Police numbers 'should always be visible’

Press, 2 June 1982, Page 6

Police numbers 'should always be visible’

PA Wellington Uniformed policemen should display their identification numbers at all times, a group of Auckland lawyers has concluded after studying the issue. The numbers should be clearly visible, even to people of less than average height, and be firmly attached to outer garments, they say. A citizen’s ability to make a useful complaint against a policeman was increased significantly if the officer could be identified by name or number, says the public issues committee of the Auckland District Law Society. Police instructions oblige policemen to wear identification numbers on their tunics, but hot on overcoats,.

“There have been recurring complaints in recent

years that the system of identification of police in New Zealand is unsatisfactory. Many people have expressed dissatisfaction that their complaints to the police have been dismissed because the alleged offender within the police cannot be identified,” the lawyers say. The police had, until recently, resisted suggestions that their General Instructions be amended to require a “more satisfactory system of police identification." But in February they had decided. that all uniformed men, up to and including the rank of senior-sergeant, should wear identification numbers on raincoats and overcoats.

The. new policy would depend upon “the availability of suitable number-discs from the'manufacturer." “Our committee awaits the

implementation of this policy with interest. It is certainly gratifying that the police have recognised that the present system for identification of members is inadequate,” the lawyers say.

The Commissioner of Police, Mr R. J. Waltbn, confirmed yesterday that clearly visible numbers would be mandatory for all policemen up to the rank of senior-sergeant as soon as supplies were available. “Engraved numbers for greatcoats . and an 1 iron-on type for raincoats have been ordered,” he said. “Some are already to hand and as soon as the rest arrive they will be issued."

It was pot yet known when sufficient numbers would be available.

“We are sat the mercy of the manufacturers,” a police spokesman said. ;