KEY POINTS:
Cook Islands police have noticed an increase in the use of drugs such as cocaine and methamphetamine in the villages, says a report by former New Zealand police commissioner Rob Robinson.
Mr Robinson has prepared the report into the police force, which has shown problems with leadership, financial management and a lack of public confidence.
But in preparing the report for the Cook Islands Government, he also found the use of hard drugs in the villages had risen and said police were worried that schoolchildren were increasingly using cannabis.
Mr Robinson has made 42 recommendations, including the reinstatement of "vaka constables", who had previously worked in villages as the "eyes, ears and voice of police".
The report found the police had strong community support despite an increasing public perception of ineptitude and declining performance.
It said with about 100 personnel, including 70 frontline officers, the police force was big enough for the country of about 12,000 residents, but lacked support services and resources.
The criminal justice system needed overhauling and law enforcement legislation was outdated. The report also found a perceived lack of independence and transparency in the appointment of the police commissioner.
Most commentators believed the declining performance was a result of inappropriate or poor leadership.
The report found that the greatest public concern was fear of being injured in a motor vehicle accident.
Road safety was a major issue and Mr Robinson said a goal of no road deaths was achievable.
Many Cook Islanders used scooters to get around Rarotonga and they needed to wear safety helmets. Figures showed the four road deaths in Rarotonga last year were a result of head injuries.
