Checks on police advocated

Press, 4 March 1988, Page 8

Checks on police advocated

PA Wellington - I People could not be expected to believe the police forcq investigated complaints against itself adequately if there were no independent authority involved, the Minister of yesterday. j “In a free society, an open democratic society, there must be checks and balances on a police force which is invested by that society with very great statutory powers; over the ordinary citizen,” he

told Parliament. Speaking during the third reading debate of the Police Complaints Authority ; Bill, Mr Palmer said the police force had a fine record. “They are free from cAruptionj but in this sort of society it is necessary Ito ensure that they are seen to be free from it, and that there is an independent basis for seeing it,” ihe said. “It is not good enough to say the: police should investigate their own complainti.”

The bill sets up ah independent authority to investigate complaints against the police. The authority would be able to receive complaints about any alleged misconduct or neglect of duty by a police member, a policy or practice that affected anyone personally, or an incident involving death or serious injury. The Opposition spokesman on the police said it was an “antipolice bill” which would set up a kangaroo court.