Accident cover-up alleged

Press, 21 January 1982, Page 4

Accident cover-up alleged

Gangs are being used as a scapegoat by the police and the Ministry of Transport, and there should be some accountability for the actions of the law enforcers, according to a Christchurch committee headed by the Rev. Jim Consedine.

Father Consedine said that the police had often raided gang headquarters in the morning, frequently assaulting gang members, and vandalised property. He also alleged that the Ministry of Transport was covering up the role played by traffic officers in a fatal motorcycle accident on January 9.

In the accident the motorcycle's rider was severely injured and his pillion passenger killed instantly when they were struck by an oncoming car. The motor-cy-clist, one of three, was heading down a one-way street the wrong way pursued by several traffic cars. Father Consedine said.

Father Consedine said he had written to the Minister of Justice (Mr McLay) call-

ing for a public inquiry into the incident.

The letter, signed by Father Consedine, is from a committee comprising community and youth workers and lawyers.

The committee feels that a public inquiry is warranted to ascertain the role played by the Ministry in precipitating the accident, and to lay down strict guidelines for traffic officers to ensure that nothing similar happened again. Father Consedine said the group had sworn affidavits saying that before the motorcyclists left Kaiapoi they were warned by the local authorities that the Ministry of Transport was "out to get them.”

According to the affidavits the group was followed back into Christchurch without any efforts to stop them. Once in Christchurch three riders peeled off, which left the other three being pursued by traffic officers.

The affidavits said that the motor-cyclists entered Bealey Avenue, where two patrol

cars blocked progress, and the riders were forced to turn into Madras Street, a one-way street carrying north-bound traffic. Side streets on Madras Street were blocked by either Ministry of Transport or police cars which ensured that the riders could not turn off.

While travelling along Madras Street one of the motor-cycles collided with a car instantly killing the passenger and injuring the rider, Father Consedine said. The Christchurch traffic superintendent, Mr A. Goldsmith, said that it was ridiculous to think there was some form of cover-up. "We are still obtaining reports from the officers involved and until such time as we have all the information there will be no official comment on the accident. "When a case such as this is referred to the Minister of Justice we are duty bound to report to the Minister.”

Mr Goldsmith said he would be happy to supply any explanation to head

office in Wellington, or to Mr McLay, if required. Father Consedine also criticised the methods the police used to deal with gangs.

A concerted campaign was building up to discriminate against these groups in order to get public support for harsher penalties. The gangs were fulfilling the role of being scapegoats for all the ills of society, he alleged. The acting head of the Christchurch Police District. Chief-Superintendent J. A. Jamieson, said his men were frequently called to gang headquarters to investigate offences.

“If warrants are required we obtain them, but there are circumstances where warrants are not required. "Some weeks ago a patrol went to a gang headquarters to make some inquiries after a car had left a petrol station without paying, and they were attacked with an iron bar and a meat cleaver.

“It would appear with these allegations of assault by the police the boot is reallv on the other foot.

"In cases such as happened with the meat cleaver the police will take strong action to defend themselves,” he said.

There was no campaign against these groups to get public support for harsher penalties, he said. “Gang members receive the same treatment as other members of the public so long as they co-operate," he said.

Father Consedine said that much of what was alleged to be anti-social gang behaviour had either little or nothing to do with the gangs, or they had formed only a part of it. For example, according to the news media 50 to 70 people were involved in a brawl at the Tavern Rachael last week-end, yet fewer than 10 gang members were present, he said.

"We are not condoning anti-social gang behaviour. We are saying that we expect the same fair and impartial treatment accorded to members of clubs and gangs as is experienced by other people in society,” Father Consedine said.