Police chiefs meet to discuss gangs

Press, 4 February 1987, Page 3

Police chiefs meet to discuss gangs

South Island police chiefs met in Christchurch yesterday afternoon to discuss criminal activities by gangs, but had little comment after the meeting. “Police strategies to counter criminal activity by gangs were discussed,” said the head of the Christchurch police, Deputy Assistant Commissioner John Jamieson. “The police will continue to monitor gang activities and liaison between South Island districts will continue.” The meeting was held at the Christchurch Central Police Station and lasted more than two

TODAY: 12.30 p.m. to 2 p.m.: Cathedral Square, “Just Jazzing,” with Janice Gray and John Densem, and the Stu Buchanan Jazz Band. 8 p.m. to 10.30 p.m.: Arts Centre quadrangle, “Moving Moments, Amazing Movements.” Entertainers include Alter Ego Dance Group, the Sylvia Forbes Dance Group, Mr Moon, Juggler-Gabe Gregg, and Anti-Gravity stilts group. FRIDAY: 7 p.m. to 10.30 p.m.: Arts Centre quadrangle, • Theatre Outdoor Extravaganza.” Tim Shadbolt

hours. Those who attended were Superintendent T. V. Thompson, of Invercargill: Superintendent G. C. Hill, of Dunedin; Superintendent G. R. Knight, of Timaru; and Chief Inspector G. A. Clewer, of Greymouth. The police chiefs had met in Christchurch last year and as a result police officers were asked to make reports on where gangs got their money. The first report, completed by a team led by Sergeant Mark Penn, was finished in October. The report uncovered “a very serious situation concerning gross wastage of pub-

lie funds and a realpossibility of corruption, fraud, extortion, and theft.” Detective Senior-Ser-geant Mike White was then asked to make a report on whether the law had been broken. His report, which was finished in December, showed inadequate and incompetent costing of contract work schemes and inadequate supervision. Detective Senior-Ser-geant White found no evidence of criminality. However, he said that the scheme administrators had not recognised the opportunity they provided for unscrupulous people.