Police head critical of ‘leniency’ of judges

Press, 6 July 1985, Page 16

Police head critical of ‘leniency’ of judges

PA Auckland Criminals are walking from the courts laughing at the leniency of judges, says the retiring Auckland police commander, Assistant Commissioner Ken Sykes. Many sentences left police staff disenchanted and were not active deterrents to crime, he said. “I would be less than

loyal to my staff if I said that the police are satisfied with court sentences,” Mr Sykes said. "Very often what we consider to be a very serious crime is dealt with by a minor fine, probation, or minor imprisonment. “You only have to go round the country to see these people laughing as they leave the courts. This does nothing for police mor-

ale.” Mr Sykes advocated ‘stiffer penalties for many crimes, including rape. He said he believed public pressure on politicians and through the courts held the answer in the long term to having sentences toughened. Mr Sykes will retire on Tuesday after 36 years in the police, the last 20 months as Auckland com(mander. One regret was that he had been unable to improve the police and public response to thefts, burglaries, and car conversions. A main aim when he became commander was to boost investigations into “bread and butter” crime. “We still do not have the resources, I am sorry to say. I have not been able to achieve that aim, mainly because of staff shortages,” he said. The police could not provide the full investigative service for property crimes that the public expected. He believed the marked increase in violent crime might lead to arming the police. “I still believe it is inevitable if the acceleration in violent offending continues. You cannot expect unarmed

policemen to deal with vio- M lent situations where of- ; fenders are armed,” he said. “Being armed is the last 4 thing the police want. At z, this stage Ido not advocate *. it.” : He regarded drugs as one - reason for the upsurge of violence. “If people have the hard - habit, they have to have the ’ money, and they will go to any lengths to get it,” he said. ’ Mr Sykes said the police in Auckland were understaffed, and even if numbers ’ were at the authorised level more would be needed. He * said his successor, Assistant Commissioner Brian Davies, " would have continuing problems with staff shortages. But he did not think police morale was as low as -- some sources claimed. The present decentralisa- - tion of police work to suburban bases would be vital in - reducing crime in associa- “ tion with neighbourhood . support and watch groups. Mr Sykes will not follow his former deputy, Mr • Graham Perry, into civilian * security work. ■ ” “I would like to try some- ’ thing different altogether,” he said. “I am keeping my " options open. I have one or ~ two irons in the fire.” ,*j