PM backs 'hard-working' minister

Prime Minister Helen Clark has defended Police Minister George Hawkins after another attack on his ability to fix problems with police communications centres.

In Parliament yesterday, Helen Clark expressed confidence in Mr Hawkins, saying he was a "hard-working and conscientious minister".

National Party leader Don Brash said Mr Hawkins should be held responsible for problems with the 111 call system and National's police spokesman, Tony Ryall, said problems highlighted in the three police communications centres meant Mr Hawkins should go.

The issues were huge and ongoing and confirmed that police were under an increasingly heavy workload but nothing was being done about it, Mr Ryall said.

Mr Hawkins had known about the problem for months, he said. He had done nothing and his incompetence undermined police confidence in themselves and the public's confidence in the police.

The exchange came after the Police Association magazine, Police News, said in an editorial that goodwill and dedicated but stressed staff kept police communications centres going.

This was in spite of the highlighting seven months ago of systemic failures, high staff turnover and understaffing.

After it highlighted issues in the communications centres, police got $1.3 million for 18 extra staff throughout New Zealand but high attrition meant staff had increased by only five since June 2002, the magazine said.

Editor Steve Plowman wrote that technical problems, short staffing and other issues were increasing pressure on already exasperated communications centre workers.

 

All communications centres are being reviewed by an independent panel of two police officers from Australia, one from Canada and a fourth person from an international accountancy firm.

It is expected to convene late next month.

- NZPA