Standing in for the police minister, Kris Faafoi acknowledged the increase but said it was an operational matter for police. As the legislation currently stands, those on the National Gang List can have their firearms licence removed if police believe they are not a fit and proper person and associated with a gang. That is a piece of legislation the ACT Party voted against .
But McKee questioned why, if the police had such powers, were they not using them. Under what circumstances is it appropriate for a gang member to hold a firearms licence? she asked.
Faafoi responded it was a decision made at the police s discretion.
ACT questions why more gang members getting firearms licence
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ACT questions why more gang members getting firearms licence
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Police Association disagrees with minister over reason for recruitment halt
26 Jan, 2021 10:08 PM
4 minutes to read
Police training has been halted. Photo / Hayden Woodward
Cheree Kinnear is a sports reporter for NZMEcheree.kinnear@nzherald.co.nz
The Police Association is at odds with the Police Minister over an advancement of budget funds to continue training new officers, while delayed recruits face losing their positions when wings recommence.
The brakes have gone on training new officers with candidates scheduled to attend the Royal New Zealand Police College in February told their entry would be deferred until later in 2021 after recruitment requirements were reconsidered.
The previous Police Minister s defending a halt on training new officers between March and September
The previous Police Minister s defending a halt on training new officers between March and September 27 January 2021
A source has told our newsroom the delay is the result of Police Minister Poto Williams denying an advance of a five-year budget funds from the 2017 Government.
In a statement, Poto Williams says fewer people have left the police force in recent years, meaning there s less need for new recruits.
Her predecessor Stuart Nash says the budget funding was for 18-hundred officers and the government s already surpassed that.