Police strategy not armed response in disguise

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Adam Gifford Wally Haumaha: Police strategy not armed response in disguise

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Deputy Police Commissioner Wally Haumaha says general arming of the police would not be the way to keep either police or the public safer.

Police have unveiled a $48 million programme to increase training for front line officers and invest in a new tactical response model, including extra constabulary staff and intelligence analysts.

Mr Haumaha says Police consulted widely with Māori, Pacific and ethnic communities on the model.

It also took into account feedback on the Armed Response Teams trial, which involved the Armed Offenders Squad members driving around South Auckland in highly visible black vehicles.

“This is not the Armed Response Teams in disguise. This is a safer and acceptable and modern approach to keeping our staff safe and the feedback has been overwhelming from our people,” he says.

Mr Haumaha says Police want to be a service unlike any other in the world that is still approachable, is still community facing and working with the consent of the community.

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