KEY POINTS:
The decision to arm Napier detectives with pistols for the three days leading up to Christmas has been criticised by the Green Party - but police say they would wear sidearms "at any time" if the circumstances required it.
The Green Party said today that using the open wearing of sidearms as a deterrent measure went against the philosophy of having an unarmed police force.
But Napier police inspector Kevin Kalff disagreed, saying since detectives began patrolling commercial areas of the city, which were seen as possible robbery targets, there had been no incidents.
In previous years there had been a number of Christmas robberies. Information had been received to indicate something was being planned, but with the detectives armed and on the streets nothing eventuated.
"Police will be armed when we see there is a specific need." Mr Kalff said.
The threat of armed hold-ups at a time of the year when there were big amounts of cash about, was one of those 'specific need' situations, he added.
Mr Kalff said the wearing of firearms was a preventative measure and was carried out within legislative guidelines.
A decision on whether it would be continued in the lead-up to Christmas this year would be made at the time.
"The need and requirements will be evaluated then."
He said at any time of the year, if there was a need, the wearing of sidearms would be considered.
Police worked in teams of two and covered the city by car and on foot.
There was no attempt to conceal the wearing of the holstered pistols.
Mr Kalff said the armed campaign had been well publicised.
"To show we were out there."
Green MP Keith Locke said police were sliding down a slippery slope once they started to carry guns in a public setting.
"They might say 'well, there's only two officers carrying them', but the two reasons they are carrying them are one, a vague possibility of criminal activity; and two, as a deterrent factor by them being visible to the public.
"Once those two principles are established then its going to develop from there to more police showing them visibly...which then you get the American swaggering with your gun on your hip scenario."
He said anytime police carried guns visibly was threatening and intimidating to the public.
However, the Napier officers who wore the sidearms said while the criminal fraternity appeared to have noticed, few people shopping at Christmas had.
- NZPA
