Daniel Newman: Community ought to be champions for police

File photo / Supplied

There are few things more important to the success of New Zealand's liberal democracy than the rule of law. And the ability to uphold the law is largely dependent on the willingness of all New Zealanders to support the New Zealand police.

The shooting of Len Snee, Bruce Miller and Grant Diver in the Hawkes Bay, and Bruce Lamb and Mitchel Alatalo in Christchurch, reminded us of the dangers that frontline officers face in the line of duty. Yet thousands of men and women continue to serve on the thin blue line to the benefit of society.

Most people will come to know members of the police throughout their lives. All of us have different experiences of their work.

As an elected local government official, I have seen members of the Counties Manukau police attend the most horrific homicides, motor vehicle accidents, and unpredictable group assemblies. I have seen frontline staff provide comfort and support to victims, grieving family members, and explain the most dire situations to the news media.

In 2008 I observed frontline police face intense media scrutiny over their response to the shooting of liquor store owner Navtej Singh. The conduct of those officers that fateful night was later subject to wholly unreasonable criticism by the Independent Police Conduct Authority (IPCA).

In recent months the police have been criticised by some commentators for pursuing fleeing motorists who fail to stop when signalled and for the police policy of pursuing those who seek to disobey the law.

Tino Felise was convicted and jailed for five years for his role in the aggravated robbery of Mr Singh's liquor store. What is not widely known is that while he was on bail, Felise obtained a firearm and led the Counties Manukau police on a high-speed chase that endangered law-abiding local residents.

Felise reached speeds of 120km/h, ran red-lights, drove on the wrong wide of the road, and mounted the footpath in an attempt to evade the police.

I for one am very proud of the officers who gave chase and am delighted that this criminal is now locked up behind bars.

Too often critics line up to second-guess the conduct of frontline police officers. Even members of the Manurewa Maori Wardens recently got in on the act.

TVNZ's Marae Investigates programme screened a story on December 19 and again on January 30, 2011, titled 'It's about respect'.

The story broadcast comments from members of the Manurewa Maori Wardens and three or four Manurewa residents. The story concludes that young people have been "bashed by the police", and the Manurewa police are offside with the community.

Neither conclusion is fair or accurate. But once that message is broadcast, a certain percentage of the population will believe it. How on earth can police win the war on crime under those circumstances?

The Government's policy of increasing the number of frontline police staff, including 300 additional officers in Counties Manukau, is just what the doctor ordered. It's great news for the community and its great news for those frontline officers who need support and back-up to tackle the criminal fraternity.

But successful law enforcement requires more than just money and personnel. It requires an attitudinal change.

For our country to thrive as a free liberal democracy, all New Zealanders must be mindful of their individual security as well as the security of others. The police serve to ensure that those freedoms are upheld, unfettered by the selfish intrusion of arrogant and obnoxious criminal offenders.

If people obeyed the police and respected their role, New Zealand would be a better place. Respecting authority is not tantamount to living in a police state. Law and order is fundamental to living in a free and democratic society.

Daniel Newman is chairman of the Manurewa Local Board under the new Auckland Council restructuring.