Confidence in force falls as controversies take toll

Public confidence in the police has plummeted in the past three years, according to an opinion poll released today.

The National Business Review Phillips Fox poll shows that confidence in the police has fallen from 71 per cent in 2002 to 53 per cent.

In 2002, the police were the most trusted and respected institution in the country.

The new poll has them behind four other institutions: GPs, primary schools, small businesses and universities.

In last year's survey, confidence in the police stood at 64 per cent.

The poll, of 750 people, has a margin of error of 3.5 per cent.

Recent incidents such as the arrest of Assistant Police Commissioner Clint Rickards, on-going problems with the 111 system and continual complaints from police about resourcing appear to have dampened the public's confidence in the police.

New Zealand First law and order spokesman Ron Mark said a big increase in resources in the Budget would help restore confidence.

National police spokesman Tony Ryall said the public had confidence in police officers, but not in the Government's handling of law and order.