Senior ministers attack Goff

Phil Goff. File photo / Mark Mitchell

Senior Government ministers have launched an extraordinary attack on Labour leader Phil Goff on the eve of the election, calling his claims about police recruitment a stain on his political legacy.

Mr Goff said during the final leaders' debate that senior police had been told of a freeze on police recruitment for all of next year, and were keeping it quiet until after the election.

Yesterday, Police Minister Judith Collins said Mr Goff was "plain wrong" and only the January intake of recruits had been delayed until March because of the attrition rate, which is historically low but has risen each of the past three years.

But the Herald understands Mr Goff's claim has some support among senior police, though it remains unclear how long police had intended the deferment to last.

A police source told the Herald that the January and February intakes had been cancelled, and yesterday was the first time March had been mentioned for recruiting to resume.

In an internal police memo sent yesterday and obtained by the Herald, Police Commissioner Peter Marshall put no deadline on the deferment.

"A low attrition rate and the need to live within our current baseline funding means we're being very conservative in terms of our planning for next year," he said.

The memo said the only decision made so far was to defer the January recruits. It does not mention March.

"Other wings will be confirmed once we've analysed our requirements ... base recruitment lines remain open."

Police are making savings to fund other initiatives; national headquarters and the police college were asked to find 15 per cent savings, while each district was asked to find 5 per cent.

Mr Marshall, who usually comments on operational matters instead of the minister, refused interviews yesterday.

Prime Minister John Key and National's campaign chairman Steven Joyce both called Mr Goff desperate, while Ms Collins said he was "not being truthful". She called his statements a stain on his legacy.

"Phil has gone on national TV and made these allegations, based on what somebody told him somewhere. This is outrageous behaviour."

Ms Collins challenged Mr Goff to name his source, adding that "any fool" could make claims without naming names. "I say to Phil: Front up. Think about your legacy. Do you want to be known as the person who tried to undermine public confidence in police, their political neutrality?

"And apologise to the Police Commissioner. He deserves more respect ... You don't go around accusing police of being part of some political cover-up."

She said she did not ask Mr Marshall if there had been police plans or discussions to defer recruiting until the end of next year.

"But I've spoken to the Police Commissioner, I'm the Minister of Police, we're not cutting that frontline - and that's it."

Police Association president Greg O'Connor said the minister's comments were reassuring.

"And we hope there is no further deferment."

Last night Mr Goff said his sources had since told him that recruiting had been cancelled for January and February. "When they started talking about March, I don't know. Maybe it was after the debate.

"They got caught out. They're trying desperately to heap abuse on me to reduce their embarrassment."

Constabulary staff attrition rate:

2006... 5.5 per cent

2007... 4.7 per cent

2008... 3.9 per cent

2009... 2.2 per cent

2010... 2.8 per cent

2011 (year to Nov)... 3.5 per cent