King Annette: Policing Bill — In Committee 
King Annette: Policing Bill — In Committee 
[Volume:649;Page:17872] 
Hon ANNETTE KING (Minister of Police) 
: 
 In Part 2 I think we are really starting to get into the substance of the Policing Bill because Part 2 Subpart 1 sets out the principles of this bill. This part confirms the continuation of the organisation known as the New Zealand Police and describes the important principles and functions for police. 
Part 2 is divided into five subparts. Clause 8 is important because it reflects the fact that policing operates in a large measure by popular consent. The New Zealand Police like similar police services around the world is successful only if it is able to police with the popular consent of the public it is policing for. Clause 8 provides principles of policing that have stood the test of time and these important principles have been well covered and endorsed by the speakers during the second reading debate. 
Without amassing a prescriptive list of functions clause 9 confirms the police mandate to include activities ranging from maintaining public safety to law enforcement and crime prevention to national security and international policing. For the first time the bill acknowledges that policing is a shared responsibility that takes place in a networked and cooperative policing environment. The acknowledgment of that shared responsibility is a very important part of this legislation. Those who believe that the New Zealand Police can solve all the law and order problems we have in this country are missing the point. The police are an important part of the fight against crime but they have a shared responsibility with other key stakeholders including the communities people live in. 
Clause 10 records that successful policing relies on a range of partner organisations in the public and the private sector as well as the efforts of individuals families and communities. I think it was Colin King who spoke of the role of Maori wardens and others. They are part of the partnership along with Neighbourhood Support Community Patrols and the emergence of Pacific wardens. The Pacific wardens scheme is now being developed in Auckland aided and assisted by our excellent Maori wardens who have had a long history of working in partnership and are helping to establish yet another model. I have great admiration for those partners and this bill makes it very clear that successful policing relies on those sorts of partnerships. Local government is another partner in successful policing. I think local government can make a big impact when it works alongside and cooperatively with the New Zealand Police. 
Subpart 2 is about governance and accountability. It strengthens the governance and accountability arrangements of the police and there are major improvements to the old Police Act 1958. It includes proposals like better definition of appointment tenure appointment and engagement of the Commissioner of Police and Deputy Commissioner of Police. There is now a process to ensure that the appointment of the commissioner and deputy commissioner is transparent. This process involves the State Services Commissioner. Clause 16 clarifies the role of the Commissioner of Police and the Minister of Police. 
Subpart 3 is about the organisation and clauses 18 to 24 are the building blocks of a modern police force. Subpart 4 gives general instructions and Subpart 5 is about command and control. It confirms the commissioner’s command and control of police employees and the chain of command in the police. 
This is a substantial part of the bill. It is a part that received a number of submissions and I am sure members will agree that it strengthens and puts in place the way forward for the New Zealand Police. I am very very supportive of identifying the need for our police to work in partnership and cooperation with the very communities they want to police.