More police and probation officers in Budget

Funding for police to meet their target of 1000 new sworn staff and 250 other staff in this electoral term is among several justice sector initiatives included in the budget.

The target was part of Labour's 2005 confidence and supply agreement with New Zealand First.

Police Minister Annette King said police would get $180 million extra operating funding over the next four years and $9.5 million in capital funding over the next year so it could hire an extra 332 sworn staff and 90 non-sworn staff to meet the target in the next financial year.

She said the boost in police numbers had made communities safer.

Also in the budget is $91 million to recruit 89 more probation officers.

Corrections Minister Phil Goff said the officers were needed to deal with increased numbers of community sentences.

Other justice sector initiatives funded in the budget include:

* $6.3 million over two years to streamline Auckland courts;

* $4.7 million more over four years for the Police Conduct Authority;

* $5.8 million over four years for a Sentencing Council to produce sentencing and parole guidelines in 2008-2009;

* $10 million over four years to enhance the security of police data;

* $11.2 million in operating funding over the next year for legal aid remuneration with an accompanying review of the system.

The budget also sets aside the previously announced sum of $216 million capital expenditure over four years and operating spending of $36 million for the replacement of Mt Eden prison.

- NZPA