Bill ‘puts police beyond the law’

Press, 30 August 1978, Page 6

Bill ‘puts police beyond the law’

PA Wellington The chairman of the Council for Civil Liberties (Mr N. B. Dunning) has deplored Government action in introducing the Police Amendment Bill and within eight days of its introduction putting it beyond effective public comment by giving it its second reading. He said that the bill had been introduced in the House on August 21 and would be given its second reading on August 30. A provision in the bill affected the ability of members of the public to recover damages from the police for wrongful misconduct. The bill prohibited civil or criminal proceedings in respect of the contents of docu-

i ments declared confidential and prevented their being - produced in court without the consent of the Commissioner I of Police. It would also become an offence to have pos- ■ session of such a document. t The council knew of two f cases before the courts which - would be prejudiced if not - defeated entirely as a result 1 of the passage of the bill though the House in its pres1 ent form. > The bill appeared to put the > police beyond the reach of 1 the law. Important constitutional questions needed to Ibe answered. Interested - organisations should be given r the opportunity to be heard p and Parliament given the opportunity to consider such r legislation properly without - having deadlines imposed on - it.