Government rejects call to arm police

Press, 28 December 1989, Page 1

Government rejects call to arm police

By

PETER LUKE

in Wellington

The Police Association’s call for arms has been rejected by the Government, which believes the move could increase vio J lence.

The former Minister of Police, Mr Tapsell, who is a Duty Minister over the holiday break, said the Government was well aware of the pressure on front-line police. But routine or voluntary arming of the police would provide

no relief from that pressure, he said.

Mr Tapsell was commenting on the call by the dissociation's president, Mr Steve Hinds, for police to be given the right to carry guns to counter the increasing use of firearms by offenders. \

A similar call has been made by the association’s industrial advocate, Mr Graham Harding, but the Commissioner of Police, MF John Jamieson, did not agree there should be any change, in spite of concern about violence

directed at the police. Mr Tapsell said there was no evidence to suggest that arming the police would discourage criminals from •_ carrying weapons. “Nor is there any evidence to show that arming the police will deter those who do carry weapons from actually using them.” t

Overseas evidence suggested the opposite. “Arming the police would, in our opinion, only escalate levels of violence. And that is a trend

- which is to be abhorred.” The Government would not soften its line in response to a rather emotive call from the association. Mr Tapsell said a strong line had been taken on the carrying of weapons, and this stand would be maintained. The police could carry weapons in certain circumstances, with firearms readily obtained if needed on the authorisation of senior, experienced officers following recognised procedures, -