Amid the deluge of policies and numbers that typically made up the 2022 Budget there was a welcome nugget with potentially bigger implications than the few words it was allocated – “we will ensure (police) numbers don’t fall away again by maintaining an ongoing ratio of one police officer to every 480 New Zealanders”.
This column is usually my vehicle for commenting, favourably or otherwise, on the high-profile policies and actions of Police and policymakers, and the many media stories that involve members.
The Government’s delay in fully funding Police management to pay non-sworn staff the 3.5 per cent increase due, and already being paid to sworn staff, has been gutting.
The professionalism, competency and commitment of police to shut down the protesters’ occupation of Parliament grounds and the nearby streets, are to be applauded and I am immensely proud of the officers involved.
With 2022 under way, I am hopeful that members who worked through the holiday season are now having their much-deserved time off, bearing in mind that Omicron could disrupt leave.