6. Question No. 6—PoliceHon MARK MITCHELL (National—Whangaparāoa) to the Minister of PoliceQuestion No. 6—Police6. Hon MARK MITCHELL (National—Whangaparāoa) to the Minister of Police: Does she stand by her statement It is my view that New Zealanders feel safer"; if so why?Hon BARBARA EDMONDS (Minister for Economic Development) on behalf of the Minister of Police: I stand by my full statement at the time it was given that "It is my view that New Zealanders feel safer with a Government on track to deliver 1800 extra Police." As the member is aware we have now delivered over 1800 extra police.Hon Mark Mitchell: Do authorised officers have powers of arrest?Hon BARBARA EDMONDS: No they don't; however authorised officers have a large amount of work that they need to do in order to keep our communities safe as well.Hon Mark Mitchell: How can she say Kiwis feel safer when according to the 2023 New Zealand Crime and Victims Survey 39 percent of victims of crime do not think police would be interested or could not do anything?Hon BARBARA EDMONDS: I'm pleased to see that more than eight out of 10 New Zealanders rate police's professionalism highly under the New Zealand Crime and Victims Survey. It is a tribute to the hard work police officers do day in and day out to help keep our communities safe.Hon Mark Mitchell: The question is not about the professionalism of the police.SPEAKER: Is that a point of order?Hon Mark Mitchell: Supplementary Mr Speaker. The question is not about the professionalism of the police; the question is how can she say Kiwis feel safer when according to the 2023 New Zealand Crime and Victims Survey 39 percent of victims of crime do not think police would be interested or could not do anything?Hon BARBARA EDMONDS: In reference to the survey that the member spoke about the New Zealand Crime and Victims Survey I'm pleased to see that eight out of 10 New Zealanders rate police professionalism highly. Although down on last year's figure police have highlighted the changes to the reputation of police internationally as well as public concern about new crime trends like ram raids lying behind these changes.Hon Mark Mitchell: Why given that there are 1530 more police on the beat was there no police response yesterday in Christchurch to a violent offender placed under citizen's arrest?Hon BARBARA EDMONDS: That type of offending is distressing. The member will also well know that under section 16 of the Policing Act 2008 the Minister cannot direct the Commissioner of Police as to where they deploy their resources or investigations.Hon Mark Mitchell: Has the Minister sought an explanation from the commissioner?Hon BARBARA EDMONDS: Again under the Policing Act 2008 section 16 the Minister cannot direct the Commissioner of Police in relation to investigations enforcement or the deployment of their resources.Hon Michael Woodhouse: Point of order. The Minister answered a question about the seeking of an explanation with the repeating of what we know which is that the Minister can't direct. They are two different things and therefore the question wasn't addressed.SPEAKER: I'll let the member ask the question again. In my opinion most New Zealanders might have thought that it was addressed but you can ask it again if you like.Hon Mark Mitchell: Has the Minister sought an explanation from the commissioner?Hon BARBARA EDMONDS: I am not aware of whether the Acting Minister has sought an explanation from the commissioner."