12. Question No. 12—PoliceSIMEON BROWN (National—Pakuranga) to the Minister of PoliceQuestion No. 12—Police12. SIMEON BROWN (National—Pakuranga) to the Minister of Police: Is she satisfied with how Police resources are being allocated in response to the demand for Police services; if so why?Hon POTO WILLIAMS (Minister of Police): I am satisfied that this Government has invested over $450 million in our police and as a result of this investment the total police workforce now surpasses 14000 with over 1200 additional constabulary and authorised officers on the streets. I'm also satisfied that we are well on track to deliver 1800 new police—including 700 to be focused on organised crime—by June 2023. Ultimately the deployment and allocation of police staff and resources is a matter for the Commissioner of Police and local district commanders. I have full confidence in them to make these decisions.Simeon Brown: How many police officers will be allocated to do spot checks at the Auckland border over summer and how many spot checks will they be expected to complete on a daily basis?Hon POTO WILLIAMS: Any deployments of that nature are operational and a matter for the Commissioner of Police.Simeon Brown: Has she seen reports that Maintaining regular policing standards is not possible with so many staff on COVID-19 duties and the extra strain will not be sustainable for much longer."; if so how will police manage the increase in demand for services which is common over the summer period?Hon POTO WILLIAMS: There's no doubt that COVID-19 has had a huge impact on police services not only around the country but specifically in Auckland and there has been significant demand. But that's why I'm grateful that this Government has invested $450 million in our police and as a result of this investment we've increased our total police workforce. It now surpasses 14000 with 1200 additional constabulary and authorised officers on the streets.Hon Chris Hipkins: Has she seen reports that moves to ensure police can access additional support from the military and from community patrols and from Māori wardens and the like to support the COVID-19 response have been vocally opposed?Hon POTO WILLIAMS: Yes I have and notably from that side of the House.Simeon Brown: Can the Minister guarantee that all checkpoints run by iwi this summer will have at least one police officer present?Hon POTO WILLIAMS: Iwi bring valuable expertise and experience which has supported police in the past and they play a key role in resolving and diffusing matters where people have wanted to travel between regions especially during high stress times and this has been evident throughout the lockdown. Only police or authorised enforcement officers acting under supervision such as the New Zealand Defence Force or Māori wardens of police will have enforcement powers.Simeon Brown: Point of order. The question was quite clear in that I was asking about these checkpoints run by iwi—will there also be at least one police officer present? I don't think she answered that part of the question.Hon POTO WILLIAMS: Yes.Simeon Brown: How many of the 700 police officers promised to tackle organised crime which the Minister mentioned in the answer to the primary question have so far been delivered?Hon POTO WILLIAMS: My recollection is somewhere in the region of 350 perhaps 400.DEPUTY SPEAKER: That concludes—[Banter across the Chamber] Order! That concludes oral questions. I call on Government—[Members' banter continues]. Order! Turituri! I call on Government order of the day No. 1."