Lobbyists back frustrated police

The Government has been urged to set up an independent commission of inquiry to look at police concerns about the judicial system.

The Sensible Sentencing Trust said it had been approached by 28 police officers who were worried the courts were too lenient on criminals and that criminals were "getting the upper hand".

Trust spokesman Garth McVicar said several senior police had already expressed their concerns but could not identify themselves because they feared being reprimanded or sacked for speaking out.

Mr McVicar said after police officers approached the trust with their fears, the trust decided to ask the Government to establish an independent commission, a select committee inquiry, or both, to investigate the complaints and make recommendations.

"The police are saying that their job has become increasingly difficult as police powers have been gradually eroded to the point where the criminal element now has the upper hand," Mr McVicar said.

The police worries included concerns about disclosure where police had to reveal to defence lawyers what they had on a defendant. Clever defence lawyers then built their defence based on the evidence they knew the police had, resulting in reduced charges or the police case failing to produce a conviction.

He said that violent offenders were also getting bail when it was strongly opposed by police.

Some offenders were committing more offences and hurting people while they were on bail.

Mr McVicar said early releases on parole or home-detention sent the wrong message to criminals resulting in increased offending.

Police also wanted the right to warn communities of potentially dangerous offenders, and end the "right-to-silence" an offender had in court, he said.

Police were worried the judicial system had been eroded to the point where it was centred on offenders.

- NZPA