile offenders, with more powers given to the police and Oranga Tamariki.
The party is also interested in creating a new body to administer gun laws and licenses in place of the police.
Meanwhile, facing dire poll numbers in the run-up to Election Day, Peters paused before leaving to explain to the media what he would do to return from the political grave.
“What am I going to do? I’m going to silence you on Election Day.”
Police Association President Chris Cahill said NZ First had been influential in getting more new police officers over the past three years.
Cahill said the convenience of surveillance as a job and the impact of Covid-19 had recently led to an increase in requests from people to join law enforcement.
“After all the recruiting we have done, there are still 4,000 active applicants to join the New Zealand Police.”
He said that meant that the police could choose from a large pool of applicants.
“In fact, the police have had to suspend the acceptance of new applications.”
